I don't think it wise to retreat into the romantic couple, leaving everything else by the wayside. Your partner might leave you or come to resent the closeness. Then again, "I haven't seen him in months, he has a new girlfriend" was a common complaint back in my youth.

> Men, Where Have You Gone? Please Come Back. So many men have retreated from intimacy, hiding behind firewalls, filters and curated personas, dabbling and scrolling. We miss you.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/20/style/modern-love-men-whe...

> Why Women Are Weary of the Emotional Labor of ‘Mankeeping’ As male social circles shrink, female partners say they have to meet more social and emotional needs.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/28/well/family/mankeeping-de...

> Where Have All My Deep Male Friendships Gone? I have many guy friends. Why don’t we hang out more?

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/25/magazine/male-friendships...