The Damaging Effects of Stress on a Relationship
It’s common logic that stress can wreak havoc on many areas of life, including work, school, and your physical/emotional health. However; how damaging can stress be on a romantic relationship?
Posts by Denise Shively
Emotional Affairs Are STILL Affairs
As a woman who has been cheated on, both physically and emotionally, I can assure you that emotional affairs can be potentially as devastating as physical cheating. Unfortunately, few people are aware of the damage emotional cheating can bring upon a relationship. While it’s perfectly acceptable for women and men to befriend one another in platonic fashion, when do you know you’ve crossed the boundary between mere friendship and emotional infidelity?
Why Serial Dating Can Seriously Mess You Up
While the dating game can be fun, and can potentially allow you to find someone compatible for you in the long-term, many women (and men) can turn into a “serial dater.”
I know how dangerous serial dating can be, because I used to be one. After a boyfriend ended our relationship of four years, I was completely devastated. At first, I turned to binge-eating, sob fests, and writing tragic “poetry” in my journal in order to try and cope with the pain I was feeling. When I realized that it wasn’t working, I turned to serial dating to try and deal with my rejection. I dated man after man after man, never pausing to face the perilous slope I was heading down. I didn’t realize it then, but I was simply using each new man in my life to fill the void my long-term partner had left in my heart when he broke up with me.
Breaking up is hard to do…but what if he wants you back?
Yes, breakups suck - there’s no polite terminology to describe the aftermath of a ruined relationship. You can cry, eat a pound of ice cream and write angry letters to your ex in your online journal, but eventually it’s time to face reality and realize life isn’t over. But what happens if you think your ex wants you back?
Online Dating Tips
I’m no stranger to the internet dating game. But if you seriously want to take that route, you need to be open and honest with what you want and what you’re looking for. If you’re not honest about your intentions, you’re only going to set yourself up for disappointment.
How to Spend Time Apart but be Closer than Ever
Everyone goes through a period in their relationship where things seem to sour. Maybe your partner doesn't seem interested in spending time with you anymore, or perhaps he's so focused on other obligations he doesn't have time for you. Before you pack your bags and get the heck out of dodge, you should know that this type of behavior can actually be normal in a long-term relationship. I know – shocker, right?
Possessive Partners
If you've ever been in a relationship with a possessive partner, you'll completely understand the following scenario. About two years ago, I met a man through a mutual friend of ours. I didn't notice any red flags. This man seemed, LITERALLY, perfect, which perhaps was a red flag in and of itself.
How to Say No…and Mean It
A few years ago, I went on a date with a man that I knew I didn't have anything in common with. He took me to a nice restaurant, and then we went for a walk along the beach. Even though I knew I wasn't attracted to him, I couldn't say no when he'd asked me out. Why? I didn't know it then, but my habit of being unable to say no would dictate future relationships, to the point where I would end up hurt, miserable and ultimately alone.
Dating Faux Pas You MUST Avoid
I cannot tell you how many times I've been on a date with one guy or another, and within minutes they've managed to creep me out and/or ruin their chances of a second date. How? Well, my friends, there are certain dating faux pas that you absolutely must avoid… especially if it's a first date.
Honey, It's Time to Get Over Him
When do you finally realize it's time to let go of a former flame?
…After you were thrown in a holding tank for a night because you were stalking him and his new girlfriend – oh, and you keyed his brand new Mustang convertible. Um… you may have broken the window to his apartment, too.