All posts tagged: relationships

Couples With Stronger Relationships Than Most Say 5 Phrases On A Regular Basis

Couples With Stronger Relationships Than Most Say 5 Phrases On A Regular Basis

Published by Jenni Sidey

One of the most important factors in making or breaking a romantic relationship is the way the two people involved speak with one another. Two couples can start off loving each other just as much, but if one has serious breakdowns in communication often enough, they’re far more likely to break things off entirely at some point. Building a strong relationship requires time, trust, commitment, and a whole lot of communication. At some point, one or both of you will face significant challenges. Couples who make sure to take the time and make the effort to say specific words to each other regularly are the most likely to stay strong and be by each other’s side no matter what. 5 phrases couples in the strongest relationships use when talking to each other on a regular basis 1. “I’m grateful for everything you do.” Jelena Danilovic from Getty Images via Canva Showing gratitude is important in relationships with anyone. Not only is it a nice thing to say or do, but it can boost happiness and …

People Losing The Capacity To Keep Up With Friendships Usually Say 9 Phrases In Casual Conversation

People Losing The Capacity To Keep Up With Friendships Usually Say 9 Phrases In Casual Conversation

Published by Jenni Sidey

Keeping up with adult friendships is difficult on its own. Add a full plate of responsibilities and personal insecurities and it can feel impossible even though friends are the ones who protect our well-being.  It can feel like rejection when someone can’t make time for us, but the language they use might remind sometimes our friends are just dealing with deeper, more personal reasons. 9 phrases people say when they’re losing their capacity to keep up with friendships: 1. ‘I missed your text’ Krakenimages.com | Shutterstock Memory can suffer if we’re struggling with loneliness or even depression. That’s why messages like this can sometimes be a window into someone else’s personal struggles. It doesn’t feel good to not get a response or have a friend reject a call when we need them, but there’s a chance they’re missing the emotional and mental energy to invest in their relationships. They might not feel secure enough in themselves to figure out what to say or how to express themselves. It’s not a sign of rejection or even …

10 Sketchy Things Men Who Don’t Really Love You But Love What You Do For Them Often Do

10 Sketchy Things Men Who Don’t Really Love You But Love What You Do For Them Often Do

Published by Jenni Sidey

Back when I used to date, one guy really stood out to me. We’ll call him John. He was charming and handsome, with a tongue made of pure silver. With those qualities, he always had a knack for getting me to lend him money, be intimate with him, and just tolerate bad behavior.  But whenever I needed something, he disappeared. Though I loved John, I eventually realized he didn’t love me. He just loved using me. If you are asking yourself, “Is he using me?” and want to avoid dating your version of him, keep an eye out for these signs. Men who don’t really love you often do a few sketchy things: 1. He asks you to foot the bill for literally everything I’ve had this happen with both John and another guy. Both times, “I’ll pay you back” turned into “Well, things are still tight. Why are you so stingy?” I eventually realized that they did this on purpose so that they could gain my trust enough to basically let them mooch off of me.  I’m not …

8 Phrases Emotionally Intelligent People Say When It’s Time To Downgrade A Relationship

8 Phrases Emotionally Intelligent People Say When It’s Time To Downgrade A Relationship

Published by Jenni Sidey

Emotionally intelligent people rarely get stuck in all-or-nothing patterns of thinking, especially in relationships.  All relationships change over time, just like people do. A close friend might need to be a little further away for a while. When that happens, emotionally intelligent people use these phrases to signal they’re downgrading the relationship but not ending it. Phrases emotionally intelligent people use to downgrade a relationship 1. ‘I’m going to take a step back’ Vergani_Fotografia from Getty Images Signature via Canva When people have had a close relationship, there’s a pretty good chance they weren’t big on enforcing boundaries. It wasn’t like things got toxic. They just trusted each other so much that it didn’t feel necessary. But boundaries belong in every relationship, no matter how close they are. When someone says they’re taking a step back, it’s very clear that’s what they’re doing, but they aren’t making it a big deal or being mean about it. This simple phrase sets the precedent for respectful communication without being as involved in each other’s lives, which is …

The Note My Husband Left On The Counter Mad Realize Our Marriage Was Over

The Note My Husband Left On The Counter Mad Realize Our Marriage Was Over

Published by Jenni Sidey

I was on Facebook minding my own business when my ex’s new wife popped up as a friend suggestion. Her name showed as an alias or nickname, but the profile picture was unmistakably her. Of course I looked. Her profile was private except for the photo and a few details that slipped through. I silently compared her scarf and classic style to my provocative fashion, her relative youth to my 40-something forehead, her black hair to my aging blonde. Then I remembered when my ex began dating her and mockingly told me that my light blonde hair looked terrible, and I felt mad for a million reasons that had nothing to do with her. It’s an odd experience to spend what feels like half a lifetime with someone, only to feel like you’ve passed a baton to their next relationship. In her social media image, she stood alone, smiling, seemingly at a travel destination he took her to. That figurative baton gave her the life and husband she now loves, but seeing it in action …

11 Mildly Miserable Phrases People Who Are Settling For Someone Often Say In Casual Conversation

11 Mildly Miserable Phrases People Who Are Settling For Someone Often Say In Casual Conversation

Published by Jenni Sidey

Settling often hides in everyday moments when your desires are ignored, and you begrudgingly compromise anyway. Someone may know in their heart that the relationship doesn’t align with their deepest values or needs, but they lack the courage to say that “just okay” isn’t enough. If you use these excuses often, you might be settling for the bare minimum instead of the kind of love you truly crave. People who are basically just settling often say these miserable things: 1. ‘It’s not perfect, but no relationship is’ fizkes | Shutterstock People who bring up toxicity in other relationships to make their own seem less challenging are settling for far less than they imagined in a partner. Instead of maintaining high standards and expectations, they’ve minimized red flags and sacrificed genuine happiness by treating dysfunction as normal. No relationship is flawless, but we are still entitled to a real connection with someone who loves us enough to understand our needs. Using this excuse rationalizes staying in a situation where your desires aren’t being met. It makes everyone, and you, …

Men Slowly Losing The Ability To Stay Calm Often Hear 11 Phrases From Their Wives In Everyday Conversations

Men Slowly Losing The Ability To Stay Calm Often Hear 11 Phrases From Their Wives In Everyday Conversations

Published by Jenni Sidey

Have you ever noticed that there are a few things women say that offend men more than women? Often, they trigger insecurity or even make them feel emotionally unsafe. They are not inherently rude, but they just rub them the wrong way. While you don’t want to have to tip-toe around your partner, it’s good to be thoughtful about what you say to them out of simple kindness, and they should do the same for you. Men who hear phrases like these regularly from their wives often struggle to keep calm, and while it’s their repsonsibility to manage their reactions, it might be good to take a look at these phrases and consider avoiding them. 11 things husbands hear from their wives in daily conversations that cause them to lose their ability to stay calm: 1. ‘Man up’ Telling a man to “man up” is outright offensive. You are undoubtedly telling him that he is not acting like a man, whatever that means to you. The phrase reinforces toxic masculinity and emotionally repressive forms of …

Men With Very Little Mental & Relational Intelligence Say 7 Phrases That Often Push Away Women They Love

Men With Very Little Mental & Relational Intelligence Say 7 Phrases That Often Push Away Women They Love

Published by Jenni Sidey

Pretty much every sport has rules. These rules developed over the evolution of the game. They were invented and enforced by players and coaches. If a rule is broken, the offending player will face the consequences. Relationships have unwritten rules.  Technically, all of the rules in dating are unwritten, but there are certain rules in relationships that are so obvious they really shouldn’t have to be explained, but sadly, plenty of men lack self-awareness. We’re going to explain the phrases men should never say because these statements hurt others (often without the speaker even realizing it), and recognizing them is the first step toward real growth. Men with very little mental and relational intelligence say phrases like this that push away women they love: 1. ‘How many people have you been with?’ StockPhotoDirectors | Shutterstock Just as she should never ask how many women you’ve been with, you should never ask her how many men she’s been with. The reason you should never ask this question is that you don’t want to know. It doesn’t matter …

8 Phrases Men Who Are Slowly Losing Their Capacity For Love Say In Casual Conversation

8 Phrases Men Who Are Slowly Losing Their Capacity For Love Say In Casual Conversation

Published by Jenni Sidey

The ability to love rarely disappears all at once, but a man’s capacity for love can slowly erode over time after he’s been through enough disappointing experiences. He may have once had incredibly high hopes for his love life, but once he’s emotionally exhausted, he becomes almost obsessed with protecting himself from vulnerability,  This shift can sometimes be subtle enough to miss as he carries on with everyday life, dating like nothing’s wrong. Still, the way he talks about love when he’s casually sharing with someone is likely to reveal that something inside him has changed. If a man is slowly losing his capacity for love, he’ll often say these phrases casually: 1. ‘I don’t need anyone’ NDAB Creativity | Shutterstock A man who says he doesn’t need anyone may be protecting himself from disappointment before it happens. He may have become so used to handling everything alone that relying on someone is unnecessary or even risky. He no longer views connection as something that adds to his life. Instead, it becomes a weakness. That …

4 Weirdly Captivating Things Men Who Are Impossible To Resist Usually Say In Casual Conversation

4 Weirdly Captivating Things Men Who Are Impossible To Resist Usually Say In Casual Conversation

Published by Jenni Sidey

First impressions are a lot like job interviews: You can’t score the soulmate or the paycheck without that first meet-and-greet. Some glide through this necessary evil with straight-A finesse because they know how to act on a first date; others bumble along a path of C-worthy mediocrity, producing mixed results. We can’t say whether you and the person across from you will one day get married, but you can’t go wrong using the tactics below to make yourself irresistibly captivating when you first meet someone. Irresistible men usually say these strangely captivating things: 1. ‘I love that (insert clothing, hairstyle, eye makeup, etc.)’ Dmytro Zinkevych | Shutterstock When you first see us, compliment us. Appreciate the beading on our turquoise bracelet, compliment our navy blue eyeliner, or our smile.  Of course, don’t go overboard or force it. Instead, just say what you’re thinking and notice something you can genuinely compliment. RELATED: 13 Signs You’re Basically Dating A Houseplant 2. ‘And why do you say that?’ This may come as a shock, but we’re as smart, …