Here is a common pattern that occurs when problems arise in relationships:  get hurt, argue, resolve, apologize, move on.  If you are in a relationship where you seem to argue quite frequently, you are probably more familiar with this pattern than others.  If you are in a serious relationship you don’t want to break up everytime you have an argument, so you just let it all out, apologize, then make-up and move on.  But maybe there is something more that you can be doing to cut down on the frequency of these occurrences in your relationship…maybe an apology is not the right end to the situation, but maybe it is just the easiest. “Actions speak louder than words.”  We’ve all heard it, but do we all really live... [Read more]

The idea of cutting an ex out of your life completely directly after breaking up is extremely painful.  Your ex could be someone who you have lived with, loved, shared your life with, cared for, sacrificed for, opened up to, relied on, and so much more.  So many elements of your relationship are special and this person became special.  But sometimes when a serious relationship ends, a complete and drastic break is the best option for both of you. I was just reading Michelle’s article “Can You Be Friends With an Ex?” that addresses similar issues.  Everyone imagines a perfect scenario where they break up and their ex becomes their best friend and everyone lives happily ever after.  I think this idea should be completely... [Read more]

I love dressing up for Halloween!  This year I have been a little disappointed with myself because I haven’t come up with the absolute perfect idea.  Usually I spend about 11 months concocting something, but this year I might just be a little more boring than usual and use a costume that is stashed away in my closet… Dressing up as a pair is always fun.  If you are lucky enough to have a significant other or friend to pair with who also enjoys dressing up, there are lots of ideas out there for couples.  You can buy one of the packaged deals at your local costume store that come with a complete costume for each of you like Cinderella and Prince Charming, nun and priest, or Devil couple…OR you could try one of my 2009 pop... [Read more]

I just read a thought-provoking piece of advice from advice columnist E. Jean in Elle magazine’s November issue.  A self-proclaimed nice guy (characterized as shy, clean-cut, good job, drug- and alcohol-free) asked E. Jean why women would choose to date five different types of jerks before even considering dating him.  He even stated these specific jerk types as A. users, B. jailbirds, C. druggies, D. abusers, and E. cheaters.  I’m not sure that we need to go so far as to categorize “bad guys”…let’s just say that anyone who was overly selfish, caused you to feel bad about yourself, and/or left you a complete mess when the relationship ended qualifies. E. Jean’s response was quite interesting! While... [Read more]

Have you heard about new dating services that match singles based on their DNA?  Instead of filling out forms with pages of personal questions, applicants for these matchmaking services send in a swab from the inside of their cheek for DNA analysis.  I just read a fabulously interesting article in Women’s Health Magazine by Andrew Postman called “Your DNA looks hot tonight” about new scientifically-advanced versions of online dating services. In 2007 Eric Holzle founded a service called scientificmatch.com as a DNA matchmaking site for those living in the Boston/Providence region.  The service is based on three MHC (Major Histocompatibility Complex) gene pairs that are found in humans.  These alleles are said to indicate... [Read more]