Category: Dating

Warning Signs that Your Partner is Cheating

If you have been wondering whether or not your spouse has been unfaithful to you, you might be looking for warning signs that your partner is cheating. However, there are plenty of false signals as well. The truth of the matter is that if you suspect your partner is cheating, it’s best to simply ask them. Assuming they’re cheating is never the best course of action because many things can affect behavior besides cheating. However, communication changes or attitude changes can sometimes be a red flag of unfaithfulness. In addition, physical changes can sometimes be as well. And finally, behavioral changes can sometimes be a sign that your partner is cheating. While some of these changes can indicate unfaithfulness, never just assume this is the case. Hopefully, your partner is just making lifestyle changes or reacting to other stressors in their life that you both can work through together.

Warning Signs that Your Partner is Cheating: Red Flags

Communication Changes

Classic warning signs that your partner is cheating are changes in communication. If they are all of a sudden very vague about plans, there might be a reason. Often, partners who are being unfaithful have a hard time carrying on the normal conversation the way they used to. If you feel like you’re being lied to constantly, definitely investigate further. Sometimes, people can become dismissive when they are attempting to cover up an affair. If your partner is communicating with you in a way that is not normal, it may be worth it to ask them if there are any issues you need to discuss.

Attitude Changes

Attitude changes can also sometimes be warning signs that your partner is cheating. If they are suddenly moody or sullen around you it can mean something has changed in your relationship. Of course, this could also indicate any number of other issues like stress at work. However, if they are suddenly negative towards your relationship or critical of you, it could be a red flag. Finally, if they seem confused about themselves it might mean that they are struggling with infidelity.

Physical Changes

Physical changes can obviously be signs of a person just wanting a change in their life. However, it sometimes can also be another of the classic warning signs that your partner is cheating. If they suddenly start dressing differently or getting in shape, it could be that they are trying to impress somebody else. In addition, if they suddenly pick up new hobbies that take up hours of their time, you might consider having a frank conversation with them.

Behavioral Changes

Behavioral changes are probably the clearest of the warning signs that your partner is cheating. If they suddenly are gone for long stretches of time or leaving the house at odd hours it can be a red flag. In addition, if they begin locking their phones suddenly or acting strangely private about their computer, you should investigate. Suddenly being on phone calls or texting all day long can be signs of cheating too. Of course changes in your sex life can also be warning signs of infidelity. And finally, if you are noticing odd spending habits, it’s worth a conversation.

While changes in behavior can be warning signs that your partner is cheating, there are always other possible explanations. If you notice changes in their communication, attitude, or appearance there could be any number of reasons that do not involve cheating. Changes in behavior can sometimes be clearer indicators. However, these two could also be a result of factors other than infidelity. The bottom line is that if you suspect your partner is cheating, you need to sit them down for an honest conversation. Hopefully, they are just reacting to stresses at work or outside factors and the two of you can work through them together.

How To Admit That You’ve Had an Affair

Nobody goes into a marriage expecting to cheat, but unfortunately, infidelity is a common occurrence. If you’ve been wanting to admit that you’ve had an affair, you may not even know how to start. It can be scary to even consider bringing it up, but you’ll probably be relieved to have the truth out there. Before you begin you should give some deep thinking as to why the affair even happened. Decide what you’d like your future to look like. Set the correct tone for your conversation. Deliver the news honestly and try to be understanding. And finally, give your partner space to think about what you’ve told them. They’ll have a lot of feelings about what happened, but hopefully, you two can work it out and move forward.

How to Admit That You’ve Had an Affair: Fessing Up

Find the Cause

Before you even try to admit that you’ve had an affair, it’s best to think about how it even happened. Were you looking for something that was missing in your relationship? Was it a one-time thing or a relationship? Consider whether or not you’d like to move forward with your spouse. They may not want to stay together when they find out, but you need to first decide if it’s even what you want. Really explore the situation internally and try to pinpoint how you could prevent it from ever happening again.

Set the Tone

When you actually sit down with your spouse to admit that you’ve had an affair, you’ll want to set the correct tone. Make sure that you’re both completely alone and have plenty of time to talk. If you have kids, make arrangements for them. Don’t try to catch your spouse while they’re heading out the door or already stressed. They will probably be more comfortable if you talk to them at home rather than out in public.

Deliver the News

When you finally admit that you’ve had an affair, it’s best to get to the point quickly and calmly. Your spouse will probably have a lot of questions for you. Answer everything truthfully. This is the time to get everything out in the open, so don’t try to hold anything back. Even if they ask questions that are painful to answer, they deserve to hear the full story. Try not to be defensive even if they get angry.

Give them Space

Finally, after you’ve had the conversation where you admit that you’ve had an affair, give your partner space. They will be feeling many emotions. Anger, hurt, embarrassment, sadness, among others. They may take time to be able to really sort out how they feel about what happened. In addition, they may want to distance themselves from you for a time. Don’t try to rush them to decide what they want to do about your relationship. Give them the space they need to take it all in and decide how they want to move forward.

Mustering up the courage to admit that you’ve had an affair can be difficult. It could end your relationship or marriage. However, most people find that keeping major secrets from their partners causes significant stress. You might feel better after the truth comes out. And it’s better for you to tell your spouse rather than have them find out from somebody else. Think about how you’d like your relationship to move forward before you tell them. Set the right tone by choosing a setting that allows you plenty of time and privacy for the talk. Be truthful and direct with them when you actually tell them. And finally, give them space afterward to decide how they feel. Hopefully, you and your spouse will be able to get help and move forward with your relationship.

Survival Guide for Dating After Divorce

Dating after divorce can seem very scary and overwhelming. Whether you’ve been married a long time or are a newlywed you are still adjusting to an entirely different future than what you expected. Make sure that you are ready to start dating again, there’s no need to rush. Don’t complain about your ex on dates as that can be a bit of a buzzkill. Take it slow when you find somebody that you like. And finally, have fun and relax! Dating should be fun and enjoyable. Don’t stress too much about finding a new partner, just enjoy the experience.

Survival Guide for Dating After Divorce: Getting Back in the Game

Make Sure You’re Ready

Before you start dating after divorce, make sure that you’re completely ready to get back in the game. You need to take time to adjust to all the changes in your life. In addition, going through a divorce is incredibly stressful, so make sure that you’ve recovered from the emotional upheaval of it all. Before you even think about going on a date, make sure that you take time for some self-love first. Put yourself as a priority and you’ll be more confident and open to a new potential partner.

Don’t Complain About Your Ex

Dating after divorce has one hard and fast rule: don’t talk about the ex. At least not at first. It’s best to take time to figure out what went wrong in your relationship. Both on your ex’s end and things that you might have done. Reflect on what you want in a new partner and try not to make comparisons. When you start dating somebody and they ask about your divorce, try to discuss it in a rational way. Bad-mouthing your ex-spouse can make you sound petty, so showing that you’ve maturely handled the divorce is best.

Take it Slow

Next, when dating after divorce, take it slow. There’s no need to rush into your next serious relationship. Taking it slow will give you time to really examine the relationship as it grows. In this way, you can hopefully spot any red flags. You’ll have a chance to address them or end the relationship before things are too serious. If you have children, it’s especially important to take your time. Make sure that you only introduce them to people that you see a future with. Otherwise, you run the risk of them getting attached to your new date and then being hurt if things don’t work out.

Have Fun

Finally, and maybe most importantly, have fun when dating after divorce! You probably never expected to be back in the dating game. But now that you’re here, make the most of it. Enjoy the fun of getting to know new people. Figure out what you want out of a new partner and see if you can find a great match. While it can be scary, dating should still be enjoyable. Try to relax and not worry about where things are going. Take time to just enjoy the thrill of a new date.

Dating after divorce can seem so overwhelming. But it’s important to try and not rush into things or take them too seriously. You have plenty of time to find a new partner. Make sure that you’ve healed from your divorce before you even start thinking about dating again. And make sure that you’ve taken time to prioritize yourself for a little while. Try not to bad mouth your ex to your new dates as this can be a red flag. Take things slow with any new partners, especially if you have children. And finally, have fun and enjoy the experience. You have another chance to go on first dates and meet some amazing new people, try to find the silver lining, and enjoy it.

How-to: Know if You’re Ready to Date Again

Putting yourself out there to date again after a divorce can bring up many different emotions. You may feel overwhelmed and unsure where to start, nervous and skeptical, or even excited about the chance to start over. Some people may even get cold feet and decide they are not actually ready to look for a new partner again. If you are in this season of life, there is a lot to consider. Here are some things to think about to know if you’re ready to date again.

How-to Know if You’re Ready to Date Again: Dating After Divorce

Time

Has your divorce not even been finalized yet? Or did it just become official a week ago? If so, you should probably wait a little bit to get back until another relationship. You do not want to jump back into a new relationship just as a rebound. You just went through a major life change, filled with many charged emotions.

Even if you feel like you are ready to go, processing these types of things take time. While you may have been the one who instigated the divorce, you will still have to mourn the loss of that relationship and heal hurt wounds. Give yourself some time to go through this process, and focus on yourself before you’re ready to date again. Depending on how long you were married, you may not even have a clear picture of who you are as an individual at this time. Take some time to rediscover yourself.

Right Reasons

Be very thoughtful about the reasons why you think you’re ready to date again. Some people feel like they have to be in a relationship to be happy. Do not jump into something just because you do not want to be alone. Also, don’t start dating someone just because everyone else in your circle has a partner. Also, do not start dating someone just to please other people like your family. Take the time to truly make sure you have healed from your divorce and are ready to be open and vulnerable again.

Self-Reflection and Improvement

In the meantime, take this opportunity to reflect on your failed marriage and work towards becoming the best version of yourself that you can be. In an unhealthy marriage, there were likely negative traits and behaviors coming from both parties. Take time to figure out your weak points, and talk to a counselor or find ways to work through these issues. You do not want to bring bad habits into a new relationship.

How-to Know if You’re in an Abusive Relationship

Domestic violence is a silent epidemic. According to thehotline.org, 1 in 4 women (24.3%) and 1 in 7 men (13.8%) aged 18 and older in the US have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate and knows no boundaries or borders. In fact, people of any background can be a victim or guilty of domestic violence. Domestic violence includes behaviors that physically harm, manipulate, intimidate or control a partner. This can happen through many different ways including financial control, threats, physical violence and emotional abuse. While you may think it would be obvious, sometimes it is hard to realize or know if you’re in an abusive relationship. Learn the signs of domestic violence so that you can get help for yourself or a loved one.

How-to Know if You’re in an Abusive Relationship: Learn the Signs

Thoughts and Feelings

Consider how your relationship makes you think or feel to know if you’re in an abusive relationship. For example, if you feel like you always have to walk on eggshells around your partner, chances are your relationship is unhealthy and abusive. Other signs include a partner who belittles you or tries to control you, and feelings of self-loathing, helplessness, and desperation. Take a deep look at how you feel. Do you often feel afraid of your partner or avoid certain topics out of fear of angering your partner? Do you feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner? In addition, if your relationship makes you feel that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated, or wonder if you’re crazy, you may be in an abusive relationship. Feelings of being emotionally numb or helpless is not normal in a healthy relationship.

Your Partner’s Actions

Does your partner belittle you or blame you for his or her own abusive behavior? Paying attention to how your partner treats you or behaves is a good way to know if you’re in an abusive relationship. In fact, partners are supposed to be supportive and loving, not criticize you and put you down. Know that it is not normal if your partner is overly jealous or possessive, and controls everything you do. In the same way, it’s a warning sign if they control who you see, keeping you from family and friends.

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, get help now. Know you are not alone. Thehotline.org is an excellent place to start. While it may not seem like it now, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Although it will take time, you will be able to heal from a bad relationship.

Online Dating Pics: Set Up For Success

If you’re thinking about dating again after your divorce, online sites might be appealing to you. However, it’s important you set your profile up right by using good online dating pics. Choosing the right pictures can help you make that good first impression you’re aiming for..

Online Dating Pics: Set Up For Success

Don’t Lead with group pics

When picking out your online dating pics, it’s okay to use a few group photos. But, you don’t want to use one of them as your main profile pic. Doing so could cause some potential issues to arise.

By using a group picture, it makes it harder for people you match with to figure out which one you are. If they can’t tell right away, then they could decide not to send you a message. They could also mistake someone else for you! If you do use some group photos, try to have them in your gallery instead.

Present your personality

Online dating pics are very handy for showing off your personality. Odds are you will want to match with people who have a similar personality and interests. That’s why good pics choices are important. Choosing the right ones can clearly show others what kind of person you are.

For example, if you like sports, then you can use photos of you playing them or at sporting events. If you like traveling, then it can be good to have a picture of your latest trips. Using pictures like these can help you better find people you do share interests with, and avoid those you don’t.

Avoid pics of past relationships

Any online dating pics you chose should avoid being from past relationships. Using pictures that have your ex in them, or clearly show them cropped out, can make it hard to draw in matches. That’s why you’ll want to skip these photos.

Also, using these pictures will make it harder for you to move on. Seeing these photos every time you access your profile can bring up some negative feelings. If those feelings are constant, then it may be good to wait until you resolve them before you start dating.

Difficult In-Laws

Meeting your partner’s parents is a big step in a relationship. For one, it’s nerve-wracking because you’re not sure if they’ll like you or not. Even if you try your best, it may not work out how you want. Sadly, having to deal with difficult in-laws can be an upsetting thing to go through. However, you can’t really get around it-you can just deal with it until it gets better. It can be hard, though, if you don’t know how to go about this situation. Hopefully, if you keep some things in mind, you’ll get some peace in mind.

Difficult In-Laws: Standing Your Ground

Communication

Unfortunately, knowing whether or not your in-laws like you can be unclear sometimes. First, make sure you talk with your partner! Let them knowyour concerns. Do the parents like you? If not, what could possibly be the reason for it? Additionally, what can be done to make it better? Letting your partner know where you are mentally and emotionally can help out significantly. If difficult in-laws are the problem, it’s almost impossible to go through it alone. If so, it can create a lot of strain.

Set Boundaries

Most everyone’s parents feel as though they are entitled to most facets of their kids lives. That’s true to a certain extent. However, when their child gets old enough, there may come a time where boundaries need to be set. This is especially the case with difficult in-laws. First, try to get some type of idea where and how you would like these boundaries set. For example, are in-laws barred from certain events? What are they allowed to comment on? Discuss what you want out of this. Then, you and your partner can talk about how to enforce your boundaries. Hopefully, your in-laws will take your boundaries seriously. That way, your relationship with them has the opportunity to improve.

Stand Your Ground

Standing your ground in any situation can be hard. For one, you don’t want to rock the boat. However, rocking the boat is necessary sometimes. Dealing with difficult in-laws can be one of those times! Of course, you can always shake the boat respectfully. Know what ways you’re going to enforce your boundaries. Additionally, if you’re nervous, rehearse if you have to. However, standing your ground could help better your relationship with your in-laws eventually.

Dealing with difficult in-laws can be a complicated situation. There are many reasons why they may be difficult. For one, they may not like you how you hoped they would. Or, they can just be a little too involved. No matter the reason, dealing with difficult in-laws is a necessity. Communication is always key so make sure you’re doing that with your partner. After all of your concerns are out in the open, try to set a game plan for setting boundaries. Additionally, once you’ve made your boundaries, make sure to set them and stand your ground. That way, everyone involved can have a better relationship with each other.