Abusive relationships are twisted and complicated. From the outside, it seems obvious. This woman is getting hurt, so of course she should leave. But on the inside of the relationship, the issue is far more involved. The woman is dependent on the man, if not financially, then certainly emotionally. Often there are children involved and lots of shame. Closing the door on relationships like this is so much harder than it sounds. If you’re in an abusive relationship, I urge you to seek professional help. Resources like the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−SAFE(7233) can give you the tools and help build the strength you need to leave a situation.
Tag Archives: breakup advice
I get to be a part of a lot of successful romances, hear a lot of gushing about first kisses and dance my face off at a lot of weddings. Unfortunately, it also means I hear a lot about the less swoony parts of relationships, like cheating. Cheating happens. And it happens to a lot of good people. I was recently asked, “My boyfriend, who’s been amazing to me, just admitted that he’s cheated before. I always believed ‘Once a cheater, always a cheater,’ but I can’t imagine breaking up with him for something he did to another woman. Am I being an idiot?”
Word on the gossip mill is that Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson’s relationship is on the mend. No one but the two of them knows if that’s true. If it is, these two have a long and bumpy road to relationship recovery ahead of them. Making a relationship work after infidelity takes a lot of work, a lot of heart, a lot of tissues and a lot of nights on the pull-out sofa. Here’s what they, and any couple in a sticky post-cheating situation, need to do to get there.
I love love and I want everyone to have it, but that doesn’t mean that you should be chasing it 24/7. No way! Taking a break from the dating scene is sometimes the best thing you can do for your romantic life. There are so many reasons why a dating detox could make sense for you.
… you need a rest from the terrible first-date merry-go-round. Hello, that sentence basically describes my 20s! Looking back, I wish I took more dating detoxes instead of jumping headlong into bad date after bad date. It got exhausting and frustrating.
… you need a break after a serious relationship ends. I sure did after my big breakup! I went months before I was ready to date, and I’m so glad I did. I used that time to heal, get to know myself better and realign my priorities.
… you’re just too busy for love. I’ve been there too. Dating the right way takes a lot of time and effort. If you don’t have the hours or the energy to spend right now, wait until you do. You’ll be more successful when the time is right — love comes when you’re ready for it.
We all know looking for the one is no easy task. It can happen in the blink of an eye or could take eons. During your quest for love, you’ll cross many speed bumps. These speed bumps are your exes. Right for you at the time, but not right for you forever. A lot of times when we dissolve a relationship, both parties move on to bigger and better things, continue new adventures and go on their merry ways. Every now and then, there are hangers — exes that need to be EXterminated. Sure, you could be friends with your ex. Maybe you were friends before you even got together, but is that really advantageous to your quest for love — to have that person always hanging around to potentially mess up your love energy?
I got dumped. And let’s face it, ice cream binges and drastic haircuts are never the best way to get a fresh start.
That said, with the next season of Millionaire Matchmaker filming in just a few short weeks, I had to get it together. I took down our pictures, threw out his cards and called my best friend. In true Ashlynn style, she showed up with wine and a game plan.
