Relationships Archives
There is no denying that we live in a technology saturated world. It can be hard to imagine a day going by without responding to an email, sending a text message, or checking the latest updates on Facebook. Our intimate relationships are even tied up with technology. Some of us meet through an online dating website or live long distance and connect with our loved one via video conferencing. It is becoming increasingly important, therefore, to consider…
A breakup is one of the top 10 life events that causes the most stress. Whichever way you break up, the fallout can be emotionally devastating and psychologically draining, leaving you feeling dazed and confused. Love might be blind but a breakup can leave you feeling blindsided, not knowing which way to turn. Getting over a split, whoever or however it was initiated, takes time- but there are ways you can lighten the breakup burden. When a…
Think of those old pair of slacks you love to wear when you don’t feel like putting in effort. They’re comfortable, but over time, they become worn and tattered – sometimes without you even noticing. The same can happen with loved ones too. While the deep feeling of enduring companionship with someone you have come to know on so many levels creates a strong bond, we can become so used to our significant other over the years…
You have probably watched a movie where the main romantic protagonists declare that they could “never be just friends: because their romantic feelings are simply too strong. However, what is rarely touched on in the cinematic world of ‘happily ever after’ is that while lovers may not want to be friends, friendship is a vital part of any loving relationship. Drama can be drab A solid relationship base of friendship may not seem as dynamic as the…
While it is good to talk in a relationship, communication is a two way stream – when you are not expressing what you think and feel then you need to be listening. However, in relationships it is easy to feel that your words are falling on plugged ears or that you have to shout to be heard. Dialogue can dry up or turn into a diatribe of shouting matches with both sides playing the blame and accusation…
Movies, music, and social media all sell the same idea: you’ll just know. “Love at first sight.” “When you know, you know.” It’s a nice story, but in reality, it tends to blend two very different feelings, love and infatuation, into one romantic idea. Figuring out which one you’re actually in can be genuinely hard, especially when both feel just as intense in the moment. Here’s a clearer way to think through it, along with ten honest…
Busy schedules, growing families, demanding careers, and changing priorities can quietly pull friendships to the background. Questions about how to maintain friendships as an adult often surface during life transitions such as moving to a new city, starting a new job, or becoming a parent. Connections that once felt effortless can begin to require more intention. At Symmetry Counseling, conversations about adult friendships come up often in therapy. Romantic relationships, parenting, and work responsibilities all matter, but…
Joined at the hip, two peas in a pod, stuck together like glue; when couples first fall in love, the time they spend together can be intense both emotionally and in terms of the physical time spent together. As time goes by, however, this bond can turn into co-dependence and create a feeling of being stuck in a rut. Whether you are in the first bloom of a blossoming romance or are way down the path of…
When communication breaks down between a couple, the relationship can become incredibly painful, confusing and even destructive. The key to communicating effectively is to be able to verbalize how you feel and what you think. The challenge is to do so without loading conversations with complaints, criticisms, accusations or put-downs. Communicating for Relationship Success When you want to be open and air any grievances, or you want to tackle a problem that is bothering you, it helps…
When you are a child there is a natural order of things; adults set the rules while brothers and sisters vie for their place, creating a familial hierarchy and chain of command. But what happens when you grow up and become part of a couple? You now have a blend of different family members in your lives and it is not always obvious what roles, responsibilities, and relationships everyone will respond to or take on. To achieve…