Archive for November, 2014

There are a few times that no news is not good news when dating or in a relationship:

1. After your first date: if you haven’t heard from a date within two days, then chances are you never will. And, if you hear after a week or two, then chances are your date isn’t really interested, but is bored and lonely. Don’t fall into this trap and think this date suddenly changed their mind about how great you are a few weeks later, they are simply looking for a hook-up.
2. After dating for a couple months: if you suddenly don’t hear from someone you’ve been dating regularly, then chances are they are too chicken to break things off with you and are playing the disappearing act instead. You can move on or send a voicemail/text to let them know that you are sad they couldn’t just tell you it’s off, but that you wish them luck in the future. Be the better person and don’t throw barbs about how immature they are acting.
3. After going through a tough time while being in a monogamous relationship: if your significant other doesn’t ask follow-up questions when you make a statement about having a stressful day at work, or getting into a fight with a loved one, or not feeling well, then chances are your S.O. is likely checking out of the relationship. If your S.O. isn’t interested in what’s going on in your life… then it’s time to have a talk.

Regardless of your situation, when you aren’t getting the response or communication you need, then speak up… you have nothing to lose!

Once, while going to the bathroom at a date’s house, I watched a slug inch its way out of the shower drain. I was totally grossed out and was about to turn on the shower to wash it down the drain, but only then realized there was just a square left on the toilet paper roll. Luckily, I had tissues in my purse (which I had brought in with me to freshen up my makeup). When I went to dry my hands though, I couldn’t find a hand towel. And when I went to turn on the water to drown this slimy thing, there was no showerhead! The water just burst straight out of the pipe from the wall! I decided to forget about the slug and returned to kitchen where I found an empty fridge, except for some random cans of beer and a dingy-looking box of baking soda.

Repulsed, I decided to concentrate on what I considered to be the cleaner, nicer areas of the house. Except I had overlooked the spider webs in the ceiling corners, the threadbare carpet, and the foot-high pile of mail… because I liked the guy. But now? Now I had an entirely new perspective on both his home as well as him. If he couldn’t keep his home clean, in even the most hygienic of ways at minimum, then what else in his life was lacking?

A recent study continues to make the rounds on social media connecting creative people with being messy. As if people needed another excuse to be untidy! But when you’re dating, you need to de-clutter… and that goes for your house and your life.

First things first, if you’re going to bring a prospect home then you need to clean up. You can do it in an hour or less and with a pack of disinfectant wipes. Make your home presentable because a date will judge you by the state of your home. Your furniture doesn’t have to be expensive, but it does have to be clean and neat, even it means throwing things in drawers and closets for the day.

Next, make it a priority to de-clutter your life. Your personal Facebook page doesn’t need more than 1000 “friends” and neither do you. Get rid of those people who cause drama in your life and while you’re at it, unfriend the people who you don’t really know.

Another study I like better shows how simplifying your life will help you make important decisions.

That guy who’s house was totally gross? He’s still single six years later. And no, he’s not a creative type. And yes, his closet was packed to the brim with clothes!

Between the facial hair trend and “Movember” starting back up again, guy’s faces are looking scruffier than ever.

The Movember movement was created to raise awareness for men’s health issues, and it’s awesome that so many men are participating by growing their moustaches, beards, and goatees. But, women really don’t want their man’s facial hair to get in their mouth during a kiss… nor do they want to have chapped lips and chafed cheeks after a lengthy make-out session.

Unless you’re raising money for Movember, then either shave or keep your trimmer ready and waiting for a daily grooming session. Some men look great with a moustache or beard, but if you are hearing from your family and friends that you should shave, then perhaps you should listen and break out the shaving cream and razor.

My friend Greg and his girlfriend moved in together about two months ago… and this past weekend, she moved out. It turns out they cannot co-habitate. It took a lot of bravery on both their parts to admit that it wasn’t working out, and wasn’t going to.

After couples have been dating for a while and are either engaged or living together (or both) they tend to let their ego get the best of them and sweep their problems under the rug, rather than face them and possibly end up on the dating scene again. But ending a bad relationship takes courage. Admitting that you are unhappy, or that the relationship is just not right, takes courage. Starting over after thinking that you had met “The One” takes courage.

Better to break off an engagement, or change your living situation, then to end up married and unhappy and possibly getting a divorce. Don’t worry about what people will think, in fact, they will likely admire you for being brave enough to recognize when something wasn’t right and changing your path.

“Relationships can be harder now because conversations become texting, arguments become phone calls, and feelings become status updates.” -unknown

Technology has changed dating as we know it. But you don’t have to let it get the best of you and your relationships. Utilize technology to your benefit: meet someone on 100hookup (online dating), exchange a few messages (email), call to make plans (phone), and send a quick message when you’re running a few minutes late (text), and do a quick search to make sure your date is who they say they are (social media). Do not use any of those paths to hold a deep and personal conversation or get into an argument or to be passive aggressive about how you’re feeling at any given time. Face-to-face interaction is always best.

Too much can get lost in translation when you’re using technology, and frankly, it also shows a lack of effort. If you like someone and see a future with them (or if you care about someone enough to show them some respect), then put down the phone, close the laptop, turn off bluetooth, and plug in to some one-on-one time without any distraction.