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I love storytelling and always want my readers to have options. You can find my blogs on my YouTube channel and listen to them on the go.

Love and Relationships Charlene Eckstein Love and Relationships Charlene Eckstein

The 5 Traits That Attract Women To Men The Most

Just like women, men come in all different shapes and sizes. We all have a type, a personal preference so to speak. That one thing we look for in man after man. It could be dark hair, dark skin, or green eyes, but that's all aesthetics, right?

I am not going to lie, looks do matter, but only so much. I think often times we can meet people, and have that instant physical attraction, which is normal. But based on a guys personality, their visual appeal can go down hill very fast if talking to him is like watching paint dry. Or even worse, he knows he's good looking, and is an arrogant tool.

Ultimately, once you get passed the looks, whether someone is gorgeous, plain, or unattractive, it comes down to other attributes. Suddenly that plain faced or chubby guy, who once didn't warrant a second look is all you can think about.

Personalities, senses of humor, and intelligence all ultimately matter when it comes to attraction because attraction is not always just about the physical. Women will also want a mental and emotional attraction.

Here Are The 5 Trait That Attract Women To Men

Intelligence

He doesn't need to be Ivy League, but women want a guy that can hold his own intellectually. He must be able to sustain a conversation about various topics and show that he is knowledgeable. Smart men are sexy, and smart men can appreciate smart women.

Kindness

Women want a good man, and this starts with kindness. A man that is kind to others, will be kind and respectful to his woman. Kindness can be shown in the simplest ways.

A good indicator of kindness, or lack thereof,  is how a man treats people in the service industry, such as waiters and housekeepers. If he thinks they are beneath him, then he is not worth your time.

Sense Of Humor

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A good sense of humor is a must, and a guy who can make a girl laugh is very attractive. There will be tough days, and tough times, and having a guy who can bring some lightness is a treasure.

It also helps when a man doesn’t take himself too seriously and can laugh at himself.

Generous

There are many ways for a man to be generous. He can be generous with his time, generous with his money, and generous in bed. Generous men are men to be appreciated.

A generous man gives because he wants to not because he expects something in return. He is usually kind and caring, which are both wonderful attributes.

Confidence

Guys who are cocky, or arrogant are big turn offs. A man who is sure of himself, knows what he is about, and knows his worth are the things that make a confident man very sexy. He doesn't need to tear down others, or constantly have his ego stroked, but he has a certain air about him that makes a woman believe in him.

No man or woman is perfect, but we all have expectations and minimum requirements of what is needed in a potential partner. A good personality, and being of strong character are much more important and valuable than looks or money in the long run. After all, looks fade, and while money is nice, it will not make you laugh, it will stimulate mentally, and it will offer you comfort in your darkest times.

What are your thoughts? Do you agree with the list? What traits attract you? Please share your story or experience!

“One can love any man that is generous.” - Leigh Hunt

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The Look Back and The Signs Of Secret Longing

The look back, is the turn back of one or both people after they have said their goodbyes. They don't want their time together to end, but feelings have not been verbalized.

I like to people watch because I find human behavior so interesting. As humans we do so many subtle things that mean so much. One particular behavior has recently caught my eye, and that is the look back. Some of you may be wondering what the heck is the “look back”, but others knew right away.

Once I noticed it, I mean really noticed it, I had to know more. I started to notice it in the morning drop offs with parents and their children at my daughter's school.

I also noticed when I saw a groups of friends parting ways after a movie.  But the big stand out was with couples, and what appeared to be the slow budding romances.

Why The Look Back

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To some degree this blog goes hand in hand with my recent “ Love…Being, Falling, Crazy In It” blog. The look back in the case of love and lust is often about regret. It is the silent “one last look at you before I leave you, because believe me, I don’t want to leave you". 

The look can be subtle or smoldering, but either way it is still telling. The return look is just as telling, and important. If only one of the two looks back, it does not bode well for a future dalliance.

Just about every romantic movie I have seen has the look back moment. I had to think back over the years for the look back moments in my history. I admit that in the past I fought the temptation to look back sometimes. I wanted to look back, to see him again yes, but also to know if he was looking back at me.

When your eyes meet that one final time on the look back, it sends your heart fluttering, and you feel warm and tingly all over. It puts a smile on your face, and thoughts in your mind that will leave you restless.

Movies That Have Memorable Look Back Moments

  • Sixteen Candles

  • Sense and Sensibility

  • Bridget Jones's Diary

  • Waiting to Exhale

  • Dirty Dancing

  • The Titanic

  • Love Actually

  • The Notebook

Does a look back at someone after you, or they have started to walk away mean nothing, or everything? I suppose one could say it depends, and that may be true.

In the case of love and lust, only the two looking back at each other know why they couldn't resist that one last glance, but there are signs of secret longing you can look for.

Signs Of Secret Longing

  • The Look Back

  • Prolonged Goodbyes

  • Intense Eye Contact

  • They Flush and Blush In Your Presence

  • They Cannot Stay Away From You

What are your thoughts on the look back and secret longing? Have you ever experienced this feeling and behavior? Please share your thoughts or experience!

“…There is the heat of Love, the pulsing rush of Longing, the lover’s whisper, irresistible—magic to make the sanest man go mad.” ― Homer, The Iliad

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Here's Why You Should Never Outgrow Crushes and Falling In Love...10 Health Benefits Of Being In Love

Aging doesn’t have to mean the end of passion, love, and romance. Flirting, crushes, and new love isn’t just for teens. You really can find new love at any age. Aging gives you life experience, and hopefully wisdom, but you are never too old to be crazy in love.

If a death, a divorce, or the end to a long term relationship occurs, you may find yourself single again at just about any age or stage in life. For some, the thought of being single again seems scary and like the end of romantic companionship.

For others, they recognize the opportunity for new relationships and new beginnings.

While the thought of you, your parents or grandparents dating later in life sounds unfathomable, research shows that regardless of age, as human we often want love and companionship.

There are a few differences in what younger adults look for in a relationship, versus what older adults want in a relationship, according this Psychology Today article.

Younger adults want love, communication, trust, attraction, and compatibility. Older adults wants are slightly different with honesty, communication, companionship, respect, and positive attitude being their top five relationship priorities.

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Whether you are single and in your 30’s, or divorced or windowed in your 60’s, the desire for love, sex, romance, and companionship do not go away. Falling in love and being in love makes you happy, and happy people tend have healthier, better qualities of life.

10 Heath Benefits Of Falling In Love and Being In Love

  • Less Likely To Suffer From Depression

  • Lower Blood Pressure

  • Better Stress Management/Less Stress

  • Less Substance Abuse

  • Sick Less Often

  • Faster Recovery From Illness

  • Less Pain

  • Better Self Care

  • Less Anxiety

  • Longer Life Span

Who knew that romantic emotions had so many health benefits. The feeling of crushing on someone or falling in love makes you feel like you are floating. It is one of the best feelings, a feeling worth experiencing many times throughout our lives. So I guess when you think about how you feel when in love, you can see why it is hard to feel depressed, stressed, or unrelaxed.

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What are your thoughts on love at any age? Do you have a story of unexpected love coming into your life? Do you find that as you age you become more open or more closed off to new relationships and love? Please share your story and experience!

“Love is ageless and colorless. It is a spiritual force that binds two hearts and two souls together as one.” - Ellen J. Barrier, The Price Wr Must Pay Our Father’s Sin

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6 Behaviors That Push People Away

No one is perfect. I think most of us do not expect perfection from the people in our lives, however there are just behaviors that can make people intolerable. There are some behaviors that are toxic and makes us cut people of our lives.

As we grow and change, we can become better versions of ourselves. Recognizing bad traits in ourselves is one way to achieve self-improvement and not push the people we care about way.

6 Behaviors That Push People Away

Lying

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Many of us have had friends or family members who we wouldn’t exactly call truth tellers. But no one really wants to deal with a liar. Trust is very important to relationships, and no one wants people in their lives who they cannot trust.

If you lie a lot then you are not trustworthy, and will find you struggle with keeping friends and loves in your life.

One-Upmanship

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There is nothing wrong with healthy competition, with the purpose of fun and good intentions. One-upmanship is not healthy or with good intentions. If you have to always outdo your friends, family, and even your mate, it shows you are insecure, selfish, and kind of a jerk.

Always having to be the center of attention and steal the limelight will push people away. Who wants a person on their life who can never root for them or just be happy for them? No one, that’s who.

Being Flaky

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The classic, flaky unreliable friend is someone we are all too familiar with. The flaky friend loves to make promises and commitments that they seem to never have any intentions of keeping. This is the friend that always gets you excited about plans of a outing or trip and then changes their mind in the blink of an eye.

Being Moody

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So I am not saying you’re crazy, but your friends and family never know what version of you they are going to get, or when you mood will dramatically change. This unpredictability is very off putting to people. You’re cool and fun one minute and then something sets you off and you become a raging butthead, or a hysterical puddle of tears.

Being Untrustworthy

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Betrayal is a feeling that many people cannot get past, and honestly why should they. You keep secrets from them, talk bad about them behind their back, or worse you even plot against. Whether it’s jealously, a hidden resentment, or a frenemy situation, you betray them by not being truthful about your feelings to their face.

Being Selfish

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If you only care about yourself it will be really evident to those in your life. When the relationships in your life have to be on your terms, it will eventually push people away.

If you find that you have a revolving door of friends and boyfriends or girlfriends, then you are probably doing some of the behaviors I address in this blog. Once you become aware, you can change, if you want to.

What are your thoughts on behaviors that push people away? Do you agree with my list? Please share your thoughts and experience!

“Practice self-awareness, self-evaluation, and self-improvement. If we are aware that our manners - language, behavior, and actions - are measured against our values and principles, we are able to more easily embody the philosophy, leadership is a matter of how to be, not how to do. “ - Frances Hesselbein

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Should You Get Back With Your Ex? 5 Reasons To Go For It and 5 Reasons To Let It Go

Time and distance apart from someone can offer clarity. Unfortunately, time can also distort our memories and amplify reality. The farther we get from situations, the worse they may seem, and the more we minimize the significance of certain events.

It can be tricky when deciding if you should give a previous relationship another go, and get back with an ex. There is nothing wrong with considering another go with a former love.

Maybe the timing wasn’t right for either of you at the time, but things have changed and you have changed.

In making your decision on whether or not to try again with an ex, you have some things to consider.

5 Reasons You Should Get Back With Your Ex

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The Reason You Broke Up Is No Longer An issue

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Whether you broke up because of distance or just being too busy with creating a career or life for yourself, your life is now different. You are now living in the same city, and your education and career are where you want them to be.

You Have Changed

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You have realized that you are a different person, and don’t want the same things you used to. You broke up because he wanted to get married and settle down, and you didn’t want that life. You didn’t think you would ever want that life, but you have grown and changed and want to settle down now, preferably with him.

You Realized You Made A Mistake

You had unreasonable expectation for relationships and thought you could find better. You realized he was a wonderful man, and you blew it with your immaturity. No one is perfect and there is no such as Prince Charming. Recognizing he is a good man who truly loved you is a strong reason to consider getting back with an ex.

You Still Love Him

It’s not only that you still love him, but you are comparing every new guy to him. You cannot get over him, and miss him terribly. If your break up was amicable and in your heart and mind it never felt truly over, then you have a good reason to give it another try.

He Was The One

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Being with him felt a little too perfect, and it scared you. Now that you have had time apart from your ex, and perhaps dated a few others, you come to a realization that he may have been the one. You two had something special, and the chemistry and passion you experienced with him cannot be replicated.

5 Reasons Not To Get back With Your Ex

You Don’t Think You Can Do Better

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Low self-esteem can wreak havoc on our lives, and often makes people settle for relationships that are less than what they deserve because they do not think they can do any better. If your ex was lazy, rude, or abusive, trust me, you can do better.

You Are Lonely

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We all feel lonely from time to time, whether we are in a relationship or not. However, loneliness is not a reason to be in a relationship where you don’t feel valued, respected, or happy. Don’t let fear and moments of weakness be a determining factor in getting back with someone.

Pregnancy Or Children Together

Being with someone just because you have a child together is a bad idea. If you love them and want to be with them then that is one thing, but forcing a relationship because you are pregnant is not a reason to push a relationship that did not work. Learn how to co-parent together, and leave the romance out of it.

You Hate Being Single

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You have never been good at dating and meeting new people. In fact, you hate it. On days when you feel lonely, it may seem easier to just go back to what was familiar and comfortable. On those days remind yourself of all the reasons why it ended with your ex.

You Feel Pressured To Get Back With Them

Whether it’s your ex, or family and friends interfering, you should not let others opinions pressure you into being in a relationship you don’t want. No one knows what goes on behind closed doors, and what really happens between to people in a relationship when no one else is around.

You know why you do not want to be with your ex, and really shouldn’t have to explain your reasons to anyone.

You now have five reasons for and against getting back with your ex. Weigh the pros and cons and make the decision that makes the most sense to you and leads you down a path of happiness.

What are you thoughts on getting back with ex? Do you think once a relationship has ended that it can be rekindled and better the second time around? Please share your thoughts and experience!

“Some of the biggest challenges in relationships come from the fact that most people enter a relationship in order to get something: they're trying to find someone who's going to make them feel good. In reality, the only way a relationship will last is if you see your relationship as a place that you go to give, and not a place that you go to take.” -Anthony Robbins

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6 Signs He's A Player

Players…no matter your age group there are players out there on the hunt. Some men are not interested in having a committed relationship. It may be just who he is or he has been hurt or betrayed in the past and is in self preservation mode.

Regardless of his reasons for being a player, it is not okay for him to string a woman along and not be honest about his intentions.

A player likes to have women at his beck and call. He wants them when it’s convenient for him. No one wants to be led on or toyed with. If you do not want to get played, you need to know the signs of a player.

6 Signs He’s A player

Smooth Talker

Players are very charming when you first meet them. They always know just what to say to pull you in. Players are flirty wordsmiths, who know how to make you feel good about yourself in the beginning and crave their attention.

Very Confident

Confidence is sexy, but players are confident to the point of arrogance. Players are very sure of themselves, sure of their words, and sure that they can get can just about any girl they set their sights on.

He will brag and let you know how wonderful he is, and let you know how lucky you are to be with him.

No Meeting His Friends

A player will not introduce just any chick to his friends, or family, for that matter. Since a player is just using you for sex and something to do, he will not want you meeting important people in his life.

If you do meet his friends, they will often act strange around you. His friends will act as if there is a big secret or joke that you are not in on.

Non-Committal

You need a date to one of your friends from college wedding. He is the only guy you have been seeing but he tells you he probably won’t be able to make it. In fact, anytime you ask him to accompany you to something he is always busy or has some excuse.

He’s Secretive

A player likes to string multiple women along at any given time. When you are with him he may receive lots of text and do a lot of texting. He is very careful with his phone, ensuring you do not see who he is texting with.

He also has very strict rules about you going to his place. He will rarely have you over, but when he does you are on the clock and are not allowed to leave anything behind.

Prioritizes Sex

A player loves a booty call so watch out. He does not often, if ever, take you out for a meal or a date. He will go days or weeks without any contact, but then you will get an out of the blue text, usually late at night saying he wants to “meet” up.

There is nothing wrong with having a casual relationship with no commitment, as long as both parties are aware that the relationship is casual and is not going anywhere. That’s the problem with players. They want everything from you while giving you so little in return.

What is your experience with players? Do you think players ever change? Please share your thoughts and experience!

Dear Players: Go ahead and play your deceitful little games- lying and manipulating women to get laid-because that’s the only way you can get them interested. Maybe you will have a different perspective when you’re wiping the tears off your daughter’s face…because she dated a man like you. - Charles J. Orlando

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5 Reasons Valentine's Day Is A Lame Love Day

Valentine’s Day, the one day of the year that manages to make millions of women feel like losers, and sad and depressed about their singledom. I am not saying that all women feel this way of course, but for too many years I have seen the negative affects of Valentine’s Day.

Did you know that the origin of Valentine's Day is religious? Hence the true name Saint Valentine's Day. It somehow morphed from religious to romantic around the middle ages, as it became associated with the bird's mating season in France and England.

Fast forward to today, and it is a widely accepted, and an expected day of love.

I am a romantic, I truly am. But I cannot remember a time when I ever cared about Valentine's Day. I guess that's because, while I am a romantic, I am also a cynic. I suppose a lot of it has to do with all those men standing in line at the grocery store on February 14th buying flowers, and candy at the last minute.

The poor guys have been guilted, pressured, or programmed to believe that this one day is the "be all end all" day of showing your boo that you care.

The problem I have with Valentine's Day is that it is a designated day of love, romantic overtures, and false romance. Not to mention the over commercialization of this day. Let's see, do I get a mushy card, a dozen roses, and a long wait at a restaurant, as everyone else prove their love too?

5 Reasons Valentine’s Day Is A Lame Love Day

It’s Commercialized

The day after Christmas, the shelves in stores are filled with Valentine’s Day candy, cards, and decorations.

A Designated Day Of Love

It’s not very romantic if the flowers, box of chocolates, and cards are only given because your partner feel they are required to do so.

It’s Expensive

The jewelry commercials will tell you that you show love with a nice diamond. Now I am not opposed to a nice diamond, but why wait. And not to mention that It starts to add up with all of the other expectations on this “day of love”.

It Gets Competitive

For many years now, I have seen the Valentine’s Day competition in the workplace. Women strutting around like peacocks trying to compare bouquets, as if receiving flowers on Valentine’s Day is indicative of how much they are loved, and their great relationship.

Makes People Feel Bad

Valentine’s Day tends to make the single woman, who longs for a relationship, feel especially bad on this day. It also makes the man, who cannot afford a fancy dinner or piece jewelry for his partner feel bad as well.

Hey I said I was a cynic, but I also love love, and romance too. As a romantic, I love spur of the moment romantic gestures. I like fresh flowers all of the time. I love a sweet note, or a cute text to let me know he is thinking about me.

Personally, I would always prefer my man attempt to cook or grill me a nice meal, than to go out for a lame dinner in an over-crowded restaurant.

I like for my guy to treat me well all of the time, and this goes both ways. I want him to tell me he loves me, but more importantly, show me he loves me on a consistent basis. I want a lot of laughs, unexpected kisses, and comfortable silence. That's romance to me. No special day needed.

If you enjoy Valentine’s Day, and feel it is important to have a card or gift on this day, I say to each their own. What are your thoughts on Valentine's Day? Do you love it, feel indifferent, or hate it? Please share your thoughts or feeling!

People call it Valentine's Day, I call it Wednesday. - Unknown

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Top 5 Relationship Deal Breakers...The List We All Need To Have!

In my opinion, having relationship deal breakers is really about self-worth and self-respect. You are saying to yourself, "this is what I deserve, and I will not settle for less." You can call it being picky, but I call it being smart.

Many of us have a mental list, written lists for some, of all of the traits and characteristic we want in an ideal mate. We usually know, or hopefully know, what we need to be happy in a relationship, and having a partner who has your ideal traits can help that happen. You may want a mate who is smart, funny, outgoing, and handsome.

You can find that "ideal" person, they are out there. The problem is that sometimes you can meet someone that checks all the boxes of your ideal mate, but they may also be full of traits that are unacceptable.

My 5  Relationship Deal Breakers

Dishonesty

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Dishonesty is a lack of honesty or a tendency to lie, cheat or steal. I think it goes without saying that no one wants to be lied to or betrayed by someone they are in a relationship with. Dishonesty is a deal breaker for me because I cannot be with someone I do not trust.

For me, blatant lying is not the only way to be dishonest. Being secretive, hiding things, and omissions are also forms of dishonesty.

Selfishness

Selfish people care only for themselves, and they are primarily concerned with their own interests, benefit, and welfare. A partnership with a selfish person feels like anything but a partnership. Being with someone who takes far more than they give is painful, and is a definite deal breaker. 

Watch out for this one because it will be hard to spot early in the relationship because you will want to take care of and do a lot for your new love. It may not be until much later that you start to realize how one-sided the relationship had been.

Pay attention to how much they allow you to do for them, but rarely reciprocate or inconvenience themselves for you.

Disrespect

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Disrespectful people are rude, discourteous, and overall unpleasant. I have a zero tolerance rule with disrespect. We show others how to treat us, and if we allow them to be, treat, or speak to us in a disrespectful manner there will always be a lack of respect.

This rule also applies to being with someone you don't respect. Maybe you never respected them and settled, or lost respect for them along the way, but if you do not respect your partner, it can be difficult to treat them in a respectful manner. Be mindful that this is still a deal breaker.

Emotional Unavailability

An emotionally unavailable man is unable to share and communicate his emotions, and be open and honest about his feelings. The emotionally unavailable mate will suck you in, and then break your heart. Both men and women can be emotionally unavailable, although there are some differences in how they go about it, the relationship results can be the same.

An emotionally unavailable partner can seem like a challenge, a challenge you want. You will want to be the one to heal them, and break down their walls. Unfortunately you may get a lot more than you bargained for.

Communication is very important for a healthy relationship, but this will be lacking with an emotionally unavailable mate. This is a deal breaker because life is short and you are not going to change them. 

Lack of Motivation

Motivation is an act or reason to accomplish or achieve a goal or goals. A lack of motivation can be a sign of depression, or a sign of being lazy. A lazy partner is a big deal breaker.

A partner who lacks motivation will lack passion, and honestly it is difficult to respect a lazy person. Being with someone you cannot respect is unwise, and it would be settling.

Relationship deal breakers should be reasonable if you want to have healthy relationships, but non-negotiable once you set your standard. These deal breakers will vary from person to person. We all determine what is right for us, but there should be no settling just for the sake of keeping anyone.

What are your relationship deal breakers? If you have never thought about your deal breakers, I recommend that you do. How many on this list are your deal breakers too? Please share!

"The moment you start to wonder if you deserve better, you do."  Unknown

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5 Signs You’re Being Ghosted

Ghosting, the process of someone you love or care about disappearing from your life both physically and emotionally, cutting off all forms of communication, without any explanation. Ghosting be can be done by virtually anyone in your life from a romantic partner, or a best friend, to even a family member.

I admit that I have ghosted in the past, but hear me out before you judge. In a land far, far away, where there was no social media or texting, I was in a relationship. He was truly a wonderful person, whom I loved very much, but in my heart I knew it was not meant to be.

The last time I saw him, I knew it would be the last time. I didn't feel sad, or upset. I really didn't feel anything. We said goodnight to each other and would never speak or see each other again. There was no fight, or hurtful words, and technically actually no break up. But two people so different was never going to have a happily ever after.

When I think about it, we ghosted each other. Just disappeared from each other's lives, no explanation, and no goodbye.

5 Signs You’re Being Ghosted

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No Response To Texts

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There was a time when you would send and receive good morning and goodnight texts to and from your man, and there was always an immediate response. If you are being ghosted, you do not receive any acknowledgment or response to your text.

Unfortunately a lack of response can leave you worried, or confused. You wonder if they are ok, or if the even received your text. This one is a little tricky so don’t jump to conclusions too fast. This could be a sign of ghosting or that someone lost their phone.

Drops or Blocks You From Social Media

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Maybe you are someone who has a ton of friends and followers on social media, or perhaps only a few. Suddenly you realized you haven’t seen pictures or a status update from your bestie or your boyfriend.

You do a little research only to discover not only have you been unfriended, but also blocked on all of their social media accounts. You have definitely been ghosted.

They Are Always Busy

You and your guy used to always do dinner and a movie on Friday nights, but suddenly now he always has to work or has other plans. No one is that busy. If you are important to someone they will make the time to see you and spend time with you. If they don't have the time, it's because they do not consider you a priority.

They Avoid You In Places

You go to the same school, work at the same place, or go to the same gym, but you never see them anymore. A change in route, or routine in combination with the other signs is indicative that you are being ghosted.

No Eye Contact During Interactions

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So you are pretty sure they have been avoiding you, and when you do run into them it is awkward, uncomfortable, and they will not look you in the eyes. They avoid eye contact because of guilt, and fear that you will bring up their recent behavior. A friend or love who cannot look you in the eye is likely no friend or love. They are ghosting you.

What To Do

If you think you are being ghosted, and it is by someone you truly care about and want in your life, confront them. You owe it to yourself, and to them, to create the opportunity to clear the air and make things right.

One time, and one time only, call them, email them, or make time for a face to face discussion. Maybe they are just not a good person and have decided they have no more use for you. Or it’s possible you did or said something that hurt or offended them and they are upset with you. Either way, move on after your attempt at reconciliation is ignored.

It can be said that the act of ghosting is a cowardly one, and I tend to agree in most cases. I also think that sometimes ghosting is necessary because there are no words. There is nothing else to say, nothing else to do, but fade away.

Have you ever been ghosted or ghosted anyone? Please share your experience!

“Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option.” - Mark Twain

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6 Things Needed To Be Happy In A Relationship...For Me

The are many elements needed to have a good relationship. You need trust, good communication, and compatibility just to name a few. But what about being truly happy in your relationship? I believe that you can have a good relationship, with a good person, but still feel like something is missing.

Happiness is very a personal, individual thing. What makes me happy in a relationship will not necessarily be what makes you happy in your relationship. Happiness is the state of being happy. Being happy is all about joy, well being, and being in that good place.

6 Things Needed To Be Happy In Relationship

Great Conversation

Being with someone who is capable of holding an interesting, intelligent conversation is very important to me. I want someone with whom after years together we can still have great talks, heated debates, and challenge each other's thinking. 

In order to be a great conversationlist, one also needs to be a great listener. No one is happy all day everyday, but it is nice to be able to talk to someone you trust to vent and get advice.

Laughter

Being able to have fun, laugh at yourself, and laugh with each other deepens your relationship bond. Laughter is what will get you through those tough times, as life's inevitable difficulties arise. Laughter is healing, calming, and a big stress reliever.

Adventure

I am a bit of a homebody by nature. I love curling up on my couch with a great book, or binge watching Netflix. But I also love a great adventure. The more unplanned or unexpected, the better.

I need someone who is willing to pack a bag on a Thursday night for a last minute trip Vegas or Vermont.

Comfortable Silence

While I love a good conversation, I also enjoy quiet time together.  You know you are in a good place with each other when you do not feel the need to talk all of the time. You can drive together for hours just listening to music and enjoying the scenery, and be completely comfortable and content not making meaningless chatter.

Space

I am happiest in a relationship when I am given my personal time and space. I need time to read quietly, focus on writing, and watch my guilty pleasure television shows. I think time away from my partner lets me recharge, makes me miss them, and overall makes me a better girlfriend or wife.

Passion

I need passion to be truly happy in my relationship. I want to feel passionate about my partner, and I want to feel wanted and desired by them. There also needs to be a passion for things outside the relationship. I am passionate about writing. I want a partner who is passionate about something as well. Passion is sexy.

Being in a relationship does not guarantee happiness, but I do believe that if you know what you truly want and expect in a relationship, you will have a better chance of finding your happy. No one can be any one person's everything, which is why space, time apart, and hobbies that interest you are important to maintain your happiness within your relationship.

In order to have a good relationship you need trust, good communication, and respect, and all of these are the foundation for a solid partnership. But how do you make a relationship a good relationship great? For me I need the six elements for happy to take a good relationship to the next level.

How do you define happiness in a relationship? Do agree or disagree that one can have a good relationship but still not be happy? Is this asking for too much in a relationship? Please share!

"Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night til it be morrow." William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

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