words to video

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 Romance, Love and Relationships Charlene Eckstein Love and Romance, Love and Relationships Charlene Eckstein

7 Signs He’s Fighting His Feelings For You

Love is a complicated thing. Or is it that we just make it complicated? Either way, the heart can seem like a fickle thing as we try to find our way to the right one.

Believe it or not, some guys are just not open to love. The thought of being in a relationship and in love scares some men. He may have been hurt in the past, or dreads the idea of being tied down. Whatever his reasons, he is guarding his heart, and fighting his feelings for you.

A man is only human, and bound to develops feelings when the right one enters his life. If there is a man in your life who you believe to have feelings for you, here are the 7 signs to look for. He may be very interested but hiding his feelings for you.

Featured Video

7 Signs He’s Fighting His Feelings For You

Inconsistent Behavior

Some days he seems like he cannot get enough you, and other days you feel like he is ignoring you. When a guy is fighting feelings for you, his behavior can seem inconsistent and seem to be all over the place.

His feelings for you makes him want to stare at you, and spend time with you so he will give in to this desire occasionally.

Stares From A Distance

He’s giving off vibes that he’s not interested, but then you notice him staring at you from across the room. He will try to ignore you, and wants to be able to pretend that you are not there.

He may try to keep his distance from you, but if you are near, his eyes will find you.

Gets Close To You

When the two of you have to interact, he gets as close to you as possible. Although he may want to fight his feelings for you, when he gets the opportunity to be close to you he will take full advantage.

He wants to smell your hair, smell your perfume, and brush against you if possible.

Tries To Make You Jealous

bench-couple-daylight-172368.jpg

He makes comments about other women in ways that feels like he is intentionally trying to make you jealous. He is almost like a child looking for a reaction. He is very frustrated, he’s confused, and he is conflicted about what he really wants.

He Knows Everything About You

It may not seem like he is listening or paying attention to you when you are talking to others but he is studying and learning everything about you. He is very interested.

He will also stalk your social media. He will be all over your Facebook and Instagram. He will even check out your Pinterest. This is a covert way for him to find out what you like, what you are doing, and who you are with.

Intense Mental and Physical Chemistry

Chemistry is a beautiful thing. In its simplest form it is just a connection with another person. You just click with someone. You feel an intense connection with him. He tries to hide his feelings, but he cannot help how drawn he feels to you.

He physically desires you, and the intensity of his feelings shows in his eyes when you catch him looking at you.

Body Language

physical attraction 7.jpeg

A man’s body language will tell you a lot about how he is feeling about you, regardless of his attempts to hide his true feelings.

If you pay attention to his body language you will notice that he gives you lots of eye contact, he will mirroring your behavior, and gesture on appearance such as fixing tie, socks, or hair. He may also get fidgety, and plays with things such as buttons or a pen, and touch his face a lot out of nervousness.

Honestly, it is better for a man to fight his feelings for you if he is unsure what he wants, rather that string you along for months or years because he was not ready for a relationship.

What are your thoughts on handling a guy who is fighting his feelings for you? Do you make a move, give him time, or just ignore him and move on?

“I can love who I think you are, or you can allow yourself to be yourself so that I can love YOU.” ― Kate McGahan

Read More
Love and Relationships, Healthy Relationship Charlene Eckstein Love and Relationships, Healthy Relationship Charlene Eckstein

Relationship Communication 101

Do you know what the root cause of most relationship problems stem from? For many, the first thoughts that come to mind are finances or infidelity, which do cause relationships issues. But are cheating and financial disagreements the cause or the symptom of a bigger issue?

Good communication is key to maintaining a healthy relationship, but being able to communicate effectively with your partner is easier said than done. You can have disagreements and heated debates and still be communicating effectively.

In fact disagreements are healthy because it forces us to discuss our feelings and get everything out in the open.

Do not fool yourself into thinking that because you never disagree or argue with your partner that you have a healthy relationship because in fact, the experts would say that this is a not a sign of a thriving relationship, but of one lacking in trust, mutual respect, and authenticity.

FEATURED VIDEO

Poor or no communication in a relationship can cause a lot of stress, anxiety, resentment, and bad decisions to be made.

Do’s For Communicating With Your Partner

  • Do Be Honest

  • Do Listen Without Interrupting

  • Do Be Receptive

  • Do Be Kind

  • Do Control Yourself

Don’ts For Communicating With Your Partner

  • Don’t Yell

  • Don’t Speak Disrespectfully

  • Don’t Belittle

  • Don’t Use Sarcasm

  • Don’t Try To Control Their Response

When communicating with your partner you should always try to see their point of view, and focus less on proving your point. At the end of the day, no one wins if one of you is unhappy and feels unheard.

How you communicate with your partner can make or break your relationship. And break doesn’t necessarily mean breaking up. It just mean having a miserable partner who withdraws from you. Just remember that it’s okay to fight, but you need to fight fair.

What are your thoughts on communicating in a relationship? Do you agree with my do’s and don’ts? What would you add or remove from the list? Please share your thoughts and experience!

“To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.” - Tony Robbins

Read More
Lifestyle Charlene Eckstein Lifestyle Charlene Eckstein

Basic Rules Of Etiquette...How To Mind Your Manners

Good manners never go out of style, although sometimes it feels that way. Being polite, respectful, and having good etiquette is not taught or talked about as much as it used to be. But I think it is still important to “mind our manners, and treat others with respect.

There are rules to etiquette, and as times and technology change, so does some of the rules. With everyone continuous glued to the screen of their phone or tablet, interaction with other people has become almost awkward and alien.

Don’t get me wrong, this blog is not about being prim and proper. I could not care less which fork you choose to eat with. But I do think that we all need a reminder from time to time of some basic manners that are slowly fading from societal norm.

Etiquette Rules For Dinner Table

Whether you are having a meal at a restaurant, at a dinner party, or at home, if you are with others there are some rules of etiquette that apply. I think for many of us, there are behaviors, particularly at the dinner table that annoy, us or that we find gross or inappropriate.

It goes without saying that it is in poor taste to keep others waiting, so be on time. Here are your “don’ts” for eating with others.

Etiquette Rules For Interacting With Public and Strangers

They say you can tell a lot about a person by the way they treat those is service jobs. Whether it’s the waitress, the parking valet, or the hotel housekeeper, all people should be treated with common courtesy and respect. Here are some basics etiquette rules for behavior and interactions with people in public.

  • Say Please and Thank You

  • Hold Door For Stranger If Close Behind You

  • Hold Elevator Door

  • Say Excuse Me for Burps, Sneezes, and Accidents

  • Throw Away Your Trash

Etiquette Rules For Relationships and Dates

Photo by KM Photography/iStock / Getty Images

Photo by KM Photography/iStock / Getty Images

Times have changed, but not necessarily for the better when it comes to courtship and dating. I am a modern woman, and definitely not a damsel in distress, but I still can appreciate a gentleman. While I do not believe that the man always has when going out, I do believe that he treat his date like a lady.

  • Come To Door To Pick Up Date

  • Open Car Door

  • Hold Public Doors

  • Pull Out Chair

  • Offer To Carry Heavy Items

  • Walk To Door

This is not a lecture, but a reminder. If it costs you nothing to be polite, be kind, and to be thoughtful to others, then why not make a choice to do so?

What are your thoughts etiquette in today’s society? Do you think the rules are still appropriate, old fashioned, or just plain old stupid? Please share your thoughts and experience on etiquette

“Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.” - Unknown

Read More

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.

FEATURED VIDEO

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.

falling+in+love.jpg

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

Read More
Lifestyle Charlene Eckstein Lifestyle Charlene Eckstein

September Book Club Recommendations...5 Great Reads For Your Book Club

If you are like me you love a good book. I read all of the time, but tend to stick to one or two genres and authors. A great way to find new authors and be exposed to literature you would have never considered is by joining a traditional bookclub, or signing up for a book of the month club.

If you are already in a bookclub, but looking for some suggestions I am here to help. Or if you are just trying to figure out what to read next I think I have some great choices for you. I enjoyed all of the below books, albeit some were more satisfying than others, but that's the beauty of reading a book. You never know what you are going to get, or how it is going to end.

5 September Book Club Recommendations

  • Then She Was Gone - Lisa Jewell

  • The Woman I Was Before - Kerry Fisher

  • The Best Friend - Shalini Boland

  • Girl Last Seen - Nina Lauren

  • Sorry Not Sorry - Sophie Ranald



Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

sept bookclub 1.jpg

Ellie Mack was the perfect daughter. She was fifteen, the youngest of three. She was beloved by her parents, friends, and teachers. She and her boyfriend made a teenaged golden couple. She was days away from an idyllic post-exams summer vacation, with her whole life ahead of her.

And then she was gone.

Now, her mother Laurel Mack is trying to put her life back together. It’s been ten years since her daughter disappeared, seven years since her marriage ended, and only months since the last clue in Ellie’s case was unearthed. So when she meets an unexpectedly charming man in a café, no one is more surprised than Laurel at how quickly their flirtation develops into something deeper. Before she knows it, she’s meeting Floyd’s daughters—and his youngest, Poppy, takes Laurel’s breath away.

Because looking at Poppy is like looking at Ellie. And now, the unanswered questions she’s tried so hard to put to rest begin to haunt Laurel anew. Where did Ellie go? Did she really run away from home, as the police have long suspected, or was there a more sinister reason for her disappearance? Who is Floyd, really? And why does his daughter remind Laurel so viscerally of her own missing girl?

The Woman I Was Before by Kerry Fisher

sept bookclub 4.jpg

Ellie Mack was the perfect daughter. She was fifteen, the youngest of three. She was beloved by her parents, friends, and teachers. She and her boyfriend made a teenaged golden couple. She was days away from an idyllic post-exams summer vacation, with her whole life ahead of her.

And then she was gone.

Now, her mother Laurel Mack is trying to put her life back together. It’s been ten years since her daughter disappeared, seven years since her marriage ended, and only months since the last clue in Ellie’s case was unearthed. So when she meets an unexpectedly charming man in a café, no one is more surprised than Laurel at how quickly their flirtation develops into something deeper. Before she knows it, she’s meeting Floyd’s daughters—and his youngest, Poppy, takes Laurel’s breath away.

Because looking at Poppy is like looking at Ellie. And now, the unanswered questions she’s tried so hard to put to rest begin to haunt Laurel anew. Where did Ellie go? Did she really run away from home, as the police have long suspected, or was there a more sinister reason for her disappearance? Who is Floyd, really? And why does his daughter remind Laurel so viscerally of her own missing girl?

The Best Friend by Shalini Boland

sept bookclub 2.jpg

When Louisa Sullivan takes her little boy to his first playdate at a new friend’s house she doesn’t realise life is about to change for her family. Because she’s about to meet Darcy Lane.

Darcy is a woman who has everything – a dream house, a powerful husband and enviable wealth.

She’s the perfect wife.

The perfect friend.

The perfect liar.

Girl Last Seen by Nina Lauren

Sept bookclub.jpg

Olivia Shaw has been missing since last Tuesday. She was last seen outside the entrance of her elementary school in Hunts Point wearing a white spring jacket, blue jeans, and pink boots.

I force myself to look at the face in the photo, into her slightly smudged features, and I can't bring myself to move. Olivia Shaw could be my mirror image, rewound to thirteen years ago.

If you have any knowledge of Olivia Shaw's whereabouts or any relevant information, please contact...

I've spent a long time peering into the faces of girls on missing posters, wondering which one replaced me in that basement. But they were never quite the right age, the right look, the right circumstances. Until Olivia Shaw, missing for one week tomorrow.

Whoever stole me was never found. But since I was taken, there hasn't been another girl.

And now there is.

Sorry Not Sorry by Sophie Ranald

sept bookclub 3.jpg

Charlotte has always been a good girl. But being good is getting boring…

She’s not just stuck in a rut – she’s buried in it up to her chin. The only company she has in bed is the back catalogue of Netflix and falling in love feels like the stuff of fairy tales. So when she stumbles across a popular podcast, ‘Sorry Not Sorry’, which challenges women to embrace their inner bad girl, she jumps at the chance to shake things up.

Old Charlotte would never ask for a stranger’s number, go on a blind date or buy lacy lingerie… But New Charlotte is waving goodbye to her comfort zone (with a side order of margaritas). And it turns out that good things happen to bad girls…

Autumn begins in a few short weeks and there is nothing better than curling up with a good book on a ccool day or a crisp night.

All of these books are great choices for your September book club selection, or for just an "any time" read. What are you currently reading in your bookclub? Have you read any of these books? If so, which is your favorite? Please share your favorite!

Read More

Why Do They Stay? The Reasons People Say They Stay In Unhappy Relationships

When two people are in love and happy, staying in a marriage or relationship for eternity may not seem long enough. But what about when they are unhappy and no longer in love? Many people stay in unhappy, and unhealthy relationships, but why?

It is no secret that people stay in unhappy relationships for many different reasons. Some people feel trapped and try to plot their escape, while others seek counseling or spiritual guidance to make the relationship bearable.

Many children grow up in homes with parents who do not love each, and because of this they vow that they will never settle for such a relationship, and then life happens and cycles get repeated.

The older we get, the more people we know who are divorced, planning to leave their relationship, or are miserable but have their reasons for staying. After discussions with people in my life, and research on this topic, I found some answers as to why people stay in unhappy relationships.

Why She Stays In An Unhappy Relationship

For The Children

Ideally, children are raised in a healthy, two parent home, but for many reasons the two parent home is becoming less and less of the norm.

Being a single parent, and raising children on your own is hard. The thought of it is scary, so some women stay in a relationship with someone they are unhappy with because they believe it is ultimately what is best for the children and themselves.

Financial Reasons

Depending on where you live, everything is expensive. A woman may be miserable in a relationship, but if she is a stay at home mom, or a full time student who relies on her partner for financial support, she may stay. She may have no income of her own, little job experience, or large gaps in her employment history.

Personal Beliefs

There are still many people who believe marriage is forever, regardless of how unhappy they are, and do not consider divorce an option. A woman may also feel like a failure if her marriage doesn’t work, and possibly face negative consequences from her religious community if she divorces.

Fear Of Going It Alone

Some women are not independent and believe they need a man to be with them and take care of them. Their fear of being alone, or the thought of not being able to find someone else makes them feel extremely vulnerable.

Being on your own, especially after having a partner to rely on for years, can be frightening for some.

“There is no such thing as a “broken family.” Family is family, and is not determined by marriage certificates, divorce papers, and adoption documents. Families are made in the heart. The only time family becomes null is when those ties in the heart are cut. If you cut those ties, those people are not your family. If you make those ties, those people are your family. And if you hate those ties, those people will still be your family because whatever you hate will always be with you.” — C. Joybell C.

Why He Stays

For The Children

Men will stay in an unhappy relationship for the children out of fear that if they break up or divorce they will lose access to their children. Times are changing , but historically when a couple divorced, the woman gained full physical custody of the children.

There is also the cost of child support that plays a role in him staying.

Cheaper To Keep Her

I honestly hate this saying, but I do get the real financial meaning behind it. Many of us know men who have had a seemingly good life, and a nice home, but then got a divorce. The wife had custody of the children and stayed in the family home, while he moved into a small apartment since that was all he could afford after paying spousal and child support.

Doesn’t Want To Start Over

Some men will stay in an unhappy relationship out of sheer laziness. I have heard men say they didn’t like their spouse and didn’t want to be married to them anymore, but they also didn’t want to have to do the dating thing, or get back out there on the single scene.

Men also have said they didn’t want the hassle of getting a divorce and splitting everything up.

There is no one way to find happiness again or turn around a bad relationship. Everyone in an unhappy relationship has their own reasons for staying, and for leaving. When children are involved, a lot extra care is needed. The reality is that your children will recognize your unhappiness, and they will be affected whether you choose to stay or leave.

What are your thoughts on staying in an unhappy relationship? Would you stay? Have you stayed? What would make you stay in an unhappy relationship? Please share your thoughts and experience!

“Divorce isn’t such a tragedy. A tragedy’s staying in an unhappy marriage, teaching your children the wrong things about love. Nobody ever died of divorce.” ― Jennifer Weiner

Read More
Love and Relationships, Love and Romance Charlene Eckstein Love and Relationships, Love and Romance Charlene Eckstein

6 Signs He's Hitting On You

Ok, so maybe you think that this topic is a no brainer. Maybe you are always certain when a guy is hitting on you, or when he is just being polite. In my experience, different men use different tactics to show their interest in a woman. For some men, they are not even aware of how their actions and behaviors change when they are flirting with a woman.

The dating game and the process of meeting someone and starting something new can feel like a game of cat and mouse. Everyone tries to read the other and plot their next move. This process can also be filled with uncertainty. Is he really interested in me? Is he hitting on me?

When a man is interested and hitting on you there are some sure signs of his intentions. You just need to know what to look for.

Signs He’s Hitting On You

He Gets Close

adult-black-and-white-close-up-326550.jpg

When a guy is hitting on you he will try to get as physically close to you as possible. I don’t mean in a gross, creepy kind of way. I mean he will want to be standing or sitting in close proximity to you. He wants you to be aware of presence.

He wants to be close enough to you to smell your perfume, stare into your eyes, and create some contact.

He Stares Into Your Eyes

adult-beautiful-couple-842546.jpg

Eye contact is a good way to establish a connection. Plus, when he is interested and flirting with you, he will want to stare into your eyes. The eyes send a strong message of interest or a lack of it. The amount of eye contact will depend on the personality of your guy.

A man who is more bold and aggressive may hold eye contact with you for a long time. While a guy is who is shy or unsure of your interest is more likely to make eye contact, look away, and then make eye contact again.

He Makes Lame Jokes

adult-alcoholic-beverage-bar-2222458.jpg

A man who is hitting on you will make attempts at being charming. One of the ways he will do this is by trying to be the funny man. When a guy is hitting on you he will try to show his cutesy, laid back side, which will include some jokes.

He knows that if he can get you to laugh, or at least smile, and he will have a shot.

He Lightly Touches You

He is hitting on you because he is attracted to you. And because he is attracted to you, he will want to touch you. He may lightly touch your arm, your hands, or even your lower back. He will use any excuse to try to make physical contact with you.

He is also looking for your reaction to his touch. If you retract from his touch he will know, or should know, that you are not interested. Whereas if he is close enough to you that your arms or legs brush one another, and you do not create space between you two, that you might be interested as well.

Offers To Help You

When a man is hitting on you he will try to be your knight in shining armor. He will offer to buy your drinks, carry things for you, help you move, and even do your work or homework. He wants to be there for you, and show you that he is a reliable, dependable gentleman.

If he is a co-worker he may bring you a coffee in the morning, offer to buy you lunch, and they will always want to help you with a work project.

Tries To Entice You

attractive-beard-beautiful-2830489.jpg

A man hitting on you will want you to feel just as attracted to him as he is to you. He wants to look hot for you. He will take extra care with his appearance. He may wear cologne, flex his muscles, and flash his pearly whites.

When you think about it, when a man is hitting on you he is usually pretty obvious. When in doubt, listen to gut, trust your instincts, and if all else fails refer to this blog for the signs a man is hitting on you.

What are your thoughts on the signs of a man hitting on you? Do you agree with my signs? What signs do you look for? Please share your thoughts and experience!

“The law of attraction says that like attracts like, and when you think and feel what you want to attract on the inside, the law will use people, circumstances and events to magnetize what you want.” - Rhonda Byrne

Read More

6 Signs He’s In Love With Someone Else

Whether you are in a new relationship or have been in a long term relationship, feelings for one another may change. Perhaps you started dating and he wasn’t quite over his ex, or you have been together for a while and suspect that he is in love with someone else.

It can suck to even think about the possibility that your man is in love with another, especially if you have been together for some time and saw a future together.

Here’s the thing, his feelings for this other woman will not miraculously go away so you need to address it with him. If you have that feeling that his heart belongs to someone else, here are the signs to look for.

Signs He’s In Love With Someone Else

He Can’t Stop Talking About Her

bench-couple-daylight-172368.jpg

When we are in love with someone that person is never far from our mind. When someone is on your mind their name tends to come out of your mouth a lot.

Whether she is the neighbor, a co-worker, or a friend of a friend, if your man is always talking about a particular woman he likely has feelings for her.

Has A Look In His Eyes When He Mentions Her

adult-blur-books-842567.jpg

When the other woman's name comes up, do you see your man’s eyes change? The mere thought of her will make him giddy and happy, and the feelings will show in his eyes.

You will likely recognize this look as to how he used to look at you when you were first falling in love.

Suddenly Stops Talking About Her

Featured Video

If your man was mentioning a certain woman all of the time and then suddenly stops saying her name it may be indicative of him having feelings for her. He has just wised up and realized that he was bringing her up too much, and him talking about her all the time was making you suspicious.

So now he never says her name anymore, but she is still there, often in his thoughts.

His Moods Depends On Her

2 faces.jpeg

On days when he has interacted with her he is happy, excited, and oddly more loving with you. But when he doesn’t see or interact with her he is grouchy, moody, and easily annoyed by you.

When he is missing her or feeling resentful that he cannot be with her, his mood and behavior will reflect his thoughts and heart.

He Wants You To Be More Like Her

Suddenly everything you do, say, eat, or wear is up for scrutiny and comparison. You may start to notice him suggesting different clothes, perfume, hair styles, and even new bedroom tricks for you.

If he is in love with another woman, but in a relationship with you, he may try to turn you into a version of her.

Your Gut Is Telling You

Deep inside we know when a guy is crazy in love with us, and we also know when he is falling out of love with us. If your man is in love with someone else, you will feel it. Horrible, I know.

The thought that your man or the guy you are in love with is in love with someone else is painful. But isn’t it better to know and be able to deal with it or move on? Or would you rather not know, and hope that his feelings the for the other woman is just a faze?

Either way, I think your man loving another woman is a hard reality that will eventually need to be faced. You deserve better than playing second fiddle to anyone else.

What are your thoughts on the signs that a man is in love with someone else? Have you eve been in this situation? Please share your thoughts and experience.

“The only thing more unthinkable than leaving was staying; the only thing more impossible than staying was leaving. I didn't want to destroy anything or anybody. I just wanted to slip quietly out the back door, without causing any fuss or consequences, and then not stop running until I reached Greenland.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

Read More
Love and Relationships Charlene Eckstein Love and Relationships Charlene Eckstein

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

Liar.jpg

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

athlete-beach-biceps-1437864.jpg

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

texting.jpeg

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

pexels-photo-984946.jpeg

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

Commitment Issues.jpeg

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

selfish.jpeg

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

Read More
Love and Relationships, Love and Romance Charlene Eckstein Love and Relationships, Love and Romance Charlene Eckstein

5 Reasons To Take It Slow With A New Relationship

New romance and love feels incredible. There is no denying that we can feel an indescribable happiness and joy when when we are starting a new relationship and falling in love. Love makes us feel like we are floating on air.

With so much incredible happiness and joy, can come feelings of wanting it to never end, and thoughts of speeding things along to solidify your relationship. You may see this man or woman as your forever person, even though you have only been dating for a few month.

Despite the urges you may have to move in together, put a ring on it, or start having babies, here are a few reasons to take it slow.

Reasons To Take It Slow

Featured Video

Enjoy The Newness

adult-beverage-blur-546163 (1).jpg

There is no feeling like new love. The giddiness and excitement of seeing each other and being together is a feeling that cannot be replicated. You will find that if you start rushing things, the feelings of new love and excitement will quickly leave, and be replaced with your typical relationship issues all too soon.

Feel Comfortable

adult-couple-dating-951290.jpg

While the early stages of a relationship are filled with butterflies and new feelings, you may also find that you are filled with some anxiety and self consciousness.

If you allow your relationship to slowly grow and unfold over time, you will find that you start to feel more comfortable around your love, and more comfortable being your true self.

No Pressure

backlit-beach-couple-1378723.jpg

When relationships are new and growing, there is a certain amount of pressure we put on ourselves to be interesting and fun, and everything we think they want us to be. But if you allow your relationship the time it needs to flourish, you will not feel pressured to make sure they stick around because you will know where you stand with them.

Learn About Each Other

couple-1845620_1920.jpg

There is no doubt that many people wear masks when first meeting people. We put our best “face” forward when starting a new relationship. Not to say that people are necessarily fake, but no one is perfect, and we do not want to show what might be considered as our bad side.

More Likely To Last

relationship-happiness.jpeg

Studies show that relationships that take it slow in the beginning and allow things to develop organically over time are likely to last longer. I think the reasons above are why slow growing relationships tend to last.

You cannot have a truly loving and committed relationship if you do not know them and they do not know who you really are.

Some will argue that when you know you know, and there is no reason to wait to start your life together. But I say if they are the one, waiting a little longer to move in together, get pregnant, or getting married will not change what is meant to be.

What are your thoughts on taking things slow with a new relationship?

“But new love only lasts so long, and then you crash back into the real people you are, and from as high as we were, it's a very long fall, and we hit the ground with a thud.” ― Marya Hornbacher, Madness: A Bipolar Life

Read More