Friday 8 July 2011

Avoid toxic relationships

Stay Out Of
Love Trouble

  • Posted on Apr 11, 2011 10:16 AM by njixx


Falling into the trap of a toxic relationship is more common than you think, and no one is immune. To avoid getting hurt by someone who doesn’t have your best interests at heart, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Stay away from a toxic twosome with these tips:

Cursive number 1Go with your gut.

Intuition can't always tell you exactly when to say yes and when to say no, but it can help guide you past potentially bad situations. For example, if you've been out on a few dates with a guy who seems nice enough but somehow seems off, your gut might be telling you to move on. If you're in a relationship that no longer makes you happy, and your intuition is setting off little alarm bells, seriously consider getting out.

Cursive number 2Don't put up with disrespect.

Someone who doesn't show you any respect won't give you the love you deserve, either; being in a relationship with such person is an emotional strain. Tell yourself that you won't put up with disrespect just for the sake of being part of a couple. If your guy doesn't think of you as an equal, the relationship has a good chance of turning toxic. He won't listen to you, he won't support you and he definitely won't feel the need to help out around the house.

Cursive number 3Be OK with being alone.

Knowing that there's nothing wrong with being alone can save you from a relationship that isn't healthy. You'll be much more discerning as to whom you date, and you'll be more likely to extricate yourself from a situation that doesn't feel right.

Cursive number 4Listen to friends & family.

Friends and family members often catch on to signs of a toxic relationship before the person who's involved in one. If you've been hearing a lot of rumblings lately about how you could do better and that you deserve a guy who's going to treat you right, re-evaluate your relationship to see if your loved ones might be onto something.

4 Signs he's definitely not a keeper


How To Tell
He's Not The One

  • Posted on Jul 08, 2011 9:47 AM by njixx



We talk a lot about signs to watch for indicating that the one you're with could be The One. But what about the signs that point to the exact opposite – that the guy you're dating should probably never be given boyfriend status or introduced to your mom. If you're not sure what we mean and need some reminders about what signs to look for, we've put together a go-to list for how to tell he's most certainly NOT a keeper.

1He's inconsiderate

A guy who is only out for number one and who can't be bothered with caring about anyone else's feelings but his own isn't a guy you want around for the long term. We're talking about men who are rude to wait staff, don't tip well (or at all), who are quick to toss out negative or derogatory comments about others and who generally act like they're the alpha male in every room they are in. Confidence is one thing, but a huge ego that leads to unkind or selfish behavior is a major red flag. Walk away. Or better yet, run in the opposite direction.

Why it's a bad sign: More often than not, a thoughtless individual will remain that way. Unless you want to be constantly horrified (or at least annoyed) by his behavior, it's probably a good idea to move on from this not-very-nice guy.

2He hasn't introduced you to anyone

If you've been dating for a while – long enough that you've invited him out with your BFFs and there really isn't any question about whether you guys are "together," but you have yet to meet any of his friends, consider it a sign that your new love might not last. We're not here to burst your bubble, or to freak you out – maybe he just doesn't have any friends (which, come to think of it is also a pretty bad omen), but it's just kind of strange to be dating someone and not be introduced to anyone he hangs out with.
Why it's a bad sign: It may be natural to spend most of your time as a tucked-up twosome in the beginning stages of your foray into couplehood, but there comes a time when meeting the people he holds dear is an important part of moving a relationship forward. So if he's keeping you and his friends and family separate, it could be a sign he's just not in it for the long term.

3He's overly flirty

Flirting is mostly harmless. A giggle here, a wink or touch on the arm there – we all do it and as long as there's no intention behind it and you're not leading anyone on, friendly, flirty behavior doesn't pose a problem. Some guys are flirtier than others, but it can be frustrating if your guy goes a little too far and looks to be enjoying his interaction with other females a little too much. If he's touchy-feely with other women, leans in too close or otherwise acts like he's single whenever a member of the opposite sex walks by, you could have a problem on your hands.
Why it's a bad sign: You may not be looking for a marriage proposal, but it would be nice if the guy you're with isn't a shameless flirt. As we've already stated, if there is no intent behind his actions and he just has a playful, flirty personality, than maybe there's no problem. But if you're uncomfortable with how far he's taking his flirting and he doesn't seem to care, he likely doesn't respect you as much as he should.

4He doesn't tell you anything

One of the best things about meeting someone you hope is more than a hook up is getting to that stage where you can open up and start sharing details about your lives – from what makes you happy to future goals to childhood memories. But if you're the only one doing the sharing, and he never seems to open up about anything, you should be asking yourself why. Not everyone is an open book and it could be that he just likes to keep his cards close to his chest until he feels totally comfortable, but you shouldn't feel like you know nothing about him other than what brand of boxers he wears.
Why it's a bad sign: Worst case scenario he has some serious skeletons in his closet that you do not want to hear about (and that could send you running) or more likely, he's not feeling as into the relationship as you are. And even if he is totally into you, how will you ever get closer if he won't tell you anything?