Relationships

Relationships take a lot of work. Dating, online dating, and courtship all have one goal, to give us a Relationship to thrive in. It is hard to find a healthy, attractive, and willing partner. When you do, what happens next is the most important part. I work on relationship-building as a skill set. How can I be a better partner? How can I say with this person for life?

Managing Depression In Romantic Relationships: Getting Real w/ Myself

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:December 26, 2023
Post category:Dating Depression Divorce Drinking Health and Fitness Joy Money Parenting Relationships Self-care Single-Dad Spirituality

I am learning to love my HIGH self and my LOW self equally. It's a ninja mind trick, but I can do it.

Finding Joy as a Single Parent During the Holidays: Our Celebration

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:December 24, 2023
Post category:Co-Parenting Divorce humans of divorce Joy Love Married Life Parenting Relationships Self-care Single-Dad Spirituality

I like to be on top of the world, as most of us do, but I haven't done very well in the past when I sink into "maintenance mode" rather than aspirational mode. What I learned from my last stumble is that I AM MY OWN WORST ENEMY.

Dating for Adults in An Online World: The Lover You Are Looking For

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:December 21, 2023
Post category:Dating Health and Fitness Joy Love Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad

100% Matches Only: If you settle at all, you will be disappointed. Eventually, we're all going to be disappointed in our partners. But this disappointment should not be about our connection or compatibility with the other person.

Read This If Nobody Texted You “Good Morning Sunshine” Today

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:November 26, 2023
Post category:Dating Health and Fitness humans of divorce Joy Love relationship building Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad Spirituality

The thrill of getting to a second date... Well, don't blow it. Just be cool. Don't lead to fast or too far. Take your signals from your date. Listen intently for emotional intelligence. Are they telling stories about past relationships, or future ideas, or work, or working out?

5 Myths and 5 Truths About Online Dating Today

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:November 17, 2023
Post category:Dating Health and Fitness Joy Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad

I hope you meet a lot of nice people out there. But don't be fooled by their looks, their profile statements, or their fluent email banter. Go for the face-to-face meeting with as little hassle and energy as possible. If it becomes difficult to land the date, for whatever reason, move on. If they wanted to meet they would also be trying to make it happen, not giving excuses.

Asking Women: “What Is Dating Like?

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:November 15, 2023
Post category:Dating Relationships self-awareness Sex

There are plenty of fit and fantastic-looking people using online dating. 99% of them will not give you the time of day. That's okay. You only need ONE YES to change your life.

5 Early Warning Signs When Dating: Looking for Mr. or Ms. Lovejoy

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:November 13, 2023
Post category:Dating Parenting Relationships Self-care Sex

Everything is great. My kids are great. My ex is great. And my, you are great too. I'm so happy. I'm the most positive person most of my friends have ever met. I just radiate this positive energy. "You can feel it, right?" Stand back from Mr. Yes.

Pause in the Gap: Trying to Force An Answer Is Not the Way

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:November 7, 2023
Post category:Co-Parenting Dating Love Married Life mindfulness Parenting relationship building Relationships Spirituality

If you can pause and consider the gap when you feel frustrated or impatient, you can tune in to your own feelings more accurately. And if you give your partner the opportunity to fill the gap you may learn something you didn't know, and something you couldn't have learned had you continued to be a gap crasher.