My Thoughts

Photo: Shutterstock  Jealousy. The green-eyed feeling everyone secretly battles. But is it a relationship killer, or can it actually strengthen love? The answer depends on how you handle it. When Jealousy Hurts Jealousy becomes destructive when it turns into control, constant suspicion, or emotional manipulation. Checking your partner’s phone, obsessing over who they text, or turning innocent situations into arguments isn’t romantic it’s toxic. Over time, this kills trust, brings resentment, and creates emotional distance. Photo: Shutterstock  When Jealousy Shows You Care Not all jealousy is bad. A small pang when your partner flirts or spends time with someone else can show you care and it can remind both partners of the value of the relationship. Healthy jealousy is brief, self-aware, and doesn’t lead to controlling behavior. It can prompt important conversations about boundaries, needs, and reassurance. How to Handle Jealousy Like a Pro Check Yours...

Photo: Adobe stock   Grand gestures are lovely. Surprise trips, expensive gifts, dramatic declarations. But long-term love is rarely built on spectacle. It survives on the small, almost forgettable habits couples practice every day. It’s saying “text me when you get home” and actually meaning it. It’s sharing the last slice without keeping score. It’s remembering how they take their coffee and getting it right without asking. Photo: Istock Healthy relationships are sustained by consistency, not intensity. A quick check-in during a busy day. A hand squeeze in a crowded room. Sitting through their favorite show even when it’s not your genre. These moments signal attention. Attention builds connection. Then there’s the quiet respect during disagreements. Not rolling your eyes. Not weaponizing past mistakes. Arguing about the issue instead of attacking the person. Couples who last understand that being right is less important than being kind. Laughter also carri...

Photo: Dreamtime  Open relationships where partners agree to see other people romantically or sexually have become more visible in modern dating. But are they truly sustainable, or are they a temporary experiment for some couples? The Benefits of Open Relationships When managed carefully, open relationships can foster honesty, personal growth, and sexual freedom. Partners often report a deeper understanding of their needs and desires, and some find that navigating multiple connections strengthens communication skills and emotional intelligence. The Challenges of Longevity Long-term sustainability is not guaranteed. Jealousy, insecurity, and mismatched expectations can strain even the most committed partnerships. Without clear boundaries and frequent check-ins, misunderstandings may escalate, and emotional intimacy with a primary partner can suffer. Communication and Boundaries Are Key Research and anecdotal evidence show that successful open relationships re...

Photo: Shutterstock   We’ve all seen the pairing. The quiet, calculating introvert with the social extrovert. The careful planner tangled up with the spontaneous risk-taker. The corporate strategist dating the artist. On paper, it seems appealing. In real life? It depends. The idea that opposites attract has been romanticized for decades in movies, books in the kind of love stories that thrive on tension. Think of the friction-filled chemistry between Noah and Allie in The Notebook, or the famously mismatched dynamic of Carrie and Mr. Big in Sex and the City. Conflict makes for great storytelling.  Photo: Istock  Research suggests that similarity especially in core values, long-term goals, and emotional temperament predicts relationship satisfaction more reliably than dramatic personality differences. Shared beliefs about money, family, faith, ambition, and lifestyle tend to hold couples together when the butterflies settle. That said, contrast ca...

Photo: Shutterstock  Relationship insecurity can damage even stable relationships. It often begins as persistent doubt questioning your worth, your partner’s loyalty, or the stability of the relationship. It can grow into jealousy, emotional withdrawal , or controlling behaviour. Signs of Relationship Insecurity The most common signs of insecurity in a relationship include a constant need for reassurance, fear of abandonment, overthinking harmless situations, and heightened jealousy. You may feel threatened by your partner’s friendships or read negative meaning into neutral actions. Insecure partners often experience trust issues, even without evidence of betrayal. Photo: Adobe stock  Emotional dependency is another red flag. When your happiness feels entirely tied to your partner’s validation, insecurity may be shaping the relationship rather than mutual respect. What Causes Insecurity in a Relationship? Relationship insecurity is rarely random...

Photo: Istock It usually starts small. A name that lights up your partner’s phone a little too often. An inside joke you’re not part of. A casual, “Oh, that’s just my best friend,” said quickly, almost automatically. Nothing dramatic. Nothing you can clearly protest. Still, something tugs at you. In theory, opposite-gender friendships are normal. Healthy, even. Most adults have friends across genders from work, university, childhood circles. It’s modern life. But relationships aren’t built on theory. They’re built on feelings. And feelings don’t always follow logic. Because sometimes, the problem isn’t the friend. It’s the closeness. Photo: Shutterstock  When “just friends” feels like more There’s a difference between friendship and emotional priority. If your partner shares memes and the occasional catch-up with someone, it barely registers. But when that person becomes the first call after a long day, the go-to for every rant, the keeper of private stories...