My Thoughts

Photo: Istock Past relationships have a quiet way of shaping our expectations. Over time, many people begin to believe love must follow a specific script regular calls, constant reassurance, certain gestures and when it unfolds differently, they mistake that difference for a lack of care. For those who have experienced neglect or emotional strain, kindness can feel unfamiliar. When someone finally shows up with patience and consistency, it almost feels foreign. Receiving healthy love requires unlearning habits built around disappointment, and that adjustment can be harder than most people admit. Photo: Istock  Betrayal leaves another kind of mark . After trust has been broken, the mind shifts into defense mode. Every action is analyzed, every word examined for hidden meaning. Even sincerity can look suspicious. Instead of safety, the heart prepares for loss before it happens. Old wounds also tend to resurface in quieter ways. Insecurities get projected o...

Photo: Shutterstock  It’s the little things or so they say. But in today’s world, those “small things” can pile up faster than a TikTok scroll session, and before you know it, a relationship that seemed solid is suddenly on shaky ground. From arguments over who didn’t text back first, to disagreements about what counts as “liking” someone else’s post, modern couples face a new set of challenges ones our parents’ generation could hardly imagine. Social media , while connecting us, has also amplified insecurity, jealousy, and unrealistic expectations. Photo: Dreamtime Take the “story comparison” trap, for example. Scrolling through endless highlight reels of friends, influencers, and exes can make your own relationship feel like it’s falling short even when it’s perfectly fine. Suddenly, minor disagreements over chores or date nights feel monumental, because in your feed, everyone else seems to be living the perfect romance. Then there’s the endless overthink...

Photo: Adobe stock  Disagreements are part of any relationship. Lasting damage often comes from the words fired off in the heat of the moment. A little restraint can protect trust, tone, and respect. These six habits keep conversations honest without turning them hurtful.   Pause before responding Give yourself a few seconds to breathe. Slowing your reaction helps you choose your words instead of speaking on impulse. Photo: Newsone   Stick to the current issue Avoid dragging in past mistakes or unrelated grievances. One topic at a time keeps the discussion clear and solvable.   Describe feelings, not flaws Focus on behaviour, not character. Say “I felt ignored” rather than “You’re selfish.” It keeps your partner open instead of defensive.   Drop extreme language “Always” and “never” exaggerate and escalate. Be specific about what happened and what you need. Photo: Onipa Take a short break if emotions spike Step away briefly, ...

Photo: Getty images   There’s a quiet exhaustion that comes from always being the one who tries harder. The one who texts first. Who explains twice. Who forgives faster. Who lowers expectations just to keep the peace. At first, it feels generous. Mature, even. You tell yourself relationships require compromise. You pride yourself on being understanding. Then one day, you notice something uncomfortable: you’re carrying the entire weight of two people. And calling it love. Affection should never feel like negotiation. Respect isn’t a prize you earn through endurance. Care isn’t something you chase down corridors of mixed signals and inconsistent behavior. Photo: Getty images  Yet many people stay trapped in dynamics where basic decency feels like a reward. A returned call becomes impressive. A simple apology feels monumental. Consistency looks like luxury. That’s how standards quietly erode. The bare minimum starts masquerading as effort. Healthy rela...

Photo: Dreamtime Careers to build. Deadlines to meet. Messages to answer. Somewhere between early mornings and late nights, the people we care about most often receive whatever time is left. Calls go unanswered, plans get postponed, and date nights quietly turn into “maybe next week.” It rarely happens out of neglect. Life simply moves fast. Work demands attention. Ambitions grow louder. Energy runs low. The popular advice says, “If they want to, they’ll make time.” In reality, adulthood rarely works that neatly. Promotions don’t wait. Bills don’t pause. Responsibilities pile up. Sometimes love gets squeezed into the margins of a calendar already filled to the brim. So how do you protect your relationship when both of you are chasing goals, juggling pressure, and trying to stay afloat? Here’s how couples stay connected even during their busiest seasons.   Photo: Depositphotos Stop waiting for “free time” Free time is a myth. If you wait until everyt...

Photo: Istock  Personally, I believe nobody is too quiet to talk. It only takes the right starter or question to get them talking. I’ve had friends who everyone swore were “muted” and hardly spoke, yet I’ve been lucky enough to know how to get them to open up. Some weeks ago, I was having a casual conversation with a friend when she said, “Oh, my husband he’s the quiet one and never talks.” I told her she simply hadn’t found the right button yet to make him talk. And that’s the thing quiet people aren’t empty. They’re just waiting for the right entry point. Here’s what I’ve discovered works: Photo: Google Ask questions that feel natural, not interrogative Quiet partners shut down fast when questions feel like interviews. Instead of “Why don’t you talk?”, try open-ended prompts that invite stories. Casual curiosity works better than pressure. Talk about their interests, not just yours Everyone lights up when the topic hits home. It could be work, music, ...

Photo: Google Once upon a time, relationships had names. Dating led somewhere, commitment followed intention, and even heartbreak arrived with clarity. Today, romance prefers to hover in the grey. Welcome to the situationship era where feelings are present, routines are intimate, expectations are unspoken, and definitions are carefully avoided. A situationship thrives on familiarity without responsibility. You talk every day. You share jokes, secrets, late nights, and sometimes bodies. You know each other’s moods, triggers, and comfort meals. Yet the question “What are we?” sits untouched, like a fragile ornament no one wants to knock over. It is connection without confirmation, intimacy without insurance. Photo: UBER IMAGES The appeal is obvious. Situationships feel lighter. There is no pressure to perform commitment, no timelines to negotiate, no future to explain. In a culture shaped by dating apps, endless options, and emotional burnout, keeping things und...