Leave relationships in which you feel replaceable

Have you ever had a friend or partner who's made you feel replaceable?

In other words, the other person may have a slew of friends or several people vying for their romantic affections, making you feel as though you're just a number on their list.

This doesn't make us feel special or appreciated, no matter how many times -- and how emphatically -- they may claim to value us.

We might crave more intimacy with this individual, but their tendency to hop from one person to another may create an emotional void.

You might feel far more invested and committed because you have a smaller circle of people in your life. Perhaps you've done this deliberately in an effort to cut down on the drama and prioritize quality over quantity.

It's saddening when people take us for granted because they know they have other options.

Perhaps you've suggested a relaxing evening at home dining over a good movie, but someone else has suggested plans more to their liking.

Maybe you've hinted at wanting to take your relationship to the next level, but he or she signals that commitment is the farthest thing from their mind right now. They wish to continue dating different people.

It can be greatly dispiriting when you feel like you're competing with other people for this person's time and attention.

They may go weeks or months without returning your calls or texts, and yet they're posting pictures of recent outings they never even told you about on Facebook.

Life isn't a popularity contest, but these people fail to understand that. They're obviously drawn to breadth rather than depth when it comes to their friendships/relationships.

If you want something more substantive where the individual commits to putting you first, you may have to look elsewhere.

Some people couldn't care less about deepening their relationships. As long as they have a different person to talk or go out with every week, they're good to go.

Never settle for a friend or partner who asserts that they're committed to you, but never seems to show it. Two people can't achieve a strong, enduring bond unless they each demonstrate loyalty.

The truth is that some people don't mind maintaining superficial relationships and friendships if it means they can have more of them.

Chances are, one day they'll realize they've lost a great deal of people over the years because they failed to see their worth. Maybe then they will pare down the number of friends in their lives or actually commit to only one individual.

You deserve to allocate your time toward people who actually cherish it. The longer you remain around people who remember you exist when plans fall through with their countless other friends or dates, the more hurt and disappointed you'll be.

No response from someone IS a response

Make no mistake about it: When you don't get a response from someone -- whether they fail to answer your texts or return your phone calls -- it is still a response, and a powerful one at that. When a person fails to respond, it's a direct reflection of their interest -- or lack thereof -- in the relationship. Few things are more aggravating than having to hound a partner, friend, or relative for some sort of reply after we've reached out to them. Yes, we get busy from time to time, but that doesn't give anyone the right to leave the other person hanging. A terse text with something like "Been busy, will reach out soon" doesn't say much, but at least it shows some effort to bring the other person up to speed on why they've fallen off the radar. Failing to provide a response for weeks -- if not months -- communicates that you are just not a priority, and that you'll have to wait your turn to get this individual's attention. This is n...

Do you have Isolophilia? Find out...

You're probably asking yourself, "What in the world does Isolophilia mean?" It sounds like it would be something negative, doesn't it? After all, words that end in "philia" (e.g., pedophilia) tend to involve things we want nothing to do with. But Isolophilia isn't something all people deplore. In fact, introverts like me welcome it. Put simply, Isolophilia is defined as having a strong affinity for solitude. It describes a person who relishes being alone. While extroverts can only take so much solitude, we introverts find that it rejuvenates us. In order to recharge our batteries, we need to retreat to a quiet environment where we we're left alone to rest and/or gather our thoughts. Extroverts, on the other hand, become bored and drained when they're alone for a lengthy period of time. Social interaction is the fuel that drives them. So while an extrovert would probably do anything to avoid feelings of Isolophilia in most cases, an...

This will spell the end of your relationship

When asked to think about the most common culprits for a relationship's going south, most people will point to cheating, complacency, and taking one's partner for granted. While these are all valid -- and documented in various posts on this blog -- there are certain habits on the part of partners that may not kill the relationship right away, but cause it to erode more gradually. Among the most egregious of these is expecting your significant other to be perfect. They pick at your follies any chance they get. Nothing you do is ever good enough. In fact, you will never measure up to an ex, neighbor, or accomplished co-worker. Perhaps this all sounds a bit familiar. When you feel as though you're constantly being put under the microscope, it can inflict lasting damage on the relationship and your self-esteem. You're walking on eggshells all the time, praying you don't say or do something that's going to trigger your partner. This is no way to live, let alone ca...

How To Understand People

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