Why we struggle to end unhealthy relationships

Human beings have a tendency to stick it out with costly decisions, and it can be attributed directly to the sunk cost fallacy.

According to this psychological concept, the more we invest -- whether it be money, time, or emotions -- the less likely we are to abandon our initial choices.

There are many examples of the sunk cost fallacy in action.

For example, if you've invested $10,000 in a women's studies degree even though you recognize your job prospects following graduation are looking a tad bleak, you're likely to press on.

Or, perhaps you've been waiting in the same line at the grocery store for nearly 10 minutes while others around you speed by. You've waited this long, so you refuse to budge.

Or maybe you insist on getting through the final two chapters of the mediocre book you're reading, or wrapping up the last season of the show you've been watching for several years.

After we commit, we tend to bind ourselves to our own decisions, and relationships are no exception.

Many of us can admit to staying in a damaging relationship far longer than we should have.

Once you've been with someone for two, five, ten years, it only becomes more and more difficult to let go.

We think of all the time, energy, and emotions we've invested and dread the possibility of seeing it all go to waste.

Then there's the daunting prospect of having to start all over with someone new who may very well turn out to be worse than our current partner.

The unknown can seem scarier than being in an unsatisfying relationship with someone we've come to know like the back of our hand.

As difficult as it may be to break routine and let go, if you've done all you can to right the ship to no avail, it may be time to take this life-changing step.

Whether selfishness, indifference, disloyalty or complacency has made it obvious that the relationship's best days are behind it, life is too short to be unhappy.

Partners have two clear-cut options: Work together to save the relationship, or part ways.

Sadly, many couples opt to stay together for the kids, for financial reasons, or simply to avoid loneliness, and they wind up as disgruntled roommates.

Change is difficult, but it might be exactly what we need in order to enrich our lives. Yes, you've made a huge financial and emotional investment in the individual, but don't think of it as a poor one.

After all, chances are that person made you happy at one point, you may have had your loving kids with them (which you would never take back), and you learned valuable lessons you can take with you into your next relationship. No regrets!

That being said, keep the sunk cost fallacy in mind the next time you're tempted to hang on to a toxic or otherwise unfulfilling relationship.

Sometimes calling it quits is the way to go!

Women vs. Men: Who likes to backstab more?

Whether it's on TV or in the workplace, the general consensus seems to be that women gossip, backstab, and stir up more conflict than men do. But, as with every other topic, I thought it only fair to put this so-called stereotype under the microscope. If you watch reality shows like Celebrity Apprentice, you'll notice it's the women who spend far more time bickering. While the men do at times become embroiled in tit for tat, it's the women who are portrayed as meaner and more hostile. In the workplace, I have noticed that women seem to gossip far more than their male counterparts. I haven't really seen any cases where a person blatantly backstabs the other, but I have caught both men and women in little white lies. If it is true that women are generally more into backstabbing and gossiping than men, why is this the case? I believe that it isn't fair to make a blanket statement like "all women play these games while all men keep to themselves and pre...

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...

Men prefer to marry brunettes

Study after study shows that men prefer blondes as girlfriends or mistresses and brunettes as wives . It seems many men see brunettes as more trustworthy and loyal. What's more, even though participants claimed that blondes are better in bed, they feel brunettes are better kissers and more affectionate than blondes. I find these results to be rather interesting. In my high school and early college days, I actually had a preference for blondes myself -- that is, until I hooked up with my now-wife. From that point on, I deemed brunettes as more attractive and marriage material, probably because they reminded me of and more closely resembled her. I think we can blame Hollywood, shows like Baywatch, and Playboy for painting blondes as wild, big chested, promiscuous and loose. (Yes, I know that there are brunettes in Playboy, but they seem to be in the minority.) When someone tells a man to think of an attractive blonde, who do you think likely crosses his mind? More likely than...

How to Read People

Search This Blog