Latest news with #relationshipadvice
Washington Post
11 hours ago
- General
- Washington Post
Carolyn Hax chat: My teen feels pressured by her boyfriend's pushy mom
More from Carolyn Hax From the archive: Her daughter acts differently around boyfriend. Cause for alarm? Wife has a bad feeling about becoming the breadwinner Newfound sobriety causes social anxiety How to tell daughter-in-law to put down her phone Irked by iTunes account with ex-husband's last name More: Sign up for Carolyn's email newsletter to get her column delivered to your inbox each morning. Carolyn has a Q&A with readers on Fridays. Read the most recent live chat here. The next chat is June 27 at 12 p.m. Resources for getting help. Frequently asked questions about the column. Chat glossary
The Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Louise Thompson dropped huge clue that her brother Sam had split with Samie Elishi before break-up was announced
LOUISE Thompson dropped a huge clue that her brother Sam had split with Samie Elishi before their break-up was even announced. The Sun exclusively revealed today the pair had decided to go their separate ways, weeks after first being spotted together on a cosy date. 5 5 But, during a very recent appearance on Sam's podcast with Pete Wicks, Staying Relevant, she appeared to let slip that the lovebirds were no longer an item. At one point in Wednesday's installment, Louise was asked to describe Sam's ideal girlfriend. The former Made In Chelsea star replied: "I'd love for you to try dating someone that has a normal job, that's outside of the media space. I think that could be exciting. "You definitely need somebody that slightly puts you in your place, so who's gonna talk back to you, and not let you get away with everything." Louise added: "If you're going to go down the fame route, can you just find someone that I would get along with. I'm thinking young British actress." She suggested a good match for Sam would be Harry Potter star Emma Watson. The Sun confirmed earlier today Sam and Samie had split after dating for just two months. A source said: "It was a mutual thing and there is no bad blood between them. "They both just have really busy schedules, particularly Sam who has been non-stop recently, and it was really hard to make it work. They're still good mates. "It's a shame but sometimes things just don't work out." Louise Thompson's fiance Ryan admits he 'resented her' after traumatic birth of son where she asked him 'am I dying?' Sam and Samie confirmed they were dating in early May when they were spotted sharing a steamy kiss on a night out. Sam was pictured snogging Samie and holding her face as they smooched outside Olivia Attwood's 34th birthday bash. They were also snapped walking arm in arm afterwards and he tenderly placed a hand on her waist. While the pair didn't share their relationship on social media, Sam did praise Samie on his podcast, Staying Relevant with pal Pete Wicks. Grilled by his best mate, he was relatively tight-lipped but said: "What I will say though, really awesome chick. You met her that night. Really, really lovely. Super down to earth, super nice, beautiful, obviously." Samie, meanwhile, opened up about the romance last month during an appearance on the We Talk To The Dead podcast. Chatting to host Chloe Smith, the interviewer asked Samie: "Obviously, you don't have to talk about it too much but the guy you're currently speaking to, do you have that gut feeling? Like do you think it's gonna be really good?' She responded: "There's been no bad stuff at the minute. So yeah, I suppose it is all positive right now. It's early days." Sam was cagey, however, when quizzed about Samie while promoting his Soccer Aid challenge for Unicef earlier this month. Asked if she would be there to support him, Sam told MailOnline : "I feel like… this is so much more than who I'm dating or hooking up with. "And I feel like it would take away from what it is going on. You know what I mean? "You know, If I had a wife or something like, like a girlfriend of years it might be a different. "I just think that I don't want to do anything that will take away from this challenge and Unicef - the spotlight needs to be on them." Samie also failed to acknowledge the challenge on social media. Sam and Samie started dating several months after his split from Zara McDermott. The pair called it quits in January after five years together. A source close to the couple told MailOnline: "Sam and Zara have ended their relationship. It's been an incredibly difficult decision for them to part ways, they still care and have a lot of love for each other. "But after a tough year of working hard at their romance, they have split and will be focusing on their individual careers going forward into 2025. "There has been no scandal or fallout between them, it's just the result of a difficult year, where they both had to spend a lot of time focused on their own projects." Zara has since moved on with One Direction star Louis Tomlinson, who Sam awkwardly came face to face with at Soccer Aid earlier this month as they both played on the same team. 5 5 5
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
If Your Husband Is Acting Like This He's Already Halfway Out The Door
You've felt it, haven't you? That barely perceptible shift in the air, like an echo of something you can't quite hold onto. Maybe it started as a whisper of doubt or a tug at your intuition, but now it's a chorus you can't ignore. Before you let the questions consume your every waking thought, take a moment to consider these signs that your husband might be drifting away—these nuanced tells that he's already packing his bags, even if just emotionally. Once upon a time, your lives played out across social media, a digital scrapbook of shared memories and inside jokes. But now, his profiles are ghost towns, devoid of your presence. If he's curating an online persona that doesn't include you, it might be more than just a digital detox. According to relationship expert Dr. John Gottman, a sudden withdrawal from shared spaces could signal emotional disconnection and a desire to create distance. This isn't about needing a bit of privacy; it's about rewriting the narrative. His presence—or lack thereof—on social media might be hinting at new chapters he's drafting without you. When every tagged photo is from the past and each status update feels like a carefully edited version of a life that's moving on, it's hard not to feel like you're being left out of the story. It's the silence between the posts that says more than the words themselves. Exercise is healthy, and a new fitness kick might seem like a positive change, right? But when it morphs into an obsession, there's often something deeper at play. If he's swapping Netflix nights for late runs or spending hours at the gym with newfound zeal, it's worth wondering if he's running from something rather than toward a healthier lifestyle. Abs aren't the only thing being sculpted—sometimes it's a new identity, one that doesn't include you. This sudden dedication might not just be about health; it's about transformation. And while he's flexing in front of the mirror, you're left questioning whether he's imagining a different reflection. It's not just about the physical shifts but the emotional ones. When those endorphin highs leave you feeling low, it becomes about what he's gaining compared to what you're losing. The occasional late night at the office is one thing, but when he's consistently burning the midnight oil, it's worth examining. Work can be a convenient excuse, a socially acceptable cover for a myriad of other things. According to a study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family, increased work hours can lead to marital dissatisfaction and emotional estrangement. If he's choosing spreadsheets over shared dinners, it might not just be ambition driving him. You're left with the leftovers of your day, waiting up for the sound of his key in the door. Each tick of the clock feels like an echo of absence, a testament to the growing distance between you. And all the while, you're left wondering if it's the job he's committed to—or the escape it provides. It's not just the hours he's spending at work, but the moments you're losing together that are ticking away. When he suddenly picks up hobbies that don't include you, it's more than just a quest for personal growth. A new interest is great, but when it becomes a world you're not invited into, it can feel like a door slammed shut. It's not about the ceramics class or the guitar lessons, but who he's choosing to become while you're not looking. His new passions are starting to sound like solo performances rather than a duet. He might insist it's just about finding himself, but you can't help but wonder if he's also trying to lose you. These new pursuits could be his way of distancing himself, creating pockets of a life that's slowly drifting away from you. The conversations become stilted, filled with tales of adventures you weren't on, anecdotes you weren't a part of. It's a slow erosion of the intimacy you once shared, replaced by the unfamiliar terrain of his new interests. A little time with the guys is normal, but when it becomes a regular escape, you have to question what he's escaping from. If 'guys' night' is code for avoidant behavior, it's worth digging deeper. Psychologist Dr. Terri Orbuch notes that excessive time away from a partner can indicate underlying issues within the relationship. It's not just about the beer and the banter; it's about the deliberate choice to be anywhere but with you. You might find yourself waiting up, wondering why he seems more at home at the bar than in your living room. And as the nights pile up, so do the excuses and the unsaid words. It's not just camaraderie he's seeking; it's distance. Those nights out are starting to feel like nights away, a slow unraveling of the connection you thought was unbreakable. Once, he remembered your favorite comfort food and the way you like your tea. Now, he seems to forget the small details that stitch your lives together. It's as if the mundane minutiae have lost their meaning, slipping through the cracks of his scattered attention. When he stops noticing the little things, it's often because his mind is elsewhere. You start to miss the warmth of those everyday rituals, the unspoken understanding that used to feel like home. Each overlooked detail feels like a thread pulled from the fabric of your shared life. As the little things become less important, so does the emotional tapestry that binds you. It's in the tiny, unnoticed shifts that the real distance begins to grow. Screens have become our portals to the world, but when his is a barrier rather than a bridge, it's a problem. If he's glued to his phone but you're not part of the conversation, it's a red flag. Research by Dr. James A. Roberts in the Journal of Psychology of Popular Media Culture shows that excessive phone use can lead to decreased relationship satisfaction. When his screen is more captivating than your voice, it's time to take note. You might find him scrolling endlessly, lost in a world that doesn't include you. Each notification chime feels like an interruption, a reminder of where his attention truly lies. The digital world, with all its allure, becomes a shadowy third in your relationship. When you're left competing with a device for his time, it's a sign that something deeper is amiss. Conversations once flowed like fine wine, but now they've dried to a trickle of monosyllabic responses. 'Fine,' 'Good,' 'Okay'—the verbal equivalent of a shrug. When every question is met with a curt reply, it's more than just fatigue; it's a refusal of engagement. He's there, but not really, offering just enough to maintain the illusion of presence. You might brush it off as a phase, but the silence stretches like a chasm between you. Each unspoken word becomes a stone in the wall that's building itself higher with each passing day. What used to be shared laughter and secrets now feels like a guessing game with a silent partner. It's not just words he's holding back, but the connection that once defined you. When it's time to talk about the tough stuff, he's suddenly swamped with commitments. There's always a meeting, a deadline, or a convenient crisis that pulls him away. It's not that he's busy—it's that he's unavailable for you. Avoidance becomes a strategy, a way to dodge the heart of the matter and leave the weight of the relationship squarely on your shoulders. You're left feeling like you're speaking into a void, your concerns echoing back without resonance. Each missed conversation is another brick in the wall of emotional isolation. The important discussions are postponed indefinitely, lingering in the air like smoke. It's not just the time he's avoiding, but the accountability that comes with it. Once, you mapped out your dreams over lazy Sunday mornings, a future painted with shared hopes and plans. Now, those conversations feel like relics of a past you're struggling to hold onto. When the future is no longer a canvas of possibilities but a topic he avoids, it's a sign he might be imagining a different horizon. The silence on future plans speaks louder than any words. You're left wondering if you're still a character in the story he's writing for his life. Each unmentioned holiday or unplanned weekend feels like a door closing on the possibilities you once cherished. It's not just anticipation that's missing, but the shared vision that used to bind you. The future becomes a lonely place when you're dreaming alone. When simple questions become battlegrounds, it's not just stress you're dealing with. His defensiveness might signal deeper insecurities or guilt, an internal struggle projected outward. If every inquiry is met with a wall of justification, it's more than just protectiveness—it's a symptom of emotional unease. You're left tiptoeing around conversations, trying to find the balance between concern and confrontation. Each defensive retort leaves you feeling like a trespasser in your own relationship. The ease of open communication is replaced by eggshells and caution. It's not just his words that sting, but the underlying message that something's amiss. Defensiveness becomes the armor he wears, shielding a truth he's unwilling to share. His once-eager interest in your day and your dreams has waned, replaced by disinterest or distraction. When he stops asking about the things that matter to you, it's a sign that his attention has drifted. Your stories become monologues, shared in a void where they once sparked discussions. It's not just curiosity he's lost, but the connection that curiosity fosters. You start to feel invisible, your life a subplot in the narrative you once co-wrote. Each unasked question is a reminder of the distance growing between you. It's not just your day that goes unnoticed, but the essence of who you are that's slipping away. The silence becomes a barrier, separating the lives that once intertwined so effortlessly. Physical touch, once a language of its own, now feels like a foreign dialect. When he starts avoiding closeness, it's a sign that the emotional distance is manifesting physically. It's not just about the absence of touch but the withdrawal from the comfort and connection it represents. Each unreciprocated embrace becomes a stark reminder of the gap that's widening between you. You're left yearning for the warmth and reassurance that physicality once provided. The bed becomes a chilly expanse, the space between you a testament to the emotional estrangement. It's not just the absence of passion that hurts, but the loss of the intimacy that once held you together. Avoidance here is not just about the body but about the heart pulling away.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
15 Signs You're Grieving A Marriage That You're Still In
Navigating the emotional landscape of a marriage that feels more like a ghost town than a sanctuary can be bewildering. You're in it, yet it feels like pieces of you have already packed up and left. It's not the big fights or dramatic exits; it's the subtle, insidious signs that whisper something's broken. If you're experiencing this, you're not alone, and recognizing these signs can be the first step in reclaiming your narrative. Once, your partner's presence was your refuge; now, solitude feels like a secret sanctuary where you can breathe. You find yourself seeking out alone time, not to recharge for them, but to escape from them. It's not just physical space you're craving but an emotional breather from the weight of a relationship that feels like it's collapsing in on itself. This tells you that your marriage has turned into something you need a break from, rather than a place to recharge. While solitude is healthy, using it as a means to create distance from your spouse can indicate a deeper disconnection. You may begin to cultivate a rich inner world where your spouse is conspicuously absent. Your thoughts, dreams, and even fears are kept separate, creating a divide that becomes harder to bridge with each passing day. It's as if you're quietly crafting a life that doesn't depend on them. Once, the future was a shared canvas, vibrant with mutual dreams and plans. Now, it's become a blurry, uncertain mess that you hesitate to even think about. Planning anything beyond the next few days feels overwhelming, as if the act of imagining a future together is a painful reminder of how uncertain things have become. Your dreams have gone from plural to singular, with you no longer envisioning a shared path, just your own. Research by psychologist Dr. Terri Orbuch, known for her long-term studies of marriage, suggests that envisioning a future together is a critical component of relationship health. Couples who struggle to see a shared future often experience higher levels of dissatisfaction. You might find yourself hesitant to commit to anything long-term, afraid that doing so might trap you in a reality you're no longer sure you want. It's a sobering sign that what once was a partnership might be slipping into parallel lives. Remember when physical touch was spontaneous, an electric connection that happened without thinking? Now, intimacy feels like a relic of the past, something you revisit in memories rather than experience in the present. The bed you share feels more like a barren field than a lush garden of connection. You might even start to flinch at their touch, not out of malice, but because it feels foreign and intrusive. This lack of physical closeness is often a reflection of emotional distance. When intimacy breaks down, it's not just about the physical act but the emotional vulnerability that comes with it. You might find excuses to avoid it, convincing yourself you're too tired or stressed, when in reality, the prospect seems daunting. It's a sign that the emotional ties that once bound you have started to unravel. In healthier times, acts of kindness and generosity flowed freely, uncounted and unspoken. Now, every task, every favor is mentally tallied, a silent ledger that keeps track of who's doing what. You find yourself obsessively noting when they last did something nice or meaningful, and you begin to resent when the balance tips out of your favor. This scorekeeping turns acts of love into transactions, bitterly tinged with unmet expectations. Psychologist Dr. John Amodeo, author of books on relationships, suggests that scorekeeping is often a defense mechanism for unmet needs and feelings of unfairness. When you start keeping track, it's usually because you feel something is lacking, and this perceived imbalance can be corrosive over time. Instead of fostering connection, it creates distance, turning your marriage into a competitive arena rather than a supportive partnership. It's a sign that the relationship has shifted from mutual support to mutual scrutiny. There was a time when being with your partner made even the most mundane gatherings feel special. Now, you feel isolated even when they're right next to you, a stranger in your own life. It's as if you're playing a role, going through the motions without the emotional engagement that once felt so natural. You watch other couples interact and feel a pang of envy for what's lacking in your own relationship. This sense of loneliness is particularly insidious because it persists even in moments that should be filled with connection. You might find yourself surrounded by friends or family, and yet, a nagging sense of isolation follows. Your partner's presence, rather than anchoring you, seems to amplify how alone you feel. It's a haunting reminder that physical proximity is no substitute for emotional presence. The spark, the excitement, the sense of discovery—all have evaporated, leaving behind the mundane functionality of a shared living space. You go about your day, sharing the same roof, but living entirely separate lives. Conversations revolve around menial tasks, and the essence of partnership has evaporated, leaving behind a transactional cohabitation. It's like living with a roommate rather than a romantic partner. According to a study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family Therapy, this shift from partners to roommates is a common phase in many marriages where emotional and physical intimacy has declined. You might find that your interactions are primarily logistical, revolving around bills, chores, and schedules. The emotional and physical intimacy that once defined your relationship feels like a distant memory. It's a stark indicator that the deep connection you once shared is hanging by a thread. Eye contact, once a silent conversation filled with unspoken understanding, now feels like a confrontation. You find yourself avoiding their gaze, choosing instead to focus on your phone, the TV, anywhere else. It's as if looking into their eyes might reveal too much—your disappointment, your doubts, your grief. This avoidance is telling, a silent acknowledgment of the growing chasm between you. Avoiding eye contact often signifies an emotional withdrawal that can be hard to articulate. It's a subtle action that speaks volumes about your reluctance to engage on an intimate level. The eyes, after all, are windows to the soul, and when those windows close, so too does a vital avenue of connection. This unspoken avoidance can be a protective mechanism, a way to shield yourself from the vulnerability of truly seeing—and being seen by—your partner. It's a modern cliché, but the truth is, your phone can often feel more engaging than your spouse. Scrolling through social media, texting friends, or losing yourself in a game becomes a convenient escape. It's not just about distraction but a subconscious choice to invest your attention elsewhere. The virtual world offers quick hits of dopamine that replace the deeper, more challenging work of connecting with your partner. This behavior is a double-edged sword; while your phone provides instant gratification, it also creates further distance from the person sitting right next to you. You might find yourself justifying this digital escape as harmless, yet it's a distraction that pulls you further from the real issues at play. The more time you spend in the virtual world, the less you engage with the reality of your marriage. It's a sign that the connection you once prioritized is now playing second fiddle to a glowing screen. Daydreaming about an alternate reality used to be a creative exercise, but now it feels more like a desperate escape. You imagine what life could be like without the constant tension and unspoken grievances. You envision yourself in different scenarios, sometimes with a different partner, or entirely alone, feeling freer than you've felt in years. This mental escape can be a comforting balm to the dissatisfaction brewing in your real life. While fantasizing isn't inherently harmful, it becomes concerning when it replaces engagement with your current reality. These dreams of a different life may offer temporary solace but can ultimately contribute to feelings of discontent. They paint an alluring picture of what could be, rather than encouraging you to work on what is. It's a telling sign that the life you're living isn't the one you want to continue investing in. There was once a time when you felt understood, truly seen by your partner. Now, you feel invisible, your thoughts and feelings brushed aside or ignored altogether. You crave acknowledgment and feedback, but instead, there's an echoing silence where there should be understanding. This invisibility can be a sign of a partner who's checked out emotionally, leaving you to shout into the void. This feeling of being unseen can feed a cycle of resentment and withdrawal. You might stop sharing your thoughts and feelings altogether, convinced they'll go unnoticed anyway. This emotional neglect can be deeply isolating, cutting you off from the very validation that makes you feel alive and connected. It's a sign that your marriage is no longer a place of mutual recognition and support. You might not be physically cheating, but emotionally, you're investing in someone else. It's subtle at first—a text here, a shared secret there until it becomes a bond that starts to feel more genuine than the one with your spouse. This emotional affair is filling the void left by the lack of connection at home, a refuge where you can feel appreciated and understood. It's a dangerous path that can lead to even greater fractures in your marriage. Engaging in emotional affairs often reflects unmet needs and a hunger for intimacy that's no longer being satisfied in your relationship. It's a way to feel alive and connected without the complications of a physical affair. This behavior is a clear indication that something fundamental is missing in your marriage, a gap you're desperately trying to fill elsewhere. It's a red flag that the emotional bond with your partner is unraveling. The smallest slight or forgotten chore suddenly becomes a major point of contention. You're on edge, and every minor issue seems to ignite a disproportionate response. It's not really about the unwashed dishes or the missed call; it's about the underlying issues that these incidents represent. These outbursts are a cry for attention, a manifestation of deeper frustrations that go unspoken. This hypersensitivity is often a sign that the emotional undercurrents of your relationship are turbulent. You might find yourself overreacting to seemingly trivial matters because they symbolize larger, unresolved tensions. These eruptions are an indication that something significant is brewing beneath the surface, clamoring for acknowledgment. It's a clear sign that your emotional state is on high alert, signaling the depth of your dissatisfaction. The hobbies and interests that once brought you together now feel like obligations rather than enjoyment. You find yourself disengaged, going through the motions instead of feeling genuinely connected. Whether it's a shared love of cooking, hiking, or watching movies, the spark is gone, replaced by a sense of duty. This loss of interest indicates a deeper disconnect, where the activities are no longer mutual but merely parallel. Losing interest in shared activities often signifies that the foundation of your relationship is shifting. You might start engaging in these activities alone or with others, consciously or unconsciously distancing yourself from your partner. This drift can create a chasm that, left unchecked, undermines the shared experiences that once bonded you. It's a sign that the companionship in your marriage is fading, leaving a void where connection used to be. The thought of change, once exhilarating, now fills you with dread. You might feel trapped in your current situation, yet the idea of altering the status quo is paralyzing. It's not just fear of the unknown, but a deep-seated anxiety about the potential fallout of making a decision. This fear keeps you stuck, immobilized by the prospect of uncertainty in a future without your partner by your side. This apprehension is a testament to how entrenched the patterns in your marriage have become. Change represents a seismic shift that could disrupt the fragile balance you've maintained. You might find yourself vacillating between action and inaction, torn between the desire for something different and the comfort of familiarity. It's a powerful sign that despite the unhappiness, the idea of breaking the cycle feels insurmountable. When was the last time you had a conversation with your spouse that didn't feel like an obligatory exchange of logistics? You remember when talking to them felt like unraveling a mystery, each word revealing another layer of who they are. Now, it's as if every word is a burden, a task to complete rather than a connection to nurture. This shift can often signal emotional distance and unspoken resentment building up beneath the surface. Marriage therapist Dr. Linda Carroll notes that communication is often the first casualty in a struggling marriage. According to research from the Gottman Institute, couples in distress often spend less than 30 minutes a week talking to each other about anything other than chores or kids. When words become transactional, the relationship can lose its soul. You might find yourself avoiding deep conversations because they seem to offer more peril than promise.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Woman Says ‘Upset' Partner Wants Her to Cover Up While on Balcony: ‘I Had a Fairly Hippy Upbringing'
A woman shared on the community forum Mumsnet that her partner has asked her to cover up more while on her balcony She said her partner thinks she is "fishing for attention" by wearing things like "a crop top and briefs" on the balcony Now she wonders if her partner is being "a bit controlling"A woman is seeking advice after her partner told her to cover up while she's out on her balcony. She shared her story in a post on the U.K. community forum Mumsnet, explaining that she lives in an apartment with a balcony that is two floors up in a converted Victorian building that overlooks a 'fairly busy street.' On the morning that she posted, she went onto her balcony while wearing "a crop top and briefs" because 'it was hot' and her son's partner had already left for school. 'He said if I'm going on the balcony can I put some shorts on. Weird because I'm essentially more covered up than someone would be in a bikini and it's my balcony,' she wrote. The woman went on to share that her partner also has an issue with her social media posts. 'He has also gotten upset if I've posted any stories on Instagram of me sunbathing with my cat on my balcony, suggesting I'm fishing for attention," she explained. The woman noted that her upbringing has influenced her style and attitude about things. 'I had a fairly hippy upbringing and don't really feel much need to cover up when it's hot because a body is just a body and I'm also very flat-chested with an ironing board body so I don't feel sexy anyway. I've always dressed quite tomboy too. I don't like attention, I just like to be comfortable,' she said. Now, however, the woman is questioning whether her partner is being 'a bit controlling' or if she should 'respect his more conservative boundaries.' In the comments, most readers agreed that the woman should be able to make her own choices about what she wears. 'In my view, nobody has any right to tell you what to do with your own body. And in your own house? Nope, not going to wash," one person wrote, adding, "Perhaps if you're more of a hippy, not too bothered outlook and he's more conservative in thought and deed you might want to think about how happy you would be as a couple going forward." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Another commenter wondered how many people were 'craning their head to look up at' the woman from the street and questioned if her partner was controlling in other ways. 'I think you just need to accept you're not compatible. Don't dull your shine for him, don't change your core self (hippy vibes), but also don't expect him to change his core beliefs on respect while in a relationship,' a user wrote, echoing advice given by many others. Read the original article on People
