Over the course of a year and a half, the previous relationship I was in affected me mentally and emotionally. It kept me in a lot of stress, anxiety, and embarrassment. I felt like I became a different person to my friends, family, and even co-workers; however, if I hadn’t gotten in that drama-filled relationship, I wouldn’t have appreciated the current relationship I’m in.
Expert Dating Advice on How to Use a Bad Relationship for Personal and Romantic Growth
Question from Mia B: Talking about exes with a new partner is important. How do you know when it’s the right time to bring up your past and how much information should you share?
Dating Advice: What You Should Tell Your New Partner About Your Ex
While everyone talks about Champagne being sexy, the seduction of tequila is starting to be known. It’s been said that women who drink tequila make fabulous lovers. Being a tequila drinker, I won’t confirm or deny these claims. You will have to do your own field research to see it if it’s true.
Question from Samantha W: I’m new to the digital dating world and my friends keep recommending Tinder, but this app has the reputation for hook-ups. How can I find something more serious and filter out the booty calls?
Serious Online Dating for Beginners
Hi Samantha,
Congratulations on entering the digital dating world. When it comes to dating, technology can be a blessing or a curse. It’s up to you and how you play the online dating game. One key to success is always being yourself, the same person you are online as offline. That means maintaining your values and criteria for potential online dates just as you would when meeting someone in person. If you’re not into booty calls, don’t waste your energy on apps that have a reputation for hook ups.
There is a wide variety of dating websites and apps to choose from. Many are specific about the type of clientele they seek and who they cater to. When getting your feet wet in online dating, it’s easy to dive into the deep end of the pool and find yourself treading water due to the amount of offers you’ll receive. On most sites and apps, new people get lots of attention and it can be quite overwhelming if you are a smart and attractive woman.
Before signing up or downloading an app, do your own research and talk to your friends, both female and male. When you have a clear sense of what the apps and sites are all about, I suggest choosing between one and three apps or websites to sample on a trial basis. That way you’ll see the differences in what each service has to offer without spreading yourself so thin that you’re constantly juggling dates instead of qualifying potential partners and making a real connection. I also strongly recommend looking inside and determining what experience you want to get out of the online dating game before signing up. If your goal is simply dating, you’re in luck. If you want to go deeper, you’ll need to set your personal parameters for qualifying the type of guy you’re looking for and then stick to your plan.
The good way of managing the online dating process is by starting slow and keeping things simple until your get your bearings and a feel for how the online dating game is played. Remember, never lower your standards to match a service or an app that does not represent the real you.
I hope this helps. Good luck!
Robert Manni
If you would like relationship expert Robert Manni to answer your online dating/relationship questions, please email lori@cupidspulse.com.
More about the Guy’s Guy:
Robert is the host of Guy’s Guy Radio, featured on Blog Talk Radio and available on iTunes, Stitcher, and TuneIn. The weekly podcast features interviews with relationship coaches, entertainers, authors, wellness experts, spiritual teachers, sports personalities, and a weekly “Guys’ Guy’s Guide” exploring current guy-focused topics.
His novel, THE GUYS’ GUY’S GUIDE TO LOVE, praised as the “Men’s successor to Sex and the City,” has been developed into two feature-length adapted screenplays, a scripted television series (pilot and treatment), and a series of non-scripted Guy’s Guy show concepts.
Robert has appeared on broadcast television (NBC’s Morning Blend, WPIX11 Morning News) and is a frequent guest across a spectrum of satellite, terrestrial, and web-based radio programs and podcasts, as well as a contributor to Huffington Post, Thought Catalog, Cupid’s Pulse, GalTime, is a featured expert on GoodMenProject and YourTango. He was also named a Top Dating Blogger by DatingAdvice.com.
Robert developed the Guy’s Guy Platform to help men and women better understand each other and bridge the growing communication gap between the sexes. He continually creates a fresh, robust palette of timely Guy’s Guy content focused on life, love and the pursuit of happiness. Whether it’s navigating the challenges of dating, relationships, friendship, career or wellness, Robert explores ways to help both men and women be at their best so that everybody wins.
People who have never experienced tremendous loss can never relate to what it’s like to be a widower and frankly wouldn’t know anything about dating a widower either. Moving on and accepting the fact that the world won’t stop turning just because it feels like your life has come to an end is quite challenging, but doable when the time is right. Below, you’ll find our top three coping strategies for widowers not sure how to deal with the stress of getting back to dating following their spouse’s death.
Dating Advice: How to Heal After the Death of a Spouse
Coming out of a toxic relationship can be difficult in and of itself, and often requires an emotional detox. Even though the relationship is clearly over, you may find that you still have issues to work through. You might be experiencing not only the sadness and loss, but also pain and anxiety. If you got to this point after a tremendous betrayal or a chronic problem the magnitude of which you were not able to surmount, you probably have many questions and concerns about how you got into that situation in the first place, and how someone you loved could treat you so poorly. Sandra Bullock had a public breakup with her ex-husband Jesse James who admittedly cheated on her multiple times. Despite that, Sandra has finally found love again with a person whom she calls “the one,” Bryan Randall, and the couple reportedly couldn’t be happier. How, then, when you finally do find yourself on the other side and are ready to think about dating again, can you trust another person as well as your own judgement as you, like Sandra, move past the bad and attempt to find the good? How can you make sure you don’t allow yourself to fall into a toxic relationship again?
Dr. Greer’s Relationship Advice Teaches Us How to Date Again After a Toxic Relationship
Brad Goreski, a prominent L.A. celebrity fashion stylist, has worked with the likes of Jessica Alba, Demi Moore, and Rashida Jones. Currently the Exclusive Brand Stylist for Kate Spade New York, Goreski spares some time for an exclusive celebrity interview with Cupid’s Pulse just in time for National Sunglasses Day. In our Exclusive Celebrity Interview Goreski shares his secrets for finding the perfect pair of sunglasses for your face shape and your style.
Celebrity Interview with Brad Goreski: National Sunglasses Day and Relationship Advice
Question from Alyssa B: “My relationship has gotten pretty rocky ever since my man’s mental health has started to decline. He’s always upset, but won’t ever talk to me. How can I help him past this?”
Helping a Partner Through Tough Mental Times is Hard
Hi Alyssa:
Thanks for this question. When a guy is “struggling with his mental health,” it casts a wide net of reasons why, especially these days. Every situation is different and I want avoid generalizing. Regardless of the issue, your support is needed and appreciated, even if your man may not seem to be responding to your efforts.
The key here, as with most relationship issues, is being present and keeping the lines of communications open at all times. Men are protective of their feelings and often hold things inside, rather than sharing with their partners. Some guys still think that talking about their problems is a sign weakness. We know this is the furthest thing from the truth, so you have some work to do.
The challenge is getting him to open up and tell you what’s going on. After all, how can you be supportive if you don’t know what’s up with your man? Find a time to get him to talk and do it in a non-threatening way. If he has issues, he probably does not want you to know how much he’s hurting. He may even be embarrassed or ashamed.
I’ve found that the casual, not too serious approach works best with guys. Take him to dinner, a movie, a ball game, a round of golf, a walk, or whatever you think will put him at ease. Afterwards, look him in the eyes, tell him he seems preoccupied, and ask if there is something he wants to talk about. Make sure he knows you are there for him in a non-judgmental way, whatever the issue. See how he responds. At this point, you’ve let him know that you’re aware something’s troubling him. As your partner, it’s up to him to share his feelings and perspective. Go slowly, but don’t let it pass without a response. And be gentle. Things could get worse if he clams up.
Again, every situation is different when it comes to “struggles with a man’s mental health,” so no one size or solution fits all. It could be something benign or he may have done something harmful to himself or the relationship. You’ll never know if you don’t take the time and put in the effort to find out what’s going on.
I hope this helps. Good luck.
Robert Manni
If you would like relationship expert Robert Manni to answer your online dating/relationship questions, please email lori@cupidspulse.com.
More about the Guy’s Guy:
Robert is the host of Guy’s Guy Radio, featured on Blog Talk Radio and available on iTunes, Stitcher, and TuneIn. The weekly podcast features interviews with relationship coaches, entertainers, authors, wellness experts, spiritual teachers, sports personalities, and a weekly “Guys’ Guy’s Guide” exploring current guy-focused topics.
His novel, THE GUYS’ GUY’S GUIDE TO LOVE, praised as the “Men’s successor to Sex and the City,” has been developed into two feature-length adapted screenplays, a scripted television series (pilot and treatment), and a series of non-scripted Guy’s Guy show concepts.
Robert has appeared on broadcast television (NBC’s Morning Blend, WPIX11 Morning News) and is a frequent guest across a spectrum of satellite, terrestrial, and web-based radio programs and podcasts, as well as a contributor to Huffington Post, Thought Catalog, Cupid’s Pulse, GalTime, is a featured expert on GoodMenProject and YourTango. He was also named a Top Dating Blogger by DatingAdvice.com.
Robert developed the Guy’s Guy Platform to help men and women better understand each other and bridge the growing communication gap between the sexes. He continually creates a fresh, robust palette of timely Guy’s Guy content focused on life, love and the pursuit of happiness. Whether it’s navigating the challenges of dating, relationships, friendship, career or wellness, Robert explores ways to help both men and women be at their best so that everybody wins.
When you ask someone which cocktail they love, the Negroni may be the first thing that comes to mind. It’s such a phenomenon that you can find one on pretty much any menu, or simply request it at a bar. As I mentioned in an earlier column, Anthony Bourdain loved this drink so much that he called it “the perfect cocktail”. There’s even a Bubbly Negroni that was invited for Valentine’s Day; the sex appeal can’t be denied. This drink is perfect for date night!
What does your eye color say about you and who you are attracted to? It’s often said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. They are the first thing we notice in another person and there is much more to eye color than simple genetic pigmentation. Eyes can reveal a lot about your personality and your health. Most shocking, however, is that eye color can also determine who you’re most attracted to! Evaluating eye color could be the best dating advice!
Summer feels like deeply tanned skin and sand in everything. Summer also feels like tight skin, dry from endless afternoons basking outside. You want to repair your skin before seasons change, when cold air devoid of moisture is more likely to make you and your skin crack. Check out this product review for the best beauty products to bring the lively shine back into your skin!
Product Review: Beauty Products to Reinvigorate Your Skin!
The end of the summer may be closing in, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still take advantage of the few weeks we have left. This is an optimal time to plan some date nights that will be remembered long down the road. Summer time is when I met the love of my life online, who I am proud to say is now my beautiful wife. Read the below dating advice from relationship expert Joshua Pompey to help spark that summer love.
Dating Advice to Help You Hold Onto Your Summer Crush!
In this week’s Single in Stilettos dating advice video, founder and relationship expertSuzanne Oshima talks to sensuality coach Patty Contenta about how to master flirting! Watch the video above and read the article below for some feel-good tips to improve your dating life!
Question from Andrew L: It’s easy to look good online. There’s photo editing and time to plan what to say. When you finally meet someone in person after connecting online, there’s only one chance to impress. How can I make sure a first date is a win?
You have a match on your favorite dating app and the conversations online are taking off. You’re up for hours talking to your match and find that you’re both interested in each other. But how can you be sure to impress on a first date when you’ve already gotten to know each other? How do you make a successful transition from online to in person dating? Read dating advice from our relationship experts Suzanne Oshima and Robert Manni!
Dating Advice to Help You Successfully Transition from Online Conversations to a Killer First Date!
Suzanne K. Oshima, Matchmaker: Online dating can seem like a major convenience for people that are too busy to get out there and meet people, but technology can be a setback when it comes to actually meeting someone face to face. In order to win that first date after meeting online, it’s important to be the best version of yourself— both inside and out. When you’re able to achieve that level of confidence and self-love, that’s when the right man will ask you out.
Having high self-esteem, knowing your self-worth, and understanding exactly what you have to offer a man is key. If you believe it, then he will see it, too. You’ll be on your way to that first date in no time! And if he can’t see that an amazing woman is right in front of him, then he’s probably the wrong man for you!
Robert Manni, Guy’s Guy: There are so many dating apps and websites that today’s singles often overanalyze things after making an online connection, sadly never scoring an actual date. When I was single and dating online frequently, I became comfortable approaching women online and responding to the ladies who contacted me first.
If I felt attracted to how a woman presented herself online, I’d send a short note and ask an open-ended question about her profile. If she responded, I’d send my digits. If the woman was still interested, she’d invariably send me her number and I’d make sure to call her by the next day. I’d keep the conversation short and, if things felt right, I’d suggest meeting. This usually led to a first “date” over a beverage. After that first face-to-face meet up things either moved forward or went nowhere. It was that simple.
So, if you see someone you like online, be cool, but make your move. Don’t overanalyze. Trust your gut, but keep an open mind.There are a lot of cool people out there just like you. Remember, dating is a fun sport. Good luck.
For more dating advice and to find out more about our dating and technology gurus, click here.
If you have any questions you would like answered by our relationship experts, please e-mail them to cupid@cupidspulse.com.
The relationship advice from this week’s Single in Stilettos dating advice video will stop you from scaring off any more men! Relationship expert Suzanne Oshima interviews Bex Burton on ways that women run men off. Watch the video above to learn more!
It seems Hollywood celebrities are famous not only for their creative work, but also for their personal lives. Everybody has a story about their road to success, but amid the sparkle of superstardom and robust social media platforms, there are a handful of celebrities like Emily Blunt, Jim Carrey, J.K. Rowling, and Shania Twain, who persevered despite personal obstacles and adopted a profoundly positive attitude.
Now, studies show that not only is a positive attitude good for your career and relationship, but it is also good for your health. Here are four reasons from relationship expert Dr. Amy Osmond Cook why looking at the bright side of life is good for you. This expert relationship advice will help you build a happier life for you and your partner!
Expert Relationship Advice to Cultivate Positivity
With gorgeous sunny days and cooling, sea-blown breezes, summer is the perfect time for travel. Whether you’re planning your annual family adventure or a romantic getaway, read Cupid’s product review below for your travel must-haves for the perfect, stress-free vacation.
Product Review: Summer Travel Must-Haves for a Stress-Free Vacation for the Whole Family
There’s no denying that tequila is one of the hottest spirits around right now; however, not all tequila is created equal. Some of it is cheap and fills you with nothing but regrets the next day. In fact, that may be the reason you’re scared to get anywhere near this specific libation ever again. Do yourself a favor and revisit the spirit or take a different approach to it. While there is bad and ugly tequila, there is some really good juice that has hit the market. It’s a spirit that men and women enjoy. It’s been said that women who drink tequila are mysterious and sexy. On your next date night, maybe pour a little tequila on the rocks to knock off their socks.
Read for More Tequila Tips from Relationship Expert Yolanda Shoshana!
No date is complete without the perfect outfit. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway or a fancy date night, these cashmere wardrobe staples will have you and your date rocking the latest celebrity fashion.
Product Review: Cashmere Wardrobe Staples Perfect for Every Date