One of the best pieces of dating advice I’ve ever received? The right person will never make you feel like you’re begging. If someone is making you feel needy for asking for communication, consistency or care, that’s not a “you” problem. That’s a mismatch in values.
Let me be clear — this isn’t a green light to become combative, aggressive or cruel. There’s a difference between healthy confrontation and chaos, emotional maturity and unchecked rage. What I’m talking about is the kind of honest and vulnerable conflict that actually builds relationships rather than breaks them.
While the thrill of a crush and new connections can be intoxicating, the best outcomes come to those who stay grounded and let relationships evolve naturally. Think of it like apple picking. If you pick the apple too early, it’s sour and disappointing. Wait until it’s ripe, and it will be sweet and rewarding. You may encounter a few rotten apples along the way — that’s part of the journey — but those experiences are lessons, not failures.
Part of that means nurturing the other loves in your life — your friendships, your family and the people who’ve held space for you long before romance entered the room. Your partner can be a priority, but they should never be your only one.
It’s so easy to forgo the things you love to do in order to be with the one you love — so easy that you might not even notice. Being apart, in any capacity, forces you to keep committed to yourself.
It’s the holiday season, and I’m not sure how to curb these feelings of loneliness. Last Christmas I had a boyfriend, and now I don’t — but I still feel the same!
Dear Abby, I saw two people making out in the hallways of CAS the other day and I’m beside myself! It was just a crazy sight. I need to know, how much PDA do you think is too much and what’s really acceptable?
Dear Abby: Election Day is coming up, and I’m kind of annoyed at my boyfriend. He’s voting against my political party. I told him that this makes me upset given some of the opposing candidate’s policies, but he won’t listen. I know I should probably agree to disagree, but that doesn’t sit right with me. Do you think we’ll ever be able to get past this?
Dear Abby: I’m a freshman and I want to hear your thoughts about sex. I feel like I’ve heard so much gossip and judgment around the act; and I don’t know what to believe. Is there a right time to do it? Is there a limit to the number of sexual partners I should have? I’m very lost.
Dear Doctors,
I’m dating someone from another culture, and I’m not sure my parents will approve. But they want to meet him over the holiday. What should I do?
Sincerely,
Perplexed
Dear Abby: I feel like my boyfriend doesn’t love me anymore, or at least he doesn’t love being around me. We’ve been together for some time now, and he treats me totally differently than when we first met. We don’t even go on dates anymore. What is going on?
Dear Abby: My boyfriend is super popular with the ladies and it’s upsetting me. He's a really nice guy, but I feel like girls are drooling all over him. His ex is also still on campus too and I feel weird knowing they still interact. I know I’m probably being dramatic, but how can I possibly compete? And am I being too possessive by getting jealous?
Have you ever heard the saying that jealousy is a green-eyed monster? Well, newsflash, it’s also a two-faced paradox. One of the undeniable truths about relationships is that there are different standards to how we perceive jealousy.
