Only 10% of the hundreds of couples I’ve treated in Couples Counseling were willing and able to develop emotional intimacy. Most people find it to be too messy. One operational definition of emotional intimacy might be the unity created by two committed and unique individuals. The messy challenge is to honor your individuality while attending to the couple's unity. Let’s look at four levels of messiness and how to clean them up.

Challenges of Emotional Intimacy

Ghosting is thought of in terms of romantic relationships, but new research shows it happens at work, too. New research shows that Dark Triad traits, especially psychopathy, may feed into a new type of ghosting. By reading the signals of a potential new relationship partner, you can help keep ghosting’s...

The Strange Ghosting Behavior of Dark Triad People

They try to sabotage or exclude people they envy. One of the most telling behaviors that gives a narcissistic person away is their malicious envy and the actions they will take to try to sabotage someone who is surpassing them in some way. In relationships, this may look like your narcissistic partner deliberately starting arguments with you before a big interview or exam because they’re jealous of your career, or a family member excluding you from family events because they have hidden resentment toward you for being more popular than them. Or you may notice more subtle microexpressions of anger when you share good news with them, and a tendency to center themselves after issuing a half-hearted, strained congratulations followed by a silent treatment. This can also take place in the workplace and in friendships. For example, if you notice a seemingly sweet friend always giving compliments to her loyal cronies but suddenly turning sour whenever a more attractive and successful friend comes around, or a co-worker constantly gossiping about someone specific or trying to “hide” or minimize this person’s achievements in front of their superiors, trust your instincts. This is the same person who will become your worst enemy as soon as they see you succeeding or getting attention they feel entitled to. It’s one thing to be envious or jealous, but to act on it to hinder someone else is a deeply malicious and narcissistic act.

People Who Seem “Kind” But Are Actually Narcissists Display These 5 Subtle Behaviors

In a world where fact and fiction often blur, it’s fascinating to discover what people believe is undeniably real despite widespread denial. We asked our Upworthy Facebook audience, "What's something people deny exists but is 100% real?" and received a flood of thought-provoking, humorous, and poignant responses. These answers reveal the hidden truths and overlooked realities that shape our lives. From universal needs to spiritual beliefs and even the occasional oddity, here are nine things our readers are convinced are real, even if others are skeptical.

9 things many people deny exist but are actually "100 % real"

I was married at the time. My father-in-law was driving me and my then wife, his daughter, to the airport. She had been telling a story in the car about how difficult high school had been. After hearing the story, my father-in-law started to cry. He had no idea she had been bullied. He thought she had had a great high school experience. I remember seeing the tears stream down his face, the hurt and empathy in his eyes.

Don't Hide: The Importance of Practicing Vulnerability

Writers represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program and self-verified their accounts. Writers are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

writer

Shin

When my friends and I finally met up recently, the topic of our conversation quickly turned to the scarcity of good men available for dating. When I asked Alicia what she meant by “good men,” she listed qualities like intelligence, a sense of humor, a fit physique, good grooming, and independence. While these traits are certainly desirable, a healthy relationship is built on more profound attributes like honesty, trust, and communication.

The 5 Things a Good Man Will Never Do in a Relationship

Infidelity is not just a physical act but a breach of emotional commitment. Spending money foolishly can lead to resentment, stress, and, ultimately, marital breakdown. Jealousy can suffocate intimacy and erode the emotional connection between partners. A classic 1997 study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family analyzed over...

The 6 Leading Causes of Divorce

rolling out

Infidelity is a painful and complex issue that many couples face. Understanding why it happens is crucial for addressing and potentially preventing it. Cheating can shatter trust, break hearts and disrupt families, leading to long-term emotional and psychological consequences. While every situation is unique, certain patterns and reasons frequently emerge when examining why married people cheat. In this article, we will delve into the five most common reasons spouses cheat, shedding light on the underlying factors that drive infidelity.

5 common reasons married people cheat

A relationship expert shares what he’s learned from years of observing couples. Anyone who gets married goes into it expecting a long-lasting union, but as we all know, many of them will turn out to be wrong. In fact, about 43% of first marriages in the U.S. end in divorce — and if you ask renowned psychotherapist John Gottman, the writing is probably on the wall from early on.

6 Signs That Your Marriage Is Headed For Divorce

Lancaster County, PA

Community Voices represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program but not yet verified their accounts. Community Voices are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

community_voice

NewsByJoshua

Fans of Frisco's Chicken were left reeling as the beloved Peruvian-style eatery announced the closure of all its locations in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The chain, known for its delicious food and strong community values, posted a heartfelt note on its doors, informing customers of the devastating news.

Favorite Chicken Chain Suddenly Closes All Stores, Heartfelt Message Found on Doors

Swinger parties can be an exciting and novel way for couples to explore their sexuality together. However, attending such events requires careful consideration and mutual respect to ensure that it doesn’t negatively impact your relationship. Here’s how you can attend a swinger party without ruining your marriage. Communication...

How to attend a swinger party without ruining your marriage

Elder women are at risk of being cheated on dating sites. The suitor's profiles and photos are created and maintained by scammers. Block the scammer and start looking for a normal person. Sorry to break it to you, but that guy you met online, the one you fell in love...

To Elder Women Seeking Men on Dating Sites, Beware

K.D. Lewis

Communication in relationships isn’t just about words; it's also about the unspoken messages conveyed through body language. While on a cross country road trip with my mom, we met a seemingly pleasant couple during breakfast. He was an American and she was French. They were here to visit his family and hometown.

Decoding Signs of Unhappiness in Couples' Body Language

Kratom, a drug sold at U.S. gas stations and on the internet, has some serious risks and has caused deaths. Kratom alkaloids differ from heroin as they have opioid plus serotonergic, adrenergic, and other effects. Scientists are trying to separate the constituents of Mitragyna speciosa Korth leaves to find new...

What We Know About Kratom

Discovering that your partner has cheated feels like a punch to the gut. The betrayal shakes your trust and leaves you struggling with a whirlwind of emotions. Confronting your partner about their infidelity requires a delicate balance of honesty, courage, and self-respect.

How to Confront a Cheating Partner: Dos and Don'ts

Understanding human behavior is essential for building trust and protecting oneself from potential harm. Recognizing subtle signs of a person's true character can save you from emotional distress and help you invest wisely in relationships and professional partnerships. Here are four insightful signs to help you discern a person’s true character based on research in psychology.

3 Subtle Clues That Reveal Someone’s True Character

Are you secretly brilliant? Here are a few ways that people can pick up on your smarts. What makes someone intelligent? It certainly isn't an IQ score or a fancy piece of paper from a university. Intelligence is a complicated and diverse collection of behaviors and knowledge that culminate in a person who's simply better at doing stuff than their peers.

Eight Signs That'll Let Other People Know You're The Smartest Person In The Room

A large number of US workers believe their bosses are bad, some bordering on toxic. Bosses who are punitive, overly-emotional, and inconsistent can easily become toxic. A potentially toxic boss blames employees and treats them unfairly. A 2023 survey found that nearly one-fourth of employees are working for their “worst...

5 Warning Signs That Your Boss Is Becoming Toxic

New York City, NY

Cheryl E Preston

Yesterday was the third time this year that an ad stating Chelsea Clinton lives in a beautiful Virginia home popped up on my laptop. My computer did not warn me this was a dangerous site, so this time, I clicked on the link.

Chelsea Clinton is rumored to be living in Virginia but probably still in NYC

No new relationship, no matter how wonderful, can or should fix something it didn’t break. It is natural to seek what feels familiar to you, but it's not necessarily what's good for you to repeat. New relationships can be blinding, leading both partners to only focus on what works.

Can New Love Heal a Past Heartbreak?

NewsBreak

11 Ways People Try to Hide Infidelity

A partner may engage in several behaviors simultaneously to avoid being caught in an affair. Individuals expend a great deal of energy to hide an affair...

11 Ways People Try to Hide Infidelity

Comments / 0