Relationships Archives

The Importance of Maintaining Relationships as You Age

Do you still make friends like you did when you were in school? Do you have a life outside of work? In From Strength to Strength, Arthur Brooks explains how you can achieve a meaningful life as you get older. He provides a how-to for switching your focus from chasing success in the workplace to finding success in life in general. One of the ways to do this is through connections with family and friends. Read more to learn about the importance of maintaining relationships in the last half of your life.

Why Friendships in Relationships Is the Best Form of Love

What are the benefits of developing a friendship in relationships? Are friendships the purest form of love? In All About Love, bell hooks suggests that romance isn’t the idealized concept of love. Instead, friendships are the form of love people should practice. Here’s how developing your friendships enhances your romantic relationships.

All About Love by bell hooks: Quotes on Relationships & Bonds

What are the best quotes from All About Love? Are you ready to open yourself up to love again? All About Love is an exploration of love’s transformation and its potential to create social change. Writing from a feminist perspective, bell hooks provides a roadmap for finding your way back to love. Continue reading for bell hooks’s All About Love quotes.

5 Alarming Signs of Narcissistic Behavior in a Relationship

Do you think that your partner might be a narcissist? What are common signs of narcissistic behavior in a relationship? Spotting a narcissist can be hard because they’re very good at hiding their behavior. There are a few behaviors, however, that are easy to point out if you know what to look for. Below we’ve listed five signs of narcissistic behavior in a relationship that are red flags.

The Outgroup Homogeneity Effect: Group Rivalry Gone Wrong

What is the outgroup homogeneity effect? Why do cliques and groups form rivalries with one another? The outgroup homogeneity effect is when members of a group see themselves as unique individuals but believe outsiders are all the same. However, it’s likely that these in-group members aren’t as unique as they think they are. Below you’ll learn more about the outgroup homogeneity effect, according to The Status Game by Will Storr.

The Connection Between Relationships and Well-Being

Do you want healthier relationships? What’s the connection between positive relationships and well-being? Humans are naturally social creatures, and connecting with others makes our lives better. You can improve your well-being by learning to build stronger, more positive relationships in your life. Check out how positive relationships affect your well-being.

ADHD and Socializing: 3 Tips for Fostering Connections

Why are social connections especially important for people with ADHD? What are some practical things that people can do to enjoy more connection? Psychiatrist Edward Hallowell and professor of psychiatry John Ratey say that people with ADHD have a deep-seated need for interpersonal connection—in other words, for love. They recommend that people with ADHD nurture close friendships, socialize with acquaintances, and perhaps get a pet for companionship. Continue reading to learn about ADHD and socializing.

How to Be Kind to Others: Why Empathy Isn’t Necessary (& What Is)

How can empathy get in the way of treating others well? What truly motivates us to care for people? In Against Empathy, psychologist Paul Bloom asserts that we don’t have to empathize with someone to treat them kindly. In fact, we often shouldn’t empathize. He discusses several other emotions and desires that should be at work instead. Read more to learn how to be kind to others—without employing empathy.

How to Break Up With Someone Without Hurting Them: 4 Tips

Are you in a relationship that needs to end? How can you break up with someone without hurting them? Even if your partner is a good person, sometimes relationships fizzle out. As long as you end things gently and with kindness, you shouldn’t have to worry about your partner holding a grudge toward you. This is how to break up with someone without hurting them so you can both move on.

Idealize-Devalue-Discard: A Powerful Tactic of Narcissists

Is your partner constantly tearing you down? Do they ever build you back up with compliments and gifts? The above pattern is quite common in narcissists. According to Power by Shahida Arabi, it’s a tactic known as “Idealize-Devalue-Discard,” which manipulates victims into staying in the relationship. Let’s take a closer look at the Idealize-Devalue-Discard tactic.