Relationship Advice: Mix With People Whose Relationships Work

No man is an island and often people go through life transformations in groups. People move in waves, and if your friends are meeting partners, then that means that you are in the ebb and flow of meeting someone special, too. You see it all the time with groups of friends: one friend in a group gets married and then it seems like everyone else ties the knot as well. Likewise, when
one friend has kids, the others probably aren't too far behind.

With that wave effect in mind, if you are looking to be in a great relationship, then mix with people who are already in great partnerships so that it rubs off on you. Take stock of how happy your friends are. If you are around a lot of people who are in dysfunctional partnerships, then you need to be careful that you don't attract the same dynamic as well. If you notice that this is the case, then you might want to spend some more time with people who are in the kind of relationship that you wish to emulate.

Watch How the Books Can Help You Now! from Sophie Keller on Vimeo.

To learn more about Sophie Keller and the 'How Happy is' book series go to www.howhappyis.com.

 

 

 

Follow Sophie Keller on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Sophie_Keller

Comments

[drshannonk]

04:30 PM on 01/09/2012

I like this advice. As a psychologist, I work with both individuals and couples on relationship issues, and social support is a huge part of many people's lives. We tend to gravitate towards people who are similar to us... so similar values, beliefs, ways of behaving. So it makes sense to be aware of who you are drawn to and who you chose to spend your time with.

[Dede Eagleburger]

10:43 AM on 12/09/2011

Wow, first the articles in this section were encouraging me not to ever get married...now, lately, it's gone all the way to 'avoid relationships period'...because, omg, i might be hanging out with the wrong people, or i might not be what's on a man's 'list', etc etc....

[94613]

12:28 AM on 12/09/2011

Folks, Just look at the Presidential Aspirants, Virtious, Clean Young Americans looking to do right for their Country. Let's acknowledge our Gratitude for a job well done. With dedicated public servants like this, a relationship can last forever.

[fd909]

04:13 PM on 12/08/2011

Who should you see before entering a relationship? A shrink. That's who. Dang it...where did I put my medications......

[Elizabeth Casto]

03:57 PM on 12/08/2011

its usually good advice to not hang out with singles, but it depends what kind of single person they are. are they single becuase they go out ot bars and womanize and cant hold a relationship? or are they single because they just got divorced and would like to get into another relationship? i think its safe to hang out with relationship minded people and leave the party goers behind.

[Emilybare]

02:37 PM on 12/08/2011

This advice sucks. People in bad relations usually try to hide it from the public until near the end. So how do you know who is working?

[nix28]

01:12 PM on 12/08/2011

This is good advice. However, there are many couples that opt to not hang with single persons because they view these single people as a threat to their relationships. I realize that it's the result of insecurities, but what advice can you offer to these groups of people outside of finding new friends?

[PhloxJeana]

12:58 PM on 12/08/2011

One you might *have* to see after dating is your pharmacist since women have been denied over the counter access to pregnancy preventative due to political reasons. Let your elected leaders know how you feel here: http://www.change.org/petitions/hhs-secretary-allow-over-the-counter-access-to-plan-b-birth-control#