The Simple Relationships Blog

People come in all shapes and sizes. Introvert, extrovert, agreeable, disagreeable, present and aloof, focused and reserved, optimistic, skeptical, the list goes on forever! If you’ve taken a personality test, DISC, Enneagram, Strengthsfinder, whatever, they all demonstrate that while personalities come in all shapes and sizes, there is never one that is objectively good or objectively bad (at least outside of a specific context.).

Let’s think about this. If someone is “Hard-Headed” or “Stubborn,” where does that weakness come from? It’s probably rooted in confidence or loyalty, which are good things to have! Maybe someone is being stubborn because they want to protect and preserve the culture of their family. Then again maybe they just can’t take critical feedback, who knows. The point is, the qualities that can bother the people around us are usually good things that get taken a little too far.

For example, If someone...

Whether it is loss of loved ones, divorce, abuse, heartbreak, or someone leaving your life, this pain is deep and persistent. The hardest part is often feeling like you never got answers or the closure that you needed, or if closure was even possible.

Many times, the pain can be scary to confront because to truly be free of the pain from past relationships, you are going to have to let the relationship go. No matter how good or bad the relationship was, we will hold on because we can't stand the thought of them actually being gone, even if it's just their memory.

Holding onto past relationships creates two major problems.

1) We may not be able to fully heal from any trauma that was experienced in that relationship.

2) Holding onto that person may be taking up the place of a new relationship that will help to fill the emotional hole that the person before left.

Another word for "letting go" is "grieving." This word is often understood but what it means is...

Having attended, volunteered, or served at over 100 weddings, it's safe to say that we have seen a thing or two about what works and what doesn't. We have seen triumph and tragedy, genius and silly mistakes, over-preparing and under-preparing, we've seen it all.

So here are some tips that may seem obvious and some that might not have even crossed your mind. Either way, ALL of these tips will help ensure that your wedding day will be as wonderful as you have always dreamed, emotionally, logistically, and otherwise.

1. Your desires are the most important! This wedding is about YOU! This is the day you and your partner get to express who you are as a couple through the location, decor, dress, vibe, etc. A lot of people, especially moms, get VERY passionate about what you should or shouldn’t do at your wedding but remember, it’s YOUR wedding! Consider the advice of people you trust but at the end of the day, choose what YOU want, and if people get mad about it,...

"You should just know what's bothering me."

• While it would be great if they did, mind-reading is a myth and good communication is a skill of maturity. If you're only willing to do relationship with mind-readers, I...