Elizabeth Laura Nelson

Attracted to the wrong people? Believe it or not, this is actually a good thing.

As a person who writes about relationships for a living, I might be one of the people least in need of all this well-meaning advice, which usually amounts to clichés and can even veer into the territory of outright insults. What I need – what most of us need – is for people to hear me, and to trust me.

If your partner is still connected to his horrible ex in a way neither of you can do anything about, here are six ways to cope.

Can’t calm down, won’t calm down.

Yes, a lot of parents are assholes. But you know what? A lot of people are assholes; some of them happen to have kids, some don’t. I can’t speak for all parents, and I wouldn’t want to try. But speaking as one particular person with kids, here’s what I wish my childfree friends would understand…

The elephant in the room is my mental illness. Do my anxiety and depression make me unworthy of love?

The problem with people pleasing: You’re trying so hard to be good. So how come you feel so bad?

A relationship with a narcissist may start out with butterflies and fireworks...But don’t be fooled: it’s not about you. It’s about them.

In a marriage, should you really feel lonely that much of the time? And if so, then how lonely is too lonely?

Does chronic anxiety ever make you feel like a flake?