Elizabeth Laura Nelson

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.

Sometimes you have to let go of your dreams. As the years go by, you come to the realization that who you are now is pretty much who you’ll be forever.

Researchers say that the average relationship hits the ‘comfort zone’ phase after 11 months and 24 days.

Finding gratitude in the wake of a bad breakup isn’t easy. Here are a few things to focus on.

The thing is, when you fight with your partner, it’s your amygdala that takes over. It's the part of the brain that processes fear, and it’s powerful.

How far should love go?

The only thing worse than being in a bad mood, is dealing with someone else’s bad mood.

Pretending you don’t have feelings doesn’t pay off.

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…

“Parenting” has become a competitive sport. But it’s kids who are losing. Let your kids screw up.