Yes, it's wonderful to be in a relationship with someone you love but it's not everything in life. Guest contributor Miles Young shares his reasons on why romantic relationships are seriously overrated!
If you believe your family, the media, and pretty much everyone else, you must have a romantic relationship for a fulfilling life. Forget that. Here are 7 reasons that romantic relationships are overrated.
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1. Relationships Can Kill Your Financial Stability
When you get married, you accept everything about your partner—including their bad credit. Studies have shown that modern women are more financially responsible than men in many respects.
Taking on their bad credit score can affect all areas of your financial stability. It can even affect your car insurance. State Farm and many other companies require records of every adult in your household. That means an irresponsible person could push your rate up even before you get married.
2. Relationships Get in the Way of Careers
Perhaps it's unfortunate, but many people find it impossible to manage romantic relationships while focusing on their careers. Without a significant around, you can stay at the office as late as you want. Want to work weekends without catching grief? No problem.
Maybe you'll decide to start a relationship later, but for now, you want to focus on building your career.
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3. Relationships Steal You from Your Friends
You always said you'd put your friends before your relationship. How many times have you seen one of your friends fall away from your usual group because they started dating some someone?
You could fall into that trap, too. At the beginning of their relationships, couples often want to spend as much time together as possible. That's fine for a while, but then it becomes a routine. A year later, you wonder why you never see your friends anymore.
4. Relationships Restrict Variety
Do you really want to restrict yourself to one person? Most romantic partners will want monogamous relationships that restrict your variety. It's not just about sex, either. You can learn a lot about life by dating people casually. Once things start getting serious, though, you can wave goodbye to spending one evening with a person who likes to go to art museums and spending the next with one who loves going out to dance.
If you want that kind of variety in your life, you either have to remain single or find the coolest partner in the world. Good luck with the latter.
5. You Don't Need Them
Society tells you that you need a romantic relationship, but you don't. Where's the proof that you have to settle down with one person to have a good life? It just isn't there.
Consider all of the famous, powerful, amazing women who never got married. That list includes: Susan B. Anthony Florence Nightingale Coco Chanel Greta Garbo Winona Ryder Kylie Minogue Cameron Diaz
If you're single, you're in good company with these women.
6. Your Dog Gives Better Kisses without All of the Demands
You don't need a romantic relationship to have a great companion. Dogs give better kisses, and they don't get pushy about those kisses leading to other things.
Besides, who's happier to see you when you come home, a dog or a romantic partner? If you want unconditional love, then you have to go with the dog.
7. Unhealthy Relationships Can Literally Make You Unhealthy
The stress of a bad relationship can last a lifetime. It could also shorten your lifespan (which might not sound so bad after a few years of scowling across the breakfast table at the same person).
Researchers at Ohio State University found that couples in unhealthy, stressful relationships were actually less healthy than people who didn't live with that stress. To test the hypothesis, they gave individuals small blisters on their arms and had them discuss difficult topics with their spouses.
Those who had hostile communication styles healed slower than those who knew how to communicate in a positive, respectful manner. That doesn't mean all romantic relationships are killers, but do you really want to take that chance?
What are some reasons that you think romantic relationships are overrated? Have you ever felt trapped in a relationship that you didn't know how to escape? Leave a comment below and let us know.
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Comments
Suo:I already got married in September 1986
Gaby:Didn't Coco Chanel have a pretty long term relationship with Boy Capel although I officially?
Cath:Author is Bitter much?
Hope:We live in a society that makes you feel if your not married then you are a failure. I think the author is saying "not" being in a romantic relationship is not the end of the world... You still can have a fulfilling life. We all want to be loved but that is not always the case... Sometimes love is complicated...
Leilah:I understand where this is coming from, but it's a bit sad. To never want a romantic relationship? I mean, I'm only 15 and I've never had a boyfriend so it's not like I'd know but I do hope one day to get married and have a family.
Sheila:While some of these points may be true, true love beats all... Just a thought
Meenakshi:I don't think romantic relationships kill your career. Your personal and professional life should be kept separate. But I do understand where that idea comes from
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