Leaving an abusive relationship By Sammi (Metanoia.) Making the decision to leave a relationship that has become abusive or toxic can be a daunting thing to face. It inevitably raises many questions about how you will be able to end things with your partner and what will come next. While every situation is different, there are a few basic things that you need to be aware of when planning to leave, regardless of your exact circumstances. Reach out to those around you While it can be...

Inexpensive date ideas By Jenna (~Abibliophobe~) When you are in a relationship, or are simply getting to know a special someone, it’s fun to go on dates. However, dates can be expensive. Dinner and a movie can end up costing quite a bit of money and if you are on a tight budget it’s unlikely you’ll be able to do those types of dates very often. Coming up with the money for dates can be really stressful and it can take the pleasure out of dating. This article is going to ...

Understanding why someone may stay with their abuser By Nicole (eumoirous) Note: This article does not encourage staying in an abusive relationship, but rather serves to explain why people may remain in one so that it is easier to be an ally to a loved one who may be going through this situation. Having never been in an abusive relationship, it is easy to see one happening and not understand why the victim does not leave. It can be distressing to watch a friend get mistreated and to feel...

Valentine's Day gift ideas By Cassie (Cassado) and Nicole (eumoirous) Valentine's Day is about showing your love for the important people in your life. While love is shown all year around, Valentine's Day is a day dedicated to spending time with your friends, family, or partner. You don't have to be in a relationship to join the fun and celebrate! It can be hard to choose what you want to give as gifts sometimes. Here are some crafty do-it-yourself gift ideas. List the reasons...

The difference between loving someone and being in love By Nicole (eumoirous) Many couples wonder when they transition from just loving each other, to actually being in love. While this line between them is not concrete, there are some differences that can alert you to whether you actually are in love with a person, or whether it’s just lust, infatuation, or general affection. These are general ideas of the concepts between the two, however it is up to you to decide what you are truly...

Getting back together By Nicole (eumoirous) No matter how long you were with your partner before the breakup, going your separate ways will always be tough. It’s very natural to miss each other, especially at first, however sometimes things change and it may seem like giving things a second chance is reasonable. Getting back together with an ex is a very delicate process, and it’s a decision that should not be taken lightly. There are many things you should consider before you and your...

Dating a person with a mental illness By Nicole (Pug Princess) Dating a person with a mental illness can be challenging for various reasons, however it can still be a very rewarding experience. You’ll need patience, empathy, and a positive attitude to make it work. There’s a balance between helping take care of them, and treating them like they can’t help themselves. Finding this balance and knowing how to cope can help ensure that your relationship is still healthy even if their mental...

Understanding the effects of sexual abuse on your partner By Kyra (Radioactive.) Trying to walk in the shoes of a victim of abuse or assault is understandably difficult. Sometimes it may feel like attempts to comfort, help, or sympathize with a victim of trauma can go unnoticed or unappreciated. The victim may be going through significant stress in multiple areas of their lives, and the trauma and stress cannot be fixed or forgotten overnight, even if it happened years before. This article...

The Single Life, Part Two By Dave (dr2005) and Katrina Questions and Answers Thus far, we have conjoined our thoughts and views on each of the above issues presented. However, to give readers a more comprehensive look, we have chosen to answer each of the following questions separately. In doing this, readers are given a male perspective as well as a female perspective, each from different countries, backgrounds, and upbringings. Question #1: “I’ve been single forever. Where do I...