Category Archives: Dating Advice

Serena Williams just gave Meghan Markle this piece of advice – Evening Standard

Speaking to People at the launch of her new clothing line ‘Serena’ at Art Basel Miami Beach, the tennis star revealed the Duchess of Sussex is still her old self, despite the enormous life changes she has experienced in the last year. 

“I’m like, ‘How are you?’ and she’s like, ‘No, how are you?’ and I’m like, ‘You’re so sweet, but I’m really asking – how are YOU?’” Serena revealed.

“I’m like, ‘Meghan, stop being so nice…you’re the pregnant one, aren’t you supposed to have hormones, why are you so sweet?’ But that’s always been her.”

Hannah Davis, Nina Agdal, Serena Williams, Meghan Markle and Shay Mitchell at DirecTV Beach Bowl, 2014 (Getty Images)

Williams, who is mother to one-year-old Alexis Olympia, insisted too, that although she has given Meghan plenty of parenting tips, the Duchess “still gives me more advice”.

This isn’t the first time Williams has spoken publicly about the advice she has given Meghan. When the former Suits actress started dating Prince Harry, she apparently consulted the tennis ace on how to deal with the paparazzi.

As Williams revealed to Vanity Fair last year, “I told her, ‘You’ve got to be who you are, Meghan. You can’t hide.’”

Created with Sketch.

| 1/92

For their final 76th engagement of the tour Meghan and Harry cut a casual figure as they visited Redwoods Treewalk

Getty Images

Day 16: Rotorua2/92

Meghan wore a puffer jacket by Norrona and black skinny jeans

Getty Images

Day 16: Rotorua3/92

Coupled with a pair of smoking slippers by US brand Birdies Slippers

Getty Images

Day 16: Rotorua4/92

Meghan’s second outfit of the day was a Givenchy ensemble made up of a striking cobalt blue pleated skirt and matching top

Getty Images

Day 16: Rotorua5/92

She paired the dress with navy suede shoes by Manolo Blahnik

Getty Images

Day 16: Rotorua6/92

For the final day Meghan’s hair was fashioned in her signature messy bun

Getty Images

Day 16: Rotorua7/92

For the first engagement on their last day Meghan wore a navy asymmetric dress by Stella McCartney

Getty Images

Day 16: Rotorua8/92

Meghan was also gifted a woven Korowai, a Māori cloak honouring her as a great leader

Getty Images

Day 16: Rotorua9/92

She also wore a Pounamu Kouma necklace made by leading Māori designer Kiri Nathan

Getty Images

Day 15: Auckland10/92

Meghan arrived at the Auckland War Memorial for the evening reception in a Antonio Berardi dress

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 15: Auckland11/92

She accessorised with a clutch bag and sported a bolder lipstick than usual

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 15: Auckland12/92

During the day Meghan wore J Crew jeans and a Karen Walker blazer

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 15: Auckland13/92

She kept things simple with her hair in a ponytail

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 15: Auckland14/92

For the wet weather Meghan also donned a pair of wellies by Muck Boots

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 15: Auckland15/92

Back in a trusty trench coat, Meghan opted for a design by British brand Burberry

Getty Images

Day 15: Auckland16/92

She paired the outerwear with a white dress by Brandon Maxwell

Getty Images

Day 15: Auckland17/92

And shoes by Stuart Weitzman

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 14: Wellington18/92

The Duchess of Sussex chose another tuxedo dress for a visit to Courtenay Creative, a film production company in Wellington

Getty Images

Day 14: Wellington19/92

The bespoke white blazer dress was by Maggie Marilyn, an ethical New Zealand designer

Getty Images

Day 14: Wellington20/92

She kept the look simple, opting for a plain pair of court shoes and her hair in the low bun

Getty Images

Day 14: Wellington21/92

For the afternoon visit to Abel Tasman National Park Meghan wrapped up in a waterproof jacket by Seasalt Cornwall, Outland Denim jeans and Stan Smith x Stella McCartney trainers

Getty Images

Day 14: Wellington22/92

Her hair was kept in a casual ponytail

Getty Images

Day 14: Wellington23/92

For the morning Meghan re-wore her Outland Denim jeans and a cosy black jumper by Australian brand Jac and Jack

Getty Images

Day 14: Wellington24/92

She covered up in a khaki trench coat by Club Monaco

Getty Images

Day 14: Wellington25/92

And sported a statement pair of heeled boots by Stuart Weitzman

Getty Images

Day 13: Wellington26/92

Meghan wore a custom deep blue Gabriela Hearst dress and Dior clutch bag to the evening reception at Government House

Getty

Day 13: Wellington27/92

The look was accessorised with a Maori design necklace

Getty Images

Day 13: Wellington28/92

And her hair was styled in loose waves

Getty

Day 13: Wellington29/92

Meghan departed the plane wearing an ASOS maternity black dress

Getty Images

Day 13: Wellington30/92

For the majority of the day Meghan covered up in a checked trench coat by New Zealand designer Karen Walker

Getty

Day 13: Wellington31/92

She also sported Birks earrings and a polished bun

Getty Images

Day 13: Sydney32/92

For her Sydney departure, the Duchess of Sussex wore nude heels and teamed them with the BOSS by Hugo Boss Slim-Fit Soft Jersey Dress in burgundy, the perfect comfy dress for a flight

Getty

Day 12: Sydney33/92

Meghan spoke at the 2018 Invictus Games Closing Ceremony wearing an Antonio Berardi tuxedo-style dress

Getty

Day 12: Sydney34/92

Meghan attended the Invictus Games wheelchair basketball finals wearing a Scanlan Theodore jacket

Getty

Day 12: Sydney35/92

She accessorised her look with a half up-half down hairstyle, Sarah Flint heels and Shaun Leane earrings

Getty

Day 11: Sydney 36/92

Meghan had a princess-perfect moment in an Oscar de la Renta gown

EPA

Day 11: Sydney 37/92

The dress was delicately adorned with laser cut birds and featured a billowing tulle skirt

Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror

Day 11: Sydney 38/92

Her dark locks were fashioned into loose waves

EPA

Day 11: Tonga39/92

Meghan changed into a sky blue shirt dress by Veronica Beard for the couple’s afternoon in Tonga

Getty Images

Day 11: Tonga40/92

Her hair and natural make-up stayed the same throughout their multiple engagements

Getty Images

Day 11: Tonga41/92

Meghan started the day in a cotton dress with khaki stripes by Martin Grant

Getty Images

Day 11: Tonga42/92

With her hair styled into a sleek ponytail

Getty Images

Day 11: Tonga43/92

She also carried a Prada clutch bag

Getty Images

Day 10: Tonga44/92

For her first evening in Tonga Meghan donned a elegant white evening gown by Theia

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 10: Tonga45/92

She accessorised the dress with a Givenchy clutch and aquamarine ring that once belonged to Princess Diana

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 10: Tonga46/92

The duchess also chose to wear her hair in a simple bun and sported a nude lip

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 10: Tonga47/92

Arriving in Tonga the duchess changed into a striking red dress from Self-Portrait

Getty Images

Day 10: Tonga48/92

The colour was a nod to Tongan red and featured delicate lace detail

Getty Images

Day 10: Fiji 49/92

For the couple’s final engagement in Fiji Meghan wore a forest green dress by Jason Wu

Getty Images

Day 10: Fiji 50/92

She accessorised with gold leaf earrings and kept her makeup minimal

Getty Images

Day 9: Fiji 51/92

For a visit to a market in Suva Meghan wore a bohemian floral dress by Figue

Getty Images

Day 9: Fiji 52/92

During a welcome ceremony she was given a floral garland to wear around her shoulders

Getty Images

Day 9: Fiji 53/92

Her bag was from the local Suva market

Getty Images

Day 9: Fiji 54/92

She completed the look with a floral updo

AFP/Getty Images

Day 8: Fiji 55/92

Meghan stunned in a regal blue dress with a sweeping cape by London-based brand Safiyaa for her first state dinner

Getty Images

Day 8: Fiji 56/92

She paired the dress with statement earrings that are thought to have been borrowed from the Queen

Getty Images

Day 8: Fiji 57/92

Meghan arrived in Fiji wearing a white dress by Australian brand Zimmerman

Getty Images

Day 8: Fiji 58/92

She accessorised with a Stephen Jones hat, a bracelet given to her by Prince Charles and pearl earrings that had been gifted by the Queen

Getty Images

Day 7: Fraser Island 59/92

For her second outfit of the day on Fraser Island Meghan wore a striped dress by Reformation

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 7: Fraser Island 60/92

She paired the beach-ready number with Sarah Flint sandals and Karen Walker sunglasses

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 7: Fraser Island 61/92

Meghan arrived on Fraser Island in a burgundy polka dot dress by high street store & Other Stories

Media-Mode / SplashNews.com

Day 6: Sydney 62/92

To watch the sailing event at the Invictus Games Meghan dressed down in black jeans, a Superdry jacket and Veja trainers

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 6: Sydney 63/92

For the Invictus Games reception Meghan smartened up the skinny jeans with a striped blazer by L’Agence and recycled her striped handbag by Australian designer Oroton

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 6: Sydney 64/92

For the event she had her hair swept up in her signature messy bun and kept her make-up minimal

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 5: Sydney65/92

To the Invictus Games opening ceremony Meghan wore a Stella McCartney dress and Gillian Anderson x Winser London coat

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 5: Sydney66/92

She accessorised the look with sapphire drop earrings by Birks

AFP/Getty Images

Day 5: Sydney67/92

Meghan arrived at the JLR Drive Day at Cockatoo Island in a pair of black jeans by Mother Denim, an Invictus Games shirt and white Altuzarra blazer

Getty Images

Day 5: Sydney68/92

She kept her hair loose and accessorised with a pair of sunglasses by Illesteva

Getty Images for the Invictus Ga

Day 5: Sydney69/92

To the official opening of the refurbished ANZAC Memorial Meghan wore a chic all-black look

AFP/Getty Images

Day 5: Sydney70/92

She paired the Emelia Wickstead dress with a Philip Treacy headpiece

AFP/Getty Images

Day 5: Sydney71/92

And accessorised with her Givenchy satin clutch

Getty Images

Day 4: Sydney72/92

During a visit to Macarthur Girls High School Meghan changed into a A-line blue dress by British brand Roksanda

Getty Images

Day 4: Sydney73/92

She kept her look minimal, with her hair in a half-up half-down style

Getty Images

Day 4: Sydney74/92

The couple started their day with a trip to Bondi Beach where Meghan wore a striped maxi dress by Martin Grant

Getty Images

Day 4: Sydney75/92

She paired the dress with beach-ready espadrille wedges

Getty Images

Day 4: Sydney76/92

And once again wore her hair in a sleek ponytail

Getty Images

Day 4: Sydney77/92

As she talked to members of OneWave she also wore a pink flower garland

Getty Images

Day 3: Melbourne 78/92

Meghan wore a dress by Australian designer Dion Lee to attend a reception at Government House

Getty Images

Day 3: Melbourne 79/92

To greet members of the public she covered up in a Martin Grant trench coat

Getty Images

Day 3: Melbourne 80/92

With her hair styled into relaxed waves

Getty Images

Day 3: Melbourne 81/92

For a trip to the beach Meghan changed into a Club Monaco dress

Getty Images

Day 3: Melbourne 82/92

And opted for sensible black pumps by sustainable brand Rothy’s

Getty Images

Day 2: Dubbo83/92

Meghan arrived in Dubbo wearing a blazer by Serena Williams

AFP/Getty Images

Day 2: Dubbo84/92

And a pair of black jeans by ethical Australian brand Outland Denim

Getty Images

Day 2: Dubbo85/92

During a farm tour the duchess showed off an oversized white shirt by Kitsuné

Getty Images

Day 1: Sydney 86/92

Meghan changed into a Brandon Maxwell dress for an afternoon reception

Getty Images

Day 1: Sydney 87/92

Her hair was worn in a messy up-do

Getty Images

Day 1: Sydney 88/92

And accessorised with Princess Diana’s jewellery

Getty Images

Day 1: Sydney 89/92

During the Welcome Event at Admiralty House Meghan wore a white dress by Karen Gee

Getty Images

Day 1: Sydney 90/92

Meghan then wrapped up in a trench coat by Martin Grant to greet the public outside Sydney Opera House

AFP/Getty Images

Day 1: Sydney 91/92

She finished off the look with a pair of nude stilettos

Getty Images

Day 1: Sydney 92/92

And accessorised with a gold bangle that used to belong to Princess Diana

AFP/Getty Images

1/92

For their final 76th engagement of the tour Meghan and Harry cut a casual figure as they visited Redwoods Treewalk

Getty Images

Day 16: Rotorua2/92

Meghan wore a puffer jacket by Norrona and black skinny jeans

Getty Images

Day 16: Rotorua3/92

Coupled with a pair of smoking slippers by US brand Birdies Slippers

Getty Images

Day 16: Rotorua4/92

Meghan’s second outfit of the day was a Givenchy ensemble made up of a striking cobalt blue pleated skirt and matching top

Getty Images

Day 16: Rotorua5/92

She paired the dress with navy suede shoes by Manolo Blahnik

Getty Images

Day 16: Rotorua6/92

For the final day Meghan’s hair was fashioned in her signature messy bun

Getty Images

Day 16: Rotorua7/92

For the first engagement on their last day Meghan wore a navy asymmetric dress by Stella McCartney

Getty Images

Day 16: Rotorua8/92

Meghan was also gifted a woven Korowai, a Māori cloak honouring her as a great leader

Getty Images

Day 16: Rotorua9/92

She also wore a Pounamu Kouma necklace made by leading Māori designer Kiri Nathan

Getty Images

Day 15: Auckland10/92

Meghan arrived at the Auckland War Memorial for the evening reception in a Antonio Berardi dress

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 15: Auckland11/92

She accessorised with a clutch bag and sported a bolder lipstick than usual

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 15: Auckland12/92

During the day Meghan wore J Crew jeans and a Karen Walker blazer

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 15: Auckland13/92

She kept things simple with her hair in a ponytail

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 15: Auckland14/92

For the wet weather Meghan also donned a pair of wellies by Muck Boots

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 15: Auckland15/92

Back in a trusty trench coat, Meghan opted for a design by British brand Burberry

Getty Images

Day 15: Auckland16/92

She paired the outerwear with a white dress by Brandon Maxwell

Getty Images

Day 15: Auckland17/92

And shoes by Stuart Weitzman

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 14: Wellington18/92

The Duchess of Sussex chose another tuxedo dress for a visit to Courtenay Creative, a film production company in Wellington

Getty Images

Day 14: Wellington19/92

The bespoke white blazer dress was by Maggie Marilyn, an ethical New Zealand designer

Getty Images

Day 14: Wellington20/92

She kept the look simple, opting for a plain pair of court shoes and her hair in the low bun

Getty Images

Day 14: Wellington21/92

For the afternoon visit to Abel Tasman National Park Meghan wrapped up in a waterproof jacket by Seasalt Cornwall, Outland Denim jeans and Stan Smith x Stella McCartney trainers

Getty Images

Day 14: Wellington22/92

Her hair was kept in a casual ponytail

Getty Images

Day 14: Wellington23/92

For the morning Meghan re-wore her Outland Denim jeans and a cosy black jumper by Australian brand Jac and Jack

Getty Images

Day 14: Wellington24/92

She covered up in a khaki trench coat by Club Monaco

Getty Images

Day 14: Wellington25/92

And sported a statement pair of heeled boots by Stuart Weitzman

Getty Images

Day 13: Wellington26/92

Meghan wore a custom deep blue Gabriela Hearst dress and Dior clutch bag to the evening reception at Government House

Getty

Day 13: Wellington27/92

The look was accessorised with a Maori design necklace

Getty Images

Day 13: Wellington28/92

And her hair was styled in loose waves

Getty

Day 13: Wellington29/92

Meghan departed the plane wearing an ASOS maternity black dress

Getty Images

Day 13: Wellington30/92

For the majority of the day Meghan covered up in a checked trench coat by New Zealand designer Karen Walker

Getty

Day 13: Wellington31/92

She also sported Birks earrings and a polished bun

Getty Images

Day 13: Sydney32/92

For her Sydney departure, the Duchess of Sussex wore nude heels and teamed them with the BOSS by Hugo Boss Slim-Fit Soft Jersey Dress in burgundy, the perfect comfy dress for a flight

Getty

Day 12: Sydney33/92

Meghan spoke at the 2018 Invictus Games Closing Ceremony wearing an Antonio Berardi tuxedo-style dress

Getty

Day 12: Sydney34/92

Meghan attended the Invictus Games wheelchair basketball finals wearing a Scanlan Theodore jacket

Getty

Day 12: Sydney35/92

She accessorised her look with a half up-half down hairstyle, Sarah Flint heels and Shaun Leane earrings

Getty

Day 11: Sydney 36/92

Meghan had a princess-perfect moment in an Oscar de la Renta gown

EPA

Day 11: Sydney 37/92

The dress was delicately adorned with laser cut birds and featured a billowing tulle skirt

Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror

Day 11: Sydney 38/92

Her dark locks were fashioned into loose waves

EPA

Day 11: Tonga39/92

Meghan changed into a sky blue shirt dress by Veronica Beard for the couple’s afternoon in Tonga

Getty Images

Day 11: Tonga40/92

Her hair and natural make-up stayed the same throughout their multiple engagements

Getty Images

Day 11: Tonga41/92

Meghan started the day in a cotton dress with khaki stripes by Martin Grant

Getty Images

Day 11: Tonga42/92

With her hair styled into a sleek ponytail

Getty Images

Day 11: Tonga43/92

She also carried a Prada clutch bag

Getty Images

Day 10: Tonga44/92

For her first evening in Tonga Meghan donned a elegant white evening gown by Theia

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 10: Tonga45/92

She accessorised the dress with a Givenchy clutch and aquamarine ring that once belonged to Princess Diana

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 10: Tonga46/92

The duchess also chose to wear her hair in a simple bun and sported a nude lip

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 10: Tonga47/92

Arriving in Tonga the duchess changed into a striking red dress from Self-Portrait

Getty Images

Day 10: Tonga48/92

The colour was a nod to Tongan red and featured delicate lace detail

Getty Images

Day 10: Fiji 49/92

For the couple’s final engagement in Fiji Meghan wore a forest green dress by Jason Wu

Getty Images

Day 10: Fiji 50/92

She accessorised with gold leaf earrings and kept her makeup minimal

Getty Images

Day 9: Fiji 51/92

For a visit to a market in Suva Meghan wore a bohemian floral dress by Figue

Getty Images

Day 9: Fiji 52/92

During a welcome ceremony she was given a floral garland to wear around her shoulders

Getty Images

Day 9: Fiji 53/92

Her bag was from the local Suva market

Getty Images

Day 9: Fiji 54/92

She completed the look with a floral updo

AFP/Getty Images

Day 8: Fiji 55/92

Meghan stunned in a regal blue dress with a sweeping cape by London-based brand Safiyaa for her first state dinner

Getty Images

Day 8: Fiji 56/92

She paired the dress with statement earrings that are thought to have been borrowed from the Queen

Getty Images

Day 8: Fiji 57/92

Meghan arrived in Fiji wearing a white dress by Australian brand Zimmerman

Getty Images

Day 8: Fiji 58/92

She accessorised with a Stephen Jones hat, a bracelet given to her by Prince Charles and pearl earrings that had been gifted by the Queen

Getty Images

Day 7: Fraser Island 59/92

For her second outfit of the day on Fraser Island Meghan wore a striped dress by Reformation

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 7: Fraser Island 60/92

She paired the beach-ready number with Sarah Flint sandals and Karen Walker sunglasses

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 7: Fraser Island 61/92

Meghan arrived on Fraser Island in a burgundy polka dot dress by high street store & Other Stories

Media-Mode / SplashNews.com

Day 6: Sydney 62/92

To watch the sailing event at the Invictus Games Meghan dressed down in black jeans, a Superdry jacket and Veja trainers

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 6: Sydney 63/92

For the Invictus Games reception Meghan smartened up the skinny jeans with a striped blazer by L’Agence and recycled her striped handbag by Australian designer Oroton

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 6: Sydney 64/92

For the event she had her hair swept up in her signature messy bun and kept her make-up minimal

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 5: Sydney65/92

To the Invictus Games opening ceremony Meghan wore a Stella McCartney dress and Gillian Anderson x Winser London coat

PA Wire/PA Images

Day 5: Sydney66/92

She accessorised the look with sapphire drop earrings by Birks

AFP/Getty Images

Day 5: Sydney67/92

Meghan arrived at the JLR Drive Day at Cockatoo Island in a pair of black jeans by Mother Denim, an Invictus Games shirt and white Altuzarra blazer

Getty Images

Day 5: Sydney68/92

She kept her hair loose and accessorised with a pair of sunglasses by Illesteva

Getty Images for the Invictus Ga

Day 5: Sydney69/92

To the official opening of the refurbished ANZAC Memorial Meghan wore a chic all-black look

AFP/Getty Images

Day 5: Sydney70/92

She paired the Emelia Wickstead dress with a Philip Treacy headpiece

AFP/Getty Images

Day 5: Sydney71/92

And accessorised with her Givenchy satin clutch

Getty Images

Day 4: Sydney72/92

During a visit to Macarthur Girls High School Meghan changed into a A-line blue dress by British brand Roksanda

Getty Images

Day 4: Sydney73/92

She kept her look minimal, with her hair in a half-up half-down style

Getty Images

Day 4: Sydney74/92

The couple started their day with a trip to Bondi Beach where Meghan wore a striped maxi dress by Martin Grant

Getty Images

Day 4: Sydney75/92

She paired the dress with beach-ready espadrille wedges

Getty Images

Day 4: Sydney76/92

And once again wore her hair in a sleek ponytail

Getty Images

Day 4: Sydney77/92

As she talked to members of OneWave she also wore a pink flower garland

Getty Images

Day 3: Melbourne 78/92

Meghan wore a dress by Australian designer Dion Lee to attend a reception at Government House

Getty Images

Day 3: Melbourne 79/92

To greet members of the public she covered up in a Martin Grant trench coat

Getty Images

Day 3: Melbourne 80/92

With her hair styled into relaxed waves

Getty Images

Day 3: Melbourne 81/92

For a trip to the beach Meghan changed into a Club Monaco dress

Getty Images

Day 3: Melbourne 82/92

And opted for sensible black pumps by sustainable brand Rothy’s

Getty Images

Day 2: Dubbo83/92

Meghan arrived in Dubbo wearing a blazer by Serena Williams

AFP/Getty Images

Day 2: Dubbo84/92

And a pair of black jeans by ethical Australian brand Outland Denim

Getty Images

Day 2: Dubbo85/92

During a farm tour the duchess showed off an oversized white shirt by Kitsuné

Getty Images

Day 1: Sydney 86/92

Meghan changed into a Brandon Maxwell dress for an afternoon reception

Getty Images

Day 1: Sydney 87/92

Her hair was worn in a messy up-do

Getty Images

Day 1: Sydney 88/92

And accessorised with Princess Diana’s jewellery

Getty Images

Day 1: Sydney 89/92

During the Welcome Event at Admiralty House Meghan wore a white dress by Karen Gee

Getty Images

Day 1: Sydney 90/92

Meghan then wrapped up in a trench coat by Martin Grant to greet the public outside Sydney Opera House

AFP/Getty Images

Day 1: Sydney 91/92

She finished off the look with a pair of nude stilettos

Getty Images

Day 1: Sydney 92/92

And accessorised with a gold bangle that used to belong to Princess Diana

AFP/Getty Images

5 Boyfriend Mistakes You Don't Realize You're Making – AskMen

Five Boyfriend Mistakes You Don’t Realize You’re Making (and How to Fix Them)

Relationships are complex beasts. Each one is unique to the two people in their specific couple, the sum total of all the moments they’ve spent together, the life lessons they’ve learned along the way, the secret thoughts that each produces in the other.

But relationships also tend to follow certain patterns.

If they didn’t, most of stand-up comedy as we know it would be immediately obsolete, for starters. And secondly, relationship advice would be all but impossible.

Luckily for our purposes, that’s not the case. Unluckily, however, the pattern this article is discussing is dynamics guys often don’t realize they’re participating in in their relationships.

Yes, your real blind spots are the things you don’t know that you don’t know. If you know you don’t know something, you can work on it and make headway, like any problem-solving attempt. But if you don’t know you don’t know something, you’re just going to wander around, blissfully ignorant, until it’s too late.

If you’re lucky, the too-late moment will be a tough talk or a long, drawn-out fight and not a full breakup. But just in case, you’d better read on to cover your bases.

1. Microcheating

It’s 2 a.m. and you’re liking your ex’s selfie from three months ago. You’re shamelessly flirting with a coworker who you haven’t yet told that you’re taken. One of your friends sends you a nude and you respond with a heart-eyes emoji. What’s going on? That’s microcheating! It’s behavior where you repeatedly engage in small acts of envelope-pushing and boundary-breaking that aren’t technically cheating but are clearly done in a kind of cheat-y spirit.

RELATED: The Giant AskMen Guide To Online Dating Slang

How To Fix It: First and foremost, you should speak honestly with your partner (earlier rather than later) about what they consider OK and what they don’t. A certain degree of flirtation outside the relationship is normal and healthy for most people, but if you’re doing it a lot without your partner’s knowledge or consent, that’s a problem. If you’re willing to confront the reality that your behavior is harmful even if it hasn’t necessarily hurt anyone yet, you should be able to cut it out through a frank conversation and some honest self-evaluation and boundary-setting.

2. Improper Use Of The ‘L’ Word

“I love you” is a weird sentence. It’s just three little words; three syllables, eight letters. But it contains immense power. Considering that, it’s best not to be careful in how we use it, neither to use it frivolously, nor to hide it away and pretend it can’t be said. “I love you” isn’t just a statement of feeling, it’s also a promise. What’s special about romantic love isn’t just its intensity, it’s also its enduring nature and uniqueness. “I love you” means “I’ll be here next month, holding your hair back while you vomit after you get food poisoning.” “I love you” means “You are the one I choose, and your best friend does not entice me one bit.”

How To Fix It: Don’t say “I love you” too early! If you have strong feelings for someone you’re not even dating yet, that’s called infatuation. It can be hard to know the difference, so as a rule of thumb, don’t say it unless you’re in a relationship. If you are dating, circumstances will vary from couple to couple, but a good rule of thumb is to give a relationship a few months before saying it, and then say it fairly regularly thereafter. “I really like you, a lot” is a great placeholder, in the meantime.

3. Not Doing Emotional Labor

You might not know what the phrase “emotional labor” means, but it’s definitely occurring in your relationship, and if you’re dating a woman, it’s likely that she’s doing more of it. Simply put, emotional labor is the work of making sure the people you care about feel happy, safe and cared for through your words and actions, and most guys aren’t taught how to do it growing up, so if you’re not stellar at it, it’s not necessarily your fault.

How To Fix It: First off, read up on the subject of emotional labor a little bit. Depending on your partner’s familiarity with the concept, they might be aware of the term or not, but when one person is putting in less emotional labor, the other person can usually feel it. The good news is, if you don’t have a ton of experience with emotional labor, there’s nowhere to go but up! Start working harder at asking your partner how they’re doing and being thoughtful about their wants and needs and watch what happens.

4. Avoiding Friends & Family

Relationships can feel airtight sometimes — like a chamber that only has room for two people. You’re crazy about them, they’re crazy about you, and all you want to do is [have sex/go on dates/binge-watch TV/build pillow forts/etc.] But the truth is, spending time in groups of people that aren’t just the two of you is healthy and important for the relationship to work out in the long term. Not only that, but meeting your partner’s closest people will give them context for understanding you and your motivations if the two of you ever go through a rough patch.

How To Fix It: Once the relationship’s past the first few weeks and still going well, you should be putting in work not only to meet and get along with your partner’s friends and family, but introducing them to your own. Host a get-together, go on double-dates, do dinner with their parents — approach the relationship you have as something to show off, not something to keep hidden away. That kind of attitude will let your partner know that you care about them as a whole person, not just for how they make you feel one-on-one.

5. Mistaking “Emotional” For “Crazy”

Most guys have either said this or heard this about a woman: “She’s crazy, dude.” It’s a sort of male shorthand from one guy to another that communicates that she’s a hassle, stressful, incapable of being chill, over-emotional. It’s that last one that’s of particular interest here, because most of the time, “She’s crazy, dude” just means this: “She has emotions about stuff that I don’t understand and don’t like.”

How To Fix It: If you catch your partner reacting strongly to something (particularly if it’s something you did) and your instinct is to think, “She’s crazy,” it’s worth investigating whether what she really is is experiencing valid, normal and healthy emotions about something you don’t fully understand. Instead of calling her crazy, ask her what’s up. Men are taught to hide their emotions and not really talk about them, but that’s a terrible approach to healthy relationships. Get real about the issue with her and you might start to understand the issue after all.

Irish star Saoirse Ronan ‘dating’ Mary Queen of Scots co-star Jack Lowden – The Irish Sun

SAOIRSE Ronan has seen her on-screen love life spill over into reality, as she is reportedly dating Jack Lowden.

The pair play lovers her new film, Mary Queen of Scots, with Saoirse in the title role, and the Scottish actor as Lord Darnley.

The Mega Agency

Saoirse Ronan with co-star Jack Lowden

She was previously linked to Jack’s brother, Calum, who is a ballet dancer.

But now it has been reported it was actually the Dunkirk star who she has been in a relationship with after they were spotted cosying up at the after-party in Tavern on the Green in New York on Tuesday.

A source told Page Six that even their fellow co-stars had no idea they were together until that night.

“We don’t know when they got together, we only found out on Tuesday night when they rolled up together – but they seem very happy and sweet.

 Jack Lowden as Lord Darnley and Saoirse Ronan as Mary Stuart

AP:Associated Press

Jack Lowden as Lord Darnley and Saoirse Ronan as Mary Stuart

“Jack was following her all over. He even followed her to the bathroom and was waiting outside for her. They were very close.”

Before they started working together, Jack said: “She’s lovely. I can’t wait for that it’s going to be fun.”

He has even met her mother Monica, who was also at the party.

The film is being released in the US before it opens in Ireland next year.

 Irish actress Saoirse Ronan

Getty Images – Getty

Irish actress Saoirse Ronan

It stars Margot Robbie as Queen Elizabeth I and the cousins clash after Mary makes a bid for the crown.

But Saoirse dismissed any idea that there was “drama” between the two leading ladies.

“Men say that it can be too much drama to have actresses working together. That’s bollocks! I’m doing “Little Women” with Florence Pugh and Eliza Scanlen, and we love being together. And the way we are, it’s not the perception people have of a girl: We’re filthy, not prim and proper.”

The 24-year-old is now the toast of Hollywood after her third Oscar nomination earlier this year for Lady Bird.

But she said there was a time when she was being offered the same thing over and over again.

“I definitely felt that when I was in my teens, because there was nothing like “Lady Bird” around where the movie was just about a girl’s experience. I got to play that as a kid, and I didn’t see why that had to change when I was in my teens, because those years were even more turbulent and interesting. The fact that nobody seemed to want to document that was confusing to me.”

And she told the New York Times one piece of advice stuck out: “The best piece of advice I got on this was from John Crowley, who directed “Brooklyn.” He said, “Don’t ever do something because you should do it, only do it because you want to do it.”

Bibiana and Peter Kraus From 'The Bachelor' Might Be Dating, According to This Footage – MarieClaire.com

I’m hyperventilating and all I want to do is type question marks over and over again unto infinity, but I have Important News to share: Judging by a very subtle cameo in a video posted by sports website Bleacher Report to Twitter—a video that was intended solely for sports-related purposes, might I add—Bibiana Julian and Peter Kraus from The Bachelor, and The Bachelorette, respectively, might be A Thing. I repeat: Bibiana and Peter might be A Thing.

You’ll remember Bibiana and Peter as two of Bachelor Nation’s most beloved stars. Peter, for being one-half of one of the most painful breakups ever seen on The Bachelor (and we’re probably into the thousands at this point), and Bibiana, for being a mainstay on Arie’s season of The Bachelor, last winter’s Bachelor: Winter Games, and this summer’s edition of Bachelor in Paradise. In spite of the extensive time she spent on all of those seasons, Bibiana never found love, and now I know why—she was waiting for Peter Kraus, because, on some level, aren’t we all waiting for Peter Kraus?

The evidence: This 19-second video of, I don’t know, something with basketball, which is not particularly interesting to me until about 15 seconds in, when the camera pans to…a basketball player, I don’t know, and to the left you can clearly see two people that look a lot like Bibiana (!) and Peter (!!), and maybe-probably-definitely Peter might have his hand on her knee and oh my God oh my God oh my God!

Last time we checked in with Peter (and I do mean literally checked in, we spoke to him personally last month, it will be in the highlight reel of my life), he suggested he might still be single. From Amanda Mitchell’s interview with him for MarieClaire.com:

To anyone who’s still holding onto hope he might be the show’s lead, or anyone who felt disappointed that The Bachelor isn’t who they wanted, Kraus has some advice: “I’m still a person that’s out in the real world. Like if they want to say, ‘Hi,’ say, ‘Hi’. Come to my bootcamps. Meet me in person, and then get to know me. “

Hear that? His DMs may be closed to becoming The Bachelor, but they might be wide open for you. You never know.

Although…with the benefit of hindsight, this also could read like hedging. Peter! I see what you were doing there, you sneaky devil!

Anyway, here’s another screenshot of the two of them, and also a basketball player.

NBA

Ringer reporter Rodger Sherman first pointed out Bibiana and Peter’s cameo on Wednesday:

Okay. Okay. Deep breaths. Deep breaths, Jenny. If you need me, I’ll be watching this footage on loop and tearing up a little.


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