Blog Posts by BounceBack

Make the Next First Date Your Last

By Alex Johnson for BounceBack.com

The first date. With all the different ways today that people are meeting each other and how cynical we have become to the ideas of dating itself, there is still that excitement we get with the first date. Still hopeful that THIS particular date will be THE date to end all dates for the remaining time of our dating careers.

However, there still needs to be some strategy behind this critical date, in order to book that second date, the third and so on and so forth. Below is a few brief DO's and DON'T's for that first meeting:

DO's:

1. Dress for Success: They say in the work force that if you want the part then you must dress the part. The same goes for dating. If you want to appear a certain way, whether that is showing your true colors, your professional side or even your naughty side. First impressions are key. So, put your best shoe forward and dress for the job of a lifetime.

Related: Not Sure What To Wear? 5 Easy

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Don't Rush Into Dating If You Aren't Ready

By Patia Braithwaite for BounceBack.com

We're all happy that it's been six days since you last burst into tears in front of the DVR, but don't fire up your online dating profile just yet. Just because you aren't a mess, doesn't mean it's time to find someone new. So how do you know when it's time to date? Here are a few tips:

Related: Dating Again, You Ready?

1. You aren't afraid to be alone:
Often, we're so used to being with someone that we just want to fill the space to keep was from truly grieving our loss. This is a mistake. Take the time to remember what it feels like to be by yourself. Spend time with the sound of your own voice, and reconnect with your own thoughts and feelings. If you are comfortable and happy by yourself, you are probably ready to move forward.

2. You understand your role in why your relationship ended:
Every relationship is a lesson. This means every asshole boyfriend is actually a cosmic/spiritual teacher. Can you see

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It's Okay to be Single

By Tolani Osan for BounceBack.com

There are some of you who have been single since birth. The 6th grade dance rolls around and you don't have a date to boast about. High school prom date is a close friend or cousin. College, your head is inside a book for four years. Now you're in the real world and still nothing.

The question is not "why are you still single after all these years?" Rather, "When is it ever going to be okay with you?"

Maybe your case isn't that extreme. Perhaps you've had your share of long-term and quickie romances, but single life is not the non-stop party everyone chalks it up to be. It's lonely and almost uncomfortable. It can soon turn into a discomfort that paralyzes and overwhelms you.

Related: 10 Reasons Why It's Awesome to be Single

Don't let it. Before you can ever get into another or your first relationship, you have to be A-Okay with being single! And it's true, when you stop looking, good things will find you! Your

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Don't Let Someone Stand in Your Way

By Kelli Cooper for BounceBack.com

A lot of things on the outside can affect us for better and often times, for worse. One of the greatest influences is the people we surround ourselves with. Who we spend our time with, whether it is friends, family, partner or co-workers has a huge impact on our mood, habits, behaviors and ways of thinking.

Related: Are You Living Your Life For Other People?

When it comes to becoming our best self and making significant strides towards the life we really want, the other people in our lives often present one of the biggest barriers to significant change. Trying to change when everyone around you is continuing to be who they have always been can pose numerous challenges and create uncomfortable situations that have the potential to derail your efforts.

When we really begin to live more consciously and make deliberate choices regarding our life, one of the things that we really become aware of is how we are spending our time

Read More »from Are Relationships Getting in Your Way from Becoming Your Best Self?

Why You Should Say Goodbye

By Alex Johnson for BounceBack.com

There are so many ways to say "goodbye." We have sayonara, adios, cheerio and arrivederci. However, when it comes to relationships and matters of the heart…when do we really know it is time to say goodbye to the union?

Related: When Deal Breakers Become Relationship Breakers

Below are a few signs that it might be time to rip the Band-Aid off and tell your partner that this simply is just not working out.

1. Arguments: In the beginning of the relationship, your disagreements were something as simple as deciding on what restaurant to have dinner at. As a relationship begins to diminish, you will see that the arguments are more frequent and can often times range from frivolous to life altering. If these arguments continue without ever being resolved, it could be a warning that the end is near.

2. Career: I am all for someone having a career. A job and being ambitious and supporting that person along their journey. However, no

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Don't Let Their Help Hinder Your Chances

By James Lane for BounceBack.com

In this day and age, we rarely go out to bars or clubs alone. We usually are accompanied by friends, co-workers, or that crazy aunt or uncle who still thinks it's okay to tag along to happy hour. Usually when we go out, we want to spend time with our friends, but there is always that one person at the bar we are dying to walk up to and strike up a conversation with. Usually, we tell our comrades that we think said person is cute, hot, sexy, etc…and they try to force us to be brave and brazen and make the first move. Of course, we don't listen, and that is when our friends get involved and try to help hook us up. In the dating world, we call these friends wingmen (or wing-women, but it just doesn't roll off the tongue as well).

Related: Stop Standing in Your Own Way

Here's how it typically plays out: your friend goes over to the guy or girl you are cruising and tries to strike up a conversation. You, in turn, will stand there, drink

Read More »from Wingmen: A Hurt or Hinder on Finding Love?

Prime Time Relationships to Learn From
By Randi Newton for BounceBack.com

We can certainly learn a lot about relationships from some of our favorite TV shows - past and present. They can be helpful guidelines for us to know what to look for in a future significant partner, and also on what we should avoid.

Positive Primetime Relationships:

Elyse and Steven Keaton, Family Ties:

This classic TV couple are the chillest, most laid back duo that's madly in love. Having worked together in the Peace Corps, and had other adventures that's truly tested their relationship in times of stress (remember when they were in London and accused of being spies because of some film they had in a secret compartment in a hairbrush? A relationship that can withstand espionage is very important) . Having good disciplinary skills with their kids, and allow them to voice their own opinions when it comes down to politics and other important issues that arise in any family.

Phil and Clair Dunphy, Modern Family:

Phil and

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What's Mine is NOT Yours

By Tolani Osan for BounceBack.com

While you remain blissfully unmarried, you'll be happy to know that some things you are not required to share with your significant other. Good news, huh? Whether you're into sharing or not, you're entirely entitled to set ground rules when it comes to certain things and what's more, it'll likely yield a healthier and more mature relationship. Here are just five (I am sure there are more) things you should not share with your boyfriend or girlfriend.

1. Money
This is a tricky one, especially if you've got joint expenses like a pet, bills or even an apartment. So before you talk about any plans to share expenses, consider first that money is one of the leading causes of divorce in America today. Ask yourself why. Oh, you're not married? So, why bother with one of the most stressful issues married couples deal with. While sharing money isn't a definitive "no can do," it's something to be carefully examined and not rushed

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