By Mike Tattersall

Guys, are you in a relationship that seems to be going south?  Are you thinking the spark is gone, or wondering if it was ever there?  You may be dating, or in a committed relationship.  Even married couples are not immune to doubts.  So do you know how to handle these feelings?  Do you jump and run?  That seems to be the trend today.  People ditch a relationship as soon as it fails to meet their expectations.  In doing so, you might be throwing away the best thing that will ever happen to you, all because you didn't take time to remember that no relationship is perfect.  So how can you tell if those doubts are just temporary, or if you really are with the wrong woman?  There are a few things to think about before you make a potentially regrettable decision.

  1. First of all, how committed are you to the relationship?  If you are dating, how long have you been dating?  If you have dated a few times, and you don't feel a connection to her, you should probably trust your gut.  If you have spent time talking and getting to know her, but you don't anxiously anticipate seeing her again, don't bother.  You are not doing her any favors by continuing in a half-hearted relationship.
  2. If you are in a committed relationship, perhaps with someone you know well, and truly care about, remember that funky feelings will come along from time to time.  There is never going to be a woman for whom your feelings remain forever the same as they were in the beginning.  It is a fact of life that newness wears off of everything, even love.  So, why bother?  The wonderful news is that as the new spark wears off, it should be replaced by a deep and abiding flame that burns hot for all the years you spend together.  She will still be your favorite one.  She will be the one with whom you wish to talk things over with.  You will want to see her face at the end of the day, and to hear her laughter.  It will be her shoulder on which you will lean during hard times.  You will be able to envision growing old with her.  You like to talk to her, and you enjoy spending time with her.  You admire her for who she is, apart from you.

If you don't have any of these feelings, you are probably with the wrong woman.  It is time to let her down easily, handling the situation like the gentleman your mother raised you to be.  Who knows?  She may have been just waiting for the right time to break it off with you, also.  Make every effort to remain friends, if possible.