Hey, it’s James again. Here’s day 2 of your 14 day attraction tips course.
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Today I’m going to remind you of something you already know. Something important but easily forgotten. Something that tugs at a man’s heart.
They are the things that make you smile when you think of him. The things that made you fall in love with him.
They were there when you first met him. That’s why you said yes when he asked you out.
They are the things hidden in his heart that you admire, appreciate and trust. It’s a beautiful thing when you first recognize those gems in his character.
Basically, that’s what falling in love is. It’s seeing into another person’s heart and desiring what you find there.
But then you hit a snag.
When we first begin a relationship with someone, we’re attracted to the possibility of what the relationship could become. It’s an exciting new adventure.
As that possibility becomes a reality, it’s intoxicating… for a while. And then the intoxication seems to fade.
Usually, it fades for one person sooner than it does for the other person. And it fades because you get used to the things that initially made your partner seem special.
When that magical feeling becomes an everyday feeling, it’s easy to stop looking for potential in your partner. Instead, you fixate on the ways he’s different from you, the things you don’t like. And you can easily forget all about the things that initially attracted you to him.
In a long-term relationship, it’s normal for the feelings of infatuation to come and go. When feelings of infatuation are low, you stop fixating on the things you find attractive about him. You see him as a normal person. The sense that he’s “perfect” reveals itself to be an illusion.
When that illusion breaks, the magic withers and some relationships die.
If that’s happened to you, I have some good news. Recovering that special connection isn’t all that difficult.
If you want the best relationship possible, in the beginning and for the long-haul, take this advice. Keep on looking for the qualities in him you most enjoy, desire and respect. Finding them once isn’t enough. Trust me, if you don’t keep looking for them, you’ll forget about them.
And then something terrible happens. Problems become the focus of the relationship. And that slowly poisons the magic of your romantic connection.
So never stop looking for what’s good in the relationship, and in him. Search the mind and heart of your partner diligently and often. And when you see something beautiful in him, acknowledge it out loud. Let him know you appreciate him.
When you do that, two things happen.
First, as you rediscover the things in him that resonate with you, you’ll feel the electric excitement of possibility all over again. You’ll feel alive. You’ll feel desire, and you’ll want to follow that feeling on a journey that brings you closer to him again and again.
He’ll sense that positive energy in you and be attracted to it.
And here’s the second thing that will happen.
You’ll also be encouraging him to show you more of the qualities that made you fall in love with him in the first place. Usually, those are the same qualities that make him feel happy and fully alive. So it’s like you bring out the best in him when you look for what you like.
And here’s the magic that seals the deal…
He will like the version of himself that he finds in your presence. And that will make him want to spend more time with you.
You will essentially reawaken and reinforce the special qualities that cause attraction between the two of you.
If you do this from the beginning of a relationship, you’ll not only keep the flames of passion burning hot, but you’ll build a more solid foundation, as well.
What it comes down to is this. No matter how strong the initial magic feels, loving someone is a choice. So choose to love the best you can find in him. Don’t let frustration or setbacks become the focus of your attention.
Everything you fell in love with is still there, hidden in his heart. Seek it out, and never stop telling him what you find.
I am still in love with a man who is bipolar. He went into a psychosis and rage on Labor Day and although we had never even had a real fight told me it was over as he was saying things that made no sense. I have always looked at the way we started and focused on his being my hero but he felt he needed to take care of himself. He did after years of depression.
He sounds back to himself now. But his family disrespects me. My heart says he is the one, but my head says stay away. I don’t know if he will want to get back, he has in the past with others after his mania was over. It is hard to convince myself that I didn’t do anything or say anything, which even his daughter told me. I really don’t know whether to try the hero approach, which I have done in the past or not.
Hey. I married a sweet younger man who years later his behavior was finally diagnosed as depression. He got treatment but it was not going well. He started going to a “group” but no one there was trained. Just a group of other depressives. They had a PHD from Stanford who dealt with drugs speak. It turn out the drugs prescribed for straight depression often push bipolar folk into worse shape. Ok, he was wrongly diagnosed. He is Bipolar. I found an online group of folks with a bipolar loved one and I got emails from members of the online support group of folk related to bipolar patients warning me that the thing many (most) bipolar folk do is push away their significant others. Thst could be parents, child, sibling, girlfriend or spouse! I was told to watch out. Well I could not beleive this after all we had been through. I was wrong. About 2 years later , he told me that he had found a great apartment and he was moving out. He said that still loved me but was ” not in love with me” anymore. That cut to the quick. He has been gone for 9 years now after 20 years of marriage. If I have a desperate need, he may come help as I do not have any family & over the years many close friends who used to be there for me have moved to a distance or died. He is now very busy with hobbies’, friends ( other women he met on Match,) who he says are just friends that he takes out to dinner or anywhere on his dime. He has been used, abused’, and taken advantage of by most of them. One fall wanted after 1 date for him to take a week from work to care for her simple artrascopuc knee surgery. My dr told me they would not send her home unless she was able to take care of herself., but he continues blowing money on all of them them. It hurts to watch. ” Give me, take me , buy me do it me” seem to be what he does not hear as NOT A FRIEND, but a user. I feel sorry for him. One day I asked about how to join Match, He freaked out. Not safe for older women ( me) , get a burner phone change your email address not one in your name. Never let them know where you live. Never go to their place. Take a photo of their license plate and of where you are, then send those to me. Call me when you get home so I know you are safe. You know all they want is to take your money is s what he tells me. I think for a man who is not in love with me he worries too much but I am not allowed to worry about him.
My advice is to run away from a bipolar date, lover, or anyone you care about before it drives you to distraction. My vets daughter is Bipolar and dumped nowher new born 20 years ago on mom and dad. We are still married but now he wants a legal separation so if he ends up in a convalescent hospital I won’t be forced to the state every thing I own to keep him there. Nice:? Not sure ! I have told him that I need to talk to an attorney before I sign anything like that and I will.
Din’t feel bad but run. I have been married to a man who turned out to be bipolar for 35 years. He moved out 9 years ago. Living with him could be hood but often it was a roller coaster. He has never had a psychotic break in front of my but I came home from work on day and discovered the back screen door ripped off of it’s hinges and a plastic patio chair broken badly. He did leave a not saying he just ‘ lost it and would be hmgone for a few days” . That was very scary for me. I spent 5 of these 9 years apart kicking myself for being a ‘loser’ and maybe all if his issues were my fault some how. I now feel ok and know it was not me. I do love the man. I care about him. He is my only family, but do I want him to move back on? Not really. Life is much saner alone. I am finally ready to try again. RUN AWAT! YOU CAN KEEP HIM AS A FRIEND BUT DON’T MARRY OR LIVE WITH HIM. it is like the abuser who after using his woman as a punching bag says he will never do it again, UNTIL HE DOES! Move on sweetie. A warning from a women who has been there!
Kristen, it takes a brave person to be a long term partner with someone who suffers from bipolar disorder.
Use your recent experiences a gauge. Would you be able to thrive across the years if that kind of thing recurred on a semi regular basis? If not, then listen to your head and remember that a romantic relationship should enhance your life, not detract from it.
Hi James. I recently started reading your book, very interesting indeed. My situation is a little different because my partner ended the relationship a week ago. He is much younger than me, but being him the one who showed interest from the beginning and made the approach to me, I didn’t focus so much on the age difference. He always showed a lot of interest in me, he always wanted to be close to me, to share and all those things, after 3 months going out I decided to invite him to my house and everything seemed to be perfect, I never felt that our relationship was at risk, even the day before that he ended up the relationship we were together and everything seemed very good. I still don’t understand what really happened, although he has told me 3 different reasons that have nothing to do with each other, he even contradicts one of them by what makes me think that he is using them as an excuses, it’s like If he never had in mind to end the relationship. We were together for 10 months and I know that it is not because of another woman, he was always with me but because he wanted to, I never forced him to stay in my house or to anything else that he did not want, the decision was always his, that is why I am very confused with what happened. All the answers to my questions were to deny that it wasn’t for those reasons that I was asking him, at one point he told me that “He’s not staying in a relationship if he is not happy” but then later on the conversation he said “He never said he wasn’t happy with me” and why I kept bringing up love, like it had nothing to be with that, so I was more confused. I don’t know what to do in this situation.
Hi Nelly. Some people find it helpful to step back and look at this kind of confusing situation from a higher level.
You can start that process by asking two simple questions,
1. “Do you know what you want from him at this point in the relationship?”
2. And “Have you told him clearly what you want from him at this point in the relationship?”
If the answer to both of these is yes, and he is still babbling confusing nonsense while walking out the door, then you have done your part in this relationship.
If, however, you have any doubt that you can fully and confidently answer yes to both of these questions, then the next step is to remedy that in the most straightforward and immediate way available to you.
Relationships are confusing and sometimes we are confused by our own emotions. But when someone else gives us a clear path to follow, it can reduce our confusion or help us realize that this is not the relationship that was meant to be.
Wishing you love and happiness,
James
I am a 57 yr old woman and nurse. My husband is 58 and IT specialist. We have been together for 10 years. And married for 6 years. His dad had brain cancer 6 years ago and the day my husband found out he sought after a woman he had previously had an affair with when his first wife was cheating on him. He was telling her via messenger about his feelings about his dad dying etc… and then turned it into reminiscence of their sexual relationship. I accidently borrowed his tablet which he said I could and he left his messenger up on it. She clearly told him no she was not interested in meeting him and was busy etc… she was not reciprocating what he was. BTW I helped his mother take care of his dad during his death and this was going on while I was wiping his dads butt. It really hurt me when I found out. I have finally dealt with those feelings forgave him and moved on. Yes, I was critical ,judgmental and even called him a deuschbag. He also told me on fathers day that he wanted a divorce he loves me but dont see how its ever going to get better. So, I read your books and applied the knowledge. Our sex life has always been hot and filled with excitement and I am a Leo and he is an aires and we both love sex so thats never been a problem and definitely change things up all the time. However, if I ask him the questions you suggested in your hero book in person and text he wont answer. He pretty much only text back the bare minimal and never anything about feelings. Recently, he started cuddling and spooning me and he does tell me he loves me and even said he is pretty sure he is in love with me. I have used the hero method and thank him excitedly for everything and even apologized for everything that I contributed and he did as well. I asked him to just take my hand and help work on the marriage together. He refused and didnt budge until we were in the bedroom. Which seems to be where he lets his guard down and only in there. I dont know how to get him to engage in the same feelings outside of the bedroom. I think its a combination of his midlife crisis and never going through the stages of grieving over his dads death plus not forgiving himself for the cheating and the lies. I know he is not perfect but, I know we have the potential to have an incredible loving exciting marriage/relationship. How do I get past this and get him to trust outside the bedroom?
Hi Kimberly,
Thanks so much for your comment! I feel like you’d greatly benefit from being a part of our community and some back and forth consultation. I recommend that you bring it up in our private forum where we have actual relationship coaches on staff to answer questions and give advice. To access this forum, you would need to sign up for the Irresistible Insiders Club.
Within this private community, you can also ask questions and share experiences with like-minded women and our most advanced members. This way you can get extra real-time feedback and support for your unique situation.
Warm wishes,
Tracey T.
Hi James, I have been dating the same man for almost 10 years. He told me 6 weeks ago he wants to take a break now for 6 months… I believe he has met someone else. He told me a week or so later he didn’t love me anymore, thinks now he never fell in love with me. He cares for me. We talk almost daily, he continues to want to help me remodel my home. He talks to me only during the day and if I have called him at night he won’t answer. I asked him if he was seeing someone or had met someone and just wanted me out of the way so he would be free to see her. He laughed and told me I was crazy. He told me he was out with some new “friends” yesterday. He wants me to stay in his life and I am ready to go on. This is too confusing, too painful and I have lost too much of my time. I find it hard to respect him now or trust him. Your thoughts?
Hi James,
I have been in a long distance relationship this past year. Everything came together organically and has been amazing.
We were committed, communicated our feelings regularly and established our plan for the future and how dedicated we were to making it work. We even acknowledged we would have challenges but established our willingness to work through them.
He recently came for a visit which was good but I felt this distance from him the whole time. I asked about it and he kept telling me it was nothing and we are good and he’s happy.
He then went back home and called to tell me it wasn’t the same ‘vibe’ as the last visit but couldn’t articulate why. He then said he didn’t want to continue on to find out the next visit it was still off and have to pretend.
He did a complete 180 of being all in and actively making steps to physically be together and communicate through issues to shutting me out and running away.
I have to let him go as trying to hold onto him won’t help. What else could I do?
Thanks
Looking for magic text to win a guys heart
Hi James,
I was dating a a man for 2 months we put all our feelings on the table since we have known each other for 15 yrs and have tried to connect 4 to 5 times before. He suddenly quit talking then and said I should not be attracted to him, I cant imagine the mess his life is, and I would be better off to move on. Why does this sound like a cry for help?
I have been divorced from my ex for 5 yrs, now and I still would like to re-kindle our relationship because we have children who still love him and want to see more of him
not just chatting on the phone only.
How can I change the way that we are communicating?
Hi so I’ve been sad constantly and my bf broke up with me because I was sad constantly and sometimes upset and I still love him and I want him back. He’s the only man I want in my life and how do I win him back?
I have a different situation. My husband is in his 40’s and grew up without a father. Since I got to know him, which is more than 16 years now already, he was always singling out teenage boys to build relationships with them, I think its to make up for that relationship he never had with his dad, he craves that kind of relationship. And unfortuantely they always tend to use him for his money and what he can do for them. For almost 2 years now he has been growing closer to this introverted boy that could hardly speak out loud. He is a teacher and the boy is one of his scholars, the principle actually makes jokes about it and says hs is a father to many kids, especially boys. A few months back I accidently saw messages on my husbands phone, where he says he is so excited that this boy lives nearby, his heart is in his throat, he is so excited and he loves him so much. I confronted him about it and he made it out to be nothing, they were just playing games. After that my trust was broken in my husband. I continuelly see I love you messages between the two of them and that they support each other and are there for each other and I can see the relationship is growing deeper. I have banned this boy from my house, because it seems my husband is obsessed with this father-son relationship they have. He will go out of his way for this boy, he calls him everyday and they send messages everyday and love declarations and support declarations and how happy they make each other, I dont even get that treatment after just 4 years of marriage. I am wrong in feeling jealous here? and that my husband is emotionally cheating on me?
My husband doesnt bring up his name near me anymore or brings him over to study, he will just disapear and I know he will be with this boy.
Hi, Lizzy. You’re asking us if you are wrong to feel jealous, but perhaps there’s a more important question to ask.
Feelings (including jealousy) emerge from our interpretation of events and the story we tell ourselves about what things mean. It seems the story operating in your mind right now is that your husband loves this boy more than he loves you.
I wonder if your husband believes that too. If he does, then he would ultimately choose to continue the relationship with the boy over you if it came down to that. But my guess is that he has a different story running in his mind. Probably something like, “I love my wife, and while I don’t understand why my connection with this boy bothers her, I guess I’ll have to hide it from her to avoid hurting her feelings.”
The most important question right now is this: “What story is your husband telling himself right now about what all this means?” Sometimes people assume everyone else sees the world and events the same way. We rarely do. Get him talking. Discover what he believes is happening (even if it doesn’t match with what you believe is happening). That’s the starting point for healing and getting back on the same team.
I had a close male friend, He was doing the same thing. He was gay and he was grooming these young men. Of course they took advantage of him. You might consider this as difficult as it is to consider.
When I read this, it chilled me. I think your husband preys on teenage boys. The love messages indicate that a sexual relationship is in the works. I may sound hard, but I’d get a lawyer and divorce him. You have no idea what liability you may have based on his behavior.
Hi James, I’ve been with this man for almost 2 years now and we love time together, live close to each other and just spent 5 months together in Florida and love each other. He knows I’m looking for marriage but recently said he doesn’t want to marry anyone, just BE with someone, we’re both in our early 70’s but young looking. Both been married before with grown kids. Am I wrong to want this kind of commitment?
Hi James.
I’ve been reading your Hero Instinct about how to reconnect with my ex boyfriend. When we were together I felt very happy. I loved doing things together etc. but in the last year of our two year relationship he started pulling away. He became very sick( I actually saved his life when I took him to the hospital otherwise he most likely would have passed away that night) As a result he quit drinking. By November he asked me to take the rest of my things home. By the first week in January he told me there was someone else. However, this other girl he has wanted for years now but she doesn’t see him that way. He even told me when we first started talking that it would never work between them because he is old enough to be her father. I have told him how I feel which at this point was a mistake. He said to make him miss me. This alone is killing me because I want to see him/call him. But haven’t since the end of January. He said she is confused about this but yet doesn’t want anyone all in the same breath. His last kiss that day was very passionate and had a lot of meaning. So I guess my question is what should I do? Should I give up and let “her” win or wait for him to come to his senses? He knows I’ve been the best one he’s ever had. He even told his mother he’s knows this. I’m afraid the longer I wait to talk to him the more distance there is and he will never want me even as a friend
Thank you!
Thanks James I enjoyed reading it ☺️
You glazed over a HUGE factor… He quit drinking! Regardless of what type of recovery path he’s chosen in order to do so, the bottom line is that he’s in recovery. That’s a major thing in his life. Something most programs urge is to focus everything on your recovery. Dating is heavily discouraged during the first year or two. That is probably why he comes across very confused to you. This is for many reasons, one being any drama could lead to a setback or trigger relapse. The other being that he needs to focus on him right now and simply cannot give you what you need from him. I’m no expert, but have been though this particular topic more times in my life than I care to admit. It might be best to just give him space and let him know you’re aware of why he needs it. I honestly don’t think there’s anyone else. That was probably an excuse. One that may seem more logical to you in his mind. Personal life drama is something to avoid at all costs. He made a major life change. Be supportive of it, but understand what’s necessary. He’ll respect you for that and most likely come back to you when he’s ready. I know it hurts! Best of luck to both of you.
Hi James-
Coincidentally enough, I am dating a guy named James lol. We have been together for five months, taking things very slow (which I am just fine with) as he just got divorced last year. I feel like our relationship has shifted the past few weeks where we have been closer, and he’s been there for me more. We aren’t exclusively boyfriend and girlfriend to the public yet, but we are to each other (I am only seeing him and he only sees me), we have been keeping things private between the two of us. So we haven’t met each other’s friends or family yet. Again, I am totally fine with that too, as I came out of a bad relationship last year, and don’t want to rush anything either. But I feel like there has been a lack of intimacy, or at least he holds back I think. He is a bit shy about kissing, like sometimes he will start to, but then pulls away before some making out happens. I read the hero instinct the other day, and I tried out one of the texts. Well it worked super well, communication and understanding is certainly not lacking. But I definitely want to try to light a fire on the passion thing. I know we are taking things slow because he is afraid of getting hurt, etc. But we will have some really great moments, but I can tell he holds back. So just wanted some advice on that. Other then that he is an amazing guy, is always there for me, we have great connection, etc. And I am not trying to push or rush things, but not sure if I should have an open conversation about it yet, I don’t want to scare him away. And I am trying to ask him for help on things, show him how much I appreciate it him, etc. Anyway, thank you for your time!
Hi James…
NEVER EVER did I think my husband’s depression would lead to separation, but alas here we are, after 20 years of marriage.. 2 children.. he wants space to work it out on his own etc…I believe he wants to work on us.. after he ‘works out himself’
I want to support him … so that’s his goal or mission, but I don’t know how to bring him back as he doesn’t want me help….?
We currently live in different states… and I tell him how awesome he is with what he is doing in current projects…
I am confused as to how to use your tools through this time. Please help
Leah
Hi Leah,
Thanks so much for your comment! Your situation sounds complicated and I feel like you’d greatly benefit from being a part of our community and some back and forth consultation. I recommend that you bring it up in our private forum where we have actual relationship coaches on staff to answer questions and give advice. To access this forum, you would need to sign up for the Irresistible Insiders Club.
Within this private community, you can also ask questions and share experiences with like-minded women and our most advanced members. This way you can get extra real-time feedback and support for your unique situation.
Warm wishes,
Tracey T.
Dear Mr. James
What do I do if my husband has left me because he had an affair? I caught him by surprise that I knew so he just walks out and has not returned. He is currently living with the woman with which he was having the affair. As far as I know, the affair only was since October but he walked out December 22, 2020. It hasn’t been too long and I thought therapy would help. But he told the therapist he does not want a divorce, he does not want temporary or permanent separation papers filed and he didn’t know that in SC adulterers have to pay alimony for as much as 1/2 their income. And seeing as we are both disabled he makes 3x’s more than me. Its only been 1 day since therapy and now he’s called me 2 times. What should I be considering as my options? We have been married for 32 years and 2 boys and 2 grandsons later what do I do? This is our first time in the 32 yrs being separated.
James,
I have just recently begun reading The Hero Instinct(love it). I have been with my husband 15 years now, married for 6. I was in a job that took all of my time and energy for 4 years. During that time I pushed him away to go enjoy his life even though I was hating mine. I have since quit that job… but now his feelings towards me have “changed.” He has gotten the sense for freedom and doesn’t want to come back… during that time he also begun talking to someone else. I am at a loss for what to do.
Hi Sandy. Glad to hear you are learning from the Hero Instinct course!
As you apply what you learn, think about the sections that talk about his mission, and how to channel the existing flow of his motivation (to be on a mission) toward a mission that supports your relationship.
In practical terms, this means leaving the door open a crack so he hears you struggling inside and becomes curious about what’s wrong and how he might help. That’s in contrast to what you may have been doing recently (no fault of yours…we all get too comfortable in our relationships) where you walk up to him and point at the door and ask him to go in there to fix some things for you.
In other words, you want it to feel to him as if it was his idea to fix something.
So here’s a tiny step for you if you like the idea. Think of five ways you could invite him to “fix” the tiniest little thing (start small). Pick the best of the five ideas. Find a creative way to let him discover the problem on his own. Watch his hero instinct light up.
Rinse and repeat for a while before moving on to bigger asks… like fixing the relationship itself.
James
Hi James,
I’m married but my husband wants out of the relationship. We have two children. He comes in every night, provides for the children but does not talk to me or pay me any mind. He’s very disrespectful towards me and tries to paint a bad picture of me to and in front of the children. He acts and treats me as his enemy. I don’t know what has changed.
Hey James, I’m not sure what I feel right now, something feels off.
The man I’m dating has changed his behavior towards me.
He feels more distant, and quiet.
It worries me ’cause this isn’t the first time we have dated, and last time did not end well so I’m getting scared.
plz help me!!
He Sera. Sometimes we want to pursue intimacy when a partner pulls away like that. And sometimes men (who might just need a bit of space) respond by pulling away even more or (worst case) being cold in an attempt to make you want to give him space. Guys who lack good communication skill about senstive emotional topics sometimes do this in a maladaptive attempt to avoid asking for space.
This may be the type of situation where you get the best result by doing nothing at all, other than getting your need for closeness met with friends while you wait for him to sort out whatever is going on in his head.
Hi James, I’ve been married for 28 years to a amazing man and a wonderful father of 3. We are currently empty nesters. I’ve found an Instagram hookup on his phone also lots of women on Facebook. I have no idea who they are. We’ve talked about all this and he denies the hook up!! We’re going through therapy. He’s deleted all his social media which I’m very thankful for but I’m still struggling. It’s been 6 months and I just feel like the honesty is gone .. everyone says it’s just a season, it will take time to heal. He is trying but I feel one step forward and 2 steps back. Will he ever tell me the truth?? How long will this season last? Thank you
Hi, Rae. That sounds like a difficult situation. The two of you have built your lives around each other and I understand why this hurts so much.
If you value the relationship, make sure the problems don’t become the exclusive focus of your interactions. Ironically, he is more likely to open up if you crank up the warmth of the fire keeping your cabin warm instead of trying to plug all the little holes where the heat leaks out.
In other words, focus on what’s beautiful, right, and worth building on in your relationship. Make time for healing and asking the hard questions, but don’t make that the focus of your relationship or it will surely die.
After confirming he is finished is there any hope he’ll change & want to
rekindle?
Hi James, I am an older woman and not interested in playing games. I want my relationship to be honest and open. Unfortunately my “love interest” is not always honest with me, he tells me what he thinks I want to hear. I tell him he can be honest with me and not to worry if it is something that might upset me I would rather hear the truth and work on it from there. We do have honest talks mostly done on my part and he agrees with me. I have known him for 30+ years so he and I do know each other pretty well. His wife died last year and we just recently reconnected. He knows I am here for him to help him through whatever he may need and he knows I love him. I am trying to be patient with him and give him the space he needs. He wants our relationship to continue (yes it has been physical) but he really makes no other effort than that. I find myself to be the one who reaches out with a call or a text to see how he is doing and frankly just to hear his voice and talk. We do make each other laugh and things seem to go well then it will be days before I hear from him again (unless I reach out). I ask him to let me know if this relationship is too much for him. I told him I won’t give up on him as he has said he doesn’t want “us” to end things. I know you have a lot of advice for the benefit of the man as far as sparking the flames again, how about us women?
Hi Denice. That’s an interesting situation. It seems there are some things you are enjoying about the relationship, though you probably wouldn’t continue with the relationship if you knew it would never improve from its current state where you carry most of the burden for reaching out to invest emotionally in the relationship.
It seems you are well aware that a grieving widow is not necessarily going to respond with the same level of emotional engagement and energized excitement as someone who has been searching for a decade for a person to build a romance with. Nonetheless, I can understand why you are eager to see things balance out so that you’re not the only one working to build something beautiful together.
Fortunately, this is one of those situations where time is on your side. The grieving will gradually decline even if not in a steady or linear progression (there will be ups and downs). For that reason, many people in these types of situations find it useful to focus on what is enjoyable in the relationship right now, allowing less of your attention and focus to dwell on what could be or what may yet come as the relationship improves in the future.
It’s basically that old adage, “a watched pot never boils,” but in this case applied to a relationship situation. The more we focus on what is beautiful and good right now, the more it brings out the best in us, while simultaneously reducing the angst we feel about having to wait for a better future.
Wishing you love and happiness,
James
I’m dating a man who has a 10 year old daughter and split fully from his ex-wife in March (they divorced in 2018 and got back together and split several times), this time he says it’s for good. It was amazing, we’ve been dating 2 and a half months, then we had a conversation about a relationship; he said he isn’t ready because he’s very worried how his daughter would react to it and also because he hasn’t been single that long is confused as to whether he wants another relationship. He asked me to wait; I said I would keep seeing him. Then this week I expressed a little bit of unhappiness at us not spending as much time together as I would like and he kind of freaked out and said said he didn’t want commitment right now. We’ve seen each other since and had a great time. I’m just confused; is he being sincere with me or is he genuinely just scared? I don’t want him to lose interest in me and I don’t want to scare him away!
Zoe, two and a half months is a very short period of time. You guys are just beginning this relationship.
In situations like these, some people find it useful to let time answer your question. With time, his actions will speak louder than words and you’ll know whether he is looking for ways to adapt so he can be close to you or if he is just saying something to keep you around with no intention of building toward something lasting and beautiful.
Keep in mind, a good father is going to have some fear about how this kind of relationship may impact his daughter’s well-being. Instead of seeing that issue as an enemy to compete with, become his ally. Talk openly with him about this fear and become his confidante and the person he can brainstorm with about how to protect his daughter’s well-being while still building a good relationship with you. Then you’ve aligned yourself instead of competing with the energy that is already driving his actions.
Thanks for your reply James, unfortunately he broke it off with me yesterday. He was ill, didn’t sound good at all, had been very distant this week and avoiding me almost then told me that he couldn’t explain why as he very much enjoyed all the time we spent together but he just needs to be alone and isn’t ready for a relationship. He didn’t know if it was anything I’ve done, doesn’t know how long he’s felt like that, freaked out when I asked him if he was sure he never wanted to see me again, assured me there is nobody else but that he just needs to be alone for the time being. What do I do? I know that he likes me!! Should I just forget him and try and have no contact, just leave him alone and move on? I want him so badly though and I’m so sad.
🙁 I’m sorry to hear that, Zoe. I know you see a lot of potential in this relationship. Maybe he does too. But he clearly believes he is not ready to be in a relationship yet.
Rather then shutting him out, most people find it’s best to leave the door of communication open. That could mean just letting him know that while you are seeking a relationship right now, you have to respect the fact that he is not, but you’d love to continue to be a part of his world if he wants to send you an update on how he’s doing from time to time.
The advantage of this approach is that if his circumstances change, there is not a big barrier of awkward silence that he has to first overcome before he can start communicating with you again. It just makes it easier and more likely that something might spark to life again in the future.
But for your own sake, it’s important that you don’t hold your breath waiting for that possibility. Keep the door open, but go on with your life, investing in new people.
James
Hi James
Feeling a little overwhelmed. Listened to the audio book and funny enough some of your hero instinct advice had helped with my partner. I have know him for 4 years and we always go back to each other. He is the guy that has the ex wife and 3 boys and is always working hard to keep a float. He is in the prince stage. We got back together 6 months ago.. We would make time for each other and msg every day. Morning and night. When we are together its like we speak the same language. And the last time I saw him things were great. He was even sending me pixs and opening up more and starting with the pet names. But you can tell he is focused on getting his life together and is busy. Recently he just disconnected and barely text. Its like he pushed me away after Father’s day. I asked if it was me. He said not to over think. But as a creature of habit I became used to him messaging and then he msgd less and less. And of course I did the girly thing… loss the plot. Now he’s barely there. I have ask for help a couple of times and used curiosity and it worked. Yay! But I feel its only me initiating… then I look stupid. I don’t want to lose him. And I keep trying to be positive. But I’m not sure he thinks he is winning and not sure I can convince him when he is ignoring me. I was hopeful and now I’m just scared that he doesn’t want this. I am confused and a little unsure what to do. Xx
Hi Michelle. It’s always a privilege to be invited into the thought process and planning of someone who thinks deeply about these issues.
Right now, the hero instinct is at work in his life. The channel of that flowing river of energy is alive and well. Unfortunately, it is divided. And it seems the duty he feels to play the role of a successful provider for his children is getting the lion’s share of the natural drive he feels from the hero instinct.
What does all this imply? Well, for one thing, it implies he is a person of honor and loyalty. And of course, that makes him all the more valuable as a partner to build a life with. It’s a good thing that he is striving to provide for his kids. But it would be nice if some of his efforts had paid off a little more so he didn’t have to work so hard to keep his head above water.
Your mission now is to show him he doesn’t have to choose between you and providing for his family. This is a difficult but important process. We need him to think of his relationship with you as something more than recreation that he does when he has extra time outside of his core responsibilities.
Instead, we need him to start thinking of you as a person who supports him and brings him energy and strength in the midst of his efforts to meet his responsibilities and live life to the fullest.
Pause to think about this question. How can you communicate to him that you would like to walk alongside him while he pursues the meaningful mission he is on? How can you help him to recognize that you’re not asking for his extra time, but rather to be invited into the life he is really living day to day?
Wishing you love and happiness,
James
Aww thank you for replying to my msg James. I appreciate the insight. You are right he is extermely loyal and hard working. It certainly one of the things that i find attactive about him he like the engergize bunny. I have thought about your comments and how i can let him know that i just want be by his side and not asking for extra time. But it hard to get him to respond and acknowledge my words. I starting feel like im a nag and in his way. I said in my own way i understand and you do you and cos thats what gives you energy also makes me excited to hear about his day. I have tried to say that i got your back. But i am getting nothing. He gets in his head and that it. Shut down and goes in his hidy hole and doesnt respond. He is reading my msgs but he had it rough with his ex and he has alt to prove i just eant to be there to listen and support him. The last text i got a response was about me asking for help. That was 4 days ago. I not sure texting is helping. I dont understand why he stopped in the first place. Trying not to be disheartened but it very draining to feel like he doesn’t want me around xx
Everything was perfect between us and then the pandemic hit us. We have not been able to see each other since March. We are in different parts of the World and I have not been able to go and see him. Usually he is very understanding but he does not understand this and says I am making excuses not to see him, he has also indicated that he may start seeing other people. I want to be with him more than anything and crave for him but don’t want to risk travelling. I have tried talking to him and reasoning with him but it hasn’t worked. I am afraid of losing him and even today was contemplating taking the risk. I am confused and uncertain as what to do.
I have found him after such a long time.