7 Things NOT To Do in a Relationship

By Sujeiry Gonzalez, Author of Love Trips: A Collection of Relationship Stumbles, for GalTime

For many women, the first week after a breakup goes a little something like this:

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Hide under the covers. Sob uncontrollably while watching reruns of "Sex and the City." Play "I Will Survive" to feel empowered. Sob uncontrollably because Aretha Franklin has a man, while you are single again. Talk to your girlfriends and feel better. Take a shower. Sob uncontrollably in the shower. Repeat sequence.

The cycle eventually ends in reflection. We ask ourselves what went wrong and what part we played in the demise of our love affair. Well, it just may be one of these seven mistakes women make in relationships.

7 Things NOT to Do In A Relationship
1. Drunk Dialing: If you're upset at your partner, put down the booze and step away from the phone. Alcohol triggers deep-seated emotions that roar once the sweet nectar brushes our lips. Once inebriated, drunk dialing ensues. Like a clumsy boxer, you attack your lover verbally, slurring through the conversation. In the end, the relationship suffers. He thinks, "What happened to the cool, confident woman he fell in love with?" Too much Bacardi and Coke, that's what.

2. Facebook Stalking: Facebook has changed the way the world communicates. It also drives women to stalk their boyfriends online. If he hasn't returned your phone call or text, you check his Facebook profile. (He just updated his status! Why didn't he call me back?) If he went out with friends, you spend the night scanning his photos. (Who's that girl he's hugging?) And, of course, there's the dreaded relationship status. (I changed my status to "In a Relationship." Why is his status still hidden?)

Ultimately, stalking his Facebook profile shows a lack of trust. No man wants to be with that woman.

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3. "I'm Fine": Your boyfriend asks what's wrong. You turn to him, shrug and say, "I'm fine," though you want to kick him for not remembering your birthday or changing his Facebook relationship status. As women, we "I'm fine" men to death. We let our anger simmer for fear of rocking the boat or just because we want him to "figure it out." This is an unhealthy tactic. No matter what you fear or assume, you must communicate with your partner. If you don't, then he will think everything is "fine." Until you drunk dial.

4. Nag, Nag, Nag: You tell him what's wrong. Every minute of the day. That's a big no-no! As women, we must give men time to process our feelings, especially when it's a serious matter. When we nag and push, men withdraw. They begin to see us as negative and that is so not sexy. So speak your mind, give him space... and regroup once you are both ready to tackle the issues.