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Why's It So Hard To Make Decisions About Dating??

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Why's It So Hard To Make Decisions About Dating??
Want to know what makes decision making so hard and how this can get in the way of relationships?

To do or not to do, that is always the question. Ahh, ambivalence. So I used to mix up this word with the word indifference. The latter means something like, “I don’t care.” The former means the opposite of that. Sort of. It means I feel strongly in at least 2 different ways about the same thing at the same time. Like whoa! I asked Merriam, he said “simultaneous and contradictory attitudes or feelings (as attraction and repulsion) toward an object, person, or action.” And there shouldn’t really be a period there cuz ambivalence doesn’t end. In my experience as a relationship coach and human being, it just keeps going. And going.

 

More from YourTango: 3 Necessary Elements for a Secure Relationship

We always feel at least two different ways about almost everything. Sounds crazy right? Well think about it… the relationship you are/were in, ever think you wanted to be with them and you didn’t want to be with them, maybe even on the same day? Or in the same moment? Or the questions that crop up like should I go to graduate school? Yes I should, definitely. Actually, no I definitely should not. Kicking my roommate out? Yes, because he’s a slob, their sex noises are too loud, and he never sweeps. No, because I don’t want to have that conversation and what if the next roomie is even worse and, and… and…!

More from YourTango: An Invitation

What’s something you don’t feel ambivalent about? Go ahead, I’ll wait. Yeah I stole that line from Katt Williams, and I’d embed a link here but I don’t know if any of his sh!t is actually SFW. Well I guess we can talk to google. While I’m feeling different ways about whether or not to share this link, did you come up with anything that’s even somewhat important that you don’t feel ambivalent about?

 

I feel all kinds of ambivalent about sharing that Katt Williams link with you, and on the scale of things that are happening in my life even today that’s pretty small sweet potato fries. And you might realize you actually feel fairly ambivalent about watching the clip. Is it worth my time? Maybe it’s hilarious? Will my boss peek over my shoulder right when Katt is saying exactly the kind of thing that… O my. And on, and on.

Okay, so maybe the only thing we don’t feel at least somewhat ambivalent about is really, really unimportant stuff, like whether or not to have a second cup of coffee or if we are having granola or bran flakes for breakfast. And yes, even these minor things can provoke some internal debate on a foggy morning, I’ve totally been there. And the only other thing I can think of that does not stimulate the ambivalence cortex would be habits since we just do those automatically.

 

Article contributed by
Advanced Member

Jeremi McManus, MFT

Marriage and Family Therapist

Jeremi McManus, MFT began working as a Coach in 2003 where he discovered his passion for cultivating happy, healthy, and satisfying relationships. His own struggles in making sense of dating and relationships were certainly instrumental in leading him into Coaching, and eventually to enter a Master’s in Counseling program in 2006. Jeremi particularly draws on the modalities of Attachment Theory and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) in collaborating  with individuals and couples to gain a richer, fuller understanding of themselves and one another. His work with clients is strength-based, relational, compassionate and often draws from his own practice of mindfulness. 

www.sfrelationshipcoaching.com

Location: San Francisco, CA
Credentials: MFT, MS
Other Articles/News by Jeremi McManus, MFT:

3 Necessary Elements for a Secure Relationship

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I have often asked myself the question, "What are the magical ingredients for a happy and secure relationship?" I've come up with a variety of answers over the years but I never found one that fully answered the question. Then I stumbled across a group of scientists and psychologists (namely John Bowlby) who did some groundbreaking research ... Read more

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As a student and teacher of yoga, I’ve noticed a number of pitfalls we teachers often fall into and want to open up a dialogue about how we might better serve those who are putting their asanas in our hands. Let’s dive in… Where’s this train headed? I will never forget the moment one of my teachers... (continue reading) Read more

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