Keeping A Relationship Alive

Being in an on-going relationship is a great chance to learn about yourself, as well as the person you’re dating. The challenges and conflicts, if responded to in the right way, are opportunities to grow. These are chances to learn how to communicate and understand the other person, rather than just doing the easy thing, and running away. I hope our journey through the 50 questions I’ve answered about the opposite sex have helped you find new ways to make your dating relationships be successful. Here are this week’s questions.

QUESTION #45) Paul asked: “Do girls get bored in a relationship? My girlfriend used to be all flirty and into me, but now that we’ve been going out for a while, that’s all stopped. Is that normal?”

Flirting is usually used as a tool to get into a relationship, rather than to maintain it.

DAWSON: The situation you are in could be a result of a couple issues. It’s normal for the flirting to die down gradually after being in a relationship for a while. Flirting is usually used as a tool to get into a relationship, rather than to maintain it. Most relationships grow past that stage as the two people get to know each better. But if they don’t, that relationship usually dies. Maybe the two of you have never been in a relationship that has moved past this flirty stage. I wouldn’t assume she’s not interested in you, or that she’s found someone else. You are probably right—she might just be getting bored.

It takes a lot of work to keep a relationship fresh, interesting, and growing. This is true whether you are married or just dating. It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut of doing the same things over and over. Most people spend most of their free time on the couch in front of the television and call it a life. They lose sight of the fact there are so many different and exciting options of how to spend their time.

This is why people are so frequently drawn to other people outside of their dating relationship. New people are so much more exciting and interesting. Then, once you get to know someone, and all their faults, and the relationship starts getting in the groove (or the rut!), the desire for something—or someone—more interesting, kicks in.

There are so many things you can do together to breathe new life into what might currently feel boring.

So have a talk with your girlfriend. Try to find out what she’s really feeling. Is she just being immature, or have you let the relationship become predictable and boring. You might want to surprise your girlfriend by going with her to new places, experiencing with her new things, and talking about interesting things. Spend time with other people, and find out what they enjoy doing. Take up a hobby or volunteer at a nursing home together, etc. There are so many things you can do together to breathe new life into what might currently feel boring. Just remember, any successful relationship takes a lot of work for both people.

QUESTION #46) Jody asked: “There is a guy who is very interested in dating me at the Bible college I go to. While he talks about great goals for ministry and theology, I am concerned by some of his movie choices—because when I looked them up, they were very, very sexually explicit. Is this one thing enough grounds to not date this guy? I do not want our relationship to move too fast if he has a skewed view of intimacy based on the movies he watches.”

A relationship that moves too fast usually crashes and burns.

DAWSON: That is an excellent question. It speaks to your own maturity and spirituality. The fact is, you don’t want any relationship to move too fast. A relationship that moves too fast usually crashes and burns. I applaud your desire to be concerned about what a potential boyfriend allows to influence him. Because in the end, you will end up marrying someone who started out to be your boyfriend. You can’t be too cautious. Who you marry is the second most important decision you will ever make.

There is no question entertainment, and culture in general, affect a person’s view of women and intimacy. I would take your discovery of sexually explicit movies very seriously. We all are deeply influenced by what we allow ourselves to see. For all you know, your potential boyfriend, whether or not he goes to a Bible college, could be addicted to porn.

I would confront this guy straight up about his lifestyle. If he refuses to change, don’t waste your time with him, because before you know it, your relationship will all be about sex. I have a simple rule about marriage: Never marry an addict, because he already loves his addiction more than you, and you can’t have three in a relationship.

It’s always good for you to have standards and guidelines for the person you date.

Remember, it’s always good for you to have standards and guidelines for the person you date. So many people get hurt. Some people are scarred for life because they end up dating just anybody. If you decide to start dating this guy and he’s not able to hold up his end of the deal, and respect your wishes, then you’ll have your answer. But you’ll never know unless you first communicate your hopes and concerns with him.

We’ve only got two more weeks left of answering the most pressing questions you have about the opposite sex. I can’t imagine you’ve had all your questions answered—so please send me your question in the comment area below and come back next week to see my new answers!

Friday, Jul 17, 2009 - 11:35:42 AM
I am 14 and I really like this girl. I asked her out like two months ago and she said she didn't want a boyfriend in the summer but a "thing". But just this week she told me that we should take a break because we sometimes fight. Now I'm not sure if I should risk to stick with her or just move on. And when I say I like her, I reallllllyyy like her. Thanks
- Jake

Thursday, Jul 16, 2009 - 10:58:02 AM
Im 15 yrs old my boyfriend is 15 also. today will be 3 months that we have been dating and when we started off it was like perfect he was always interested in me and what we did together(hanging out) now its just its like he wants me in just a sexual way. we can't never just hang out and have fun without him having an urge to do something dirty with me. and we barely know anything about each other and he doesn't even know how to start a covo on the phone im the only one that's ever talking. give me some advice and help me get rid of his problems and spark this relationship back up* I think its getting a little bit boring to both of us we need a spark tell me what to do. ps.when I try and talk on the phone I always bring up my past which is my ex.s ugh I hate that I talk about them in front of him - What do I do I can't help it and all my frands are guys...oops
- Tori

Wednesday, Jul 15, 2009 - 1:24:07 AM
Nicole, Id move out if you can. If you love this guy, and if he's right for you, you should be able to choose
- Charlie

Tuesday, Jul 14, 2009 - 8:20:35 PM
i've met this guy name chris and i love my boyfriend it's just that i've been crying lately cause i miss him so much and he takes care of me. and stuff but i've been crying lately cause i miss him so much and that's the reason why i was in a bad mood cause i miss him so much and i was crying lately i don't know what to do bur i still love him though alright love you guys bye
- Tiffany G.

Tuesday, Jul 14, 2009 - 5:09:48 PM
i have been with this guy on and off for ever. now is mom is telling him he cant date me. why do parents try to control thier kids even when they are 18? he listens to her and now he is asking her why she dont like me. what am i suppose to do while i wait to hear back from him?
- Nicole K.

Tuesday, Jul 14, 2009 - 2:33:01 PM
me and dis guy jus met like 4weeks ago..im 15, and we ve been havin sex...wen i asked him if we r goin out he keeps on tellin me he will thnk bout it, den the next second he tells me he wanna come 2 my chool so we could be 2gether....wen i asked him if he waz jus usin me 4 sex.. he said "i care a lot bout u, so i dont want u 2 say im only usin u 4 sex"......wat dos dis mean
- wendy

Tuesday, Jul 14, 2009 - 12:23:28 AM
Okay, I've been with my boyfriend for almost a year now. I still care for him, but not like i used to. I just don't have the butterflies, and he annoys me alot now. What is this saying about my relationship?
- Kyrsten

Monday, Jul 13, 2009 - 11:56:40 PM
What does it meen to be emotionaly attached to a guy?
- Grace