Life Advice
/Health
Erika Ettin: 5 ways to combat online dating fatigue (because it happens to everyone)
Burnout. We’ve all experienced it, whether at work, from school, over family obligations, or even due to a too-packed social schedule. We can also apply it to relationships — because it’s actually completely normal. Sometimes it stems from being overwhelmed (so many apps, so little time), and other times you find yourself feeling like you�...Read more
Ask Anna: Tips for when your poly partner dates someone you don't like
Dear Anna,
I’m a bisexual woman currently in my first significant relationship with another bisexual woman. Throughout my life, I’ve always identified as bi, but my past romantic involvements were primarily with straight men. I've been married twice and have three daughters. Despite my attraction to women, I’ve never dated one until now. ...Read more
Can straight married men and women be friends? I went on a quest to find out
Last fall I met a guy.
He had a thick mustache and was, by my estimate, at least 10 years my junior. We happened to sit next to each other at a dinner event at my social club. I'd recently watched "Wild Wild Country," a documentary series on a religious cult, and it was all I wanted to talk about. It turned out that he loved documentaries on ...Read more
Ask Anna: Navigating the ripple effects of a poly breakup
Dear Anna,
My primary partner, who I’ll call Alex, and I have been in a loving, committed relationship for five years, and for three of those years, we've been in a closed triad with Sam. Our relationship with Sam grew organically and became a significant part of our lives, deeply intertwining with our daily routines and social circles.
...Read more
8 places to meet people IRL that aren't dating apps or bars
When there’s a new couple around, it’s natural to ask, “So, how did you meet?” Most of the time, it’s one of these answers: through friends, at work, or on a dating app. Gone are the days when connecting through Tinder or Bumble came with an elaborate lie about a meet-cute that stemmed from sitting together on a plane … it’s so ...Read more
Hi, Karen. I mean, Emily. Mixing up names more common than you think
As a parent, you’ve likely experienced the frustration and embarrassment of calling your child by their sibling’s or your pet’s name. You’re not alone, and you’re not losing your mind. In fact, a recent TikTok video has brought a 2016 Duke University study back into the spotlight, revealing this phenomenon is extremely common.
The ...Read more
Yikes! You're stuck in a situationship. When to stick around or get out
LOS ANGELES — Meagan Culberson, 32, was on a third date with a guy she met on Hinge when she decided it was time to ask him a make-or-break question: What are you looking for?
They'd gone on fun dates and she was interested in getting to know him better, but only if they were on the same page. She wanted a long-term relationship.
When she ...Read more
Ask Anna: Navigating friend flakiness: Is she just not into me?
Dear Anna,
This isn’t about dating or sex so hopefully it’s OK! I’ve been having an issue with a friend who often agrees to plans but becomes unresponsive when it’s time to finalize the details. It’s left me feeling quite confused and a bit hurt. We’ll start discussing meeting up, and she seems enthusiastic, but then she suddenly ...Read more
8 mistakes you're making on dating apps … and what to do instead
Online dating is a tool, but like all tools, it has to be used correctly to get the results you want. You might have a fancy, expensive screwdriver, but it still won’t help you chop wood.
If dating apps and websites aren’t quite working for you, make sure you’re utilizing every item in your toolbox correctly.
Mistake #1: Messaging “...Read more
She told TikTok she was lonely in LA. What happened next changed her life
LOS ANGELES — In the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles, home to nearly 4 million people, making friends is no easy feat. Especially if you're an adult. Research shows that people over 21 are more likely to face extra hurdles in forming friendships. The building blocks — time, proximity and scheduled opportunities to socialize — are ...Read more
Keep your conversation on the dating app… until the date
I am known for saying texting is the “death of a first date” (morbid, I know… but true), and I stand by it. What I mean by that is this: Once numbers are exchanged, if you haven’t already set up the details of the date (time/date/location), then there is now a 65% chance of the date no longer happening. Here’s why:
- Someone simply ...Read more
Ask Anna: Mastering the art of being happily single
Dear Anna,
I'm a 28-year-old woman who has recently ended a long-term relationship. Over the past five years, I've gone from one relationship to another, hardly giving myself any time to breathe and truly be on my own. My last relationship ended about three months ago, and for the first time, I'm consciously deciding not to rush into another ...Read more
Ask Anna: My boyfriend wants us to become a TikTok couple
Dear Anna,
I'm a 28-year-old woman living in Brooklyn, New York, with my boyfriend of two years, who's been getting more and more enthralled with the world of TikTok lately. He's always been big on social media, way more so than me, and he recently brought up this idea of us evolving into a “TikTok couple.” Now he's picturing us posting ...Read more
Extra cheese, please!
I’d like a large thin-crust pizza with extra cheese, red peppers, pepperoni and olives. But can you please make sure the cheese is covering the whole pizza because I don’t like baldness? And actually, why don’t you hold the pepperoni all together. I’d like someone who doesn’t eat processed red meat. And while you’re there, make sure ...Read more
Ask Anna: Navigating casual dating when she wants more
Dear Anna,
I'm a guy in my late 20s, and I'm not on the lookout for a lasting relationship at the moment. I'm enjoying the freedom, exploring my options and focusing on personal growth. Recently, I've started seeing this fantastic woman. She's got all the great qualities you’d look for, but here's the rub: She's interested in something ...Read more
Yes, no or even maybe: How to react to a second date invitation
Anyone on the dating scene knows that it can feel like an accomplishment just to get to the first date. You’ve both swiped right (or whatever the equivalent is on the app you’re using), chatted a bit, planned a meeting and now you’re grabbing cocktails or coffee—success! With a second date on the horizon, things can go in quite a few ...Read more
Ask Anna: Can you start a relationship long distance? Plus, breaking up with kindness
Dear Anna,
Two months back, I (39F) instantly meshed with a man (36) at a concert. Despite the seven-hour distance between us and a mutual disinterest in romance, daily texts and weekly marathon calls quickly became our norm. He affectionately called me “babe” and his texts were often flirtatious. I told him I wanted a long-term commitment....Read more
Lying about your age in your dating profile is never a good idea (seriously -- no exceptions)
You’ve probably been told at some point in your life that there’s nothing wrong with a little white lie. And in some cases, yes — it’s better to tell your sister-in-law that her new haircut looks great rather than start a family war by making a joke about her losing a bet with her stylist. (Not saying this from personal experience, ...Read more
Ask Anna: Understanding work crushes, keeping clothes on during sex and FWB gift etiquette
Dear Anna,
I (35-year-old man) struck up a friendly rapport with a lady (unsure of her age, but probably late 20s or early 30s) who works in my building. We find time to converse during breaks and even hung out at a few group events (trivia night, anyone?). On a whim, I invited her to grab coffee with me yesterday afternoon. She agreed, ...Read more
Navigating exclusivity in dating
As a dating coach, I'm frequently asked questions about exclusivity in relationships — how to approach it, when to discuss it, and what to expect. I want to address two questions I got just today and offer some insights on how to handle these situations effectively.
Question 1: I’ve been seeing someone for two and a half months and found ...Read more
Popular Stories
- Can straight married men and women be friends? I went on a quest to find out
- Ask Anna: Tips for when your poly partner dates someone you don't like
- Ask Anna: My boyfriend wants us to become a TikTok couple
- Ask Anna: Navigating the ripple effects of a poly breakup
- Erika Ettin: 5 ways to combat online dating fatigue (because it happens to everyone)