There’s too many tragic love stories. Through books, movies, television, music, and word of mouth, it’s hard not to get these overly dramatic relationships engraved into our minds. These relationships become our perceived standard of how relationships are meant to be, last, or end.
We are applying these false realities onto our own relationships. As if we were actors in a film. Certain lines are spoken, because we think that is what is supposed to be said. That's our next line in the scene.
We might not even realize we are spewing these lines. But these Oscar worthy roles we are playing in our relationships can lead to troublesome situations, obviously.
1. Expressing Feelings You Don’t Have
Don’t bother telling someone you are falling for them if it simply isn't true. Don’t think that just because we are sitting across a candle lit table at a romantic Italian restaurant that I am expecting for you to get all mushy with your feelings on me. It’s just dinner, calm down.
But then it somehow becomes my fault that I ended up believing you after you said so many corny lines about how much you liked me.
2. Making False Promises
Don’t bother to make promises you know you can’t keep. Never say that we can still be friends as you are in the middle of the breakup conversation, because you're not helping the situation at all, you're not making it any less painful, you're only making it worse.
You gave a truly compelling performance where you claimed you just weren't ready to be serious with someone, but if you were, you’d be with me. I become manipulated into looking dumb and clingy for taking you up on the promise you made to grab drinks in a month from now. Thanks.
3. Saying It’s Different Now
Don’t bother convincing someone you have changed or things are going to be different if it’s not true. Saying that you realize what you’ve done wrong isn't enough. Apologizing after doing something stupid isn't an instant free pass. You are just going through your lines, show me you're different, don't just say it.
Assuming what you think I want to hear is one of the worst things you can do. You are ultimately only going to cause more hurt than if you were just honest with your feelings in the first place.
Don’t get all mushy when it’s only the second date and I don’t even know your last name yet. No one wants to be a part of the tragic short lived romances you keep screwing up. Come on, don't say shit you don't mean.
You do you.
