HOW TO NAVIGATE RELATIONSHIP PRESSURES DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON
THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER TACKLES THE PRESSURES AND EXPECTATIONS AROUND RELATIONSHIP STATUS DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON, A TOPIC SPARKED BY MY RECENT ATTENDANCE AT BUMBLE'S 2024 DATING TRENDS DINNER. WE EXAMINE THE COMMON YET INTRUSIVE QUESTIONS MANY FACE, WHETHER SINGLE, IN A RELATIONSHIP, ENGAGED, OR MARRIED, AND THE HEIGHTENED SCRUTINY DURING HOLIDAY GATHERINGS. I SHARE FIVE STRATEGIC TIPS ON NAVIGATING AND HANDLING THESE UNWANTED INQUIRIES, EMPOWERING YOU TO MAINTAIN YOUR COMPOSURE AND ENJOY THE FESTIVE SEASON ON YOUR OWN TERMS. THIS NEWSLETTER AIMS TO REMIND YOU THAT YOUR SELF-WORTH IS NOT TIED TO YOUR RELATIONSHIP STATUS, AND ENCOURAGES YOU TO SHARE YOUR OWN OBSERVATIONS ON DATING TRENDS WITH ME.
Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to attend Bumble’s 2024 Dating Trends Dinner, an enlightening event that brought forward some fascinating insights about the world of dating. While I'm excited to reveal specific trends in next week’s blog, something poignant from our discussions at the dinner struck a chord with me - the societal pressures and expectations around relationship status during the festive season.
As we all know, the holidays often bring a heightened sense of scrutiny towards our personal lives. If you're single, relatives might prod about when you'll find someone. In a relationship? Expect the "when's the wedding?" interrogation. Engaged? Brace yourself for the marriage timeline questions. And married? The inevitable inquiries about starting a family follow. These pressures, though common, can be overwhelming and intrusive.
Remember, no one has the right to make you feel uncomfortable about your relationship status. Here are five tips on how to navigate and handle this pressure:
Prepare responses: Think about what you’re comfortable sharing beforehand. Having a few responses ready can help you feel more in control of the conversation.
Set boundaries: It's okay to let people know that certain topics are off-limits. A simple, "I'd rather not discuss my personal life," is a perfectly acceptable response.
Redirect the conversation: If you feel cornered, change the subject. Talk about a new hobby, your latest travel plans, or a book you're reading. Most times, people will take the hint.
Lean on humour: Sometimes, a light-hearted or witty reply can defuse the situation and ease any tension.
Seek support: If you're feeling overwhelmed, reach out to a friend or family member who understands. Sometimes just venting about these experiences can be incredibly cathartic.
Above all, remember that your worth is not defined by your relationship status. The festive season should be a time of joy and celebration, not stress over societal expectations. Stay tuned for next week's blog where I'll delve into the exciting trends from Bumble’s 2024 Dating Trends Dinner. Don't forget, I'd love to hear from you too – DM me and let me know what dating trends you've noticed lately!
OH, and check out the episode where I explore how to find love without playing by the clock, proving that even though it might feel like a race, it's actually not here:
Until next week!
Nicole is a certified trauma-informed dating and relationship coach who specialises in helping people navigate the complex world of modern love and dating as well as attract and cultivate healthy relationships. Her areas of focus include mindset, attachment, trauma, relationship patterning, inner child and abandonment wounds, communication, conflict management, trust issues, confidence, co-dependency, boundary work, breakups, and infidelity.
