17 Unhelpful Pieces of Relationship Advice You Should Never Follow

Everyone seems eager to dish out relationship advice, convinced they’ve cracked the code to a perfect partnership. However, unsolicited advice can sometimes do more harm than good. In fact, these misguided tips could be sabotaging your relationship without you even realizing it. While others may have good intentions, only you and your partner truly understand what works best for your dynamic. If you’re committed to building a strong, lasting connection, it’s time to tune out the bad advice and focus on what truly matters—your unique needs as a couple.

Chemistry = The One

We’ve all been there. Swept up by butterflies to eventually fall flat on our faces into a steaming pile of crap. And when we reflect on this experience, we always remember the chemistry and how electric it was. Constantly chasing that same feeling. The truth is, those butterflies don’t always have our best interests at heart, and will often encourage us to stay with someone who isn’t good for us.

Everyone Has a Soulmate

It’s a nice idea, of course, but the belief that there’s only one person out of billions of others who is perfect for you is wild. What if your soulmate lives on the other side of the planet, and you’re none the wiser? Don’t waste your time holding onto this. A soulmate may present themselves in various ways, whether it’s as a lover or as a friend.

Never Sleep on an Argument

Sure, it’s best to resolve things when we can, but in the heat of the moment, we can say something we might later regret. It doesn’t do any harm to step away from the situation and give yourself the time to unwind. You may wake up and feel completely different and realize it wasn’t as big a deal as you originally thought.

The Best Way to Get Over Someone is to Get Under Someone Else

Hook-ups during heartbreak may feel good at the time, but you will most likely regret them. So tread carefully out there. It’s important to take time to heal and address your emotional needs before seeking solace in physical intimacy. Remember to prioritize your own well-being and seek support from trusted friends or professionals if needed.

You Should Get Married

Thinking marriage will fix your relationship isn’t a good idea, nor is it a cheap one. And if your relationship is fine as it is, then ignore others who are encouraging you or your partner to get hitched when you’re not sure it’s necessary. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Having Kids Will Save Your Relationship

Following on nicely from marriage is thinking kids will save your relationship. Don’t do this. It’s a terrible idea and not fair to the little ones who didn’t ask to be brought into your messy relationship. Instead of relying on children to fix a relationship, couples should focus on addressing underlying issues through open communication, therapy, and mutual support. It’s essential to prioritize the well-being of both partners and any potential children before making decisions that will impact everyone involved.

Let Them do the Chasing

Playing hard to get might seem like a good idea through fear of not wanting to seem “too keen”, but what’s the point? If you like someone, just go for it. Otherwise, you might miss out on a good thing. Holding back can send mixed signals and potentially push away someone who might have been interested. Embracing vulnerability and honesty can lead to more meaningful and fulfilling relationships. So, if you’re interested in someone, don’t hesitate to show it. Often, it’s better to take the risk and pursue what you want rather than regret missed opportunities later on.

Jealousy is a Good Sign

Psychology Today states that it’s a common misconception that jealousy is a sign of love. It’s completely normal to get a little jealous in relationships, but it’s how those jealous feelings manifest themselves through actions that can cause serious problems in your relationship. Healthy relationships are built on trust, communication, and mutual respect, not possessiveness or control. It’s essential to address and communicate about jealousy constructively. Developing trust and confidence in oneself and in the relationship can help mitigate feelings of jealousy and strengthen the bond between partners.

The Best Relationships Are Always Easy

News flash – life is tricky sometimes, and that goes for relationships. There are always going to be bumps in the road, but it’s how you navigate those rough times together if you know that it’s worth holding onto. By facing challenges together and supporting each other through difficult times, you can build a stronger foundation for your relationship. Remember, it’s not about avoiding rough patches altogether but rather about navigating them together, knowing that the journey is worth the destination.

Fighting a Lot Means You’re Both Passionate

While acknowledging that relationships aren’t always smooth sailing, it’s also important to note that fighting a lot doesn’t equate to passion. Arguments are inevitable, but if you’re both at each other’s throats day in day out, then that doesn’t mean passion – it probably means that you don’t really get along. It’s probably time to move on.

You Can Fix Them

Oh boy, we all knew it was coming. If you’re a sucker for a bad boy, you’ve no doubt told yourself this a million times. Save yourself the time, effort, and heartache. You can only help people who want your help. You cannot change those who won’t accept your assistance. Of course, there are exceptions, but Einstein was onto something with his definition of insanity…

Love is Enough

While loving and caring for someone is wonderful, it’s not always enough to sustain a long-lasting relationship. Relationships require time, effort, compromise, compassion, empathy… You can love someone but ultimately know that you aren’t right for each other. It could be maturity levels or wanting different things in life.

Open Relationship Means No Commitment

Even though new relationship types are becoming more common, most people still think that a man or woman asking for an open relationship is simply not committed enough. This is surely not the case. Open relationships and marriages can be incredibly stable and fulfilling, provided everyone is happy with the arrangements.

Relationships Should Be Judged By Their Length

We often feel the need to compliment a couple for spending 30 years together, but no one ever praises you for ending a relationship that is no longer working. The truth is that a relationship can even last a month and yet be extremely successful, while two people may spend their whole life together but constantly abuse each other. Instead of how long you’ve been with your partner, we should judge relationships based on safety, trust, and respect.

Opposites Attract

While you may easily fall in love with someone who is your polar opposite, two people who are completely different may have issues in their relationships later on. Sure, you can like different hobbies, but it is often best when your core beliefs align. Someone who views the world totally differently than you do may never truly understand you. Opposites may attract, but that attraction may not last when you start to disagree on major topics.

Opening Your Relationship Will Save Your Relationship

So many couples nowadays experiment with different relationship types. While this can be an enriching and fulfilling experience, if you think of opening your relationship, you should do so only if you have an extremely strong union and trust your partner blindly. Opening your relationship can be extremely difficult, leading to jealousy and insecurity. Only the strongest couples can deal with it.

You Need Constant Excitement

When a relationship is new, it is exciting, fresh, and unexpected. Many people will tell you that you need to keep that passionate spark alive in order for your relationship to succeed. But that is not always the case. Many relationships grow to be familiar, comfortable, and consistent, and this isn’t a bad thing. It is good to be comfortable in your relationship, and there is security in knowing the day-to-day routine. While you want to keep the love alive, that doesn’t mean every day needs to be unexpected and intensely passionate.