I am not a professional in relationships whatsoever. This is all just coming from experience and what I think relationships involve.
I have to admit, I grew up as an unattractive girl. I was a major tomboy and the only thing people admired about me was how nicely I tanned. I had plenty of crushes on boys and celebrities but, the first time a boy asked me out it was in grade 8 and I got so scared I just said no. I thought it was a joke because that boy and I at the moment were good friends and he asked me on a little scrunched up ball of paper. Which was cute but, I was still terrified. It wasn't until I was age 17 when I had my first boyfran! Now a couple years later my collection went from 1 boyfriend to 2 boyfriends. So, I am still new to "dating" and being in a "relationship".
I just exited a relationship recently with a guy who I broke up with before. Before I got involved with boys I thought to myself that girls who gets back into relationships with their ex's are stupid.
I mean, you broke up with them for a reason. A pretty big reason worth breaking up over. Do you think that big of a thing would go away because you guys had a break from each other? Whether it be friends, family, her respect, his respect, their habits, WHATEVER it may be... it is hard to change. I also thought people who force their significant other to change or wait for them to change are stupid. They aren't being true to themselves and clearly they want someone that wasn't them. No matter how firm I stood on those statements I was still a victim to all of those. Why? Because love make you do crazy things. It is much easier to see clear when you are in third person rather than the actual people in the relationship.
One of the huge no-no's about relationships are rushing into it or forcing it. Things should feel natural and things should come naturally. Yes, there are some things where you can remind the other person about and everything is good, that is fine. If you find yourself or the other person to be saying the same thing over and over, keep a look out. No, I'm not saying repeating's of good things, I mean repeating's of bad things. Like the other person is constantly reminding you of something. If you have to be forced to say or do something to make the other person happy... don't you think what you say or do should come naturally?
Friends and family are important. Your friends and family and their friends and family are important. I don't know about you but, if I cannot get a long with my boyfriend's friends or family, that is a turn off and not a good sign to me. I know some of you will say or heard of "You're not going out with their friends and family so, that doesn't matter". That's technically true but, their friends and family are still part of them. You think you guys can have a long term relationship or even get married without ever having to deal with their friends and family, ever? If you thought "Yes", You's crazy. Besides from you, they see their friends and family the most. Even if everybody on their side accepts you but, your friends and family do not accept your lover... you should really consider the reasons why they feel that way.
Habits. Habits are just habits, been doing them all your life, no biggie! Wrong. They're no biggie to you, well you may be bothered by them yourself but, if you have a habit that bothers your lover or vice versa, that is very hard to overcome. It is almost impossible to succumb those habits. I tried to truly accept my ex's habits but, in the end I've had enough and couldn't. If you're thinking about marrying this person, really focus on how they do things. Everyday things from laundry, food, and leisure stuff. Do you think they're going to pull their weight when you guys live together or marry? Do they expect you to do everything a woman is suppose to do? If you are okay with doing everything they expect you to do then all power to you! I wish I was more like that. But, I believe that not only the woman has to cook or clean or do chores and guys just work and fix things. Both genders and can a mix of both! Maybe it's not about gender rules, maybe it's other things they do that you can't stand no matter how hard you try to fight it. You have to be totally fine with their good and bad habits.
There's no need to rush into being in a relationship, hun. I know you will think
"What if they are the one?" "What if they're different from the others?" "What if they'll change?". Just be wise. Learn from your past. Take care of your heart and yourself being. Remember the hurtful moments, don't dread on it, just keep it in mind so you can be in check and know what exactly you need.