Want to stop dating jerks – and people who are just plain the wrong partners for you? Read on to learn 7 tips to find a relationship which feels good – and learn the real reasons why you keep attracting jerks – so you can stop!
Once upon a time I used to suffer from what I call Prince Harming Syndrome — the tendency to date men who were either Trouble or TroubleD.
I remember once I was sharing a dark story about a particular Prince Harming with my buddy Scott, when the man at the next table at the café interrupted.
“Excuse me,” this stranger said. “I hope you two don’t mind, but I must confess I overheard you talking … and well … I’m a psychoanalyst … and I’m worried about you,” he said, staring directly at me. “Do you mind if I give you my free therapy opinion?”
“Not at all,” said Scott, answering for me.
“I have nothing to gain by telling you this,” the anonymous psychoanalyst began. “I don’t want or need your business. But as a psychoanalyst, I cannot help but recognize how this man you’re with is emotionally abusive. He sounds like a classic control freak … with sadistic tendencies … and you, well, you are a classic “emotional-masochist” … since as of right now, you are choosing to stay.”
“But it’s good news, too,” the anonymous psychoanalyst said. “Masochists always have the most hope for change, because masochists always blame themselves. So … search deeply for why you’re with this man, your responsibility for having chosen him … and get out while you can!”
He then grabbed his brown leather briefcase, and whisked out of the café — like some masked psychoanalyst avenger.
I felt both horrified and validated.
My Prince Harming had been assessed by a professional to be a sadistic control freak.
I still had yet to figure out why I had chosen him.
I wondered..
In my mind I wasn’t a masochist.
I’d been tricked.
The way advertisers use “bait and switch” my Prince Harming had employed “date and switch.”
He truly did start out so nice. And he seemed so charismatic, smart, funny, successful.
“You really should end this dysfunctional relationship,” Scott urged me. “Trust me. You’ll meet and marry a great guy soon enough. You’ve just got to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince.”
“I accept that,” I told him. “It’s just the pigs, dogs and jackasses I mind kissing.”
Scott and I laughed heartily at the time.
Thankfully shortly after this talk I developed the inner strength and clarity of mind to leave this Prince Harming.
I recognized, however, just because this man was no longer in my life, it didn’t mean my masochistic dating tendencies had left too.
I needed to do some serious self-exploration, and understand why I had this urge to go towards bad boys — rather than run from them.
Happily I’ve since broken free from my Prince Harming Syndrome.
I am now living happily ever after with a true Prince Charming – and a wonderful son – thanks to a range of empowering research studies, life-changing insights and psychological tools.
Yes, I want to do what I can to help folks to break free from their curse of being attracted to Prince Harmings and Princess Harmings — so they, too, can live and love happily ever after.
With this in mind, here are 7 quickie empowering tips which helped me break my pattern of dating jerks!
If so, you’re experiencing what Freud called Repetition Compulsion. Your past is sneaking into your present. You accept being shrieked at as being “normal” when it’s not.
Some part of you from childhood feels “you’re bad” and deserves anger as a ritualistic behavior.
Well, I’m here to tell you, the time has come to stop these anger rituals!
Nothing in your past is in your present making you do anything you don’t choose to do.
Perhaps you feel like you don’t deserve healthy love because of your weight, career, etc. If so… either improve your weight, career, etc. — or change your view of these things.
Starter Kit: You’re funny, kind, generous, and a great kisser!
A partner should be so lucky as to be with you! The more you believe that you deserve healthy love, the more you will conquer and attract.
Have you lowered your “dating bar” so low that now only the slimiest reptilian snake-y partners are wiggling through?
If so, raise that bar — by surrounding yourself with friends and family who are in healthy, loving relationships, so you’re reminded that “good love” is out there — and know what it looks and sounds like!
Do you care more about money and good looks than you do about your self-esteem and happiness?
You must remind yourself: The #1 reason to merge your life with another persona is that they makes you feel happier – not more anxious and depressed.
You must also remind yourself of your top character values for a partner.
Are you used to entertaining everyone with your tales of drama and conflict?
Do you get attention and feel important every time you complain about how awful this partner is?
Stop settling for attention for the negative stuff in your life.
Here’s an article on how to stop sabotaging your happiness – which you can read when you’re done this article.
Start shining a happy spotlight all the good stuff in your life instead!
Are you more afraid of the pain of temporary solitude than the pain of abuse?
If so, accept that when you break up, there will be a temporary period of aloneness.
Decide now to use your alone time to do things you’ve been putting off.
Take a class. Join a club. You’ll get through the solo time – and even better yet – be on your way to a happier duo time soon enough.
Don’t let the prospect of saying goodbye to a Prince or Princess Harming make you feel like a failure.
If you’ve suffered the pain of toxic love, I’d love to give you more tools to let go of the hurt – and develop new ways of thinking and dating – which will lead you to true love with a good partner.
Love patterns can be broken – with the help of my book called PRINCE HARMING SYNDROME – which was loved by the people at Oprah!
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