Don't Settle For Less

Craig talks about not settling for less than what you want in a relationship.

[crking]

I wasted my 30s stuck in a 10 year abusive relationship, I got out in 2017, now Im in my 40's...wish I had the strength to get out earlier....

[feeeji]

Looking back on my relationship. I never thought I was settling for less. I was blinded and lost in it to the point where I didn't know myself anymore. There definitely was a few moments or so I thought I was settling for less and she was holding me back. But I ignored it and kept on pushing because I loved her quite a bit and we had a great connection. Looking back, of course it could've worked but I get why she thought we weren't meant for one another at that time. Unfortunately, I disagree but that's my selfishness talking lol. She has her own fears and insecurities she's never dealt with. I hope she does deal with them in her future. Thanks again, loving the workbook and videos a ton!

[robinforrest]

How about some early dating issues for older adults in 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. Thanks.

[jmarie]

expectations?
is honesty, communication and loyalty too much to ask for?
::: sigh with a mad and broken

[springfauna]

I admire this woman's behavior in this situation. We could all take a page out of her book!!

[eduardomartinezcrucess]

The most succeful history I ve ever seen with confident behaviour.

[shayg]

I think your values are a good measure to determine if you are settling for less. For example, if you are totally loyal, honest and trustworthy, you don't want a partner who lies about silly things otherwise he is going to lie about bigger things too, or a partner who flirts either openly or behind your back and you suspect or have evidence that he does. This type will never match your values therefore make a conscientious decision earlier on rather than later (and avoid getting hurt) that this person will never match your values, no matter how gregarious, friendly and awesome in other areas he may be! Know what you want, and stand by it!

[xtrekrex]

Here for the workbooks coach. The questions in the workbooks made me think about what I really want in a partner. Back then, I didn't really care so much and just hooked up with anyone that gave great sex. Now, I'm a lot more picky when choosing a partner, especially in dating apps :P

[VEXYLEXI]

I've been about 3 weeks no contact. He has never tried to reach out to me. I have panic attacks every day because he's not here. Some days I can't even get out of bed. When will the constant pain subside? It's exhausting..

[MonicaD]

This is the SAME EXACT situation for me. I told him the same thing because he still wanted to keep in contact until he solved his "financial issues". I told him I don't want to be your friend and you never have time for me, so when you are ready, call me. If I am available we can pursue it further. It was weird because he was taking a little too well after almost 2 years. We had always discussed marriage and a future together. In the past, he would never have let me go like that. Come to find out last night through Facebook, he had been cheating on me all along. I wasn't on Facebook for a while and reactivated my account. He didn't know that we are still "Friends" on there. So I didn't have to dig too hard to find out. I was his back up plan. He didn't have time for me not because of work, but because there was someone else. That hurts!! I slept one-hour last night and have no appetite. Now he won't answer his phone. It goes straight to vm. He is with her and can't answer. He never shuts off his phone because it's also his business line. I can't believe I have been played like this after being an understanding and loyal gf. I hope she does the same to him that he has done to me.

[CoachCraigKenneth]

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[ShadrockMarciano]

Excellent video, she did outstanding and gave me a lot of pointers for if and when my ex comes back

[Almsoo]

I met my wife when she was in my country to take care of 2 young schooling siblings. We dated briefly before getting married. She expressed her desire to have our own home and to let her siblings stay with us after much drama, so I decided to buy a house and renovated it, brought all 3 of them in. She also wanted to work after getting a green card, and I supported her choice. But while I have been doing all these, she took for granted and expected more, spending most time at work without much communication, coming home late and felt I hadn't done enough to make her and her siblings feel home. She then initiated divorce, moved out with her siblings and leaving me devastated with an empty house. I now understand this boundary from the video but just feel that my wife didn't reciprocate much in our marriage and was selfish in just thinking for her own needs without standing in my shoes to understand for me.

[trishataylor]

Craig, I keep listening to many of your vids. What I keep getting frustrated with is how you make it sound like it should so easy to realize we could be in all these toxic and unrealistic relationships and there will be a more perfect person "right around the corner." That we need to let go of the toxic person and "move on" I broke up with a man 15 yes ago and there's been no other man in the picture. I've even been online dating. He moves on... has more botched relationships and always come as back to me.

[aacloudgazer]

Craig do you have advice for dating widowers that just can’t get over their late wife after 7 years? I thinking of breaking up with my bf because he couldn’t stop bringing up his past in the 7 months we dated. He has her pictures everywhere including his office. The icing on the cake was a ceramic chef with a chalkboard printed in his wife’s name “Lynn’s kitchen” and it was a new house, she never cooked a single meal there. We saw each other once a weekend sometimes twice, only at my place which was less than an hour away. He only text me hello and goodnight during the week and didn’t call. I said I needed more throughout the relationship and I didn’t get it. I told him I was feeling resentful and at the end of dinner with his friends at a restaurant I got up and said I have to leave, I can’t do this anymore, too much hurt, I have to leave and I drove home. Afterwards I emailed that I got home ok, and I was sorry I left and embarrassed him. I said I wasn’t breaking up with him, I was upset. Never heard another word from him. It’s been two months. And of course I did everything wrong, texting and emailing a letter, etc. I know now that it was anxiety and my attachment style that had me doing this. Thanks to learning from your videos. I just discovered you this week and I think you give great advice. I look forward to learning and growing with your weekly advice and being the best me.

[zuhaabid]

Women over 30 put their lives at risk carrying a baby - hit me really hard. Men do waste time. We really need to get ourselves sorted. Think we need to choose a better father than a partner lol

[rickbregg]

Hi Craig - I like the idea of getting my partner to look at some of your videos. We are separated but living in the same house. She is most definitely a avoid attachment, and I am an anxious attachment. What would you recommend she view? Rick

[aundrix]

Hey Craig, I wish you can make a video on how to get your ex back in a long distance relationship... When you both didn't met in real life

[rickbregg]

Oh - and she's the one who made the decision for us to split