By Karen Kennedy

Love relationships are so simple, yet become complex webs of confusion because people are so different. We have all heard some of the big differences between men and women. If you take it further to include the differences from one person to another, it is no wonder that psychology experts make educated guesses at best.

When your love relationship is the bane of your existence, you subconsciously begin to seek reprieve in any form available. In cases that the love work is too difficult and obstacles are too much to overcome, the risk of outgrowing your mate is inevitable. To qualify this, I will offer an example scenario.

A couple has a whirlwind romance and fall madly in love. They move in together and spend every waking moment in the same space. A year passes and the man begins to freak out because he has grown too close. He's not sure if he wants a commitment. He loves her, but isn't sure that he wants to "leave the player's club." He breaks off the relationship by saying that he needs space but doesn't want to lose her completely. He asks her to give him some space, but stay close. She agrees and explores other options. She's uninterested in anyone else because she's still in love with Mr. Wonderful, so she remains faithful. He, on the other hand, parties and sleeps around. Time goes on, fights escalate and she's tired of his shenanigans. He realizes that if he wants to keep her, he has to commit - - FAST! One night, he proudly professes his love to her and tells her that he's tired of playing around. She's glad, but had already started looking forward to being single. She has spent two years running behind this man, supporting him, loving him and putting up with his other women that her love has changed for him. What should she do?

This scenario happens often. Women, typically, wait on a wayward man because she loves him. By the time she's had enough and decides to let him go, he tries to do everything he can to hold on to her. If the woman in this case decides to stay with this man that she's waited for, she will be more cautious, almost to a fault. The stress of the relationship has worn her down and she knows that she must find herself again. Should she begin living her own life and taking charge of her destiny, things change. It is at this point that she may outgrow this relationship.

Some signs that you may be outgrowing your mate:

1. You look for ways to spend time away from him / her. "Me" time becomes something you crave.
2. You will likely change your personal friends from the ones you know, as a couple. You begin to join groups and form alliances on your own.
3. The possibility of being alone or with someone new doesn't seem as far-fetched as it used to.
4. You begin to display feelings of resentment toward your mate for breaking up with you and for playing emotional games.
5. Planning your life without your mate becomes second nature and you don't feel bad about it anymore.

Relationships are inherently simple. Give love, you'll receive love. Give respect, you'll get respect. Be forthcoming with your intentions and avoid being disingenuous with people. When you have to work too hard to get to the right place, the risk of losing each other is high. If you've outgrown your mate, it is time for Plan B. Ladies, we should ALL have a Plan B!

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Live abundantly, everyday.

K.

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Author- Karen Kennedy is a content writer for today's most cutting edge electronic media sites. Some of these sites are Examiner.com, Associated Content, All Voices and Word Press. She currently lives in scenic Colorado and enjoys outdoor sports. Karen is the proud mother of three awesome children, one of whom passed away last August as a result of the disease known as Lupus. She is an advocate for Lupus survivors and their families and for military families. Ms. Kennedy has studied at the University of Maryland, Columbus State University and Troy University. Karen has been a member of Diva Cafe for almost a year and enjoys being active with other members of this popular web page.

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