Relationships aren’t all bad but 80% of them will never work out long term, and most

of us will
never have one that lasts forever. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t try for one but maybe you
should run through this list if you’re thinking of committing. Because a lot goes up in smoke.
Relationships only look great when you’re not in them. lol

10. Your female friends.

One of my friends recently got into a verbal tussle with his girlfriend over how often he texts
his female friends. There’s no doubt that issues do occur in your friendships when you get a
girlfriend — especially female friendships. You won’t be able to spend as much time with or text
girls like you used to, because those friendships tend to get nudged down a few steps of the
ladder. Why? Your girlfriend is in the No. 1 spot now. Any other women have to understand that
she gets most of you, and they have to be satisfied with the leftovers. IF THAT.

9. Your weekends.

Free time you’d enjoy by kicking back and cracking open a beer used to be completely yours, but
now that you’re in a serious relationship, it’s highly likely that quality time with your significant
other will be squeezing into the time you’d been meaning to set aside for yourself. After all, with
both of you working during the week, there’s not much chance to spend time together. That’s
why the prestigious weekend is often filled with relationship quality time.

8. Your casual fun.

Flirting is the first thing to die when it comes to casual fun and relationships. In fact, those two
concepts often get along as badly as Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield in a boxing ring. When
you’re in a serious relationship, there are boundaries for interaction with other women. Flirting
has to be contained, otherwise it could explode into something inappropriate. As for casual fun
with your partner, a full-fledged, committed relationship calls to mind things like
responsibilities, obligations and routine. It’s very easy to lose the easygoing fun in the process.

7. Your self-indulgence.

You used to be able to do whatever you pleased. If that included excessive

smoking, drinking and staying out till dawn, there was nobody you had to answer to. But now
when you stumble back home after a raucous night with the boys, you’re likely to find your
girlfriend standing at the door with “Where the hell were you?” kinds of questions. If you’re
committed to your girlfriend, you have to realize that you can’t be partying excessively the way
you would when you were single. It might sound hectic, but being in a serious setup means you
have to account for your actions — because if she was getting home at 3 a.m. totally wasted,
you’d start asking yourself the same questions. So if you want wild time with the boys, you’ll
probably have to run it past her and schedule it in.

6. Your exit.
When things were less serious with your woman, it was much easier to find the exits than it is
now. If things went pear-shaped fast, you could evacuate the building without much fuss because
you weren’t too tied to each other yet. But now with all the emotional bindings, it makes
clean breakups a bit more difficult.

5. Your financial independence.

Often relationships don’t end only with emotional ties; they can also incorporate financial ones.
It’s common to lapse into a “What’s mine is yours, what’s yours is mine” line of thinking when
you’re in a serious affair. Basically, if you’re committed, then you share each other’s financial
situations. Considering men still out-earn women, a good portion of your hard-earned cash is
likely to head in your girlfriend’s direction.

4. Your options.

They say a man is as faithful as his options. It’s not necessarily true that you’ll stay loyal to your
girlfriend only until you meet someone better, but let’s be honest: It’s a boost to the ego to know
that you still have pulling power, even if you don’t intend to use it. But with an exclusive
relationship, you’re much more limited to this one relationship. Even window-shopping can
prove boring. What’s the point of looking when you know it can’t go anywhere?

3. Your own plans

It’s not selfish to want to safeguard your future plans and have your own dreams. In fact, it’s
necessary to have those, even when you’re in a relationship. But once things become more
serious with your girl, there is no room for secret gambits; you’ll have to let her in all your ideas
for the future, whether that means vacation plans, career moves or what you’re doing for the
holidays. Speaking of which, whose folks are you spending them with? Your parents or hers?
Now might be a good time to figure that out.

2. Your space.

Every king needs a castle, but if you bring a queen into the situation, then things can become a
tad complicated. Often commitment is closely linked to cohabitation, which can drastically
reduce your privacy. Soon you’ll find feminine products in the bathroom cabinets, the arrival of
kitchen utensils that you can’t even name and her votes counting more in castle decisions. Yep, it
might feel like she’s making a play for your throne — but we wager that would happen no matter
who you move in with. And living with your girlfriend is probably going to bring certain benefits
to the table that a boring old roommate never would. (Can you say back rubs?)

1. Your identity

When you first got together, you and your partner shared interests, values and some hobbies. The
similarities thankfully ended there. But now it seems you’re merging identities. Though it can be
a good feeling to be in sync with your partner on various levels (but stick to your own closets
unless you want to become Brangelina), it can also mean losing your individualism a little bit.
Say no to the relationship clones, and don’t be afraid to retain your own sense of self — even if it
means that you guys have rules about not sharing the same toothbrush (sensible) or sleeping in
separate rooms (maybe less so).

Hey, it’s not all bad. If you met the right person maybe she changed your heart and all your
goals. I wouldn’t be so certain that’s particularly a good thing but go for it. Personally, I have my
bills in check, my own house and car paid off, single with no kids. It’s going to take a hell of a
lot more than a cute face and tight behind to change my ways. I’ve got Dos Equis in the fridge,
and a poster of Charlie Sheen in my closet. Stay thirsty my friends.