Too many options can mean never being happy. Rather than always searching for the next best thing and "relationshopping," researchers suggest that people should try "relationshipping" — developing a healthy partnership through mutual time and effort. This doesn't mean settling down with just anyone. Look for someone who is willing and able to invest the blood, sweat, and tears necessary for a successful relationship.
As easy as it is to blame our emotions for "irrational" decisions, people should celebrate emotions as well. At times, "hot" emotions steer people in a more positive direction, perhaps making them care less about the ethnicity or earning potential of potential partners. Emotions serve an important evolutionary purpose, spurring us into action. They push us to help each other, to bond and to take the leap of faith needed to find and build love, sometimes in places we least expect.
Karen Wu is Assistant Professor of Psychology at California State University, Los Angeles. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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