Neon flashing signs that you’re kinda sorta totally dating a man-child. Good luck with that.

I’ve been on the fence about having kids for so long that my uterus has cobwebs in it. The day I (almost) decided I didn’t want to have kids was the day I realized I was dating one. Urban Dictionary defines a man-child as “A child who outwardly appears like an adult—conventionally this means a full-grown male that acts immaturely, or pursues childish interests.” And boy did he ever. All I needed was one of those “Romper Room” mirrors and I was set.

Admittedly, I played a huge role in encouraging common man-child behavior, though I didn’t know it at the time—and maybe you are too. Here, 11 signs you’re dating a man-child:

1. He never thinks about the future

But he sure does love to talk about it. Man-children have this pesky habit of sporadically acting like they’re ambitious and have lofty goals in life by sounding off about them as vaguely as possible… while smoking a joint. Pretty sure you’re not going to get anywhere managing a bowling alley, dude.

2. He gets in trouble (like, a lot)

When he isn’t being stopped for speeding, he’s getting a ticket for being drunk in public, or giving you a call post-bar fight. At 4 a.m. From the emergency room.

3. He never takes the blame

Even when you have legitimate physical proof that he’s done something wrong, he’ll twist everything around so that he’s the victim, then finish off his Oscar-winning performance with his orphan face. You know the one I’m talking about.

4. He always tries to win arguments

Real men know this isn’t possible.

5. He can’t fix anything

Not that he has to build you a house like McDreamy or anything, but he should be able to install a new towel rack (especially since he’s the one who broke it) without bursting into tears. Or be employed long enough to hire someone to install it.

6. Cleaning? Puh-lease

There’s your version of clean, then there’s his version of clean—and since his version of clean requires you to clean once he’s done anyway, why bother?

7. If he’s not playing video games, he’s not conscious

Good lawd, the video games. He has more conversations with an 11-year-old living in another state than he does you.

8. He’s passive aggressive

It’s the man-child version of a temper tantrum: He doesn’t get his way, so he shuts down and finds subtle ways to make your life difficult. Buy him some Pampers and call it a day.

9. He doesn’t take care of you

When he’s sick, he’s a big effing baby about it. When you’re sick, he’s a big effing baby about it. Even though you’re the one with food poisoning and fluids spewing out from every direction, you’re somehow the one comforting him and catering to his needs—or he leaves you high and dry until the virus passes. So thoughtful.

10. He’s all about sex… and basically nothing else

Make-up sex is great and everything, but man-children don’t seem to understand the concept that in order to have make-up sex, a resolution has to come to pass. Otherwise, we’re just handing over our dignity.

11. He’s an anchor

If you’re a fraction of the woman you used to be and he’s the reason, run. Run as fast as you fucking can.

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Man-child image via Shutterstock

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Awkward questions to avoid when chatting up your new beau—you know, so he doesn’t turn into an old beau.

Dating is already a nerve-wracking experience, so why throw awkward questions into the mix that make him feel like you’ve just stuck his penis on a chopping block? There are some questions that have been part of the female vernacular for so long, we don’t realize they put the guy we’re dating in a legit lose/lose situation.

Some awkward questions may become appropriate after you’ve dated for a while, while others… well, not so much. Here are 7 you should totally avoid:

1. “Why did you break up?”

The last thing either one of you wants is to bring old baggage into a new relationship, and there’s no way the answer to this question will bode well for the two of you—especially if they broke up because of something he did. All that matters is that he’s now with you, and your relationship is the only one you should be focusing on.

2. “Do you think I look fat?”

What this question means is you think you look fat. You’re not looking for feedback here—you’re looking for him to put the kibosh on your insecurities (which is totally unnecessary because you’re fabulous as-is).

3. “Where do you think this is going?”

When you’ve only been on a few dates, what’s there to figure out so soon? The only way this question would ever be okay is if you’re worried about how an upcoming life change (such as a potential move) is going to impact your dynamic—especially if it’s clear to both of you there’s serious potential.

4. “Notice anything different?”

If he doesn’t bring up how amazing your two new highlights look on his own, the answer is no.

5. “Who was that?”

If you’re a totally open book when you get a text or IM, that doesn’t mean he’s going to be. It also doesn’t mean he’s being devious or hiding things from you if he doesn’t spill the details every time someone contacts him.

6. “What’s wrong? Really? Are you sure? What’s really wrong?”

If something seems a little off, asking him what’s wrong is totally fine, but only once. If he wants to talk about it, he will. If he doesn’t, he won’t. But the more you try to pry it out of him, the more he’ll pull away.

7. “Do you think she’s hot?”

If he says yes, you’ll want to run him over. Twice. If he says no, you’ll assume he’s a liar, then you’ll spend the rest of the night panicking about all of the other things he’s “hiding” from you. Don’t set yourself up for the shortest relationship in history.

Are there awkward questions you’d add to this list?

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Getting over an ex? These survival tips really come in handy. Trust.

So your ex has started seeing someone new, and there two things wrong with this picture: One, you only broke up about ten minutes ago. Two, you’re still in the sweatpants-and-pie portion of the break-up process, which makes you wonder how the eff he’s moving on so fast.

Here are 8 survival strategies to help you through this liver-damaging time:

1. Give yourself time to be PO’d

Most people will tell you to suck it up and keep your shit together. I’m not one of those people. It’s your right to feel how you feel, and while I wouldn’t recommend pulling a Jerry Springer, wallowing in the comfort of your own home—and sweatpants—is totally your prerogative.

In my experience, it’s actually better if he moves on first, because it helps you deal with that lingering post-relationship baggage you don’t realize is still there. (Which means you won’t unintentionally drag it into your next relationship.)

2. Get the cyber-stalking out of your system

I could also tell you not to go on your social networks and find out everything you can about his new squeeze, but we both know you’re going to. We also know pictures of her are going to make you gag. (You may even print out a couple and draw little moustaches on them.) You’ll also find every reason to despise her and rant about his horrible post-you taste in women, so why not just grab a bottle and get the rip-fest out of your system? Resisting will only make the urge stronger.

3. Don’t get sucked into a comparathon

That being said, don’t compare yourself to her or try to make sense of why they’re now together. It’s natural to be furious—especially if you find he treats her better than he ever treated you—but at the end of the day, none of it will change the fact that you weren’t a good match.

4. Put the kibosh on breaking news

Your besties may feel like they’re doing you a favor by reporting ex sightings and making jokes about his new gf. It’s an instinctual way to show support, and deep down a sweet gesture—but if you find the news flashes upset you, let them know you’d like to keep your time together an ex-free zone.

5. Steer clear of him

The worst thing you can do when getting over an ex is go places you know he frequents. (A live PDA spectacle? Ew.) Unless, you know, you’re a fan of ripping your own guts out.

6. Don’t play it cool

There will be times when you’ll bump into him and awkwardness will inevitably ensue. Just because you can’t find anything else to talk about, do not ask him about the details of his new relationship. (See point about ripping your own guts out.) You may feel laid back and “cool” about it in the moment—as he goes on and on about how “into her” he is—but afterward you’ll end up a sobbing pile on the floor. Stick to the awkward silence. Ignorance is bliss.

7. No drunk texting

If you’re one of those unicorns who can drink and text coherently… well, I’m jealous. But drinking can sometimes turn us into lonely, emotional blobs who text our exes out of fear of being alone. Not only is this unhealthy, it’s unfair to the other person (especially if you were the one to break it off). Text one of your BFFs instead. It’s their job to help you through your emotional blobbiness.

8. Do your own thang

Getting over an ex takes time, and everyone processes breakups at their own speed. Just because he started dating faster than you doesn’t mean you didn’t mean anything to him—maybe that’s just his style. Maybe your way of dealing is taking your time, enjoying your sweatpants, and not rushing the process of finding Mr. Right. Go with your gut and jump back into the dating pool when it feels right for you.

What do you think is the hardest part of getting over an ex?

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How to tell the difference between being more than friends and friends without benefits.

So there’s this guy. You hang out all the time, he texts you all the time, he takes you everywhere all the time – but things have never gone to the next level. Are you best friends, are you going to become more than friends, or are you a filler girlfriend?

“The filler girlfriend is someone who fills in until someone better comes along,” says relationship expert April Masini. “Much of the time guys want a date or someone they can bring to parties or just hang out with so they’re not alone. This can be very disturbing to a woman who thinks she’s dating someone with whom there’s a genuine future, but has these inklings of feelings that something isn’t right.”

Are you making yourself available to a guy who isn’t? If you’re not sure whether you’re becoming more than friends or if you’re just a substitute until he finds someone else, here are 9 red flags to consider:

1. You talk daily and hang out… when he’s single
Plus, the dates are super casual – he never acts like you’re someone he wants to win over. “When a guy wants you to be ‘the one’ and not just one of many, he’ll try to impress you and win you over,” says Masini. “When you’re filler, he’s going to just make sure you’re there, and he’ll do enough to keep you in the game, but nothing more.”

2. You have more contact with him over the phone than in person
If he wants to keep you around, but also keep his options open, he’ll call, text and email more than he’ll see you in person. “You’re the one who keeps him from being alone, so he’ll throw you a line while he’s scoping out other options,” says Masini.

3. You’re his plus one at weddings and work parties
A very platonic plus one.

4. He has a keen (and totally hypocritical) interest in your love life
When you ask about his, he does that awkward pretending-not-to-hear-you-even-though-he-totally-heard-you thing.

5. People are always asking if you’re a couple…
And you have no idea what to say.

6. He jokes about the two of you hooking up
And not in a good way, yet five minutes later he’ll flirt his way to your side of the couch.

7. You do hang out when he’s dating someone…
But only when that someone is out of town or unavailable.

8. He compares women he dates to you
Of course he does! One, you’re fabulous. Two, it’s easier to be with you than with her because he basically gets to do whatever he wants and you’ll be there for him to wipe his feet on.

8. You joke that if you’re both not married by a certain age, you’ll marry each other
Remember how “My Best Friend’s Wedding” turned out?!

9. You know, deep down, that you’re going against your instincts
As someone who was once the filler girlfriend who did everything she could to become the girlfriend girlfriend, trust me: It’s not worth it when you get there. Deep down you’ll know that you forced the relationship to happen and that it’s not quite right – and it’s an icky feeling that follows you everywhere. Deal with the short-term pain of cutting him loose now, rather than the long-term pain you’re about to put yourself through.

So does this mean you’re best friends? This is where it gets sticky, because many women try and suppress how they feel about their so-called “bestie,” while secretly hoping he’ll look her way eventually. “A guy isn’t your best friend if you’re attracted to him,” says Masini. “So many women who are deep in the friend zone try to leverage ‘best friends’ into more than friends. It always fails, eventually.”

The downfall of being the filler girlfriend is that you’ll likely miss out on real love because he’s filling this void for you. “The best thing to do is have the difficult conversation about staying in the friend zone or taking the leap and getting romantic,” says relationship expert Nicole McCance. “Get clarity, so you don’t resent him later and end up ruining the friendship you do have.”

The only way you’ll be able to make an informed decision about your love life is to know where you stand. The truth might hurt, but it’s better than stringing yourself along and breaking your own heart.

Are there any red flags you’d add to this list?

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Learn how to say no by, you know, actually saying it.

Whether he’s a friend who wants to be more or a random guy trying to get your attention, there are plenty of times when a simple “no” would’ve sufficed – so why do so many of us do everything but say this tiny-yet-powerful word? Avoiding it does nothing but make the entire universe more awkward for the both of you to exist in.

Yes, rejection stings, but only briefly, so isn’t it better to just get it out of the way? In theory: Absolutely. In reality: It’s like once you’re living the scenario you forget how to say no – or just plain chicken out.

Here are 9 of the funny (in hindsight) things we end up saying and doing when we forget how to say no:

1. “Oh, really? I never got your text… or voicemail. .. or email… or singing telegram.”
Rejecting a guy like this is the worst. I’m not sure when we started thinking avoidance is better than simply saying no in the first place – we’re grown-ass women, after all.

2. ”I can’t, I have to do something terribly boring that night that you wouldn’t ever want to participate in.”
Like go out on a date with someone I’m legitimately interested in. Admit it: Every single time you’ve “made other plans,” the guy you’re avoiding somehow catches you. Womp, womp.

3. ”I just want to be friends.”
You know, friends who never speak or see each other.

4. ”I’d love to, but…”
You tell him you’re focusing on your career, you just got out of a bad relationship, or you go on an hour-long play-by-play about the state of your soul. Basically, it’s such a longwinded rejection that he doesn’t hear the rejection part.

5. ”I have a boyfriend.”
This rejection is probably the most convenient way to soften the blow – it doesn’t do anything to bruise his ego, and it’s about as guilt-free a rejection as you’ll ever experience. If how to say no has briefly escaped your mind, then by all means – but who says you have to be with someone else in order to justify not wanting to be with him?

6. Give him your number… then immediately change it.
Or give him the number to a Chinese restaurant, or type your number into his phone and “accidentally” leave out a digit – this move is just bad on so many levels, yet there it is in our arsenal. Face. Meet palm. All this does is give him false hope. If you’re going to turn him down anyway, just get it over with.

7. Pretend you didn’t hear him.
You know you heard him, and he knows you know. The question now becomes: Who does the walk of shame first?

8. Run.
I’m not talking quietly ducking away to another area of the party or bar, but actually running like you’re representing your country in the Olympics. When my social awkwardness was at its peak, I once thought this was easier than just learning how to say no… even though when you do this in heels it’s mistaken for a Peggy Bundy impression.

9. ”Fuck off.”
As much as I hate to admit it, sometimes an F-bomb just slips out. Either you’ve had a bad day and are fed up with the above options, or the guy trying to hit on you is acting like a disrespectful d-bag. Any guy who’s willing to put himself out there for your attention deserves as gentle a letdown as possible. (Except for the d-bags. Do whatever you want with them.)

Do you know how to say no and then flake out at the last minute?

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The post How to Say No: 9 Cringeworthy Ways to Reject a Guy appeared first on EcoSalon.

Here’s a compilation of the best pickup lines that are so bad, they’re good.

Confession: I love pickup lines. They’re awful, yet not. The fact that a guy is willing to completely humiliate himself in front of you and your friends is pretty charming… well, unless he tries one of those trashy lines where your pants never seem to be on.

The only problem with pickup lines is their delivery. A guy could come up to you with one of the best pickup lines known to mankind, but if it’s not delivered with the finesse of Will Smith circa Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, womp womp. There’ll be no way for either of you to escape the awkwardness. Like, ever.

That’s why he has to amp up the cheese factor. The best pickup lines are meant to be bad, since it’s their cheesiness that eases the tension – even if he doesn’t end up with your digits, his adorable attempt will make for a great story. Plus, who knows? His pickup attempt could work.

I know, I know: This isn’t a rom-com. But you have to admit that some of the best pickup lines could maybe kinda sorta work on you, right? It’s okay – it’ll be our little secret.

18 Best Pickup Lines That Never Get Old

1. “I think there’s something wrong with my eyes… I can’t take them off of you.”

2. “You know what material this is?” (Grabs shirt.) “Boyfriend material.”

3. “I don’t know if you know this, but you look a lot like my next girlfriend.”

4. “Excuse me, does this rag smell like chloroform to you?”

5. “I’m here. What are your other two wishes?”

6. “My doctor says I’m lacking Vitamin U.”

7. “Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk by again?”

8. “Kiss me if I’m wrong, but dinosaurs still exist, right?”

9. “If I received a nickel for every time I saw someone as beautiful as you, I’d have five cents.”

10. “Wouldn’t we look cute on a wedding cake together?”

11. “People call me John, but you can call me tonight.”

12. “I’m not trying to impress you or anything, but… I’m Batman!”

13. “Is it hot in here or is it just you?”

14. “Something’s wrong with my cell phone. Your number’s not in it.”

15. “Bond. James Bond.”

16. “You must be a parking ticket ‘cause you’ve got FINE written all over you!”

17. I was blinded by your beauty, so I’m going to need your name and number for insurance purposes.”

18. “How YOU doin’?”

What are the best pickup lines you’ve heard?

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You love him, you really do – just not the bad habits that go with him.

Okay, so everyone has their quirks: But add bad habits up over time and watch your head pop off like a cork. “If we’ve already asked them to stop, continuing these behaviors can indicate a lack of respect or care about the relationship as a whole,” says Kimberly Moffit, psychotherapist and relationship expert. “If it goes on long enough, we have a responsibility to indicate (in a serious environment) what the problem is and how it makes us feel.” If you just address it in the moment and they keep doing it, you then come off like a nag. (Fantastic.)

The other thing we have to keep in mind is this: Bad habits are hard to break, and we have to remind ourselves it’s a process. Here are 8 bad habits of his and how you can handle them better:

1. He never cleans.
We have an automatic inclination to maintain our lives and keep them organized – so when a guy comes into the picture, we pick up the slack because we don’t want to lose our personal standard of living. This comes back to bite us though, since he won’t think to do it if we’re always doing it for him. Either be straight up about divvying chores, or… stop doing them! Even if you can’t stand the mess, keep in mind that eventually neither will he.

2. He’s a smartphone junkie.
We’re all glued to our phones these days, and they’ve become known as the mistress in many relationships. This is one of those bad habits you can work on together: Create “no phone zones” so you can stay in the moment with each other and avoid feeling disconnected (which will eventually lead to actual disconnect).

3. He’s always late.
“Unfortunately, keeping people waiting on a chronic basis is either a conscious power play intended to let you know your place in the pecking order, or it’s a sign of narcissism,” says relationship expert April Masini. It gives off the impression your time isn’t as important as his. If this is a “quirk” he’s willing to work on, or if you simply tell him an earlier time so he shows up when he’s supposed to, then great – otherwise, find someone who respects your time as much as his own.

4. He’s cheap.
There’s a difference between being frugal and stingy – nobody’s a fan of bankruptcy. But if he’s cheap at the restaurant or on holidays, he’s probably stingy in other areas of the relationship too. “If you’re looking for marriage and a union that’s going to go the distance, living with someone who isn’t generous is going to tax your spirit, and your wallet,” says Masini.

5. He puts no effort into your time together.
This is an easy and understandable funk to get into, especially when you’ve been together a long time. Things like dates tend to get swept under the rug because you already know each other really well. Initiate by e-mailing him ideas about concerts and events you’d like to go to, or fun things you could try at home – but let him take the reigns and do the planning. He can’t plan what he doesn’t know you want.

6. He… well, anything to do with the toilet.
The bathroom is one of those areas where men and women tend to be polar opposites. Find compromises where possible: Agree to fully close the toilet seat between uses as your “neutral” position, give him his own set of towels and shelves that he’s responsible for, etc. Let him know what bothers you, but offer clear solutions and let him choose what he thinks will work for him too.

7. He thinks sex is the answer to everything.
Or at least, that’s what it feels like. His sex drive seems especially amplified when you’ve had a crap day, feel more disgusting than you did working at that fast food joint in college, and it’s laundry night, so there’s the whole granny panty factor. It’s best to be straight with him and just say: “When I’m in X mood, it’s just not going to happen.” At least then he’ll know, because the whole orphan face when he’s rejected is the worst.

8. He lies by omission.
Nothing is more frustrating than a lie by omission – those uber-infuriating half-truths that end up making you feel worse than an outright lie. What’s ironic is he told you a half-truth so you wouldn’t overreact or get super upset, meanwhile… ??!?!!?!?! This puts you in the lose/lose situation of a) going batshit crazy just like he didn’t want you to or b) proving him wrong by staying calm – and, you know, getting walked on.

Lies by omission need to be handled on a case-by-case basis, but if he’s constantly twisting the truth so he comes off like an innocent victim who doesn’t have a mind of his own (“I asked my stoner friend for advice and he told me to announce it on Facebook instead of tell you directly.”), then run away. Like, now.

“He is oblivious to what is going on with you,” says Elizabeth Lombardo, psychologist and bestselling author of “A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness.” “Despite what you might expect, he cannot read your mind. Be assertive if you want to talk about something.”

How do you handle your beau’s bad habits?

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TV shows and movies make breakups look so glamorous, don’t they? In reality, getting over a breakup isn’t that easy, especially minus the montage set to a hit song. I mean sure, you can throw some REM on in the background as you’re choosing between blue track pants or gray, but it’s just not the same.

Unfortunately for us, getting over a breakup takes longer than 120 minutes. Like, way longer, especially if you’re tacking your now defunct relationship onto a long string of epic fails. While it’s easy to sum up what happened using such classics as, “He’s a manchild,” or “He just doesn’t get it,” or even, “He has more hair products than I do,” an important part of getting over a breakup is taking responsibility for your part in what happened.

After comparing your most recent breakup to the ones in your past, you might find some alarming similarities in your behavior that are causing your relationships to fall apart faster than you can say, “It’s not you, it really is me.” Here’s what to do when you’re ready to put on your big girl pants and deal with your mistakes:

1. Fess up
Don’t just look at the breakup itself, but the relationship as a whole: What could you have handled differently/better? Are you having the same conflicts with different guys? If so… womp, womp.

2. Don’t obsess
Take time away from getting over a breakup and do things completely unrelated. When you relax your mind and give yourself time to breathe, insights and answers will appear all on their own.

3. Talk amongst yourselves
Create your own closure. Even though it’d be nice to turn to your ex every time you need answers, by constantly keeping in touch you’ll stall both of your healing processes. Nix contact and vent to your BFF instead – not only will you gain insight from an objective perspective, she’ll also have the guts to tell it like it is.

4. Learn why
By now, you’re over blaming others and justifying your mistakes. (Right?!) Next, dig deep and learn the underlying reasons behind your constant relationship turmoil. For example, why do you always shut down when you need to confront him about something? Or why do you fly off the handle over really little things? Once you know why, you can figure out how to combat your habits.

5. Forgive yourself
While you do rock that cape, you’re only human. Mistakes are inevitable, so there’s no sense in feeling guilty. Instead, look at the intentions behind your actions and you’ll find the person you were trying to be.

6. Claim your baggage
Open your proverbial suitcases and ditch the thoughts, feelings, and habits that are weighing down you and your relationships. Take as long as you need on this step – by the end, you only want to be carrying around about a clutch purse’s worth of issues.

7. Make a promise
Okay, so you’re familiar with your mistakes (and the fact that you’re constantly making them). The next time you get serious, promise yourself you’ll put on the brakes anytime you sense one of your red flag bad habits bubbling to the surface.

Don’t worry, grasshopper – you’ll rock your next relationship like a boss.

What were the biggest lessons you learned from getting over a breakup?

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I used to think I knew how to date – then, you know, I started dating.

Like most women, I’m independent, ambitious, and some might say I have feminist tendencies. Because of this, when I think about how to date and how the relationship will enhance my life, losing myself during the relationship never crosses my mind. Yet it happens. Every. Single. Time.

It’s a gradual progression: I make microscopic compromises here and there, not realizing the eventual impact they’re going to have on my big picture. In the moment, they’re “no big deal.” I draw a line, then I move it. Before I know it, I’m looking in the mirror and don’t have a clue who I’m seeing. I recognize myself physically, but not emotionally. It’s vile.

Many of us know how to date, yet when we’re actually dating someone we think like Samantha Jones and act like June Cleaver. Barf. So how do we bridge the gap?

Below are pointers on how to date while maintaining the amazing self you’ve worked so hard to build:

1. Don’t drown in the honeymoon phase
The beginning of a relationship is ah-mazing, isn’t it? You like him and he likes you (which is always a bonus). There are serious warm and fuzzies attached to everything he says and does. Neither of you have done anything to fu screw things up yet. It’s a great, floaty headspace to be in, but for many of us this is where things start to fall apart – in every aspect of our life besides the relationship. Enjoy the floaty, but use it as fuel to enhance everything else about your life (you know, like I didn’t).

2. Don’t drop everything
How to date 101: Don’t reply to his texts in 2.2 seconds. Don’t cancel plans because he happens to be free. Don’t break work commitments so you’ll be able to spend more time together. You don’t want to set the availability bar so high that later on in your relationship you lose sight of your self-respect and dignity. (I almost dumpster dived trying to find mine back in the day.)

3. Analyze before every compromise
Relationships are give-and-take, not give and give and give (and give). Yes, there will be times where compromise will be necessary, but make sure you’re not just handing it over because your mothering complex says you should. Before you bend to make the relationship work, always ask yourself: “Will this compromise cause me to lose a piece of myself?”

4. Don’t question your hobbies and interests
You wouldn’t think of uttering a peep about your extreme boredom during “the big game” – so why do you let him ruin America’s Next Top Model with macho commentary? If it comes down to it, kick him out for an hour and call it “me time.”

5. Don’t stay because leaving is uncomfortable
If it’s not working out, many of us sit on the proverbial fence. We wait just one more day, hoping things will change or maybe he’ll make the decision for you. This isn’t weakness so much as it’s refusing to admit defeat. Here’s what I wish I was told when it happened to me: Breaking up doesn’t mean you’re a failure. It means it’s time to set sail and adjust your course.

When you first learned how to date, how different was your single self from your dating self?

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Image: Karrie Nodalo

The post He Loves Me, I Love Me Not: How to Date Without Losing Yourself appeared first on EcoSalon.

Whether it’s a busy workday or an international adventure, one thing’s pretty much guaranteed: your phone will be dead or dying when you need it the most. Here are some easy ways to power up fast and preserve battery life.

We all know the feeling: you’re lost, or bored, or observing an adorable moment. You pull out your amazing smartphone to get directions, play a game, or snap a picture, and you hear the dreaded beep. A beep that tells you your battery is on its last bar. You need power, and now! What do you do?

Smartphones add features almost faster than the market can keep up, but the feature that hasn’t really improved that much is battery life. Depending on how many bells and whistles you have running at any given time, your smartphone is likely to become real dumb before the day is over.

Thankfully, there are some tricks to extending battery life, and charging quickly when your phone is needed immediately. Study them well and share liberally–you’ll be the hero of your airport gate crowd.

1. Switch to airplane mode when charging

Switching to airplane mode disables all of your phones transmitting functions–no internet, no apps. This means all available power heads directly to the battery. You won’t be able to get any calls or texts during this time, but you’ll get the biggest charge out of the few minutes you can stay connected to the outlet.

2. Turn off radios you aren’t using

If you can’t go completely incommunicado, just disable GPS, Wifi, and Bluetooth functions (most advanced smart phones make it easy to pick and choose). On the iPhone this is in the Settings menu under Location Services. Lots of apps are constantly using GPS to determine your location, even if you’re not actively using the app. Disabling these functions ensures you can still get a call or text, but you’ll preserve power and charge faster.

3. Dim your screen

Most new phones come with the screen brightness cranked up high because it makes images on the screen look amazing. Unfortunately, that much light takes a big bite out of your battery. Set your screen’s brightness at half-mast or below. You’ll still be able see calls and emails, and your battery will thank you.

4.  Limit notifications

Do you need to know every time someone likes a picture on Facebook or makes a move on Words with Friends? Limiting or disabling app notifications, especially those that update often like Twitter or email, can slow battery drain and reduce the amount of times a day you turn on the screen to find out which app is alerting you. Set them to only ping once (in the case of email or text) or not at all.

5. Pay for apps

That’s right. Research suggests that free, ad-supported apps drain battery life. In one case, 75 percent of an app’s energy consumption was used just to power the ads! That’s enough to turn anyone into an Angry Bird. If you know you’ll be using an app frequently, shell out the  buck or two for the add-free version. Your battery will thank you.

Image: ishane

The post Need a Quick Mobile Phone Charge? 5 Tricks You Never Knew appeared first on EcoSalon.