How can I Grow Outside of MY Relationship?

You can still spend time to yourself and have a healthy relationship if it's your motivation. Just don't too absorb with your relationship, go out and don't spend too much on your relationship right now.

Balance is the key. I have couple time, alone time, friends time, family (parents and sister) time, pet time, hobby time, beauty time, etc... During the couple time, we date like have dinner, go to the movies, etc. My alone time is when i just lay on bed and do nothing or just read my favorite books or watch dvd. It relaxes me. I have coffee time and bonding time with my friends. I spend dinner on the weekend with my parents. I spend a lot of time everyday bith my 2 cats. I run every Monday Wednesday and Friday for 2 hours. My beauty time involves going to the spa for a massage, facial, etc. As you can see, my life is not centered on the relationship. It's balanced. I had this arrangement in my last relationship and it works. We grow together and individually. Although i loved the guy, my world was not centered on him. I can be happy without him. For me, he was the bonus or the icing on the cake. So it really helps that when we broke up, i did not fall apart. Because i realized that with all my blessings in life, it will be an insult to God to be ungrateful. After all, my family is healthy and happy. My work life is great. My friends are loyal. I still have a lot to be thankful for compared to others. :-)

best advice is to really just get some more activities, if you dont do anything you should pick something new up. it really is important to grow outside your relationship. something to where you can divide your attention if you ever need the release. One thing I suggest, is make sure you have some "you time". Where you just do something which you enjoy, alone. This will allow you to relieve any stress, think about anything, and just appreciate the time with your girlfriend even more. I hope you figure out what you need. it will really make your relationship stronger, and better yourself as an individual

My boyfriend and I were in a situation where we'd work a lot during the week . . . and we'd see each other more on weekends. Sometimes during the week we would see each other, but if anything we'd make sure that we would talk to each other on the phone every day no matter what. So we did our own things during the week . . . whether seeing our friends, go forth with our own interests, or whatever we needed to do. We never had a problem with this arrangement, so I guess we never really discussed it . . . it just happened to work out that way. We got the best of both worlds - and it was that way for a long time! We are very satisfied we grew as individuals before we got married - no regrets - and now we can truly focus on our growing family life. In my "youth", I had this one boyfriend. We did things together, but he was always insistant that he needed time "with the guys" or do this or that. I never stopped him . . . that was fine with me because then I could do my things - but it was funny how he kept things so separate in such a cut and dry way. Then one day he broke it off with me . . . he said he wanted to focus on his career and that he felt tied down . . . which was strange to me because he was always free to do whatever - I never pressured him to spend time with me. Anyhow, I really wasn't THAT hurt. A couple years later, now that he had his career, he decided that "love" was missing from his life and he wanted me back. Well, sorry, but he missed his chance . . . I was already very much in love with someone who had a great balance of being with me and doing his own thing (whom I'm still with!). If your relationshop is strong, you can talk to her and she would hopefully understand. By now, you probably already know her reactions . . . that she is either very supportive of your needs or that she is clingy to you with her needs. If you can maintain a balance of being a strong couple, yet be able to do things on your own, you'll both be stronger all around in the long run! Best of luck!

It is wonderful that you recognize the need to grow as an individual as well as grow inside your relationship. And that is perfectly normal and, actually, in the end will only make you relationship with your girlfriend stronger. I felt the same thing and so far I've gotten involved in alot of different activities that interested me. I made more time for my friends so that way I wasnt so clingy with my boyfriend... and its done wonders. My confidence is up, I feel more secure about where I'm headed and things between my boyfriend and I are actually getting even better. Just get more involved with friends and activities/hobbies you enjoy. Thats always a good start. Good luck

I always tell people that they need to keep hobbies and interests that are separate from their relationship. There's nothing wrong with sharing your interests, but it's important to have something just for yourself or else you'll end up forgetting who you are. I went through this after getting married and having two kids. I'd become so wrapped up in being everything to everyone else that I forgot who I was. So I went back to school and loved it! I also started writing again. Just take a little time for yourself once in a while to do what YOU like, and encourage your girl to do the same. That way, you never stop growing and changing, and you're more likely to be happy in your relationship.

Have you considered some sort of spiritual grouping for men? Or Tia Chi this helps to keep your self in a better spot feeling better from the outcome.It will also help with your girlfriend as ,I am sure she would be ok with you doing something for your mind body and soul.We cannot love another without loving ourselves first.Good Luck

hello get browser, You go and hang out with friends or do a hobby that you always wanted. probably focus on work too and talk to a lot of people. but be careful, make sure you have time for your girl friend and make time to spend together