Jay's Blogthings

8.26.2006

What Are You Like in Love?

Jason, when you're head over heels, you are a Steady Mate
You're the kind of romantic partner that others truly count on in times of distress. This is true because your logical mind allows you to remain cool-headed during crises. Because people look to lean on you, you will sometimes be viewed as a hero in your relationships. People who value your calm, rational nature will make a great match for you

You need someone who won't expect you to be overly softhearted or to express your feelings all the time. They should know that just because you don't always express the emotions you're having, it doesn't mean that you don't care. On the contrary, you're someone who will always value the quality of the connections between you and the people you care about. Because of this fact, it will be important for you to find a romantic partner who knows how to care about a relationship and put some effort into it. Once you find a person like that, the two of you can live life to the fullest.



Who are you compatible with?

When it's all said and done, much of compatibility comes down to that X factor known as chemistry. However, by knowing the love personality types that are the closest fit with your own, you're much more likely to know a good thing when you see it. Also, understanding your compatible types can give you new insight to why certain people you meet just don't seem to match up. Realize that most relationship problems can be fixed — so you're far from doomed if your types aren't a perfect match. Instead, think of the information as a mechanism to learn more about yourself and your romantic life.

Although the old adage tells us that "opposites attract," generally, research indicates otherwise. In fact, studies show that opposites don't attract; similar people do. So the type that you're apt to be most compatible with is actually your own: the Steady Mate. There are, of course, exceptions to this rule. However the dimensions measured in this test focus on attitudes and behaviors that, when matched between two people, increase probability of having a compatible relationship.

When looking for a match, the type that is the next most compatible to your own is Essential Companion.

If you're looking for a genuine, down-to-earth partner who knows how to treat others with kindness, you'd best look in the direction of an essential companion. They not only respect and value the people in their lives but also make their relationships a top priority. However, they're usually not the type to try to impress others with fancy romantic gestures. Nor are they apt to spend time worrying about their appearance in a superficial manner. If that special someone is willing to take them as they are, they will happily do the same in return. Otherwise, they'll probably keep on walking.

They're probably interested in finding a partner who will be equally committed to things like quality time and genuine communication. That way, they can focus on one another without all the bells and whistles that some people consider an essential part of a good relationship. When they find an individual who feels the way they do about these things, the relationship will be a truly special one.

You should also look for a Prized Partner when scouting out romance; that's the second most compatible type to your own.

They appreciate the finer things in life and tend to seek out others who share their refined tastes. High fashion, gourmet meals, luxurious getaways — these are the kinds of things that prized partners enjoy. If they can experience them with a worldly, stylish mate, it's all the better.

They are drawn to people who know how to take care of themselves and are hooked in socially. Whether they're out at a club or an exclusive restaurant, it's important to them to be part of the scene. However, they aren't just hedonists. On the contrary, they know that the good life comes at a cost. As a result, they've likely set goals that will help them live it. Because they have higher ambition than most people do, it will be best for them to find a partner who values their drive to succeed and can share in their dreams for the future. That way they can make it to the top together.

So now that you know the love personality types you're most compatible with, what about the ones that you're least similar to? Here's some information about the type that is your opposite.

Who isn't a good match for you?
The type opposite to yours is Idealistic Romantic. "Happily ever after," may be the three words that idealistic romantics enjoy dreaming about, — next to "I love you," of course. They likely have their share of idealistic dreams for the future, especially when it comes to imaging their perfect partner. They are socially skilled and know how to make the people close to them feel special. As a result, they're apt to have their eyes out for someone who can do the same.

The rituals of romance are important to them, so someone who doesn't appreciate the value of things like red roses and candlelight dinners probably won't hold their interest for very long. However, they're not just looking for a thoughtful date. They seek a deeper emotional bond. Once they find that special love, they'll probably be the first to declare that they're head-over-heels rather than hold back their emotions. After all, what good is being in love if you can't share it?

Now you have your guide to helping you spot a good mate. But once you find a relationship, you want to be able to hang onto it. That's where understanding your personality really comes into play. Read on for advice to keep your love going strong.

How love can change you

Love can turn your world a little upside down, so it's not so surprising that being in a relationship may sometimes result in changes to your personality. Even psychologists agree that love can alter people's behavior and influence which personality attribute you display.

Part of the reason love can bring about this kind of transformation is that in a romantic relationship, people tend to let down their guard. It's the disarming aspect of close relationships that gets us to be our real selves — a complex mixture of the best and the worst that we each can be.

As a result, in love, certain aspects of personality usually hidden from view can come forth in ways that aren't always very positive. During stressful periods in a relationship, or even in good times, you may find yourself reverting to old negative patterns of behavior or expressing your least favorable traits. Dynamics from your childhood or experiences with past lovers can all come to the surface, so that suddenly you're dealing with a lot more than just what's in front of you.

The best way to combat this tendency is to take a step back whenever you feel yourself beginning to act out old emotions or behaving in a way that could be harmful to your relationship. By grounding yourself and making sure you are truly present, you can gain perspective on your situation. Ask yourself what you're thinking and feeling to see if it's an accurate reflection of what's happening in that moment. If you find yourself overreacting or reacting based on the past, you can make changes to behave in the way that feels best to you and most truly represents your best self.

Realize that attraction, an integral element of romantic love, can make your body react in physical ways to your thoughts and surroundings. In this way, attraction can have the effect of a stimulant or generate the same physical sensations that in other environments would be considered excitement, fear, or stress. When in a heightened state like that, it's much easier to act in ways that you later can reflect on and wonder, "What was I thinking?" So take heed of attraction's power.

In addition to these factors, given your love personality type, there are certain issues that are more likely to come up for you when you're in a romantic relationship.

For steady mates, it's your highly rational nature. Most times in life, having a logical, analytical mind is a tremendous asset. However, in a relationship, this focus can sometimes create a divide between you and your partner. That's not to suggest that you should forego your rational tendencies or be someone that you're not. It simply suggests that you may want to make room for the emotional aspect of issues as well. For example, if during an argument you're seeing only the logical parts of a problem and your mate is focused only on how it made them feel, the two of you aren't likely to communicate very well.

In situations like this one, you would usually fare better simply by listening to your mate and encouraging them to fully express their emotions. This way they can really feel heard by you. Many times all it takes in a tough situation is listening to your partner so they feel listened to and validated. Your rational perspective can be put to use during other parts of the conversation. Once the emotions surrounding an issue have been expressed, then is the time to problem solve — and that's your specialty.