The Ex-factor

Obviously most single people out there have had some kind of previous relationship, so you would be hard pressed to find a guy who didn't have an ex, a tough emotional experience or some kind of relationship 'baggage'. The key then is not the existence of an ex, but rather what type of presence they have in his or her life and the potential they have to impact upon your relationship.

Because heartbreaks or failed couplings can often be hard to recover from, it is a good idea to be wary if your new partner is fresh from a break-up. As a guide it apparently takes at least half the time of the relationship to be completely over an ex lover, but psychologist Holly Counts advises that all situations are different and everyone must set "their own boundaries" and what she calls their own "bottom lines". However, as a general rule of thumb she advises "the relationship you are currently in should take precedence over a past one". If your new partner is still consumed by their ex, still holds a grudge or spends a lot of time with a past lover you may have to face the fact that you could be in bed with the both of them!

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Of course not all break-ups are bad and often couples can part on good terms as friends and leave it at that (I'm sure they're out there, perhaps at the end of the rainbow with the goblin's pot of gold?), but to be safe Counts advises that you should keep the lines of communication open with your new flame and "keep talking" to them about your feelings and the direction the relationship is heading in, at least then you're both on the same page.

And as for Sullivan, when quizzed about Rice and his feelings on the rumour that she was involved in a lip-lock with Michael Phelps, he said "That's her business and, now that we're friends, it's not something I have to worry about". So maybe there is hope for us yet? Now if only
I could score that introduction...

CELEBRITY EXES
After Jennifer Aniston's recent spilt with playboy John Mayer, it was Jen's ex-husband, Brad Pitt, who came to the aid of a distraught Jen. After a string of supporting phone calls, Brad was apparently set to meet Jen for dinner when he was back in the US promoting his new film, Burn After Reading. But vulnerable new mum Ange went crazy when she learnt of their planned reunion and made Brad call it off at the last minute. Were Ange's fears justified? Does Brad still hold a candle for Jen?

 

 

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