So, I’ve been reflecting on the human need for praise and how it gives us such a high. This is great, until you come down from the high, until you discover that people’s praise isn’t unconditional, that it’s generally given as a means to make a person feel better about themselves or manipulate a situation or person for their own gain.

Call me cynical…of course I am, life has taught me to be. That’s why this blog is called “ruined by Disney”.

Dating is a great medium for praise when it’s going well, it’s also one hell of a comedown when it doesn’t go right.

In this instance, being aware of ones own standards and worth is paramount. Remembering what we are really looking for in a relationship, in a partner, in a friend and companion. It’s about not getting so caught up in the addictive pleasure that praise can bring and not looking at a person through rose coloured spectacles just because they’re interested in you, say nice things and make you feel good.

Praise is great, when it doesn’t have to be earned, when it comes with no expectation of anything in return and when it doesn’t come as a result of changing to please another person.

I’m discovering that it really does take a tough cookie to survive the highs and lows of dating.