- Search the internet. This probably seems obvious, but with the internet you literally have the resources of the world at your fingertips. There is a huge amount of high quality of relationship advice for women to be found online. Many highly skilled counsellors and therapists provide advice on forums; often you can post a message or send an email to get a response directly applicable to your situation. Sometimes the advice will be free although you may expect to pay something for advice that is more detailed or given to you in a timely fashion. You may also be able to have a live consultation with a therapist, either by telephone or even live chat.
- Consider books or courses as well as counsellors. Most, if not all, of the issues you are facing have been experienced by others before and many experts have packaged their knowledge into a book or online course. These can be very valuable, and a lot less expensive that even a single visit with a therapist or relationship advisor. They also have the advantage of being quite structured which may allow you to consider aspects you might not already have thought about. In addition, you can work through the material in your own time.
- Be wary of taking advice from friends or family. These can be well-meaning but there are two downsides. Firstly, they are probably not trained in giving relationship advice. And secondly, because they are known to you they may not be able to advise you objectively. It’s sometimes good to rely on people you know for moral support, but treat their advice warily.
- Trust your own instincts. At the end of the day no one knows your situation better than you. Take advice from others and reflect; the answers may be clearer to you than you think. And if your intuition tells you a solution, run with it. Better to make a mistake than do nothing at all, but it may just turn out right.
