

Throughout my years of dating and being in relationships with different men, I've mastered the skill that strengthens my respect and self-control when things get rough.
I know how to fall back.
No, scratch that. I know how to fall back so solid that I can fall on the ground and enjoy the leaves without missing a beat, chile!
"Falling back" is a phrase used for becoming less involved with the person you're dating in order to protect your feelings. There are much needed reasons for falling back. Things could be going great between you two and then all of a sudden he becomes emotionally distant, stays "busy", or acts like you're too pressed for him. Falling back will you give you the space to see if this relationship is something worth pursuing.
After many tried (and failed) attempts to take a break from the guy I've been dating, I thought it would be helpful to share some tips with others who are in a similar situation. If you're having a hard time creating some needed distance, here are a few tips to fall back successfully:
1.Avoid Getting Stuck On Him Being “The One”
When he is the one you think you want spend the rest of your life with, it can be harder to experience your ideal partner drifting away from you. You really like this guy because of who he once was, and you continue to stay with him in hopes that he will "snap back" to the person he was when you first met.
In order to fall back from him, you must get over the feeling of missing out on someone great. The purpose is to protect your feelings, not his. The right guy will reveal himself to you regardless of the time you give yourself to figure things out. Falling back is not the same as breaking up — you can still be involved with this person, so use this opportunity to see if he wants you just as bad as you want him.
2.Evaluate the Relationship You Have With Yourself
I've noticed that I've had the best relationships with people when I felt the best about myself. It was through self-reflection that I realized the importance of knowing who I am and determined what was and what wasn't healthy in a relationship. When you fall back, you get to evaluate your life and your happiness.
Doing this makes you accountable and in control of a situation. One of the ways you can learn more about yourself is by asking questions and answering them as honestly as possible. Here are some examples: What makes you vulnerable? What are your triggers? What are you dependent on when dating someone? Can you be alone with yourself? Do you crave attention when you're trying to get over someone? The answers to your questions will give you more insight on how you're feeling so that you aren't so quick to go back to him.
3.Practice Detachment
Learning how to detach from someone is like forming another habit. Attachment is the reason why we breakup and makeup on the same day, all along feeling guilty about the "makeup" part. The reason that detachment plays a key factor when you fall back is that it gives you the freedom to decide what is best for you objectively. Most of the time, the attachment is the only reason that we can't break away from an unhealthy relationship.
I find that creating space from a guy gives you time to think your feelings through and make good decisions. Spending all day and every waking moment with someone can make you feel as though a piece of you is missing when you do have alone time. He'll never feel like he's missing you if you don't create distance. Being away from him is important because it's a sign that you don't need to be around him and that you're complete without him. The best way to go about this is to limit contact, whether by phone or in person, as much as possible.
4.Occupy Your Mind and Time
Through focusing on myself, I was able to put myself first by doing hobbies and activities that interested me. I worked on becoming the best version of myself that I could be and this enabled me to be a much better partner in a relationship.
Going to networking/social events or occasional dates is fine as long as there's no immediate expectation that your next date will take the place of the person you're falling back from. Find some relaxing things to do (such as hanging with the girls or finding a new project) and give yourself time to be alone and heal.
Choosing to remove your emotional dependency on him will give you back the control over your feelings. Hopefully, these tips can make your fall back game stronger and make your next moves your best moves!
Featured image by Getty Images
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Tori Glaude is a relationship coach, author, and blogger on a lifelong mission to empower women so they can achieve their goals. When she's not working, Tori enjoys kickboxing and trying out new restaurants in her hometown, D.C. You can connect with her on Instagram @toriautumncoaching and at tautumncoaching.com.
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Celebrate International Women's Day With Wellness, Empowerment & More
International Women’s Day, celebrated on Saturday, March 8th, presents an excellent opportunity to honor and celebrate women. As March marks Women’s History Month, there are numerous chances throughout the month to pay tribute to the remarkable contributions of women.
Both International Women's Day and Women's History Month serve as reminders of the progress made toward gender equality and the work still left to do.
They inspire ongoing advocacy for women's rights, fostering discussions on issues such as workplace discrimination, healthcare access, and representation in leadership. By celebrating women's contributions and amplifying their voices, these observances help pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.
Here are four ways to celebrate International Women's Day and Women's History Month.
Attend a Women History Month Event
This month, there are numerous events happening, particularly for International Women’s Day. One such event is organized by Media Girls Network, which will be held over a multi-day period starting on Thursday. The entire event is dedicated to celebrating women.
On Friday, the organization will honor prominent women in business and entertainment, including the OMG Girlz, celebrity restauranteur Gocha Hawkins, and more.
On Saturday, guests can indulge in a day of wellness and self-care, featuring a fitness class, massages, a journaling workshop, and other activities. For more information about these events, visit www.mediagirlsontour.com.
Support a Woman-Owned Business
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Reports indicate that women constitute 39.1% of business owners, and this percentage is steadily rising. In light of this, let’s celebrate and support women-owned businesses this month.
Here are a few ways to do so: shop at their establishments, leave positive reviews, follow and engage with them on social media, collaborate with them, or contribute to their crowdfunding efforts.
Support Women's Rights Groups
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Since President Trump took office, we’ve witnessed an unprecedented number of rights being reversed, including DEI programs. Women have been particularly concerned about his decision regarding abortion and reproductive rights. Recently, he dismissed the Idaho Emergency Abortion case, which was a legal battle to ensure Idahoans had access to emergency abortion care.
Writing in her Substack blog, Abortion, Everyday, journalist and abortion rights advocate, Jessica Valenti, said, “By dropping this case, the Trump administration is sending a clear message that anti-abortion states don’t have to adhere to [the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act] by giving pregnant patients life-saving care.”
Instead of waiting on Trump's next move regarding women's rights, support women's rights organizations and charities like In Our Own Voice Action Fund and Planned Parenthood.
Empower Others
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Use your voice to raise awareness about the challenges women encounter. This can be achieved through social media platforms or by speaking at local rallies and events. By leading by example, you can inspire others to get involved and contribute to the support.
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