Blog Layout

5 Relationship Resolutions for The New Year

CollageCenter • Dec 30, 2013

As you head into a new year it’s a great time to reflect on what went well with your relationships last year and what you would like to improve. Here are five relationship resolutions to help you make healthier connections in the new year.


1 - Be comfortable with who you are first. A new year is a great time to do a personal inventory of who you are and what makes you unique. Reflect on qualities that you think are an asset in a relationship. Are you funny or more serious? Are you adventurous or a homebody? Do you love helping people? By asking yourself serious questions about yourself, then you know how to set your expectations of what kind of relationship you’d like to be in. This will help you evaluate if someone is a good match for your personality. And let’s face it, if you don’t know who you are you put yourself at serious risk for being molded into what someone else wants you to be and that’s never a good thing.


2 - Give up the hook up. If you’re serious about healthy relationships you need to stop the hook ups. You know, the ones where the attraction is only physical and you know right out of the gate it isn’t going past tonight. Why waste your time? Trust us when we say this is not only a good resolution to help you steer clear of STDs or a potential unexpected pregnancy, but it will also let quality guys know you are not a one night stand. And that makes for real relationship material.


3 - Maintain current relationships. Don’t let a new relationship become the center of your universe. We’re all guilty. One or two dates and you start thinking to yourself, “He’s it. He’s the one.” Maybe he is, but maybe he isn’t. Don’t put the rest of your life on hold because you have a new guy in your life. This becomes a problem when you start to ignore family, friends or hobbies. For the new year make the resolution to take it slow. Let things progress at a natural pace.


4 - Refuse to obsess over the past. Someone may have hurt you badly in the past. You were deeply committed and they weren’t. Or, they ended the relationship just when you thought it was going well. It’s hard not to take this into your first date with someone new, but don’t. They aren’t that person and neither are you. You’ve grown and now you’re ready to start again. Go into your date with a clean slate. If you’re majorly obsessed with the last guy then you’re not ready to date someone new. Be honest with yourself.


5 - You’re worthy of a great relationship. If you’ve had guys treat you poorly in the past you may be tempted to slip into negative thinking. That sets you up for failure before you even start. You’re starting off a new year. Stop telling yourself the same old story. Instead, remember that you’re a beautiful unique individual who someone out there is just dying to get to know. Don’t let negativity dominate your thoughts before you even get started.



What relationship resolutions would you add? We would love to hear from you.

What Are the Immediate Physical Risks of Abortion?

02 May, 2024
Chances are, if you're reading this, you're walking through a time of significant decision-making. If abortion is an option you're considering, it's critical to learn all you can about how it works and the risks to ensure you're making a fully informed decision. This article will highlight the essentials you need to know about abortion and the potential immediate risks. But if you’re looking to talk to someone about your pregnancy options or learn more about free support resources, contact Collage today to schedule a free, confidential appointment. How Does Abortion Work? There are two types of abortion: medical and surgical. Medical abortion relies on taking medication to induce abortion. The most common is the abortion pill, which uses a combination of two drugs. The first drug, mifepristone, blocks the progesterone hormone that is needed for a pregnancy to continue, which ultimately results in the embryo’s death. The second drug, misoprostol, causes your uterus to contract, expelling the pregnancy out of your vagina. Surgical abortion is the process of dilating (opening up) your cervix so that medical instruments can enter your uterus to terminate and remove the pregnancy. Earlier in pregnancy, suction and scraping tools are used, while later in pregnancy, forceps are used to remove fetal parts. What Are the Risks of Abortion? Abortion, like any medical or surgical procedure, carries several different risks. Due to the fact that many women don’t report their abortion, there is limited information about complications, but the resources available report some of the following risks and side effects: Medical Abortion: • Incomplete or failed abortion • Heavy and prolonged bleeding • Undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy • Infection • Fever • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea Surgical Abortion: • Incomplete abortion • Bleeding • Infection • Organ damage How Can I Protect My Health? No matter what option you’re considering, an ultrasound is the only way to confirm if a pregnancy is viable, meaning it’s located in the uterus (not ectopic) and if a heartbeat can be detected. It also lets you know exactly how far along your pregnancy is. This is important to determine which type of abortion would be an option for you. At Collage, we offer free, limited ultrasounds because we believe you deserve to have access to the information you need to protect your health. If your pregnancy test is positive at our center, after a brief medical assessment, we’ll determine if we can offer you an ultrasound. Contact us today to schedule your free, confidential appointment. You’re not alone in this. We’re here for you.

Beyond Filters and Avatars

19 Apr, 2024
Let's talk about dating in our world, where filters and avatars dominate the scene.

Facing the Facts: Understanding Potential Exposures to STDs

05 Apr, 2024
Let's have an honest talk about something crucial but often overlooked: understanding potential exposures to sexually transmitted diseases, sometimes referred to as infections (STD/STIs). Have you ever wondered, "How many people have I really been exposed to?" It's a valid question, especially when it comes to protecting your sexual health. You might assume that since you've only had sex with a few partners, you haven't been exposed much. But the reality is more complex than that. It's easy to underestimate how quickly potential exposures can add up. Even if you've only had a few partners, each person you're exposed to has a unique sexual history. The potential for indirect exposure from your partners can quickly grow. This is a sobering thought, but it highlights the importance of knowing your status and how to prevent exposure. Here’s a tool to learn the number of possible exposures you’ve had: https://collegestats.org/interactives/sexual-exposure-calculator . So, how can you use this information to protect yourself? Recognize that the most effective method of preventing STDs entirely is to refrain from sexual activity. Additionally, being in a mutually monogamous relationship, like marriage, will ensure you won’t contract an STD. Understand that communication is key. Statistics reveal that individuals aged 15 to 24 represent 50% of all new STD cases, stressing the importance of honest discussions with your partners about sexual history and making informed decisions regarding your sexual health. 1 Get tested. The CDC recommends getting tested annually if you aren’t in a mutually monogamous relationship, meaning you or your partner have had other partner(s). 2 Many STDs don't show symptoms right away, so you might not even know you're infected. Getting tested can help you detect infections early and get the treatment you need. At Collage, we offer testing and treatment for both chlamydia and gonorrhea at no cost to you. We want to do what we can to equip you to make informed decisions because together, we can reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and live healthier lives.
Show More
Share by: