Sammi Caramela

New Jersey

Freelance Writer at Freelance

Articles

How to Give Your Friends Honest Dating Advice Without Sounding Like a Jerk

3 days ago | vice.com | Sammi Caramela

A recent article on Cosmopolitan caught my eye this morning. Writer Brit Dawson, Sex & Relationships Editor at the magazine, spoke about being brutally honest with friends when it comes to dating. “With endless mixed signals, bad behaviour, and raised hopes, the dating world is harder to navigate than ever,” Dawson wrote in her article. “But should we be helping our friends sail through the slaloms with a little more frankness?”That’s a great question—and one I’ve been exploring the past few years.
Is Relationship Anarchy a Potential Solution to the Loneliness Epidemic?

3 days ago | vice.com | Sammi Caramela

Dating app Feeld has teamed up with sex educator Ruby Rare to launch “State of Dating: Vol. 3: Relearning Love in an Age of Loneliness.” The research found that 36% of 25 – 36-year-olds have practiced Relationship Anarchy (RA), and 1 in 5 are already practicing RA unknowingly. RA is a nontraditional approach to relationships that prioritizes a variety of relationship types rather than just romantic connections.
How Much Money Should You Spend on a First Date?

3 days ago | vice.com | Sammi Caramela

First dates can be costly in a variety of ways. For one, you’re gifting your precious time and energy to one another. And, of course, there’s the financial burden, which oftentimes falls on the man in heterosexual dating. In my opinion, first dates shouldn’t have to break the bank. A simple coffee date or drinks should suffice in most cases. Expecting someone else to wine and dine you before you even develop a base-level connection seems like overkill.
Couples Are Hiring Divorce Coaches to Breakup Better

4 days ago | vice.com | Sammi Caramela

The current divorce rate for first marriages in the U.S. is between 40% to 50%. That’s nearly half of all first marriages, which is heartbreaking but not quite shocking. With so many people settling down early, being unwilling to work through marital challenges, or stepping outside of their commitment to fulfill selfish needs, it’s clear why divorce rates are high today. However, let’s make one thing clear: divorce isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s not a failure or a poor choice.
'Tolyamory' Is a New Dating Trend and It’s Annoying the Polyamory Community

4 days ago | vice.com | Sammi Caramela

There are so many different relationship types out there, and when it comes down to it, there’s no right or wrong. As long as the individuals involved are happy and healthy, that’s truly all that matters. However, some arrangements don’t seem as…balanced or fairFor example, there’s now a name for relationships where one or both individuals tolerate cheating. The term “tolyamorous” was apparently coined by podcaster and relationship columnist Dan Savage.
This Is How You Can Spot a Fake Smile

4 days ago | vice.com | Sammi Caramela

Not all smiles are true indications of authentic joy and contentment. In fact, if you’re a chronic people pleaser like me, you probably spend more time faking smiles than actually feeling the happiness behind them. We all fake a smile from time to time. For example, you might find the urge to force a look of happiness when you’re working, on a bad date, or at the wedding of two flashy people whose relationship was built on a foundation of infidelity.
What Makes Someone a Narcissist?

4 days ago | vice.com | Sammi Caramela

Today, it seems everyone is a narcissist—at least according to social media. Someone cheated on you? Narcissist. They dumped you on a whim? Narcissist. They didn’t call you when they said they would? Narcissist. If that many people were narcissists, the world would be a terrifying place. (I mean, it already is, but for different reasons.) In fact, only around 1% to 2% of the U.S. population actually suffers from narcissistic personality disorder (NPD).
5 Tips for Handling First-Date Anxiety

5 days ago | vice.com | Sammi Caramela

I’ll never forget my first date after a long-term relationship. The COVID-19 shutdowns were just lifting, I was new to dating apps, and I decided it was time to finally put myself back out there. Little did I know the chaos that was about to ensue, but that’s another story for another day. Anyway. The morning of my first date, my best friend and I tore through my closet in search of the perfect outfit: you know, one that struck the ideal blend of cute yet casual.
Is the ‘Cut Them Off Theory' Too Harsh?

5 days ago | vice.com | Sammi Caramela

The New York Post recently coined the term as the “cut them off theory.” Or, as I like to call it, a healthy way of approaching dating. Basically, this refers to the action of cutting off anyone who doesn’t meet your needs—as soon as you notice the red flag. Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t give people the benefit of the doubt, nor am I telling you to be some harsh critic when dating. But if you notice some inconsistencies or inconsideration early on in dating, why waste your time?
1 in 3 People Think Monogamy Is Unrealistic

5 days ago | vice.com | Sammi Caramela

Monogamy was once the norm—one that was rarely questioned or pushed back on. However, it seems that’s changing today. According to the Modern Marriage Report by Rayden Solicitors, nearly 1 in 3 (31%) Brits believe that the concept of monogamy is no longer “realistic.” Apparently, modern relationships—as we once knew them—are doomed. The report, which analyzed modern views on marriage and traditions within relationships, explored how these perceptions have shifted over time.