I agree with all of the "Don'ts" listed below and

don't think they need an explanation, as, IMO they're common sense, but we all think differently..... so.....common sense or no??

•Don’t Lie – Honesty is the best policy. Hold your head up high and with integrity even if it kills you. Lying to your partner, about anything including past relationships, causes intense heartache and a reputation as someone untrustworthy can scar you for a long time. People constantly judge – let them judge for your positive aspects rather than your deceit.
•Don’t Cheat – Sleeping with another constitutes the ultimate betrayal and the greatest dating don't. Pretty faces come and go - admire them as they pass. If you don’t, the truth eventually comes out and can have devastating effects. If you feel attracted to someone other than your partner, re-evaluate your situation. Think of the reasons you feel attracted to someone else – is your relationship going anywhere? Are you happy in your relationship? Did your partner do something to you? The best advice - talk to your partner and share how you feel. Honesty hurts but breaking up after a sincere talk goes a lot smoother than breaking up with someone after they discover you’ve been sleeping around.
•Don’t Lose Yourself – Self-confidence takes work and lack of it can spoil even the best relationship. Everybody has some part they would change if they could. Completely trying to be someone you’re not to please another will only flip back and hurt you in the end. Be true to yourself and listen to your gut. It lets your know when you are being truthful.
•Don’t Dump Your Friends – Starting a new relationship takes you away from your friends. However, remember that good friends are hard to come by and spoiling a good friendship over a new love interest is one of the biggest mistakes to make. Take time for your friends even if you are in a new relationship; make them feel just as important now as before. Continue to participate in the same activities with them and show them you still care. Eventually you’ll need them and a friend lost is hard to gain back.
•Don’t Idolise Your Partner – Everyone goes through a period of partner worship, especially in the euphoric beginning of your relationship. However, this only sets yourself up for heartache. No one’s perfect and though you may find nothing wrong with your new partner now, they have flaws and ugly pasts just like the rest. Realising this early on saves you much disappointment later when you come out of the clouds.
•Don’t Reveal Too Much – Spilling too much information when you start dating someone kills the potential. No one wants to hear someone blabber on about past relationships, especially if you were extremely hurt. Save the sob stories for your friends and try to reveal things that show your partner who you are. Its good to share your history but keep some things to yourself. No need to advertise your mistakes, instead keep them private, learn from them and avoid making the same with your new love.
•Don’t Rely on Anyone for Happiness – Many people fill up voids with someone else. This is a big mistake. Never rely on anyone else to make you happy, the only happiness you’ll ever need comes from inside. Thousands of people cross your path throughout life and each individual offers you something of value. No one can offer you yourself. Keep your hobbies and continue doing things that make you contented, you’ll soon find many faucets of happiness filling your life not just your partner.


Author
James W. Coates