We live in an era when relationships and flirting have been constantly changing. Social media has made the game of love a much more complex issue. Statistics show that dating burnout is a reality, and relationships may seem more challenging and bizarre than ever. However, this does not mean that anyone who truly desires to enter a new relationship can't do it.

If you are single and often complain about how difficult it has become to meet someone interested in a more meaningful commitment, perhaps you should first consider whether you are on the right side as well.

People who have difficulty forming committed romantic relationships usually have some habits that probably block their ability to open up and commit to others. If you have one or more of the following habits, you may want to change your dating strategy.

You are passive-aggressive

A passive-aggressive behavior may be a reason you can't maintain a relationship. People who show passive-aggressive behavior are usually people with deep insecurities and are highly hesitant to say what they think and ask for what they want. Thus, they end up accumulating complaints that they keep to themselves, which they ultimately express with subtle aggression, which are transformed into responses like "do whatever you think" or "as you wish." However, at the beginning of a new romantic relationship, passive-aggressive behavior is the guaranteed way to distance yourself from the other person. Take the risk of asking for what you need directly and show who you are and --who knows-- maybe something good will come out of it in the end.

You are obsessed with the past

We've all been deeply hurt by a relationship at some point. Indeed, most of us carry our emotional baggage regarding an old relationship that has made us wonder in the past what would have happened "if things had been different." However, life is not built on "ifs," and due to the fact that some people and relationships belong to the past and cannot be undone, it's time to make the decision that you need to move on. Thinking too much about your ex or someone you wanted to be with but never reciprocated your feelings is holding you back. And, as much as you may not believe it, your behavior can disclose it.

You are too demanding

It's important to have standards when it comes to people we relate in any way, however or having an idea of how the ideal partner should be, however, when we pay to much attention on our "demands" we miss the point of relationships. Are your expectations mostly about someone's appearance and social status and much less about how happy they make you feel? Are you trying to change a person from the very beginning so that they can fit your checklist? Well, that is a recipe for a relationship failure. Nobody is perfect, and neither are you, so how can you expect your partner to reach "perfection"? Instead of rejecting anyone who doesn't tick all your boxes, why not focus on how good a person makes you feel and how compatible you are, despite their flaws?

You have a fear of rejection

Many people hesitate to date because they are too afraid of the outcome. The truth is that when you go out for a drink to meet someone, you can't predict how things will go, even if they asked you out first, even if all the signs were good from the start. However, it is a given that if you don't get out, absolutely nothing positive will happen. But if you do go out? Don't let the fear of possible rejection stop you. Say "yes" to new challenges, but don't focus solely on the outcome. You will at least have socialized even if this doesn't end happily ever after.

You're hard to get

The rationale is simple: I play it hard to get to the person I'm interested in, and I'll make them want me more. Unless you are in middle school, these tricks don't fly anymore. A healthy relationship cannot move forwared this way, especially when we talk about adult relationships. It's impossible to get into a relationship without leaving childish games behind. You will turn off someone who is genuinely interested in you and knows what they want if you constantly act distant and you run the risk of dealing with unanswered calls.

You are not communicating

Being able to hold an interesting conversation and keep the other person's interest is one of the most essential things in developing any new relationship. If you hesitate to talk about the things you love, if you are afraid to speak your mind, if you are ashamed to communicate your feelings, and if you don't know how to listen to the other person when they are talking to you, then you need to improve your communication skills. It's not always easy, and if you have trouble opening up and communicating with purpose, you can find experts who can help you become a better communicator.