Channeling the Competition

 Dear Bitter Single Guy: I have been dating 'Tom' for a year and a half. He is very attached and insists we will one day get married, but I am beginning to wonder what else is out there for me. Then every time I think of breaking up with him, I don't want to. He is a good man and has never done wrong by me. Is Am I just letting a good thing slip past or are my feelings warranted? -- Wanting Something More

Dear WSM: The Bitter Single Guy will take this opportunity to differentiate himself from other providers of advice; namely Dr. Laura and Dr. Phil. Either of these wingnuts would take this opportunity to help you stay in this festive relationship. The BSG is totally supportive of you bailing on this one, however.

WSM, you seem to be of the impression that relationships only end because someone becomes unpleasant or performs some unacceptable act. It's also pretty common for them just to fizzle out after a week, a month, a year or even 10 years. Sometimes even the good ones need to be kicked to the curb if it's not working anymore.

As you've discovered though, breaking up is hard to do! (Thank you, Mr. Sedaka) It's easy to stay in your comfortable, boring relationship. Gracious, if you've been in this one for a year and a half you probably have it pretty much figured out and can go through the motions. The BSG would propose (almost Dr. Phil-esque, here) that you find good reasons to stay with 'Tom' or that you bail. Make something good happen either way.