
How to Find & Be a Great Romantic Partner | Lori Gottlieb
Andrew Huberman
Apr 7, 2025
Mindsip insights from this episode:
Break free from familiar misery to embrace uncertainty
People often find the certainty of misery more palatable than the misery of uncertainty, which is why they stay in familiar but unhappy situations.
Use mindless scrolling as a non-prescription painkiller for overwhelming feelings
Mindlessly scrolling the internet is described as the most effective non-prescription painkiller because it numbs us when we are overwhelmed by too many feelings.
Recognize and avoid help-rejecting complainers
A 'help-rejecting complainer' is someone who constantly complains and seems to want advice but will reject any help offered because it serves them to remain a victim.
Reflect on feelings to evaluate relationship potential
The most important question to ask yourself after a date is not about a checklist of traits, but simply, 'How do I feel when I'm with this person?'.
Create a 'difficult to be with' list for self-reflection
Instead of making a list of qualities you want in a partner, a powerful exercise is to write down everything that would make it difficult for someone to be with you.
Choose wise compassion to foster personal growth
'Idiot compassion' is when friends simply validate your position, whereas 'wise compassion' is when they are willing to tell you the truth in a kind way to help you grow.
Process past emotions to manage present reactions
Having an outsized, 'hysterical' emotional reaction to a present situation often means you are layering on unprocessed feelings from a past, 'historical' event.
Recognize patterns in partner choices to heal past wounds
We are often unconsciously drawn to partners who resemble the parent who hurt us in an attempt to master a situation where we once felt helpless.
Cultivate vitality to combat depression
The opposite of depression is not happiness but vitality, which comes from the awareness that we have a limited time to live.
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