Raise your hand if this has happened to you: You dated a guy when he still had his relationship training wheels on. But after spending months—or years!— with you, he learned a bunch of important stuff, like how to share his feelings, buy his newborn niece a cute #OOTD, and chase his dreams. And then…he left, only to take his fresh skills (and the clothes you helped him pick out) straight into a rock-solid bond with someone else.
If you caught the latest finale of The Bachelor, then you saw this infuriating situation go down. A recap: Arie Luyendyk Jr. dumped his fiancée Becca Kofrin for runner-up Lauren Burnham—even though Becca was the one who had helped Arie express himself all season.
So, Becca was the Boyfriend Coach. And no matter how independent, feminist, or modern you are, watching another woman reap what you’ve sown can suck (even if you’re over your ex). Here’s how to deal, plus strategies to help you quit playing this role.
Don’t Totally Despair
This story is from the July 2018 edition of Cosmopolitan.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 2018 edition of Cosmopolitan.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
the venuture
One summer 2009 night, Julia's manager pulled her aside. A silver-haired gentleman's date was being kind of loud and messy-Julia should intervene, be extra nice to him. She got the okay to take the man up to the roof for a quiet smoke. This guy must be a big deal, she thought.
VICTORIA
Monét fans are having a thrilling 2024. Almost perfect, really, thanks to the artist's seven Grammy nominations, including Best R&B Song, Best R&B Album, and Best R&B Performance.
SOUND OF NOW
Thanks to our three cover stars-Kim Petras, Victoria Monét, and Kali Uchis-the future of music looks like something entirely new. More original, more exciting, more f*ck-yesput-this-on-my-playlistright-now. Which is exactly what each of them has been manifesting all along.
You Deserve to Take a Dating Sabbatical
And dare we say...you probably should?
The Chicest Places to Elope Right Now (Sorry, Mom)
An unforgettable vow-filled vacation with your soulmate vs. a lukewarm catered dinner with people you were forced to invite. Yeah, you get it too.
We Need to Talk About the Fentanyl in Your Party Pills
The potentially deadly substance is virtually impossible to see, smell, or taste and it's creeping into drugs you might have once considered \"safe.\"
I Hooked Up With My Friend's Dad on Vacation in Spain
It was an accident. It was also inevitable.
Black-Owned Is for Everyone
A friendly and very important-reminder from beauty editor-at-large Julee Wilson.
Becoming a Surrogate Impacted Every. Single. One.of My Relationships
It looks great on The Kardashians. But the reality can be...messy.
We Need to Talk About Perimenopause
It's a milestone health experience that may come for us all...so why are we so clueless?