the manual The QUIZ WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS SINGLE? No ▲ CAN YOU IMAGINE BEING WITH YOUR PARTNER IN 5 YEARS' TIME Keeping the "romantic spark" alive is tricky. Use this to relight your fire and heat things back up... Ye� You are in a: long-term relationship No ▲ ▲ ARE YOU HAPPY WITH THE WAY THINGS ARE? Ye� No ▲ WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? From the nurturing ideal of soulmate compatibility, through codependency to staying together due to force of habit. WHAT'S THE UPSIDE? Sharing your life with your perfect partner, the ideal of happily ever after. Men and women in relationships are said to live longer. AND THE DOWN? It's a fine line between ideal and codependency... TOP TIP "A good relationship is about navigating the numerous differences. It's the differences which make life more interesting." Kate Figes author of Couples: The Truth Ye� ▲ what kind of relationship are you in? ▲ compiled by MIKE H ARRIS You are in a: You are in a: WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? Like a fling that has evolved into something semi-permanent, characterised by a lack of questions. WHAT'S THE UPSIDE? You've got someone to call, someone to contact, the sex is probably pretty good. It's better than being alone because 50% of something is better than 50% of nothing. WHAT'S THE DOWN? Woody Allen got it right in Annie Hall: "A relationship is like a shark. It has to constantly move forward or it dies." TOP TIP "Don't settle for something that won't lead anywhere." Dating expert Sarah Louise Ryan, sarahlouiseryan.com 16 BA LA N CE June 2018 WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? It should come with biohazard symbols. Some people's capacity for enduring pain and abuse is seemingly limitless. WHAT'S THE UPSIDE? For one half, nothing. For the other, a sense of control. AND THE DOWN? It's more likely you're together out of fear of separation and having to admit that what you have is worthless. TOP TIP "The only way to handle a toxic relationship is to leave as soon as possible." NYC relationship expert and love coach Susan Winter, susanwinter.net ▲ toxic relationship situationship