Love... or Solo? You're Not Alone in This Trend

I write a once-a-month mental health article. Here is the February 2026 edition😊 

It’s still freezing in Thornaby so the cats are snuggled up on their heated sofa. Thankfully, they’re generous kitties and they let us share 🐾

And speaking of sharing, February is the month of love so it’s natural that reflecting on relationships stirs up all kinds of feelings, whether we’re partnered or happily single. 

Either way, being single is becoming far more common.

We’re seeing lots of social changes. Many people no longer follow the traditional path of dating, marriage, and kids.

The reasons driving this change are complex.

For those in their 20s, teenage years filled with social media and cyber bullying increased social anxiety. The pandemic lockdowns deprived many of a college too. You can’t socialize when classes are online.

For 30s and over, separations and divorce are traumatizing. When your heart’s been broken, the idea of dating again hits hard especially because you know there are no guarantees in life.

There are other factors at play too, but the numbers tell a clear story.

Euromonitor Nov 2025 reported that single-person households are the fastest-growing household type, with an expected increase to 26% of all households globally by 2040.

In the UK, 13% of people live alone now. In China, the Sileme app (“Are You Dead?”) which emails your chosen emergency contact if you miss two daily check-ins is one of the top-paid apps.

Whether you live alone by choice or circumstance, you’re part of a rising trend. And because pensions, housing and healthcare systems still assume a family unit, a little extra forward-thinking goes a long way.

To be safe, I believe that no matter what your relationship status, a thoughtful assessment of where you are and what your goals are is always useful.

This February, why not take a moment to reflect: Where are you now, and where would you like to be at 65? A quick look ahead helps you make choices that feel right for you.

If reflecting on this brings up questions or you’d like a confidential space to talk it through, WhatsApp or email and we can set up a chat.

PS, if you want a free article once a month, email me ellen.whyte@gmail.com. I curate the list personally, so your email stays secret.

Why High-Achieving Men Like Mark Secretly Struggle in Relationships – And How Therapy Helps Executives Reclaim Control

Worried about a relationship? That's what therapy is for 

Mark runs his team with efficient kindness. He doesn’t entertain nonsense but if someone has a genuine issue, he’s helpful and guides them to make useful choices and helpful changes.

But his dating life is different.
Mark’s Lucy is wonderful: bright, sexy and fun.

Lucy has a fab job but rarely picks up a bill.
Mark pays for dinners, holidays, and treats.
Lucy is effusive in her thanks but Mark tots it all up and it feels wrong.

Mark is hesitant to speak up.
He’s not sure why.

Maybe it’s because ‘real men pick up the bills.’
Something he feels may not be right?

Or maybe he worries that Lucy will be angry.
He knows that shouldn’t stop him. He feels shame even thinking that.

As life is overall excellent, Mark buries the problem. But a few months later he realizes it’s affecting his focus. It nags him but he’s not sure who to speak to.
So he continues, vaguely unhappy and feeling secretly helpless.

This is what therapy is for.
Sessions are private spaces where Mark can say what he thinks, work out what is happening, and figure out approaches that work best for him.

If you’re a Mark, take action.
You deserve to be happy.

#RelationshipAdvice #PersonalGrowth #MensMentalHealth #PersonalDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #MidlifeLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #RelationshipDynamics

“Yes, but…” When Fear Leads To Self-Sabotage in Therapy

“Yes, but…”

It’s the phrase that keeps so many people stuck in relationships that hurt, whether that’s at home or in the workplace.

If you want change but find yourself resisting it, you aren’t weak. You’ve likely already tried everything: coping, reasoning, waiting, and forgiving.

When you’ve experienced control or gaslighting, your brain begins to see change as a danger. It’s understandable to feel afraid. But staying in the "buts" often means staying in the suffering.

Effective therapy involves challenge:  

• Labelling what is actually happening. 
• Challenging the patterns that keep you stuck. 
• Practising new ways of thinking and behaving.

It can be uncomfortable, and it can sting. But on the other side of that work is freedom.

Real change doesn't happen all at once; it starts with tiny steps and the willingness to experiment with doing something differently.

I’m Ellen Whyte. I work with clients internationally to navigate this process in a safe, supportive space.

If you’re ready to explore what doing things differently looks like for you, contact me.

 

Text Here 

Want an adventurous, enriching 2026? Try this different approach

Video on my Instagram.  There are people who commit to huge goals in January and go all year, like those watch ads and there’s the other 99% of us who get the watch and it stops there. 


If you’re one of the 99% I have a radical idea: don’t set yourself up for misery. Do 2026 differently. 

Try my suggestion that will enrich your life.

There’s a push towards constant development: work hard, improve yourself. 
There’s a second push that says: do one thing and get really good at it.

My view: meh. 

Strategic investment of your time and energy is key. 
Plan your career carefully. 
Spend some time looking into yourself and being the best you.
But there’s such a thing as too much push. Life is about having fun too. 

So for 2026, make it a year of exploration. 
Don’t commit to one thing; do things for a fortnight or a month.
In January, I walk around three parks. In February, I check out two museums. In March I take a three hour salsa class.

Think of it as a taste testing of life. Broaden your horizons, relax and have some fun.

That’s it! Happy New Year. Wishing you lots of laughter 

How to Survive the Holidays With Difficult Family. You’re not alone — and it’s not too late to plan your escape.

When Holidays Are Problematic

England is frosty cold so the cats are napping under the feather duvet and the humans are enjoying hot chocolate. Yum!

This month with Christmas, Hannukah, New Year and then Chinese New Year coming up, it’s timely to talk about difficult families.

If you dread seeing family, know you’re not alone. Also, I will outline how you can help yourself. 

First, if you feel alone in this, national surveys and studies tell a different story.

In the UK, about 20% of people are estranged from at least one family member, and about 2.7% of young people are estranged from their parents. Link    

In the USA, 27% of people are estranged from at least one family member, and about 10% are estranged from a parent or child. Link

In Asian cultures, family bonds are idealised, but reality can be very different. In Malaysia in 2021, two elderly people were abandoned each day. In Singapore and India, governments use laws to force estranged kids to maintain parents. Link

So, if you don’t get along, please know it’s very, very common. People are complicated, and life isn’t Disney. 

The secret to surviving holidays is planning. You know your family, and can predict how they’ll operate. Think like a general and work out a battle plan.

Three steps to success:
•    Write down triggers, and work on responses. Rehearse so you’re word perfect. Pro tip: this also helps with managing your emotions!
•    Know your boundaries. Decide at what point you walk out.  Have a safe place set up in advance.
•    Focus on self-care rituals before, during, and after the visit.

Start now, so you’re good to go for next month. 

I know it’s hard. I’ve been there. If you’d like a personal practical strategy plan, WhatsApp me to book a session.