Jennifer Aniston’s career on hiatus…Could her plan backfire?
So apparently Jennifer Aniston is taking a year off work to dedicate time to her new relationship with a guy called Justin Theroux, with whom she is 'extremely happy'.
That's a heart-warming tale, I think. Or is it weird?
I suppose it's one of the luxuries of being a wealthy celebrity that you can afford to stop working at any time to concentrate on something else, like love or surfing or going to rehab. Most of us need to fit romance in to our normal lives. Otherwise we'd be blissfully loved up but malnourished.
Above: Jennifer and Justin at the MTV Movie Awards after party in June.
Maybe if I'd spent more time listening to my last girlfriend's problems instead of going to work, we'd still be together now. Or perhaps if my ex-ex-girlfriend had dedicated entire days to making me spaghetti Bolognese, I wouldn't have lost interest in her.
[See also: How to find your perfect love match]
Jen clearly subscribes to the theory that quality time together is the key to a successful love life. You can see why she's desperate not to let this relationship slip, like all her previous ones did. And who could begrudge her everlasting happiness, she seems nice. But could her plan backfire?
For instance, imagine if you were having a few rows with your partner and they said, "Honey, I think the solution to this is that we spend even more time together, so I've quit my job."
Or, imagine it was going brilliantly and your partner said, "Honey, I like spending time with so much that I've decided, for a whole year, that I'm not going to do anything else."
I don't know much about this Justin dude except that he isn't as good-looking as Brad Pitt and he works in films or something. But if he resembles a normal man — OK, if he resembles me — then he might be feeling a bit of added pressure.
Maybe this whole story about Jen's "relationship year out" is just idle gossip, and she will really spend the next 12 months skateboarding or trekking through Aztec ruins. But if she really plans to spend all of it making her relationship perfect, then she could risk looking a bit clingy. And guys don't like that.
So, especially for you Jennifer Aniston, here are three instances when you should try to give a man his own space...
With his mates
If he says he's going out with his pals, don't invite yourself, and don't make a face that says you want or expect to be invited. Justin needs man time.
Looking at the internet
Whatever he's browsing, he doesn't want you looking over his shoulder just because you are really bored after taking an entire year off work.
In the toilet
This is an important place and, for many men, the sole time in a day that true peace can be attained. So keep out please, Jennifer.
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