I just lost my feelings. I can't explain it" (Sam). The Stagnating stage is known to be the holding on stage for the sake of children where the relationship is no longer discussed. It is visible that Sam is "holding on" to the relationship only for the sake of being alone. This exhibits that the relationship is dieing and no longer discussed, "I don't know. Maybe I'm afraid to be alone. I'm not sure I can do it alone". The Avoiding stage refers to the giving up in the relationship as well as physical and emotional separation in order to minimize pain. When Alex states, "I'll pick up my things tomorrow when You're at work. I don't think I can bear to do that when you're here" it shows that Alex is avoiding Sam. In other words, Alex is minimizing pain in relationship by making sure that he doesn't see Sam when he picks up his belongings. Lastly, the Terminating stage is the most depressing stage because it is the moment where you tell your partner that the relationship is over. It is apparent that when Alex tells Sam that the relationship is over, it marks the end of their relationship together, "Then let's separate. I can't live with someone who stays with me out of fear of being alone". In fact this statement by Alex displays a messages of distance, which often clarifies what is happening between the two people. In this case, it's Sam's fear of being alone.
It is imperative to understand how our culture's beliefs about love and romance may have contributed to the problems faced by this couple. In relation too John Harlow, the relationship between Sam and Alex was never going to survive from the beginning. John Harlow states in his article, "When the Chemical Cocktail in the Brain is Gone, So .
4.
is the Thrill". In relation to the couples relationship, the affair that Alex had basically exhibited the fact that their relationship lost its trust and chemistry. This is shown when Sam states, "I think I did.
