The Third Wheel Series

I am happy to note that a number of people have done Internet searches about being a "third wheel." People tend to arrive here by doing a Google search of some combination of being or feeling like a third wheel.

Way back in January, I wrote an academic-style article about the third wheel and I explained Fritz Heider's balance theory in relationships. My friend Caroline liked the throwback to her psychology class, but I wanted to do more with it.

So, here it is. I call it the Third Wheel series -- a collection of four articles offering academic and practical advice on communication strategies, understanding feelings, and resolving this third wheel problem. The series features a number of exercises that you can do at home to practice.

It's perfectly okay to laugh. Emotion-focused work sounds corny, phoney, and a little too soft and delicate for us hardened survivalists of life. We think we can weather any emotional difficulties that come our way by pressing through them.

If that works for you, fine. Read it anyway. Don't knock things until tried.

The entries are listed in chronological order.

• The Third Wheel
• Feelings First
• Time to Talk
• Make or Break

Enjoy. Comments are appreciated as always.