So I have some exciting news to share!  At Rachel Russo Relationships, I've recently launched a brand-new product on my Services page: Email Coaching!

I created this for anyone who wishes they could have dating and relationship advice from a professional, at an affordable price, on demand.
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If you could really use some extra hand-holding in your love life-and your friends and family aren't cutting it, aren't objective enough, or are sick and tired of hearing your dating mishaps and relationships sagas- I think you are going to love, love, love this!
 
Check this out: You can can have me in your inbox every single day, answering all of your burning questions! This is a month-to-month-service that you can try out one month at a time for an investment of five hundred dollars. What's included? Other than life-changing advice that can help you cope and actually learn to love your love life--no matter what your status? Well, you can email up to three questions per day, every day if you wish to. I will send you detailed, personalized, responses in a timely fashion--even on the weekends!
 
Don't like writing? Would you prefer to listen to-instead of read-my advice? You are in luck, because you can alternately send me voice notes, and I'll answer you back--in voice notes.  
 
My current clients are really appreciating this new service-and the accountability it creates-and I am thrilled to extend this special offer to you! If you are ready to get started, you can sign up for Email Coaching  here and send your first round of email questions-or phone number for voice notes-to Rachel@RachelRusso.com. If you have any questions about Email Coaching, feel free to message me or schedule a complimentary consultation before signing up. 
 
Can't wait to discover how what I know can help you have everything that you've always wanted--in love!

Can we talk about #HalftimeShow2020?
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With a look at social media, I read way too many posts from both men and women-honestly more from men-that included both positive and negative comments on the physical appearance of both JLo & Shakira.

I’m all for free speech, but some of the negative comments from men on my Facebook page caused me to delete some of my “friends”. (The purge felt good!)

Our culture’s hyper-focus on womens’ bodies and overall appearance hurts both women, men, and the state of our romantic relationships.

Of course, it isn’t just men who are criticizing women in this way. Judging by my feed, more men were doing this last night. Maybe its just that more were watching The Super Bowl and posting about it. Maybe women were watching and criticizing privately? I don’t know. But I do know that this form of toxic masculinity is real. And that a lot of women are also guilty of accepting this and making such comments themselves.

When I see women criticizing other women in this way, it is a whole other kind of maddening! As if we don’t get enough criticism from men, we have to do it to ourselves —and publicly while we are at it? This is no bueno.

This type of dialogue is this stuff that helps make women with low self-esteem, poor body image, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and tolerance for relationship abuse.
This is a good time for me to say once again: We ladies need to support each other instead of tearing each other down!

I am helping to do my part, this Saturday, February 8th, by co-hosting a special event, Galentine’s Day 2020, for single women looking for love, with my friend & colleague, Love Coach Junie Moon.

The event takes place in the Valley & Bloom Lounge in Montclair, from 4-6PM.
We will be sharing all we know that can help women stay away from limiting beliefs, unhealthy behaviors, and toxic men so that they can find and keep a healthy and amazing relationship!

To learn more about our event and buy tickets, check out our the link here.  

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone! 
A few things that I wanted to share in honor of the holiday:

My “attitude of gratitude”: I find that practicing gratitude is one of the best things that we can do to caterpillar our success in love and life! Writing down three things a day that I am grateful for everyday has truly impacted me in a positive way. It has definitely brought me more things to be grateful for, and I encourage you to try it and unlock the door to deeper gratitude for you!

Today, I’m feeling most grateful for my family, my health & wellness, and the fact that I’m in a sustainable and rewarding career that has been all about helping people find & keep love for fifteen years now! (Sometimes, re: the latter, I’m like: Wow. It really is cool that I’ve got to do this for so long! What an honor to help people like this.)

I want to show my gratitude for YOU! Whether you have been following me for years or following me for a day, I am thankful for you! I’d truly be honored to be a part of your journey to finding and/or keeping love. In that spirit, I’m offering two Thanksgiving Day Specials at Rachel Russo Relationships for you. Read on........

From now through Dec 1rst, you can book a Strategy Session for half the price! That’s one hour of coaching-phone or video call-for just $125. Let’s talk!

Want more support from me? The holidays are the perfect time for Email Coaching. You can try one month at twenty percent off when booked before Dec 1rst. That’s $400 for the opportunity to pick my brain everyday via email. If you have a lot of burning questions and could use someone to keep you on track in your love life, this is an incredible value that can be a total game-changer!

For more details on either special offer, visit the link here or email me at Rachel@RachelRusso.com with questions.


Have a fantastic holiday!😘

Every profession has those Frequently Asked Questions. In the dating industry, people sometimes think no topic is off limit! I get asked a lot of the same questions over and over, but, I also get asked really fun, unique questions too. 

Like in a recent interview, for instance. I was feeling a little like Carrie Bradshaw yesterday, seeing my quote printed in the November 14th edition of New York Post. You can zoom in above for my thoughts on this “self-partnering” trend. Or, make it, much easier and check out the online version of the story here. 
Yes, I think this term is an oxymoron. And, no, just because I help people find and keep love for a living doesn’t mean I think there is anything wrong with any woman-or man- being single!

And I love to talk to singles! In my nearly fifteen years working as a matchmaker and dating & relationship coach, singles have been curious about everything--including my own love life. Well, here are the most popular questions that I am currently asked.
1. How did you become a matchmaker?
Okay, in all fairness, I was always asked this one, so it's not unique to the dating scene in 2019. As you can imagine, I have told this story a lot--you may have even heard of it! Cliff Notes:
2005. Out of college. Psychology Major. Craiglist ad. For a "Unique Social Work Opportunity".  NYC Startup. Haven't looked back. Although, of course, my career has evolved to including writing, speaking, coaching, teaching, and my newest project: Couple's Therapy and Workshops. 
2. What is the best dating app?
Well, that depends on a few things--including age!
Dating does not necessarily get easier as you get older. For many, it gets harder. But it is not impossible to navigate today's dating scene and find someone date-able off an app. (Confession: Although dating apps are certainly not my favorite way to meet a man, I even once got a relationship out of it myself. Thanks, Bumble.)
One thing is for sure: It can only help to be informed of the options and choose the best app for you. If you'd like to learn more, check out this article that was recently published--using some quotes from singles ladies I sent her way! 
3. Can you match me up?
Maybe!  If you are a male or female in NYC, CT, NJ, or Boston, I might have a client for you. I invite you to apply to my confidential database to be considered for a complimentary introduction. Please note: I only take a handful of clients on at a time. I offer a boutique service at a high price point, so I may not have someone for you at this time. I can keep you in mind though, as long as you are still single. 
If you want to do something more proactive, you can invest in a Strategy Session--whether done in person or virtually. In this session, we brainstorm a ton of opportunities for you. If I don't have a match for you, I may be able to introduce you to one of the hundreds of matchmakers I know (through my work with Matchmaking Institute) who could match you! Alternately, I can show you how to be your own matchmaker--whether on or offline.

So there you have it! Want to ask me another question? Shoot me an email at Rachel@RachelRusso.com

One of my favorite questions to ask potentials clients in my Matchmaking/Dating Coaching consultations is:

Why are you single? 
No, really though......
Why is it, that at this moment in time, you are not in the relationship that you wish to be in? 

While most sitting in front of me have given this more than their fair share of thought, there are some who truly have no understanding of the reasons behind their single status. 
In case you are wondering ......Here are some of the top reasons why you might be single:

You are trying too hard. 
Nearly a decade ago I went on ninety-two dates in one year as a part of a  social research experiment for a reality dating blog in NYC. I have since never gone on half as many dates again and never will!--yet I continue to be amazed by all of the singles I know who serial date like it's their job!  One word: COUNTERPRODUCTIVE!  Say "no" to swipe culture and the paradox of choice. Just....pick one! Even if you are living here. Especially if you are living here. 

You aren't trying hard enough.
On the other side of the coin, you have to put effort into your love life. If you aren't doing something-whether online or offline-to get exposure to compatible singles, you aren't even in the game. As the saying goes: You have to be in it to win it. And if you are in it and your first dates aren't leading to seconds, you have to take a step back and take a look at the impression you are making. If you aren't being authentic, how will you ever attract your true match? 

You are full of yourself, and it is turning people off.
That being said, if your true self is self-absorbed, tends to monopolize the conversation, never asks your date any questions about his/her self. and makes the courtship all about your needs and desires: Don't be yourself. Seek. Help. Immediately. Or die alone. With cats.

 You are lacking self- confidence.
Everyone finds self-confidence sexy. But, unfortunately, life gets in the way of how we feel about ourself sometimes. If you beat yourself up because you don't make enough money, because you gained a couple of pounds, because your hair is falling out, stop right now. Make a plan to start feeling good about yourself.  Get a side hustle. Hire a trainer. Clean up your diet. Start taking probiotics for your hair. (Life hack: SUCH a connection between hair loss and gut health. Read this if you don't believe me.) 

You are too narrow-minded about what you want.
Lose the laundry list! If you have fourteen criteria that must be checked off before you even agree to have a drink with someone, chances are you are making it impossible to find real love. You can't just order a partner like you order everything else on Amazon!  Love doesn't work that way. Also, it isn't convenient, so if you won't travel five miles outside your apartment, you are missing out on potential partners.

 You have no idea what you want!
If you don't know what you want, you aren't going to manifest it out of thin air! You really must have some understanding of the type of person you'd be compatible with. I am big on singles understanding the core values that they want to share with a match. Often, like attracts like. And, well, you'll have to listen to my recent podcast interview for the juicy deets, but it is not a crime to want to date someone of a similar background! It is, however, a crime to go out into the dating world and waste everyone's time because you haven't the slightest understanding of what your heart desires! 

Are you noticing a common theme here? Extremes might work for reality TV, but they don't work in the dating world. If you haven't found your summer love yet, it is likely that you need to find BALANCE.

Not to mention a good matchmaker! :)