Q: Kathryn, I was in a relationship with someone that escalated in months from meeting him to wanting to live together! Our attraction was off of the charts and we couldn't get enough of each other, physically and

emotionally. After a few months, there was some miscommunication and fear on both of our parts over the intensity of the relationship and we split. I followed your protocol and released him, as painful as it was. He has come back to me constantly since then, saying all of the right things but not backing them up. Then he disappears again, and returns a few weeks later with the same song and dance. I have attempted to date other people, and have performed the release a 2nd time and still having the same push-pull affects with this man!  

I know there is a part of the release where we are to be sure to release from our sexual organs and not just our heart. How can I be sure that I'm doing that correctly, and should I try to release him again? I know after several attempts the release can not work as well, as you've stated in your books. 

I am at your mercy, Kathryn! I have to move on from

this man or be forced to stay in this plateau and not find my true happiness and love deserved of me. Thank you in advance for your reply!

A: I'm sure you're releasing correctly, but it sounds like there is part of you that doesn't want to let go. Release never works unless you really know you need to let go and are determined to do so. 

In this case, you still sound like you are at his beck and call. The minute he shows back up, you come running! That is not released.

• Anyone who blows hot and cold is categorized in my work as an EEL. They slip out of your grasp just when you think it's going well. Over and over again.

• This is one of the most addictive love situations there are. In a mouse-cheese experiment, the most addictive situation there was involved sporadic reward. The mice would hurt themselves to try & get the reward.

• Sporadic reward in love -- where the love interest shows up, seems interested only to disappear again -- is similarly addicting.

• When I work with a coaching client on this issue, I remind them that they are not a puppet on a string. They have free will, and rather than be frustrated for months or even years, they can choose to walk away -- even when the eel slithers back over for another go-round.

• Let's face it. This guy is not showing the kind of interest you would want. He can walk away easily. This is not soulmate material, and I want better for you.

• Rather than worry about doing the release well, let's worry about making it stick. The tools that I give you in the release work will ensure it sticks.

• The most important tool of all to make a release remain effective is to focus beyond this current guy.

• Imagine a guy who shows up and doesn't go anywhere -- one who is even sexier. One with whom you know you're not wasting time, but will go the distance.

• Doesn't that sound infinitely better than remaining hopeful for a guy who is not proving worthy?

• You can expect more for yourself. Many people hang onto the crumbs they're given out of fear there won't be more ahead. That is fear-based instead of exhibiting any faith whatsoever.

• Have faith and let's keep looking beyond this guy. You will forget he ever existed if you can go steadily forward and not look back.

• I promise you someone better lies ahead in your future. The first step towards him is getting rid of this eel.

I'm sending you love & support for really moving on this time!

Q: Kathryn, I've got a guy in my life who is totally frustrating. He comes on strong and then backs off. I'm quite addicted to him. But I fear he will never give me what I want. I seem to remember you talking about an eel, and I'd love it if you could give me some advice on what to do with this frustrating man.

A: You may not like my answer, but my question for you is how long do you want your life to be in limbo over this guy?!

• He will probably never give you what you want and deserve. Here's some more info on dealing with an eel.

• As you know, I often deal with people coming out of a divorce or breakup. Or those with an stubborn attachment to another person.

• Some of the worst cases of attachment I've seen come from people who got hooked by THE EEL.

• Definition of The Eel: someone who seems in your grasp, but then slithers away just when you thought it was going somewhere, only to reappear again as you give up hope. 

• This is akin to the mouse-cheese experiment so famous for explaining addictive attachment toward another person. The mouse would hurt itself when sporadically offered the cheese, whereas both the mouse who regularly got cheese and who never got cheese accepted the situation calmly.

• If you are being distracted by an eel, I invite you to adopt my rule concerning eels. Don't touch! Eels seem to somehow NEED to keep you dangling, and it can be terribly exciting playing this game, but it doesn’t produce a soulmate relationship. 

• My advice: recognize when you're swimming after an eel and change course. Yes, letting go of the hope will hurt, but every time someone swims in a different direction while doing my work, they end up finding their soulmate quickly. If you keep your eye on the love ahead waiting for you, it will make the release much easier. 

If you are in doubt about whether it can work out or not (and in most cases, you are simply in denial), I suggest this technique for seeing if this relationship is salvageable.

• When the suspected eel lets you down -- disappears, doesn’t call when (s)he says, suddenly wants to cool things down -- give him or her notice. You can do this playfully, s o it doesn’t become heavy, but draw a boundary here. “Flakes are just not my favorite cereal, if you get my drift. I’m liable to brunch elsewhere if it gets too flaky around here.” This takes back your power, while keeping it light. 

• Keep track with a three strike maximum limit. If eel-like behavior shows up three times, this is a trend. It’s too much to ignore. Unless you want to continue in a frustrating, uphill battle to make this person become reliable, I would bail at this point.

• Do some release work, and remind yourself that

your soulmate will leave no doubt that they want to be with you and they will be even hotter to you than the eel has been.

I bless you for moving on and being free to find REAL LOVE on the double. You just have to get past the pesky eel :)