Hi Victor! I've been dating this really nice guy for about a month now and he is hinting at wanting a relationship soon (which isn't a bad thing). We get along good and he is funny, smart, and definitely into me. Lately we've been spending hours, and I mean hours together. Just last week we spend 6 straight hours together, 3 days in a row. I like him, but I don't want things to fizzle out before they really get going. How do I tell him I want to slow things down without scaring him away or making it seem like I don't like him anymore? Or is it too late?

VictorM's advice:

It's not too late but I don't think you should say you want to slow things down. Guys have a hard time processing that information in a positive manner. Right now he's so into you that he can't have enough of you. And you're right, that won't last. It will fizzle, but that's not a bad thing. Too many relationships suffer from suffocation and that's what could happen in your case unless there's more balance.

And that is what you need to find -- more balance. You do that by planning activities that include just you, your family, or your girlfriends. If he's the right guy for you, he should understand your need to do things without him.

If, for example, you enjoy being by yourself reading a book, mention that you're looking forward to doing just that. Again, it's important for him to start understanding the real you and for you to communicate the kind of person you are.

As long as you specify your needs (I need time to read, I like shopping with my girlfriends, etc.) and are not accusatory (you take too much of my time, we spend too much time together, you're suffocating me), if he places your happiness above his needs, he'll understand. If he doesn't understand, it really doesn't matter how funny and smart he is, he's just not the right guy for you.