You didn't get put in the "Friend Zone", you put yourself in the "Friend Zone".

Koz has helped a lot of people recovering from the friend zone.  The danger you face in the friend zone is you can trick yourself into thinking you have a relationship with someone who just thinks you're friends.

The friend zone is the result of poor communication.  You need to establish your intention in the relationship.  Tell this person that you are interested in pursuing a relationship with them.  Otherwise, you may just become a frustrated friend.

It's hard to be this direct with people, but the person will really respect you for being forthright and honest.  Maybe that will help them see you as relationship material.

If you have any questions for Koz, use #KozKnows

Koz gives a lot of relationship guidance.  He often works with people who are starting to date again after divorce.  When you're making a new start, it's important to not fall back into old habits.  If you want to meet the right person, do things that will help you find that person.

A lot of people go back to the techniques that delivered the wrong partners in the past.

Make sure you are clear about what your expectations are.  Prospective partners should know exactly what you want and do not want.  Then it's easy to know if the relationship will work.

You'll also be respected for being up front and honest.  Both you and your dates can avoid feeling deceived.

Koz answers another listener question.  If you have one, use #KozKnows.

The listener has lost a sibling and empathizes with a friend who recently lost her sibling.  It's coming up on the one year anniversary of her friend's loss, and she wants to if she should reach out.  

The holiday is a tricky time for someone suffering from a recent loss.  Koz recommends keeping it simple.  Texting is okay.  Let them know you're thinking of them and that you have a similar experience.  Make sure they don't feel pressured to respond.  That pressure just adds to their burden.  Make the invitation open.  

If you promise to check in again later, make sure you follow through.  Don't promise then bail.  That happens all the time with people who grieve.  There's lots of support early, then it fades.  Stick with it but keep it open and pressure- free.

Koz takes a request from a listener.  She's in her second year after her divorce and her first Christmas without her kids.  This is all she can think about and she's now over eating, drinking too much, and is neglecting herself.  What can she do?

Koz knows divorce.  He's been there and he knows how difficult it is.  He recommends a change of perspective.  Start a special tradition for the years your children are not with you for Christmas.  That will help give the holiday meaning and purpose when your children are not present.

Missing your children at Christmas is a time to reaffirm how much you love them.  That doesn't have to bum you out, but get you excited to see them again.

The holiday season is hard on a lot of people.  Especially those who have suffered loss in their family.

Koz shares his feelings on this holiday being his first since his father passed away.  The season can highlight the losses we feel.  This hits everyone differently.  Sometimes people want to talk about those who've passed.  Others don't want to talk about it at all.  It hurts.  The pain is real.

Koz has some ideas for changing your perspective during the holiday.  Just because you're away from certain members of your family doesn't mean you no longer have their love.  Listen for some ways to make the holidays less painful and more purposeful.

There is a lot of social pressure during the holiday.  People schedule events and expect you to be there.  You may also be expected to interact with people who are a bad influence on you or who are abuse and a problem.

Koz has a simple way to manage expectations around the holidays.  By managing expectations, you can avoid being the bad guy if you have to cancel an appearance at a planned event.

Depending on the family drama, the holiday may take some courage on your part.  Make sure you have some good guidance on your side.

As your teen gets older, they are closer to adulthood than they are to diapers.  Are you still trying to parent them as if they're children?

In this episode of Koz Knows, Koz talks about transitioning your relationship to a partnership.  As an experienced adult, you can be a very valuable partner to your teen to help them succeed.  But they have to be able to trust your perspective and want your support.

Avoid bailing them out of problems, instead help them execute a solution just like you would another adult.  Eventually they'll leave your home and if they see you as a partner, your relationship will stay strong.

If you have a problem you want Koz to discuss, use the hashtag #KozKnows on social media. 

Healthy relationships have to include good communication.  But this can sometimes be really hard.

Koz has some great tips for engaging the hard conversations that you shouldn't avoid.

If you have questions for Koz, use the hashtag #KozKnows on social media.  He'll put your questions in the show.

Koz knows how attractive social media can be.  It can be validating and fun.  But there are a lot of pitfalls as well.

Doesn't it sometimes seem fake?  Instagram filters can't fake happiness.  Facebook can't help you be happy if you're not.

Even though "likes" or re tweets on Twitter can provide some immediate satisfaction, it's not a substitute for real life happiness.

Koz recommends this self assessment:  Why are you posting?  Are you doing it for the high?  If you do that too often, you can become addicted to it.  Our brains are not set up to get so many rewards for doing so little.