6 Things Needed To Be Happy In A Relationship...For Me
The are many elements needed to have a good relationship. You need trust, good communication, and compatibility just to name a few. But what about being truly happy in your relationship? I believe that you can have a good relationship, with a good person, but still feel like something is missing.
Happiness is very a personal, individual thing. What makes me happy in a relationship will not necessarily be what makes you happy in your relationship. Happiness is the state of being happy. Being happy is all about joy, well being, and being in that good place.
6 Things Needed To Be Happy In Relationship
Great Conversation
Being with someone who is capable of holding an interesting, intelligent conversation is very important to me. I want someone with whom after years together we can still have great talks, heated debates, and challenge each other's thinking.
In order to be a great conversationlist, one also needs to be a great listener. No one is happy all day everyday, but it is nice to be able to talk to someone you trust to vent and get advice.
Laughter
Being able to have fun, laugh at yourself, and laugh with each other deepens your relationship bond. Laughter is what will get you through those tough times, as life's inevitable difficulties arise. Laughter is healing, calming, and a big stress reliever.
Adventure
I am a bit of a homebody by nature. I love curling up on my couch with a great book, or binge watching Netflix. But I also love a great adventure. The more unplanned or unexpected, the better.
I need someone who is willing to pack a bag on a Thursday night for a last minute trip Vegas or Vermont.
Comfortable Silence
While I love a good conversation, I also enjoy quiet time together. You know you are in a good place with each other when you do not feel the need to talk all of the time. You can drive together for hours just listening to music and enjoying the scenery, and be completely comfortable and content not making meaningless chatter.
Space
I am happiest in a relationship when I am given my personal time and space. I need time to read quietly, focus on writing, and watch my guilty pleasure television shows. I think time away from my partner lets me recharge, makes me miss them, and overall makes me a better girlfriend or wife.
Passion
I need passion to be truly happy in my relationship. I want to feel passionate about my partner, and I want to feel wanted and desired by them. There also needs to be a passion for things outside the relationship. I am passionate about writing. I want a partner who is passionate about something as well. Passion is sexy.
Being in a relationship does not guarantee happiness, but I do believe that if you know what you truly want and expect in a relationship, you will have a better chance of finding your happy. No one can be any one person's everything, which is why space, time apart, and hobbies that interest you are important to maintain your happiness within your relationship.
In order to have a good relationship you need trust, good communication, and respect, and all of these are the foundation for a solid partnership. But how do you make a relationship a good relationship great? For me I need the six elements for happy to take a good relationship to the next level.
How do you define happiness in a relationship? Do agree or disagree that one can have a good relationship but still not be happy? Is this asking for too much in a relationship? Please share!
"Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night til it be morrow." William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
15 Minute Chicken And Zucchini Stir Fry...
I love making stir fry, and usually do so at least once a week. Stir-fry is quick, easy, and simple to change up a recipe in a pinch. Not to mention they are healthy, low calorie, and very filling.
This recipe is perfect for a fast weeknight meal, or as meal prep your weekly lunches.
For this recipe I used chicken breast, but it works just as well with beef, pork, shrimp, and even ground chicken or ground turkey. This is a crowd pleaser, so double the recipe if you want leftovers. It's simple enough that my preteen knows how to make it, but you can still feel good about making a home cooked meal.
Ingredients:
2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, Cubed
1 Large Zucchini, Peeled and Cubed
1/2 Yellow Onion, Diced
2 Tbsp. Soy Sauce, GF
1 Tsp. Minced Garlic
1/2 Tsp. Ginger Paste
1 Tbsp. Cornstarch
Directions:
In a large skillet drizzle olive oil and add chicken and onions. Cook chicken on medium high heat until cooked through, about 3-5 minutes. Add cubed zucchini, garlic, and ginger and stir. Allow to cook for about 5 minutes stirring occasionally, until zucchini is tender. Next sprinkle cornstarch over stir fry, and add the soy sauce. Stir once again, and allow to simmer for about 2 minutes.
I suggest serving over brown rice or rice noodles. One of my favorites to use is Rice Ramen. It's gluten free, filling, and absorbs all the flavors of the stir fry. So yummy!
I hope you enjoy! Please share your stir fry tips.
5 Signs He's Cheating...Or Is Thinking About It
Trust is everything in a relationship. It is a miserable feeling when you think your partner may be stepping out on you. Chances are, if you are suspicious you have a pretty good reason to be so.
It's that gut feeling, and really just knowing your man. If something feels off, then that it is because something is off.
It is a big leap to go from having a suspicion to accusing. I had the unfortunate experience many years ago of playing detective in a relationship, and as much as I enjoy being right, I had hoped to be wrong in that situation.
The truth is, if you think he's cheating, he probably is. Or at least he wants to, or is thinking about it.
The 5 Signs Of Cheating
He Seems Distant
The distance you feel can come in the form of physical as well, but he is mostly going to be mentally and emotionally distant. He is no longer open with you and is not interested in you.
He is not interested in talking to you very much, and when he does talk to you, he is barely listening or engaged.
Physically he can avoid you by working late or avoiding your home life. He may also create distance by sleeping on the couch, or coming to bed after you have already turned in for the night.
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You Catch Him In Lies
The lies are the biggest telltale. He is not where is said he was going to be. He is not home when he said he would be. You can tell he's lying to you even though you cannot always prove it.
He Avoids Intimacy
He avoids your touch, and is no longer very affectionate. Kisses, hand holding, and cuddling are a thing of the past. He rarely initiates sex anymore, when once upon a time he couldn't keep his hands off of you.
When you do have sex with him he is not there mentally. He seems to be a million miles away, and possibly even thinking of someone else.
A big sign of intimacy avoidance is failing to look you in the eyes. Gazing into each others eyes is extremely intimate, and creates a connection. Failure to make that eye contact shows that he may be emotionally checked out of the relationship, and focused elsewhere.
He's Secretive
He doesn't allow you to see his phone, his emails, or his wallet. If you walk into the room unexpectedly he will close his laptop or close out of things on his computer. He has changed passwords, and gets defensive when you ask questions.
The Relationship Feels Off
Your partner has become different, almost like a stranger to you. It feels off because it is. You sense that he is no longer into you, he is no longer in love with you, and is just going through the motions.
What To Do
You have options if you think you are being cheated on. The first is to confront the situation directly and ask your partner if they are having an affair, including emotional and online affairs. Of course this is the scariest option because you may not get the answer or response you are hoping for, but for many of us it is better to know.
There is also the big possibility that he is going to lie because he's not quite ready to call it quits, and leave the comfortable home life.
You could take a more conservative approach, and just discuss your concerns about how you feel the relationship has changed, and tell your partner how it makes you feel.
The positive to this approach is that it puts your feelings out there, but if he is already done and emotionally closed to you, this conversation will go nowhere. In fact, the discussion may annoy him and give him an excuse to grab his keys and go get some "fresh air".
The last option is to play detective. This is probably the most mentally anguishing and painful choice to make, but you may find the answers you need. You clearly do not trust him, and will drive yourself nuts trying to find evidence that there is someone else, all the while hoping there is no evidence.
The positive is that you may not find a smoking gun, but the negative is that your gut is telling you he is involved or in love with someone else.
The Reality
A cheater is not likely to admit to cheating. They will usually lie through their teeth, until you have indisputable evidence of their infidelity. Trust your instincts in this case, because chances are your gut is on to something. They are cheating or thinking about it.
Counseling is usually recommended for marital issues, including infidelity. Of course this would mean that your man has come clean about his cheating, and is willing to do the work to get the relationship back on track.
I suppose the "positive" in the case of marital infidelity is that a man is statistically unlikely to leave his marriage for his lover. However, the negative in this matter is his motivation for staying in the marriage. A man will stay for financial reasons, for the kids, and to maintain a status and the appearance of a happy family life.
The 5 signs listed are not all inclusive. In fact, you may find that your man becomes extra nice, and buys you gift to help him alleviate his guilt. He may also have a revved up sex drive with you to cover up his extra activities, and also to relieve his pent up sexual desires because he cannot have the other woman in the moment.
We all have our relationship deal breakers, and only you know what is tolerable and acceptable for you. Many relationships survive infidelity, but I am not sure if anyone ever gets over the broken trust, and feelings of betrayal.
What are your thoughts on cheating? What signs do you consider red flags? Please share your experience!
"No relationship is ever a waste of time. If it didn't bring you what you want, it taught you what you don't want." - Unknown
Turkey Chili...Fast, Filling, and Delicious
I know that it is getting close to summer, but my turkey chili is good any time of year. It is fast, filling, and delicious. Not to mention it freezes well for a last minute meal, something to warm your tummy, or as a topping for hot dogs, baked potatoes, fries, or nachos.
When I first started making chili, I thought that it had to be an all day evolution to make good chili. After I became a mom I started trying to find ways to make a big pot of chili without needing an 8 hour simmer.
I knew the fundamentals of chili making, so I started experimenting to find the fastest, easiest recipe. If I am being completely kitchen transparent, my chilis vary depending on the day, because I like to switch it up an use different beans and spices. Black beans or pinto are always good options.
This recipe is simple and comes together in a snap. You can use it as your go to chili recipe, but don't shy away from trying different meats, beans, and seasonings for a nice variety.
Ingredients:
1.25 lbs. Ground Turkey
1 14.5 oz. Can Diced Tomatoes
1 14 oz. Can Kidney Beans, Drained
1 14 oz. Can Chili Beans
½ Yellow Onion, Diced
1 tbsp. Minced Garlic
3 tbsp. Chili Powder
1 tbsp. Cumin
1 tsp. Seasoning Salt
1/2 tsp. Black Pepper
1 tbsp. Olive Oil
Directions:
In a skillet add olive oil, onions, turkey meat, garlic, seasoning salt, and black pepper. Brown meat but do not drain. Add tomatoes, beans, chili powder, cumin, and bring to boil. Reduced heat to simmer and let cook for 30 minutes.
Serve with crackers, cheese or Fritos.
I hope you enjoy my chili recipe. Please share your favorite twists to this recipe!
Opposite Attraction...Here's Why The Relationships Will And Won't Work
As the saying goes opposites attract, but that really isn't where the story ends. What comes next after the initial attraction? Boy meets girl, and girl is so different from him, from everything he knows. He is fascinated by her. He has to have her, and wants to love her forever. Ah so sweet.
Fairytales are lovely, but quite unrealistic. In fairytales they always live happily ever after, but how could that be? Fairytales are the epitome of opposites attracting. What in the world could Cinderella and Prince Charming possibly have in common? And don't even get me started on Ariel and Eric?
From my point of view these relationships are doomed, but perhaps I am being too pessimistic. Opposites relationships can work, but how do we define working? For some, they consider a relationship working based on sheer time. I disagree with that philosophy.
I say choose quality over quantity any day. Who cares if a marriages lasts 30 years, when the couple was miserable for the past 25 years?
Here's Why It Will Work
Fascinated By Each Other
When people are physically attracted to an opposite, we tend to be fascinated by them. We find the differences adorable. We also tend to ignore the possible obstacles the relationship can bring, and focus on the possibilities instead.
Trying New Things
The great thing about dating your opposite is that they will introduce you to new things. We are more open, and willing in the early stages of relationships to do or try something new or different. With trying new things comes the possibility that you may actually find that you like things you never would have tried or thought about doing.
Passionate
Due to the fascination and newness of getting to know one another, the relationship tends to be very passionate. You cannot get enough of one another, both in and outside of the bedroom.
Working Hard
We recognize that we are with someone different and that to make both parties happy, we work hard to compromise and find common ground.
Here's Why It Won't Work
Newness Wears Off
Once a relationship hits the year mark it is no longer new. Some of the fascination has faded, and you have identified some of the differences that you do not like.
Nothing In Common
The big downside in opposite relationships is that you have very little, if anything at all, in common. Once you become comfortable in your relationship you may start to compromise less, and not be as willing to do things you have no interest in doing.
Bored
Unfortunately this relationship can become stale after a while. The willingness to compromise fades somewhat, and it can be hard to agree on activities to do together that you can both truly enjoy.
You start to long for a partner that you don't have to convince to join you on a bike ride, or for a movie you have been looking forward to seeing.
Differences Become A Source Of Irritation
Early in the relationship you didn't consider it a big deal that they weren't well read, or wasn't into fitness like you, but after a while it starts to annoy you. It's no longer cute that you have to explain world events to them, or that they hate to exercise.
Opposites can make it work, but they need to work harder than most due to the lack of commonality. Having similar interests and hobbies is what will keep a relationship going as the relationship experiences natural ups and downs.
Two book lovers should have no problem chatting about great books they have read. A couple that loves the outdoors can go camping, hiking, and fishing together without there being complaints the whole time.
No one can be any one person's everything. Of course we should have friends outside of our relationships that we do things with without our partner. However, having a partner that is your opposite will have many challenges. These challenges are not about age or race, but more about our fundamental desires for happiness and joy, and how we define that.
What are your thoughts? Have you ever dated an opposite? How did it work out? Please share!
Home Remedies...Treat Your Colds, Sinus Infections, and Migraines At Home
Holistic medicine is not just for hippies. It is helpful to know how to use everyday items found in your pantry or garden, to make you feel better and relieve pain. Over the counter and prescription medications are fine, and sometimes they are a necessity depending on how ill we are.
The good thing is that not every illness is a life or death circumstance, and do not necessarily requires drugs to make us feel better. The goal is to treat our bodies holistically whenever possible because medications, whether they are prescription drugs or over the counter, can damage our kidneys, livers, and hearts just to name a few organs.
Easy Home Remedies
Cold And Flu Symptoms
Home remedies for treating cold and flu symptoms are basically the same. The first thing you want to do is start adding lots of vitamin C to your body. This can be accomplished with juice, vitamins, and also cough drops with added vitamin C.
You should also drink tea and add honey and lemon. The honey acts as a cough suppressant, and works with the tea to soothe a sore throat. Plus drinking the tea will help keep you hydrated. For food, chicken soup is the best. The warm broth soothes and helps with the upper respiratory system.
Lastly, you need to use vapor rub, and a humidifier. The vapor rub should be applied to your chest area, and upper back. The vapor rub will help open up your airway and work as a cough suppressant. The humidifier will add moisture to the air, which will help your nasal passages and make it easier to breathe.
Sinus Infections
The best home remedies for sinus infections consists of warm showers or face steaming, using humidifiers, drinking plenty of water, warm compresses, and lots of rest. I recommend adding a few drops of eucalyptus to your shower bed to assist with opening up your nasal passage. For the face steam, fill a large mixing bowl with hot water, add a few drops of eucalyptus, lean over bowl and cover your head with towel to keep in steam.
Migraines/Headaches
Treating headaches and migraines can be a little tricky because the causes can vary. The important thing do when trying to combat head pain is to hydrate. Dehydration will cause headaches and migraines, but so will stress and lack of sleep.
Lie down in a dark room if possible. Avoid electronic devices, and loud noises. Noise machines can be helpful with calming sounds of rain or the ocean.
Upset Stomach
To treat an upset stomach I recommend ginger ale, and the BRAT diet. The ginger will help settle your stomach, and the carbonation will help get rid of the gas in your tummy. The BRAT diet consists of bananas, rice, apple sauce, and toast. The food items work to combat diarrhea, and settle the tummy.
If nausea is also part of your symptoms, I recommend peppermint. The peppermint will help prevent nausea. I suggest sucking on a peppermint, or brewing a nice cup of tea.
Body Aches/Pain
If you are looking for pain relief, and do not want to take meds, you have many home remedy options. The first recommendation is to stretch. Stretching will help your tense, aching muscles. The next thing you do is foam roller. Rolling out your back, neck, and legs will alleviate pain.
A warm bath with epson salt is also a great pain reliever and muscle relaxer. Last but not least I recommend ice packs and heating pads. Both will help with your aches and pains.
I don't know about you, but I try not reach for a bottle of medicine unless all else has failed. OTC and prescriptions medications are definitely needed at times, but sometimes the known side effects, and damage they do to our organs gives me pause.
If we can get the same relief from home remedies as we do with something out of a bottle, with little to no side effect, then why not? What are your home remedies? I know most of us have some holistic treatments passed down in our families. Please share!
Friends With Benefits...5 Reasons It's Not Worth It
Friends with benefits sounds good in theory, but is it really worth potentially screwing up a great friendship for sex? The friends with benefits relationship is basically a no strings attached agreement. You have fun together, hang out, have sex, and then go your separate ways.
There are many people who fall into the trap of friends with benefits (FWB). It is after all very appealing. You are single, horny, and have a willing partner who you are close to and find attractive, or at least attractive enough.
The decision for the friends with benefits relationship is often made in the heat of the moment, and not well thought out. Unfortunately, there is no going back once you start sleeping together.
5 Reasons It's Not Worth It
It Changes The Friendship
The friendship changes but not usually for the good. Sure you are getting laid, but now there is a complicated relationship in your life, and it's with someone you would have normally confided in about it.
Also, instead of being the chill buddy, or the one they would pour their heart out to, you are now the booty call. Things start to become complicated.
You Feel Jealous
Although the deal was just sex, you will start to feel a little possessive. Before the sexual relationship started, and you were hanging out with your friend, it didn't bother you if he checked out another girl. In fact you didn't think anything of it, but with a sexual relationship involved you feel hurt, jealous, and kind of disrespected.
You Become Emotionally Attached
You always cared about them as a friend, but after you start having sex you will likely develop real feelings of love for them. Once that happens, it's analyze, analyze, analyze. What did he or she mean when they said this or that? Why haven't they called? Am I being used?
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You Get Your Heart Broken
Maybe in the beginning you were down for a strictly sexual relationship, or possibly always hoped it would turn into more. Either way, your friend didn't feel the same way, and now you are left heartbroken and feeling foolish. This will be especially difficult if you have the same circle of friends, and his dates or new girlfriends are brought around.
It's Going To End
One way or another, your FWB is going to end, but it may not be by your choosing. Perhaps your friend started dating someone, or just felt that the sexual part of your relationship had run its course. Whatever the reason, the end will feel like a break up, and it will be difficult to handle.
Now you have to struggle to maintain a friendship with someone you are in love with, and who has rejected you on some level.
In a nutshell, a friends with benefits relationship is sex with a friend who does not want more from your relationship. Not everyone is cut out for this type of relationship. So, in choosing to enter a FWB agreement, one needs to clear about what they want, and have an end game.
Have you ever been in a friends with benefits relationship? How did it end? How did it make you feel, and would you ever engage in another one? Please share story or experience!
“How can I be reasonable? To me our love was everything and you were my whole life. It is not very pleasant to realize that to you it was only an episode.” - W. Somerset Maugham, The Painted Veil
Are You Stuck in the Friend Zone? 7 Signs They Only See You as a Friend
Can a man and a woman be just friends without one or both wanting more? The question is debatable depending on who you ask, but the short, honest answer is it depends. I have always had a lot of male friends, and they have never left the friend zone, and I never wanted them to.
I truly love and value my guy pals, both gay and straight. The friendships are somewhat different from my female friendships. The dynamic is different and fulfilling in unique ways, without the drama and challenges of a romantic relationship. They work for me.
I suppose the real questions is, "Is it possible that some of my male friends were just playing the waiting game?" Were they waiting for the right time to make their move, or hoping that I would see them differently? Which of course was never going to happen, because I see my close guy friends like brothers.
Yes, I can find them attractive, but in a non sexual way. They might as well be eunuchs.
The Friend Zone vs Free Parking
Now, be sure not to confuse the friend zone with the free parking zone. I refer to the guy you are really cool with, but there is also potential for more, as being in free parking zone.
You are his friend and content to keep it that way for now, but you are also careful not to do, or say anything to sabotage a possible relationship in the future. So you don't burp in front of him, or pig out, and definitely do not discuss any gross bodily functions with him.
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There is also sexual tension in free parking, and occasional flirting and looks that are more friendly than not. Maybe the timing is not right, and nothing will ever happen. Or just maybe fate will bring you two together. There is possibility in free parking.
In taking a very unscientific poll, I discovered more women than men thought the opposite sex friendships were possible. Most of the women I know have close male friends, and said they do not have a problem with their man having female friends, but there were some restrictions.
Men on the other hand were less definitive in their response. A couple guys didn't mind at all. While others were not okay with the wife or girlfriend having male friends at all. Is it because they worry that he is thinking what they think when they are with their female "friends"? Hmm.
Have I been so naive this whole time? I refuse to believe so. Yes, I understand that men think about sex way more than women do. And I know that some of my closest male friends over the years have had deep feelings for me. Some confessed at the time, and others told me years later.
Unfortunately, as wonderful as they were, I just could not see them in that way. In theory, if a male and female are good friends then they are very compatible. They have a lot in common and truly enjoy each other's company.
Friendship is the foundation for any long lasting relationship, but you also need romantic and sexual chemistry.
So what are your thoughts? Can men and women be just friends? Are you currently friendzoning someone? Have you been friendzoned and want out? Or just maybe you are in free parking, waiting for the right time to make your move. Please share!
"A guy and a girl can be just friends, but at one point or another, they will fall for each other...Maybe temporarily, maybe at the wrong time, maybe too late, or maybe forever” - Dave Matthews Band
Shakespeare Love...Which Female Character Best Represents The Way You Love?
If reading Shakespeare has taught me anything, it is that relationships are hard, life is not fair, and no, things do not always work out in the end. Those stories would fall into the tragedies, but life and relationships can truly be tragic. The great thing is that life can also be full of comedy and laughter as well.
I think by the end of my freshman year of high school I had read nearly every piece of work by William Shakespeare.
Every play I read I attempted to identify with a particular character, or at least recognize certain characteristics within myself. I have my favorites, and some that I find extremely unsatisfying or disappointing for a variety of reasons.
The Plays and The Ladies
MacBeth
Lady MacBeth is the wife of MacBeth and she is strong, tough, and an unstoppable force. She believes in her man, even if he doesn't believe in himself, and will not let anyone stand in the way of what she believes is rightfully hers and her man's.
If you love like Lady Macbeth, then you believe in tough love. You are a ride or die chick, and are always team Macbeth. Just remember taunting and emasculating behavior is not the best way to motivate your man. Maybe you are not always right.
Othello
Desdemona is a smart woman who speaks her mind, loves being a wife, and loves her man Othello. Desdemona is proud of her military husband and loves the life that they have created together. She loves her man to fault, and even when she realizes he has turned on her, and is going to kill her, she is still on his side.
If you love like Desdemona, then you are a loyal partner, and you love hard. You can be blind to your lover's faults at times, and only want to see the good in those you love. Be careful with your heart, and be sure that your partner is committed and deserving of your love.
Taming Of The Shrew
Katherine Minola is feisty, spirited, and not exactly wife material for the average man of her times. Kate is perceived to be a tough, ball busting woman, but she is actually very intelligent and thoughtful. Once the right man, her husband Petruchio comes along, Kate is able to let down her guard and be herself.
If you love like Kate, then you are a woman who knows her heart, and her mind, and will not settle for less. You can be tough, but you also have a soft heart, but only those special to you get to see it. Just remember that showing your softer side doesn't make you weak.
Romeo and Juliet
Juliet Capulet is a sweet innocent girl who falls head over heels in love with Romeo, in spite of her families rival with Romeo's family. While Juliet is sweet, she is also strong willed and refuses to marry Paris, the man her parents have chosen for her.
If you love like Juliet, then you are a passionate girl who follows your heart, and damn all of those who dare to try to stand in your way. You are willing to go to the end of the earth for your love, but maybe take it down a notch.
The Tempest
Miranda had been exiled with her father Prospero since she was three years old. Miranda is all that is good. She is a sweet innocent girl who blossomed into a beautiful young lady. Having always been an obedient daughter, Miranda makes the decision to go against her father to free Ferdinand, her love.
If you love like Miranda, then you love with all of your heart. You never want to hurt anyone, or see anyone in pain, but for love you are willing to take risks, and break some rules. Just try not fall in love so fast. He may be the one, but he may not be.
Shakespearean characters are extremely complex, but always fun to analyze and dissect. William Shakespeare wrote these stories in the late 1500s and the early 1600s, but I think we can all still see some similarities in human behavior and relationships in today's society.
We all love differently, which makes life so much more interesting. So which Shakespeare female character best represents the way you love? I was definitely able to pick myself out right away. Please share!
Drunk Shopping...The 5 Signs That You've Been Drunk Shopping
Drunk shopping...the billion dollar industry that no one really talks about. Are you familiar with drunk shopping? I know I had never heard of drunk shopping until a girlfriend of mine mentioned it. Once she explained what it was, I immediately recognized the behavior, and had to know more.
I started researching drunk shopping, and all that it entailed. There is a funny, silly, harmless element to it for most of us, but it is a behavior that can very problematic for others.
Drunk shopping is basically the act of making purchases while having had alcoholic beverages. Your inhibitions are lowered, your decision making skills are reduced, and your judgement is poor.
Drunk shopping occurs more frequently with men than women, but many of us have done it at one time or another. It can be as benign as paying for a taxi or Uber to take you from bar to bar when you could have just walked a block over. It can also be as serious as doing a lot of online gambling while under the influence, which can be be very costly.
The 5 Signs Of Drunk Shopping
Unexpected Packages
If packages arrive at your home, and they consist of items you have no memory of purchasing, you were likely drunk shopping. Usually big tickets items, and clothing items are purchased while drunk shopping.
Bank Notifications
If your bank is sending your texts or emails regarding unusual or large purchases you may have been drunk shopping. Of course you want to be sure to check that you are not a victim of identity theft, but if you can track your previous online activity to the purchases, then you know you were the culprit.
Receipts For Unknown Purchases
If you sometimes find receipts in your car, purse, or wallet for food, alcohol, and Uber rides with no memory of the purchases, you were likely drunk shopping. The good thing is that at least you have a record of your purchases, and can call your credit card company if you deem necessary.
Hangover/Upset Stomach After Night Out
After a couple of drinks at your favorite bar, food that didn't appeal to you when you first arrived, suddenly starts to smell and look so good. Before you know if, you are ordering another round of drinks, getting wings, and mozzarella sticks.
Overeating, too much drinking, and lots of greasy food may leave you feeling miserable the next day. Not to mention that you spent way more than you planned too.
Lower Bank Balance Than You Thought
You check your bank balance or credit card statements and realize that you have spent way more than you thought. Spending too much money on your debit card or credit card can be addressed by setting limits that prevents over spending on any particular day or location.
If you recognize some of the signs of drunk shopping you are not alone. A study found that Americans are spending over $30 billion a year drunk shopping. Millions of people drunk shop every day, but it is important not to make a habit of this bad behavior. If you receive packages from drunk shopping, return them if you can.
Also consider just carrying cash on your nights out to keep a better handle on your spending. Lastly, maybe opt for a movie on Netflix on nights in with your glass of wine, rather than web surfing.
Any experience with drunk shopping? Please share.