TresSugar

Handle This: You Caught Him Reading Your Journal

DearSugar — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:30:00 -0700

If you were put in a situation like this, how would you handle it?

You recently lost your job and as a result, you've been pretty down and out. Thankfully you have a very supportive and loving live-in boyfriend, but truth be told, you've been craving your alone time. You have found solace in your journal, something you never had time for before, and it's really helping you sort through your feelings. Your boyfriend has noticed that you've been pulling back a little and has responded by being extra clingy, which in turn only irritates you.

The other night, while having dinner at home, your boyfriend made a strange comment - it sounded like he was privy to your personal thoughts only written in your journal. When you asked him point blank if he had read it, he nodded and quietly said yes. As you stormed out of the kitchen, he said that he was left with no other choice since you hadn't been willing to open up to him. You understand that he was just trying to help you during this rough patch, but you're furious - he betrayed your trust and went behind your back. You're going through enough as it is, so how would you handle it?

Source

Handle This: Your Boyfriend Is Turning Into a Couch Potato

DearSugar — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 07:30:00 -0700

If you were put in a situation like this, how would you handle it?

Your live-in boyfriend had been holding onto his job for dear life for the past six months, but he unfortunately got laid off March 1. Thankfully you still have yours, but you don't make nearly enough money to hold down the fort for much longer. You're a little worried as the economy isn't getting any better, but you're confident that your boyfriend will do everything in his power to find something sooner rather than later.

His first week of unemployment was very productive, but he's since become increasingly lazy and negative. He's on the couch every night when you get home - beer in hand - and he hasn't worked out in days. While you know it's a tough market out there, this is very out of character for your boyfriend - he's a go-getter, not a couch potato! To make matters worse, whenever you try to talk to him about how he's feeling or offer advice or support, he snaps at you. It's a tough situation, so tell me, how would you handle it?

Source

Handle This: Your Ex Reached Out to You

DearSugar — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:00:00 -0800

If you were put in a situation like this, how would you handle it?

Over the weekend, you were completely taken aback when your ex-boyfriend, who you dated for four years and still love, called to wish you a happy Valentine's Day. Since Saturday, you've been talking on the phone daily, and it feels like you've slipped right back into your old ways. When you told your best friend that he reached out to you, she immediately gave you a piece of her mind. While you were aware that your tumultuous relationship affected your friends too, you didn't know just how much they despised him for you.

You discovered through your long conversations that he's single, just like you, and before talking to your friend about him, you were entertaining the idea of getting back together. Knowing that she is against it makes matters incredibly complicated, and you're torn - you don't know if you should trust her, an outsider looking out for your best intentions, or your own heart. It feels like a lose/lose, so tell me, how would you handle this?

Source

Handle This: Your Friend Always Talks About Money

DearSugar — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 09:00:00 -0800

If you were put in a situation like this, how would you handle it?

Money is on the minds of most people these days, and while it's on yours too, it's not something you like to overthink. One of your friends, however, can't seem to talk about much else. It seems like every time you're together, she's asking how much things cost, how much your new shoes set you back, or how you can afford the trip you're taking with your husband that you've both been saving for. While you understand that many people are struggling right now, you don't think it's fair that she's making you feel guilty for the way you live your life. She's a dear friend and you don't want to make her feel uncomfortable, but her behavior is starting to affect your friendship, so tell me, how would you handle this?

Source

Handle This: Your Friend Has One Problem After Another

DearSugar — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 10:00:00 -0800

If you were put in a situation like this, how would you handle it?

You and your girlfriends are really close, but one in particular has been struck with a serious case of bad luck. She recently lost her job, her relationship has been on the rocks for weeks now, and she just found out that she has to be out of her apartment by the end of the month. Needless to say, she's been leaning on her friends for support and you've been the one she's relying on most.

While you love being there for your friends, her problems seem to be never-ending, and they are starting to weigh on you. She needs the companionship and encouragement of her friends, but truth be told, you've had enough. You don't want to leave her high and dry, but you're simply fed up with putting her needs before your own, so tell me, how would you handle it?

Source

Handle This: Your Friend Is Rude to the Sales Associate

DearSugar — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:30:00 -0800

If you were put in a situation like this, how would you handle it?

You've recently become friendly with a co-worker at your new law firm. She's been incredibly welcoming and you're sure that she'll soon be a friend outside of work, too. Over the weekend, you bump into each other while perusing your neighborhood shops. You're both headed the same direction so you decide to hit the next boutique together. While flipping through the racks, you hear your co-worker ask the sales associate for help, and to your disbelief, she's treating her like a second-class citizen! She proceeds to boss her around, demanding she pull clothes for her to try on, only to leave them in a heap on the dressing room floor.

When you walked out of the store - empty handed - she acted like nothing had happened, but you are horrified by her behavior. She asks you to continue shopping with her but you just can't bear to witness her rude and disrespectful behavior again. You don't want this to affect your relationship in the office, so how would you handle it?

Source

Handle This: His Friend Is Draining Your Relationship

DearSugar — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:00:00 -0800

If you were put in a situation like this, how would you handle it?

Your live-in boyfriend's best friend just called off his engagement and is crushed. In an attempt to lift his friend's spirits, your boyfriend has been inviting him over a lot in addition to them hitting the town together. He has become a good friend of yours as well so you don't mind his company every once in a while, but having a third wheel around all the time is starting to affect your relationship - you can't remember the last time you had a night alone together.

You're glad his friend has the support of your boyfriend, but you're missing the intimacy of your relationship. You don't want to sound like a needy girlfriend, especially since his friend really needs the support right now, so how would you handle this?

Source

Best of 2008: Handle This

DearSugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 07:30:00 -0800

I've always been a fan of the what if game which is why I love our new feature, Handle This. Of course no one knows how they'd really react in any of these wild scenarios unless it actually happened to them, but it's always fun to imagine yourself there.

Below are my ten favorite posts of the year so be sure to answer them if you haven't already. Enjoy!

Want to see my five other favorite stories? If so, read more

Source

Handle This: She Cancels on Your New Year's Eve Plans

DearSugar — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:00:00 -0800

If you were put in a situation like this, how would you handle it?

You and your best friend made New Year's Eve plans months ago, which was a huge relief to you since there's always so much hype around that night. You each bought tickets to an all-inclusive party, and since most of your friends are coupled up, she's essentially your date.

When your friend calls you asking if you have time to talk, you can tell in her voice that something's wrong. She tells you that her best guy friend from college was asked to attend an incentive trip for his company and was invited to bring a plus one - her. The vacation overlaps with your New Year's plans, but she said it was too good of an opportunity to pass up. She's very apologetic, but she's left you in the lurch; you're going to be the only single one in your group. You're angry, but you don't want to hold a grudge, so how would you handle this?

Source

Handle This: Your Date Is Buzzed!

DearSugar — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:00:00 -0800

If you were put in a situation like this, how would you handle it?

You finally met a guy that you were excited to go out with. A date was set and you were looking forward to it all week. He said he'd call you in the late afternoon to solidify your plans for the night, but when he called, you could tell that he was out someplace and it was pretty evident that he had been drinking. When you asked where he was, he told you that he stopped by the local pub to catch the football game with his buddies. He went on to say he was really excited to see you and asked when you'd be ready. Unfortunately you're instantly turned off - you weren't expecting to have to deal with a buzzed date, especially a buzzed first date!

Part of you wants to reschedule, but you're already in the going-out mindset, plus your calendar is almost completely booked up due to the holidays. You're torn, so how would you handle this?

Source