TresSugar

Tip No. 6: Surviving Valentine's Day When You're Single

DearSugar — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:30:00 -0800

Going outside of your comfort zone can be terrifying, but it can also be incredibly rewarding - I'm sure all you empowered women know just what I mean! Patty Brisben feels the same way, so if you want to check out what she's advising in her sixth tip, just read more.

Broaden your horizons by stepping outside your box and trying something new - whether it is supporting the arts by attending the theater, opera, or local art museum or even trying out a new hobby. By focusing on yourself, you will not only grow as an individual, but you'll also find that having a relationship is the last thing on your mind.

To see all of Patty's tips, click here.

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Tip No. 4: Surviving Valentine's Day When You're Single

DearSugar — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:00:00 -0800

The holidays can really wreak havoc on your alone time, but I can't express enough how important finding that time is to the soul.

Patty Brisben happens to agree with me so to check out what she has to say in her fourth tip on surviving Valentine's Day when you're single, just read more

I'm a big believer that in order to have a healthy balance in life you should always schedule in some "Me-Time". This is especially true when you are celebrating Valentine's Day sexy and single! One year, I stopped into the grocery store to pick up a steak and a bottle of wine, and I couldn't help but laugh at all of the men scrambling in to buy last minute cards and flowers; I thought to myself, it could be worse - I could be dating one of those men!

To see all of Patty's tips, click here.

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Dear Poll: Are You Craving More Alone Time?

DearSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 07:30:00 -0800

I don't know about you, but getting a night to myself these days is getting harder and harder. While I love attending holiday parties, I need some alone time every once in a while to recharge my battery and get my beauty sleep. Some people I know, though, look forward to having every night booked up throughout the month of December. So where do you fall in the spectrum: are you craving more alone time this holiday season or are you thoroughly enjoying being a social butterfly?

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Group Therapy: Is Alone Time in a Relationship Good or Bad?

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:00:00 -0800

My friend has been dating her boyfriend for about two and a half years. Over that time, he has basically convinced her that if she really loves him, she'll spend all her spare time with him. At the beginning, I thought it was fine because it was new, but now, he still gets upset and offended if she goes for a night out with the girls (even if it's just dinner and a movie). She ends up having to explain herself and defend her love for him, and it usually results in a fight.

We've talked about it and she told me that he says when two people love each other, they should want to spend all their time together or else it's not "true love." I don't agree, but am I wrong? Isn't it normal to want some alone time or time with your friends without being made to feel like a bad girlfriend? Can you truly love someone and still want some time away from them?

[EDITOR'S NOTE: To be read more GROUP THERAPY, click here or submit your own
question here.]

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5 Things to Do When Your SO's Out of Town!

DearSugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:00:00 -0800

On Monday I asked if you like to play when the cat's away, and I feel like there was some confusion surrounding my question. I wasn't asking if you cheated while he was gone; rather, I was asking if you went out and painted the town a little red, or splurged with your girlfriends. In keeping with that theme, if enjoying the TV all to yourself is too mundane, I've come up with five great ways to enjoy time away from your significant other. If I've missed something, share what it is you like to do when he's away in the comments below. Source

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Relationship Protocol: When The Cat's Away, Do You Play?

DearSugar — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 10:00:00 -0800

Does the old saying when the cat's away, the mouse will play ring at all true in your relationship? It's a common notion that when a significant other is out of town, the other half gets a "hall pass." While I'm sure that's appealing to some, others might use that time apart to catch up on alone time, to get errands run, or to simply spend time with friends and family. So when it comes to your relationship, tell me, when the cat's away, do you play?

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The How-To Lounge: Hobbies

DearSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:00:00 -0700

With life as busy as it is, it can seem like there’s no time to sleep, let alone take up a hobby. But a hobby can actually help you slow down and make invaluable time for yourself during the busiest moments. While I know there are those of us who’ve been rocking a hobby since childhood, I’m sure there are some of us still looking for a way to do something just for ourselves. To see my tips for starting up a new hobby just read more.

Instead of picking a hobby at random, think about what really interests you. If you’re not crafty, scrapbooking is probably not a great idea. But if you love sports, joining a recreational soccer team may just be a perfect fit.
Your hobby is supposed to be enjoyable so make sure you pick something you can actually have fun with! For example, just because you love politics doesn’t mean you want to take up political blogging, which could require more time, energy, and thought than you’re willing to expend. You want it to add to your energy, not to take away from it.
It might be unrealistic to make time for your hobby every day, but try to set aside at least an hour each week that you can spend doing it. If that’s too much, let it be what you can turn to during your alone time.
Like with anything else you want to accomplish, try setting a goal for yourself. Not only will it give you something to work towards, but meeting a goal will give you a sense of personal accomplishment you can’t get from the working world.
Use your hobby as an opportunity to branch out and meet new people. You can make new friends, and find even more excuses to invest yourself in an activity that’s just for you.

Hobbies are great stress relievers, so just because they may seem time consuming at first, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give them a try.

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Have You Ever Taken a Self-Imposed Hiatus From Love?

DearSugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:00:00 -0700

Last week an article on MSNBC.com from Today show contributor and sex therapist, Dr. Ian Kerner caught my eye. In it he discusses the ways anxiety and excitement play a strong role in dating, ultimately creating an "emotional seesaw" effect as daters bounce from high to low and back again. His solution to this unending and exhausting cycle is a dating detox. He writes:

Stop dating and stop worrying about it. It may be just the ticket to help you get off the treadmill and achieve a sense of calm and centeredness to get back out there from a place of strength. Put the time you would put into dating into yourself: work, friends, new challenges and goals.

I tend to agree with Kerner's solution, and in fact, I've heard many friends swear off putting themselves out there after a string of bad dates. Have you ever sworn off the pursuit of love in order to reconnect with yourself? And if so, did it work?

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Five Great Things About Being Single!

DearSugar — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Being single has its ups and downs, but today, in the spirit of kicking off our coverage of National Singles Week, I thought it would fun to embrace our single-hood!
Sometimes you don't miss something until it's gone so make sure you don't forget these five great things about being single. As always, let me know what I've missed! Source

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Do Tell: Do You Look Forward to Your Alone Time?

DearSugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 07:00:00 -0700

Alone time is incredibly valuable, especially if you tend to be an introvert; it gives you time to process your thoughts and get back in touch with yourself as an individual. But once you’re in a relationship, alone time can get lost in the shuffle of a busy schedule. In fact, if you live with someone, finding alone time can feel nearly impossible. I expressed these thoughts to a friend recently, and she was quick to point out that she didn’t look forward to her alone time at all. Sure, she appreciates it, but she prefers to have people around. I was surprised by her response, but do you agree? Do tell, is alone time something you look forward to?

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