Amie’s Top 5 Reasons Dating Is Like Shopping For Shoes
I love shoes. There, I said it. But as much as I hate myself for becoming some Sex and the City cliché when it comes to shoes I can’t have enough. I recently had to buy an extra shoe rack to store more shoes in my guest closet.
As I was stacking shoes on this new rack, a light bulb went off and I realized how shopping for shoes is a lot like dating. There is the obvious comparison that both come with lots of options and you have to choose the one that fits, but there are many more similarities as well. So in my next Amie’s Top Five List here are the top five reasons why dating is like shopping for shoes.
1) You Want Something That is Reliable and Will Last
Have you ever had heels that break or straps that refuse to work right? Yup, this bugs me so much! Because of this… I really began to pay attention to the quality of what I was buying. I mean, I want something long-lasting and comfortable.
Back when I was dating, I was going out with way too many poor quality guys. So I had to change it up. I made better choices and stopped wasting my time with the deadbeats.
I realized they weren’t quality and our relationship was never going to be long lasting. I learned to say “NO” to what I don’t want so that I could make room for what I “DO” want. Because of that, I eventually found my perfect fit!
2) It’s Much Easier to Search Online
When I shop at a shoe store I can look at hundreds of options at once, but when I do the shopping online I can look at thousands. Online, there are many different styles and brands that I may never have seen in stores because they just don’t carry them. So when I shop online if I find a one or two I like, I get them and try them on for size.
The same is true for dating. It’s so much easier to go online and sift through the seemingly endless options than it is to go to a bar or a party and sift through only a few. There are just so many people online to choose from, and I know.. I know.. sorting through all those options can be both daunting.
But it only takes one person (like finding that great pair of heels) you meet that you really, really like. And guess what? That’s what I did, I changed my mindset and viewed online dating as an opportunity and scored! I met him online and I’m happily married.
3) If it Doesn’t Fit Well, It will Eventually Hurt You
When a shoe doesn’t fit it rubs and rubs your feet until eventually, you are in real pain. When a relationship isn’t right for you (aka doesn’t fit) it can rub and irritate your mind, body, or soul just like that wrong-sized shoe.
So many times I have found a hot pair and I put it on, it looked amazing, but when I walked around in them, I could tell they just didn’t fit me right. Just like the guys I’ve dated, where on the surface all seemed good, but when I looked deeper, into my heart, I knew they weren’t right for me.
And if I made the mistake of ignoring this lack of a good fit (red flags), eventually I got hurt. The key take away is to pay attention to what you bring into your life, make sure it’s a great fit for you, whether it be a man or that hot pair of heels!
4) Sometimes the One You Desire the Most, You Can’t Afford
Every once in a while I have come across a pair that looks like the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I’m telling myself, I have to try it on.. It’s hot! It looks great, it has style… and then I look at the price tag. Shocker! Way outside of my price range.
Then my rationalizations start stewing. What if I didn’t eat out for a couple of months? What if I made this the only shoe I buy this century? In the end, buying that shoe means giving up so much of me, that it’s not really worth it.
Dating and Relationships are no different, even though the chemistry might be off the charts with your partner, but when you give up too much of yourself (not getting your non-negotiables met) to be in the relationship, it never is a good fit for you. Finding a perfect partner for you should have all the things a great pair of shoes has, but always at the right price.
5) It Takes Time to Find the “Right” One
When I stopped impulse shopping, my life changed. Those days of ending up with a pair of an amazing Christian Louboutin, I would wear once and regretted buying, came and went. In reality, the best way to shop is when you take the time to look at all your options.
Then, once you’ve narrowed down your choices, one by one you slip them on, walk around, check them out in the mirror, and ask other people’s opinions. When it comes to dating, it’s smart to take your time to find that special someone.
The time you spend dating (aka trying them on) is so important, you really want to make sure you don’t bring something home and realize later you made a big mistake.
Because in shoe shopping you can just return the shoes, but when it comes to matters of the heart… there are no returns. The end goal is to find a great fit and something comfortable that makes you feel amazing!
If your stuck with dating and want to start meeting quality singles, let me help. Schedule a Relationship Readiness Review with me here.