Secrets of a Low Maintenance Gal

Much in the same way that a car can be high-maintenance, a significant other can be a lot of work, too. In place of a daily quart of oil, this person might need constant reassurance or all salad dressing "on the side." Being high-maintenance isn't necessarily a bad thing, but if you want to get all the way across the country in the road trip of life, you're going to pick the car that can go a few days without a curling iron. Mixed metaphors aside, the point is that low-maintenance ladies have more fun. Let your inner drama queen go, and land a great guy the laid-back way:

 

1. Stop worrying about your hair

The simpler the style, the faster you'll be able to get out of the house and into some adventures. Grow it out and throw it into a ponytail or cut it super short and let it air dry for maximum freedom.

 

2. Buy some comfortable shoes

The couples that play together stay together. And to a lot of men, a respectable pair of hiking boots or golf shoes is just as alluring as a pair of precarious stilettos.

 

3. Learn to laugh at yourself

Being low-maintenance often means being able to bounce back quickly from life's little faux pas. A gal that can giggle at her own foibles comes across as confident, fun to be around and less likely to fall apart when someone else makes a mistake.

 

4. Take it easy with the special orders

Chances are, the chef might actually know more about food than you. Designing your own entrée every time you enter a restaurant and tasting multiple vintages before settling on a glass of wine isn't impressive, it's annoying.

 

5. Take care of your own self-esteem

Don't leave it to a man to constantly tell you how great you are. Find out on your own by tackling new challenges or learning new skills. Cultivate strong friendships and family relationships so that he never becomes your only cheerleader. You know you're gorgeous.

 

6. Be okay with solitude

Even the tightest couples need — and thrive on — some time apart. A low-maintenance gal is okay with the occasional guys' night out because she can't wait to spend a quiet evening in the tub with a good book.

 

7. Stop making your relationship the main topic of conversation

Sure, every girl wants to know where things are going and how her man is feeling, but bringing up the state of the union every week is like making him go shoe shopping with you on a regular basis.

 

8. Stop asking, "What are you thinking about?"

Chances are, nothing interesting. Let him keep his thoughts to himself. You'll free up your own mind for musings on the finer points of string theory .... or whatever else it is you like to ponder.