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8 Things No Woman Should EVER Wait For A Man To Do

Photo: Sarah Jones
things women should never do for men

We are living in the 21st Century. It’s time for us women to stand up and be our independent selves. Be strong, powerful, successful, and sexy — all without a man by your side. 

Growing up, we were taught that we absolutely need to marry to have a great time in life. We were told that a man would be our ticket to an adventurous life and pricey jewels. Well, I’m here to tell you that’s not true.

Believe it or not, you don’t need a man to buy you things or take you on trips, and there are just certain things women should never do for men. Instead, you can be outgoing and adventurous all by yourself. No need to sit around sulking, waiting for your dream guy to sweep you up into his arms and take you on his private jet. Just purchase that plane ticket and go.

Many a single woman falls into the trap of waiting around for a man to escort her through life. Can we all agree to stop doing that? Yes? Good. Stop wasting your life away for a guy. It’s not worth it and you deserve only the best.

RELATED: 7 Signs You Have Unhealthy Boundaries (That Will End Even The Best Relationships)

Go out into the world and be all the things you want to be without waiting for a man to come around. Buy that cute lingerie you’ve been eyeing and wear it around your living room while blasting some Beyoncé jams.

An even better than doing these things by yourself: get together with some neat girls who are in your same position! Go on a fun vacation together while wearing diamonds around your necks and eating whatever you want. Drink as much or as little as you want and don't worry about what the people around you think. Turn it into a party. I mean, the more the merrier, right?

RELATED: 4 Not-So-Obvious Ways Women Push Men Away In Relationships

Just because you don’t have that perfect man in your life doesn’t mean you can’t do all those things you were told a man was supposed to do for you. You don’t need a guy to take you out to dinner and treat you to shiny things. Is there something you've always wanted to do, but didn't want to do it alone? Now is the time to take care of yourself and do all the things you've wanted. Treat yourself!

To rev that life-lovin' engine up, we've compiled a list of things women should never do for men. From buying that expensive necklace you’ve wanted to traveling all around the world, do it. Don’t wait for a dude to pop in and direct your life movie. (And if you're better with company, call us — we make great BFFs.)

RELATED: 8 Signs Your Relationship Is Totally Solid And Built-To-Last

1. Buy jewelry

things women should never do for men

Everyone knows diamonds are a girl's best friend, but why wait around for a man to drop a knee? As our girl Bey says, "The rock I'm rocking? I bought it."

BONUS: There's a 100 percent success rate of you liking said diamond (or emerald or ruby) since, well, you purchased it.

2. Planning a vacation

things women should never do for men

Why wait around for a travel partner when you've got two strong legs of your own? Vacationing solo is one of the most empowering things a girl can do for herself. So get thee to Bali or Greece or Nepal ASAP. Your schedule, your pace, your budget.

Plus, you don't have to fake being interested in that super-weird modern art structure just because your partner is. And that's what we call a true vaca.

3. Date for the sake of dating

things women should never do for men

Date yourself or date your girlfriends. They're nice-lookin', too. Get yourself all dressed up, hit the hottest new restaurant in town, and order whatever the heck you want without worrying about whether you're dribbling salad dressing on your skirt or that you ordered an entree that was too expensive.

When you're done with that, take yourself to the movies or to eat ice cream and indulge in every last bite because HOORAY for you: You're not sharing with anyone.

4. Move somewhere new

things women should never do for men

San Francisco tickle your fancy? Or maybe you've always had an unexplainable pull toward Des Moines? Wherever you want to go, GO. Just do it.

This is your one and only life, so take a page from the Mary Tyler Moore Show and throw that red beret in the air because you, too, are going to make it after all. (And if you don't make it? Remember this: You can always move back.)

5. Set up a registry

things women should never do for men

Post-college, a single girl's cabinets are mostly filled with random dishes (none of which match), a few paltry condiments, and thin towels. Not exactly Martha Stewart Living. So escort thyself (sans future husband) to Crate & Barrel and start scanning items to your wish list.

Sure, it's nice when other people buy expensive napkin rings for you, but trust us, the price of a wedding is cost-neutral anyway. (And a bonus perk: you never have to give in to anyone else's heinous taste!)

6. Monogram everything

things women should never do for men

If you're waiting around for your married initials to present themselves, stop. If want to tattoo your name or initials on your bathrobe, shower curtain, compact mirror, or your dog, the pleasure's all yours. If and when you become a Mrs. and Mr., buy new towels. Or a new dog. Pretty simple, people. 

7. Take a family portrait

things women should never do for men

Does your "family" have furry paws and diva attitude toward dry food? PURR-fect. That's your family. Hire a photographer and celebrate the personalities who are in your lives at this very moment, not the people who aren't. (Roomates, super-tight co-workers, and your guinea pig all count as family. So does your mom.)

8. Go on a shopping spree

things women should never do for men

Because leave it to a man and you'll end up with a skimpy, feather-trimmed santa suit. (Okay, that was a gross over-generalization and we apologize.) But seriously, if you're going to drop major cash on a piece of cloth that only burrows its way out your the closet once a month (or year, or two years), you might as well as invest in a classic piece that makes you feel like the seductress you are.

(If you're feeling extra-fancy, schedule a boudoir shoot wearing said lingerie. You'll cherish those pictures later.) 

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Sarah Jones is a blogger, illustrator and fashion designer, and the brilliant mind behind The Spinsterhood Diaries.