Men Need A Man Cave - Women Need To Shop

Men Need A Man Cave - Women Need To Shop

I'm not an authority on how men and women think, but I do have 68 years of observation. Below are my observations only. I didn't get any of my opinions from books, movies or newspapers/magazines. My opinions are from my experiences.  Your comments are appreciated.


We all know that men and women are different in many ways. One of those ways is how they relax. Men need a private place of their own. It's called a Man Cave. In that cave a man has all the things that help him relax. For some, it's a TV, a bar with their favorite booze and a computer. For some others it's a library full of their favorite books. For some others it's a workbench full of tools so they can build stuff.


It's critical that a man has this private place away from the wife, girlfriend and the rest of the outside world. Even if he's in the Man Cave for only a few hours a day, the relaxation he gets from being there helps his physical and mental health. It also gives him a sense of being the master of his universe.


Most women relax when they shop.  It's not about spending money. It's about the relaxation they get from walking around the stores, touching everything in sight and once in a while buying something that's a "have to have."


Women don't have to shop alone. It's as enjoyable and relaxing for them to shop with friends.  It's just as enjoyable watching their friends buy stuff. Seeing a friend getting a great deal is just as rewarding as getting that deal for themselves. It's the companionship of being together during a luncheon or a shopping spree.


Some women want alone time while shopping. It's relaxing for them to not have to listen to other opinions or have to compromise on where to go. Just getting out and looking at beautiful things for a few hours is all they need to make it a happy day. My wife calls this retail therapy.


Most men hate shopping. If they need a few pairs of underpants, they go to a store and buy it. When that's done, they go home. I hate shopping; however, if I do need something, I want to take my wife with me. She knows what looks good on me. She knows what will match with the other clothes I have in my closet. The bottom line is she is fun to be with even if we're not shopping.


She gets a kick out of buying things for me. Even without me she loves a day when she can shop for something she believes I must have. Ninety percent of the time she gets me stuff I love. This works well for the both of us. She gets to do retail therapy and I get a few hours alone in my Man Cave.


At night before dinner I'm in my Man Cave sipping on my glass of scotch while blogging, writing, watching TV or watching Netflix shows on my tablet. My wife is in another room in the house playing slots machines on her tablet while watching her cooking shows. We love each other madly, but that relax time alone enhances our individual happiness.


It's critical to find relax time for yourself every day. It might be time in a Man Cave or time in a retail store. Whatever floats your boat. It's easy for Ellen and me to find the time because we're retired. However, even if you have to work all day, you have to make time (at least three times a week) to relax in your own individual way.


Having control of your time is mandatory if you're going to find happiness. The feeling of doing something just for yourself and not for anybody else is uplifting. Stop looking at the barriers that are stopping you from creating your relax time.

Blast through those barriers and do what your body needs - relax. You deserve it.