One of the best things about long-term relationships and love is getting to that extremely comfortable level with another person from the inside out. After 10 years of marriage, partners have likely done most things in front of one another — from peeing to having babies to laughing until soda comes out of their noses. But no matter those moments and how close a couple may be, there's something to be said for keeping some distance in certain circumstances. It makes the heart grow fonder after all.
No matter how much love there is between two people in a marriage or relationship, some things will always be cringe-worthy to do in front of a significant other. Women are (incorrectly) expected to be delicate flowers who just naturally glow into the beautiful goddesses we present ourselves as. Before marriage, our partners see us in our most tip-top form. Hair is brushed, skin is smooth, and bodily functions are kept in check.
What they don't see is the ball of knots our hair is before we run a brush through it. They miss the wax on the upper lip to get the smooth skin, and believe us, our bodily functions are most definitely functioning when they're not around. And once marriage hits, they are bound to catch us in one of the acts.
But the thing is, none of us are alone in these "embarrassing" moments. Here are 20 aspects of an all-too-human existence that many people wish they could steer clear of doing when their partner's around.
This article originally appeared on CafeMom.
1. Zoom in on Finances
No matter how long a couple spends together, and no matter how important it is to communicate about money, it can still feel cringe-worthy to expose certain nitty-gritty details of personal finances to anyone — even a partner. The fact is that giving the bank account, credit card statement, or credit report a peek as a couple is one of those things that really just needs to happen. But that doesn't mean there's no anxiety around it.
2. Picking Noses
This is one of those dry-heave-inducing necessary evils that most of us can agree is best done in utter solitude (like in the bathroom with the door closed!), if at all. And if you gotta do it — 'cuz let's be real: there are times it cannot be helped — there's always the option to just blow the nose, right?
3. Cutting Toenails
Granted, some people are more comfortable with feet in general and foot hygiene. But if it feels comfier to venture to the salon solo or trim your toenails behind closed doors, it's also totally normal.
4. Pick a Wedgie
That cute thong isn't just going to readjust itself, obviously. But if someone happens to see their partner mid-picking motion, it could very well turn a face beet red.
5. Floss Teeth
Sure, it can actually be kind of fun to stand in the bathroom side by side making sure you follow your dental hygienist's advice. But if you're not a regular flosser or you happened to chow down on something particularly stinky or noxious, dealing with that whole mess in front of your honey can definitely feel cringe-y.
6. Shave Your Face
You might do this as a means of exfoliation. Or hair removal. Either way, it feels like one of those personal grooming moments that you'll want to do in front of, well, no one — even your partner.
7. Pop a Zit
We all get pimples, ingrowns, blemishes, etc., and there's a chance you've even popped one for your partner at one time (like on their back in that one spot they can never reach!). But if you would prefer not to share your own zit-popping practice with your bae, you're not alone!
8. Belch
Oops! Whether a big takeout meal or another cause of GI stress is to blame, sometimes you simply can't prevent this from happening. But that doesn't mean you'll feel any less mortified when it does. Ugh.
9. Remove Hair
We covered the facial shaving, right? But what about waxing your belly strip, plucking chin hairs, or shaving your armpits? No matter what kind of hair removal you're doing, you may very well feel best keeping it between you and your bathroom mirror and/or aesthetician.
10. Poop
Sure, everyone does it, but it's just one of those things we'd all rather do 100% alone. Not in front of friends, coworkers, sisters… but particularly not anywhere near your significant other. That said, the day may come when it's unavoidable (like during labor). And in that case, oh well — you're only human!
11. Gossip, Especially About Family Members
Of course you're gonna wanna vent about your mother-in-law from time to time, but it might be best if your honey is out of earshot when you do it. After all, being caught with your foot in your mouth is never a good look, but it's particularly icky if it happens with your bae.
12. Have a Fight With Your Parents or Siblings
We all want our significant others to see us at our very best, but sometimes, our parents or siblings are particularly skillful at bringing out our very worst side. No matter how understanding your partner may be of the never-ending drama with your mom or perpetual discord with your older brother, having massive conflict erupt in front of him or her can leave you feeling downright icky.
13. Step on the Scale
Plenty of us would prefer to give this damn thing zero power over our emotional well-being, because it can feel like a completely BS way to measure wellness. You could very well be tempted to throw it out — or maybe you actually have. If not, wanting to have a private moment when you step on is totally fair. And feeling even a bit of anxiety around doing it in front of your partner is also completely normal.
14. Letting It All Hang Out
Sure, nudity can be hot as hell, and it often — if not almost always! — is to your partner. But when you're doing chores or other mundane tasks where you have to bend and move around, having all your junk on display in front of your dude or lady can feel seriously awkward.
15. Pass Gas
You don't want this to happen in front of anyone, right, but especially not your lover. No matter how normal it is, or how much you wanna cast blame on that potentially spoiled meal you had for lunch, the fact remains that the sense of smell very much correlates with memory. And the scents associated with flatulence are basically 180 degrees from sexy. So whenever this happens (and it will — oh, it will), it's understandable if your knee-jerk reaction is plain and simple shame.
16. Sport a Facial Mask
This may very well be one of those personal grooming things that just feels better to do when you're enjoying your "me time" — aka time spent away from eyes that may be prying at every single pore and facial crevice emphasized by that funky green mud mask.
17. Take Out Any Sort of Dental Device
Whether you use whitening strips, a night guard, or Invisalign, removing dental devices from your mouth can be enough to gross yourself out! Given how much spit or bad breath might be involved, it's just one of those things you may prefer to do in complete privacy. (Then again, if your partner's the type to drool all over his or her pillow in the middle of the night, maybe you don't give an eff about this one!)
18. Sweating Buckets While You Work Out
If you're exercising hard enough that you need a towel in the first place: bravo, queen! But ugh, dripping buckets of sweat can feel like one of those nasty things you don't even want to see yourself doing. No surprise if you'd rather steer clear of doing it in front of your sweetheart.
19. Pull on Tight Pants or Shapewear
Whether you're dealing with tights, shapewear, or stiff jeans, this can be one of the most awkwardly "choreographed," potentially aggravating things you do all day. So no surprise if you'd rather avoid having it be this whole production your partner's privy to.
20. Watch Trashy TV or Listen to Cheesy Music
Whether your guilty pleasure is tuning into the Kardashians or blasting One Direction, getting a certain kind of pop culture fix may very well be an indulgence you'd prefer to partake in by yourself vs. with an audience.