Why Being a High-Maintenance Girl Is a Green Flag

A high-maintenance girl often implies being demanding, but it’s actually an implication of knowing your worth, what you want, and going after it.

In relationships, everyone has green flags they’d like to see in a partner, and “high maintenance” rarely makes the list, mostly because the label suggests someone difficult, self-absorbed, or overly particular. But is it really the case? Read on to understand why being high maintenance can actually mean being a girl of high value.

A high-maintenance girl is someone who sets clear standards and refuses to settle for less. Still, the label often carries negative perceptions: think Gossip Girl’s Blair Waldorf as the shopaholic or Regina George as the mean queen bee. She’s imagined as obsessed with designer labels, validation, and becoming the most admired and popular in class. But these stereotypes are flimsy at best and sexist at worst.

The truth? Wanting the very best for yourself is an admirable quality. Keep reading to see why you should embrace your high-maintenance habits.

Remember that being high maintenance reflects your confidence, self-awareness, and the ability to choose what makes you happy – and here’s why that’s a green flag.

If a man gives you the whole Jerry Maguire’s “You complete me” speech, you’d run for the hills. The idea that everyone must find their “other half” to be fulfilled is misguided and strikes as co-dependent, which you are not. You are content with being single. And when you’re in a relationship, you’re in it because you want to, not because you need someone to cling to.

Having a penchant for the finer things in life doesn’t make you maarte. If anything, it reflects the amount of respect you have for yourself. The big difference is that you don’t impose unrealistic expectations on others. Those who can’t appreciate your standards or are offended by them can kindly scoot to the left.

The not-so-obvious green flag of being high-maintenance is having a deep passion for success. You’re not the pwede na type of girl, and some may brand this as being “difficult to work with.” Cue the eye roll.

You’re unafraid to be vulnerable, knowing that playing it cool and burying feelings to protect everyone’s peace only leads to regret. So why pretend you don’t care when you actually do? In dating, this openness makes you a great communicator, and that’s a big green flag. You express your wants and needs clearly. Mind games and guesswork are out the door.

It’s not about being OA. You’re just more aware of where you want to spend your energy. You’d rather have a few well-chosen friends than a large circle that drains your energy, and you’d take one thoughtful date over a dozen mediocre ones any day. The same goes for your lifestyle choices: From relationships to clothes to skincare, you prioritize things that last and make you feel your best.

Life is too short to settle for anything less than extraordinary, which includes acts of self-care. It’s not an indulgence but a necessity that benefits your personal image. So, make every detail of your routine count, starting from the shower. 

Lather up with Dove Go Fresh Sakura Blossom Body Wash. It has a Microbiome Gentle Skin Prebiotics Formula with 0 percent parabens to keep your skin visibly smooth, fresh, and hydrated for up to 24 hours. It also contains Sakura and Himalayan pink salt extracts – two skin barrier repair ingredients – that give your complexion a healthy glow.

For your underarms, use Dove Radiant + Care Deodorant Dry Serum 3% Niacinamide 10x Vitamin C & E Dark Marks Reducer to minimize the appearance of dark marks while protecting your kili-kili from odor. The quick-drying texture makes it practical to use on rushed mornings.

Last but not least, pay attention to your pearly whites and brush them regularly with closeup Gel Toothpaste with Antibacterial Zinc Red Hot. The Antibacterial Zinc blasts away 99.9 percent of germs (as per a lab test on select bacteria), leaving you with AMA-ZINC minty fresh breath all day with regular use.

The short answer is no. If someone calls you a high-maintenance girl, that means you’re a walking green flag with a killer sense of style, a strong sense of self-worth, and a go-getting attitude. Full stop. So, do your best hair flip and wear that badge with pride.