Am I High or Low Maintenance?

Find out where you fall on the high to low maintenance spectrum!

Are you a chill, laidback person who has no problem going with the flow? Or are you more of a high-maintenance diva who's got high standards that must be met at all times? It's time to find out once and for all! Just answer these questions, and we'll tell you whether you're high-maintenance, low-maintenance, or somewhere in between.

An illustration of a woman with a crown on her head.

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Questions Overview

1. On a regular day, how long does it take you to get ready?
  1. 5 minutes
  2. 10-15 minutes
  3. 30-45 minutes
  4. 1 hour or more
2. Speaking of dates, which of these would you enjoy most?
  1. A fancy dinner at a high-end restaurant.
  2. A breathtaking helicopter ride around a city at night.
  3. A sunset picnic with a pretty view.
  4. A chill trip to the movie theater.
3. Are you good at going with the flow and not having a specific plan at group hangouts?
  1. Absolutely not. I want a fully thought-out (preferably elaborate) plan.
  2. It's not my fave, but I can do it!
  3. Of course! I'm very easygoing, especially in groups.
4. How often do you get your hair professionally cut and/or styled?
  1. Every few weeks.
  2. Every month.
  3. Every 2-3 months.
  4. Every 6 months.
  5. Every year.
  6. I cut and style my own hair!
5. You're eating a meal at a restaurant, and it's okay, but not excellent. What do you do?
  1. Nothing! I just eat it normally.
  2. I tell whoever I'm with that my meal's not amazing, but I still eat it.
  3. I call over the waiter to tell them I'm not happy with my meal so they can make me something better.
6. What kind of birthday party do you usually prefer?
  1. A huge, fancy party with an enormous guest list.
  2. A chill, casual get-together with all my besties.
  3. Just a nice dinner with my closest loved ones, please!
7. How do you react when plans change unexpectedly?
  1. I get super upset and complain about it loudly.
  2. I get quiet and passive-aggressive for a while.
  3. Internally I'm annoyed, but I put on a good face.
  4. It doesn't bother me! I can go with the flow easily.
8. Would you say you need a lot of attention or extravagance in romantic relationships?
  1. Yes. I have high standards, and I need to see that you're putting in the effort!
  2. I would say I need a fair amount of attention & effort, but nothing crazy.
  3. Nope. I'm very laidback, and I'm not all that impressed by extravagance!
9. How do you feel about waiting in long lines?
  1. Absolutely unacceptable. I'd make whoever I'm with do it for me while I go do something else.
  2. I don't like it, but I can suck it up and be patient.
  3. It's fine with me! Lines are just a part of life, ya know?
10. Do you prefer luxury name-brand products, or are you okay with generic brands and dupes?
  1. Luxury always. The quality is worth it.
  2. I use a mix of the two! Balance is key.
  3. Dupes and generic, all the way! They're just as good.

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What does it mean to be high-maintenance?

In general, someone who is "high-maintenance" requires a lot of attention, effort, or emotional resources from others, and they also tend to have very high or exacting standards that must be met for them to be happy. Here are some examples of behaviors or tendencies that could be considered high-maintenance:[1]

  • Having elaborate self-care routines that must be followed.
  • Investing a lot of time and/or money in physical appearance.
  • Constantly seeking out luxury or premium experiences.
  • Having a low tolerance for minor inconveniences or discomforts.
  • Frequently expressing dissatisfaction when standards aren't met.
  • Having a hard time compromising or changing set plans.
  • Being very picky or particular about most things.
  • Requiring frequent approval, compliments, or recognition from others.
  • Demanding a lot of emotional support or resources from others.[2]


Is being high-maintenance a bad thing?
Based on the above list of behaviors, it's easy to see how being high-maintenance might be a bad thing, but the truth is actually a bit more complicated. Of course, if someone is unreasonably demanding or hard-to-please, this would be a negative trait that they might want to work on. On the flip side, there is such a thing as being too low-maintenance, to the point that you put other people's needs first and neglect your own. It's a good thing to demand the kind of care and respect you deserve, and to have high (yet reasonable) standards about serious things, like what you're looking for in a romantic partner.[3]

Long story short, there are upsides and downsides to being high-maintenance, and as with many things in life, the best course of action is probably to be somewhere in the middle of the spectrum.

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/defining-memories/202604/what-does-high-maintenance-actually-mean
  2. ↑ Requiring frequent approval, compliments, or recognition from others
  3. ↑ https://www.glamour.com/story/why-it-s-good-to-be-high-maintenance-in-a-relationship