It’s certainly not necessary to share the same hobbies as your partner. If you spend your weekends painting for hours while your boyfriend goes out on extremely long bike rides, you’ll both feel fulfilled. But every now and then, it’s nice to give your partner’s passions a chance, even if they don’t come naturally to you.
That’s why one woman agreed to accompany her boyfriend to his favorite hiking spot, despite the fact that she’s not exactly outdoorsy. But when she realized that she wasn’t going to make it through the journey without stopping to relieve herself, her boyfriend decided that the whole experience was ruined. Below, you’ll find the full story that the woman posted on Reddit seeking advice, as well as some of the replies concerned readers shared.
This woman was happy to accompany her boyfriend on a hike, even though she's not the outdoorsy type
Image credits: Kampus Production/Pexels (not the actual photo)
But when she realized that her bladder was full, she got blamed for ruining the entire experience
Image credits: Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels (not the actual photo)
Image credits: hikingthrowaway1
Later, the author responded to several readers and provided more details about her situation
Hiking is one of the most popular outdoor activities in the United States
Image credits: Kampus Production/Pexels (not the actual photo)
Hiking is an extremely common hobby. In fact, the Outdoor Foundation’s 2023 Outdoor Participation Trends Report found that hiking had become the most popular outdoor activity in America. And in 2022, there were 881,000 new hikers in the United States.
It’s perfectly understandable why so many people enjoy a good hike. Getting out into nature is a great way to clear your head and reduce your anxiety, while also getting some exercise in. Plus, you can’t beat the fresh air and the feeling of being completely disconnected from screens, especially in this day and age.
But as much fun as hiking can be, it’s important for beginners to understand what they’re getting themselves into. Safety, for example, should be of the utmost importance when venturing out into the wilderness. The National Park Service says beginner hikers must know their limits before embarking on a hike.
They must be careful not to venture out too far and to ensure that they’ll finish up their journey before sundown. It’s also necessary to bring enough snacks and water, while still keeping your pack as light as possible. And when planning your hike, consider the environment. Think about what you need to wear and which tools you'll need to bring.
And another aspect of hiking that’s often unavoidable is having to relieve yourself in nature. Most people need to use the bathroom every 2-4 hours. But on a hike, there won’t always be a public restroom nearby. So it’s a good idea to bring toilet paper and wipes, just in case.
It's inevitable for nature to call while you're out on a long hike
Image credits: Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels (not the actual photo)
When nature calls while you’re out in nature, the Washington Trails Association says it’s important to choose an appropriate location. Obviously, you want to be away from the trail, but you should avoid campsites and water sources as well. Walk at least 200 feet (or 60 meters) away from any of those places, and you should have a green light to relieve yourself.
Another issue in this particular story is the fact that the boyfriend is seemingly shaming his girlfriend for having normal bodily functions. It’s only natural for her to have to go to the bathroom after being pressured to drink lots of water. But it’s possible that this man is creating rules in their relationship that only apply to her, so that he can be in charge.
According to VeryWell Mind, it’s a huge red flag if you notice double standards in your relationship. If someone feels like they have to watch what they say or do around their partner or they’re scared to speak up and express their feelings, that’s not a good sign. There also might be double standards at play if you feel like there’s a power imbalance between you and your partner.
We have no way of knowing what this woman’s relationship is typically like, but as many readers pointed out, her boyfriend’s reaction to this situation was not healthy. One thing you should always feel around your partner is safe, and if you realize that’s not the case, it might be time to move on.
We would love to hear your thoughts on this situation in the comments below, pandas. Whose side are you on? Then, if you’re interested in checking out another Bored Panda article discussing similar relationship issues, look no further than right here.
Many readers sided with the woman and warned her that her boyfriend was exhibiting major red flags
However, some thought that both parties were in the wrong
