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Julia Allison

Wake-Up Call

Julia Allison shares what she's learned about herself from watching the show and reveals her current relationship status.

Aug 7, 2012

If I sound like I’m espousing some sort of self-help doctrine, well, perhaps I am. All I know is that when I look back at my relationships over the years, I’ve gotten exactly -- EXACTLY -- what I deep-down, in that secret place in my heart thought I deserved. And sometimes I didn’t feel I deserved very much at all.

So earlier this year, the question shifted from “How can I find a man who embodies the 73 points on my checklist?” to “How can I become the woman my Checklist Man would want to marry?”

Would my Checklist Man want to marry a woman with low self-esteem? Of course not. Would he want to marry a woman who didn’t love her body? No. Would he want to marry a woman who is frantic or stressed all the time? No. A woman who is desperate? A woman who is frequently defensive? An uptight perfectionist? Absolutely not.

So I evolved myself, and in the process, a miraculous thing happened: I stopped caring about the end goal, this future husband, this future marriage. It isn’t that I stopped desiring a life partner. It’s that I started loving myself, and I felt... enough. I felt whole. Prince Charming wasn’t coming, and that was actually OK. Instead I choose to focus on creating a life so full of adventure and love and growth that I was fulfilled without such a man. I stopped looking outside myself for validation and started knowing (not thinking, knowing, on a deeper level) that although I am not perfect, never will be, I am lovable and I am enough.

And of course, of course, the minute I gave up -- truly gave up -- and started loving myself, guess what happened?”

Well, readers: I found him. And he is EVERYTHING on my checklist -- both of them! Our first date happened (I don’t believe in coincidences) to be on the very day my Grandmother died. And that, I think, sums up life. Love and pain co-existing, inexorably linked. Because of course you cannot love without risking pain. In fact, pain isn’t just a risk -- it’s an inevitability. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t love, with your whole being, with your body, with your soul.

So I’ve embarked upon a relationship that feels fundamentally different than every other I have had before it. It feels...healthy. It feels good. He watched the entire series with me, next to me, supporting me.

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kaybird11111 748 pts

Hi Julia (from a mother of two barely adult children).  I just loved you start to finish.  You are human and willing to look at yourself in an honest way, something most people just aren't able to do.  You are so far ahead of the curve, keep it up.  I actually started looking internally at myself at age 14 and I didn't figure out HONESTLY who I was (the good, the bad and the ugly) and accept and forgive my down falls and admire my goodness until I was 27.  Once you get there, you will live life not only honestly but you'll attract those you need in your life to keep you happy.  It's okay if can't get everyone to like you, NO ONE CAN...remember even your worst enemy has a best friend.  We're all different (thank God) and you are very refreshing.  Are you needy (or were, I don't know about now since the show isn't on the air right now), but YES< YES<YES, you were very needy and annoying to those guys and hopefully you'll settled down and stop doing that (I think you will, you listen very well).  Some people I know would be so insulted by the truths that you heard about yourself and storm off....not you, you would listen and realize you needed to make changes.....Good for you!  I think you are a kind, gentle (sometimes needy and needy isn't evil or bad, it's just sometimes annoying which only hurts you not others) and it all makes you human and extremely likeable as far as I'm concerned.  Don't change too much, there is a guy out there who'll love you for who you are, just continue to listen and tweek a few things that might be a turn off others.  Remember, the guy HAS to like the girl more or it won't work...sorry, but that's the way it is and even if you feel as if you like him more DON'T SHOW IT.  He has to think you are in control and ready to walk away at any moment, it's the whole " I want what I can't have" that men often fall weak to.......sad, but true.  Stay strong, stay in control,  he needs to be the needy one out of the two of you and stay sweet!!  Can't wait for the next season to start.

penneyone 5116 pts

HELLO JULIA,  I enjoy you and the show.  I do have to say one negative comment though. You did look a little needy around those men. That would scare me off.  You don't want a man to feel sorry for you. You are very pretty so just act  youself. PLAY A LITTLE BIT HARD-TO- GET. SHE YA NEXT SEASON.   P.S.  WELL WRITEN BLOG AND EASY TO READ.

Briles 14 pts

I started the season put off by you but really came to like you. I also realized I saw some of myself in your antics which is probably what turned me off. But I grew to see your vulnerability and intelligence. I am so happy to her you met a man who sounds so mature and so understanding of you!!! Very happy. Hope your show returns.

real1housewife 223 pts

Julia,

I am sorry but I cannot relate to you. Your personality is so annoying i had to turn the channel. Word of advice, no man is going to make that insane list of yours. Come back to reality and quit looking so hard...

Ravenna 22 pts

I'll admit to having some cringe-worthy moments watching you on Miss Advised. Yet, it was honestly refreshing to see someone be so open to self-anaylsis and self-improvement. I see you as a eager young woman trying to please everyone around her but yet doesn't truly know herself fully. I don't see you as being any different to most young ladies out there who want to love and be loved back.

Keep up the good work and don't let the negativity from others affect who you are 

Doc_Hughes 9 pts

There is no reason for such brutality on here! You do realize this is a TV show? & that the women were picked based on their personality & life...not in spite of it! I admit to thinking that each of the women were a little bit of a train wreck (they are young!)...but do enjoy the show nonetheless...& if I didn't? I would change the channel!...and I suggest you do the same rather than getting on your computers & railing the poor women! I find you charming, Julia!

newlywedgirl 58 pts

I am happy for you that you are happily dating.  Even though I am married and obviously not dating, I enjoyed your show.  I admire you for putting your insecurities and emotions out there.  I don't think I would be so brave. I am recently re-married and when I was going through my separation and divorce, from a marrage of over 20 years, my therapist asked me what made me happy, what made me feel at peace and I could not answer the question. Everything that came to mind was about someone else - worrying about what someone else thought, trying to figure out what other people wanted so I could provide it, trying to be the person that other people expected me to be. If I can figure what someone wants then I can fake it long enough to make them fall in love with me.  I was almost 50 years old and didn't know who I was. Getting through to your "true" self can be so difficult but as you say, essential for someone truly loving you. I wish you the best!

bbnyc823 47 pts

I am soooo happy for you!  Watching you on the last episode was truly inspirational.  Thank you for opening up and showing the world that it is okay to be vulnerble.  Best of luck to you with your man! (:

njbella 5 pts

You girls are entertaining but then again train wrecks always are.  I thought my dating life hit a 'slump' until I started to watch this show, now I think 'not so much.'  My claim to fame, besides dating several doctors, numerous, lawyers, VP, Presidents - Business not Government, etc is 8 dates in 1 week.  And as you can see, I suffer no fools.  Okay I will never do it again, it bordered on insanity and it was exhausting after about the 5th one, but boy what a 'master planner' I was...those were the days!  My best advice you need to trim your list of 73 to about 10 must haves, non-negotiables, remember, your not Cindy Crawford.

LC411 37 pts

Julia,

I think you give some sage advice in your column, and I'm so happy that you have found a good match. While I definitely cringed and shouted at the tv during many of your scenes this season, it's (as you know) always easy to tell someone else how to act than to follow those rules yourself. And it sounds like you've learned a lot and are in a better place. Congratulations!

colloctor 417 pts

You are one of those women who just talk and talk and talk.  My goodness, dont you EVER shut up?

embr8cethejourney 31 pts

love you Julia! :) love the whole show...it IS my life right now! lol! CONGRATULATIONS on your new relationship! I can completely relate to all the craziness (ok not ALL  I never put on a prom dress for a date...well...ok except for prom) and feel like I'm a little bit of all 3 of you. Ready for my relationship when it happens, but perfectly fine "embracing the journey". <3

drakey 826 pts

Am I alone when I thought 2 dates was too soon for a BJ

drakey 826 pts

I was horrified when you talked about a BJ on the 2nd date!

 

vanessa0710 7 pts

I was home sick and able to catch up on previous episodes along with the season finale. Emily seems pretty cool and normal, by far the most realistic. Amy grew on me after awhile and it was nice to see her relax. Then there is Julia. My goodness, I don't know where to begin so I'll keep it simple; please, please seek help. This trainwreck of a woman is beyond embarrassing. I had no idea who she was until this show and was beyond horrified to learn she gives dating advice?! On what planet?

misticjcbaby 148 pts

I am so happy for you Julia!!!! If anyone deserves happiness it is you... nothing but continued success and happiness in everything you do. Can't wait for season 2!

christinejacebo 7 pts

Julia,

You seem very normal but, after only 3 episodes of this painfully difficult show to witness, I feel very sorry for you. What the Hell were you thinking with Andrew after 1 crazy Prom Date, then badgering him to fly down to LA from SF for a dinner party on a Sunday Night, making him feel bad because he had to work and finally asking him what's going on with your relationship after 3 dates. Too Much Too Soon. Even if you were dating for 6 months, you have no right to expect so much this soon. You practically FREAKED OUT when he actually came to the door to surprise you Romatically. You think that you were being yourself, I say you freaked him out by being WAY OVER THE TOP DRAMATIC. If you were to act calm, when you noticed him at your front door, he may have stuck around longer. Instead, you chose to fall onto the grround, in front of a house full of people and act a fool, when he finally decided to enter your house. Then you repeatedly said, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU CAME, 20 times. That too would have scared me off as well, and I am a female. I have no advice for you at this moment. I hope you find some crazy like yourself!!!

 

Briles 14 pts

@christinejacebo Pay attention! There were more than three dates. Hello, editing.

gretch50 5 pts

I love this show & think you are a doll!  A breath of fresh air.  Will be looking forward to the 2nd season.

seattle_18 16 pts

Julia- so glad to hear you have found happiness and love! I have enjoyed watching you this season. I admit I came into the show with some pre-conceived and outdated notions about you, but you won me over with your quirky and endearing personality. All of you women have made some cringeworthy dating decisions on the show, but bravo to you for being willing to share them with America! We've all been there, but most of us don't have cameras around. Lucky for us! Good luck to you and your guy.

russianwriter 6 pts

Why do you basically just paste from your Elle column (which is always late and poorly written)? Also, if that column was independent of the Bravo show, as you've claimed numerous times, why is it ending exactly as your show ends? Finally, why does Elle list you as a 'guest blogger' but you call yourself a contributing writer on your FB profile? 

Doc_Hughes 9 pts

 russianwriter you are brutal!

bonbonsw 6 pts

Julia is my favorite member of this series.  She has changed the most and has the best grasp on who she really is! No wonder she has so many good frieds.