1. He refuses to define the relationship.
Season 1 Episode 7 “The Monogamists”
Mr. Big refuses to call Carrie his girlfriend even though every single citizen of Manhattan has seen them together at this point. Carrie becomes angry and finds a new love interest named Jared who is trendy and cool, but definitely lacks Mr. Big’s vast collection of pressed suits and overall wealth. It turns out that Mr. Big really does care about Carrie when he comes to a nightclub at three in the morning to discuss ‘the feels’.
2. You need a fresh start.
Season 2 Episode 1 “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”
Fresh off her breakup with Mr. Big, Carrie feels daring enough to ask ‘the new Yankee’ to the Dolce & Gabbana party. This ‘new Yankee’ is quite a looker and the right way to not only have a fresh start, but make Mr. Big jealous in the process. I was a little upset that Carrie could not keep her sadness from missing Mr. Big under wraps until at least episode two because after she cries into the new Yankee’s mouth when he tries to kiss her goodnight, it’s bye bye Yankee.
3. You see a man you’ve been flirting it up with out with ANOTHER woman
Season 2 Episode 17 “Twenty-Something Girls vs. Thirty-Something Women”
This is the episode where Carrie not only finds out about ~Natasha~ but her body physically rejects Mr. Big’s slinky ways (Miranda actually has to hold Carrie’s hair back while she vomits in the ocean). I could really do without the cowboy hat especially since Natasha showed up looking like someone out of a Ralph Lauren catalog, but I bet Natasha doesn’t have Carrie’s abs.
4. Dating just becomes too exhausting for your taste.
Season 3 Episode 1 “Where There’s Smoke”
After having a few too many ‘Staten Island’ Iced Teas (Staten Island’s version of the “hello I’m drunk” iced tea) Charlotte experiences the most traumatic hangover of her life. This hangover leads to her dishing out some major truth tea the next morning at brunch, which is that she is truly exhausted from dating. Charlotte may be considered the ‘Pollyanna’ of the series, but in this moment she knows what is up.
5. He seems too good to be true.
Season 3 Episode 7 “Drama Queens”
Carrie settles into her new relationship with Aidan and she begins to realize that the reason she is so panicked about their relationship is because nothing is wrong (ironic, but relatable). When Carrie brings up her dilemma at brunch, Samantha delivers a response that is straight tea boiling in the kettle.
6. Life just isn’t really going your way.
Season 3 Episode 17 “What Goes Around Comes Around”
Carrie has a case of bad luck which includes her being robbed at gunpoint. The worst part is that the robber takes Carrie’s beloved purple handbag (probably Fendi) and her Manolo Blahnik strappy sandals. Not to be materialistic, but these are really good shoes and for Carrie it’s her form of investing in the stock market – the woman can’t even afford a down-payment for an apartment because she’s bought so many shoes.
7. You need some serious girl power energy.
Season 4 Episode 1 “The Agony and the ‘Ex’-tacy”
After becoming so drained from attempting to find a ‘soulmate’ all four women make a promise to be each other’s soulmates. The emphasis on the importance of female friendships is powerful and it might just be the best line of the entire series.
8. You just caught your man cheating on you.
Season 4 Episode 18 “I Heart NY”
Samantha goes all sorts of crazy in this episode and it’s all for a good reason – Richard is a serial cheater. Watching Samantha smash the heart picture frame she bought for Richard is almost so liberating that it feels like you smashed the picture yourself.
9. You’re anticipating a first date a little too much.
Season 6 Episode 1 “To Market, To Market”
Carrie anticipates her first date with Berger to such an extent that she purchases seven outfits to prepare. Since dating is like a sport (one only becomes better with practice) Carrie decides to go on a pre-Berger date to warm herself up. This date goes completely wrong and while her date with Berger is successful, it may make you think twice before you go on a date ever again.
10. You get broken up with over text.
Season 6 Episode 7 “The Post-It Always Sticks Twice”
In this episode, Berger breaks up with Carrie on a post-it note that he leaves for her to find on her laptop after he slithers out of her apartment in the middle of the night. I was never a fan of Berger anyways since he seemed to still be in love with his ex-girlfriend and he practically cried every time Carrie earned a paycheck and he didn’t (even though his book was awful) but this made Berger intolerable.