I have never understood why people are so dependent on another person.

Why do some always need to be talking to their significant other?

Why do some feel as if they must spend every moment with their loved one?

I don’t know, and I possibly never will. The common-day term used for this behavior is clingy. Personally it drives me up the wall when the person I’m dating is clingy.

I mean, let’s have some independence! To help, I’ve established an abridged how-to guide that should help with not being clingy.

Step One: If the person you’re texting doesn’t respond within 10 minutes, it is not okay to resend the text message. It’s also a bad idea to ask them why they haven’t responded or to send the all-too-common text of a question mark. It probably makes them want to reply even less. The same rule applies to phone calls.

Step Two: When you’re out in public with someone, you do not need to stand within three feet of them at all times. Personally, when I’m at the store with my loved one, we occasionally go our separate ways and meet at the register. Separation is healthy for you.

Step Three: It’s terrible to be obsessive and possessive. If your special someone wants to spend time with friends, don’t get mad at them. Having time with your friends is very important, and both parties should freely be able to do so. Again, regulated time apart from your significant other can do wonders.

Step Four: Do not jump to conclusions. Just because they have opposite-sex friends does not mean they’re more than friends. Jealously is a sure-way to end your relationship quickly. There needs to be a mutual level of trust.

Step Five: You need to understand that people have lives outside of yours. You don’t have to spend every day with them, or every waking moment talking to them. Everyone needs their space!

Although this rough how-to guide is focused around relationships, the same rules can be applied to friendships. We all know how it feels to have someone cling to you, and no one likes it.