The Relationship Game: How to Avoid Catching Feelings for Someone
As you go through college, you’ll meet plenty of guys or girls that you see for a while and maybe even end up developing feelings for. But, when this happens, it can be kind of difficult to figure out what to do. College is a time of experimentation, of being young and wild and free and all that crap, the last thing you need is to end up tied down after the first semester. As the age old saying goes, prevention is better than cure, and avoiding catching feelings in the first place is actually pretty simple.
1. Go into it with the attitude that you’re not going to develop feelings towards this person.
If you have this set in your mind from the start it’s easier to stick to, and if you feel yourself slipping up and falling, literally, you can remind yourself of all the reasons that you DON’T want feelings for this person. You want to be free, like a bird and all that.
2. Don’t spend too much time together.
Space it out, the more time you spend with them the more you’ll grow to like them. Leaving gaps in between meeting gives you a chance to meet other guys or girls that you can also focus your attention on. It’s a win-win situation really, you’re meeting lots of new people and basically balancing out your feelings between them, meaning you won’t get attached to one, hooray!
3. Don’t constantly text or call each other.
This is just as bad if not worse than spending too much time together. When we text we feel brave, and say things we wouldn’t normally say, meaning hearts are easily poured out and feelings are just as easily formed. Terrible, terrible idea. Limit texting to once or twice a week and these deep meaningful digital conversations can be avoided altogether.
4. Don’t tell them your life story.
If you start telling them everything that’s happened to you since the age of four you’re more likely to find things that you both have in common. This in turn leads to conversations about the common topic, which leads to more communication, which leads to a disaster we call feelings. It’s nice to know their interests, but don’t get too into it. When you know their favourite song, movie and parents’ names, that’s when you know you’ve gotten in too deep.
5. Don’t cuddle.
For the love of God, this is a must. Whether it’s while watching a film, or after a steamy session in the bedroom, do not go in for the hugs and snuggles. Getting close to them literally is going to mean getting close to them emotionally, and that’s exactly what you don’t want. Don’t indulge in those cuddle cravings, and if needed make a barrier of pillows between you. Hey, desperate times call for desperate measures.