Guest Blogger: Codependent R Us by L.S.

Tonight we have a new guest blogger, L.S. It's always great to get a new perspective on issues that are relevant in today's modern world. We MGF's love to see a fresh outlook and strive to get as many opinions as possible. Hope you enjoy. ~ASilky

So, here is some more fresh blood for this blog. Who is this stranger, L.S. you may ask. In short, I was born and I grew up. If you must know more, I am a romantic cynic who is trying to make a little sense of this insane world. In between times I am doing various things to have fun anyways. If you have to know more, that is Tough. Be patient and read my blogs. You will find out.

What’s their name, your friend who always needs to be in a relationship whether or not it is a good one? We all know someone like that. It starts from when they first start dating. In high school, they bounce around between people like a pinball. And adults do not think you are any better. If you do not have a date for a month, you are in a dry spell right. How about that friend who just got divorced and is already engaged to be married? Some people live by the buddy system gone horribly wrong.

How many times have you just wanted to reach out and slap them when they come running up to you to let you know they have a new “someone”? So bubbly and excited like they just won the freaking lottery. Personally, it makes me want to gag. “So, who is the next ex Mr. or Mrs. _____?” One night stands are one thing, but revolving door significant others is a disease. If it is not, it very well should be.

The sad part about it is that it is spreading. We cannot stand the thought of being single. I know people are a social animal, but this is ridiculous. Whatever happened to being happy for yourself? Do we really need dating site commercials and to pay $300 to get set up on dates online? I hope we are not that desperate. Maybe we are. Maybe we are becoming so sad that we really need to read the nutritional facts printed on water bottles to make sure they fit in our diets. It is not healthy people! We all remember our first relationships. Does anyone remember the times they were single? Have we become so codependent that we absolutely have to be with someone?

For those of you who know people with this affliction or think they maybe catching this disease themselves (if you think you might, you have it), here are some tips. First, take a walk. It does not matter where you go as long as you avoid the endless sea of strip malls if you are in the U.S. (I have more complaints about that but I will save that for another day). Look around as you walk; look for something you find interesting. More importantly, think about something you would like to do as you browse about. You might surprise yourself and come up with something new.

Second, start up a new hobby. Take a dance class, aerobics, etc, anything that you want to do. If you do not have much time, try reading your favorite type of book just before you go to sleep to relax. Make sure it is something light though. Jude the Obscure is not what I am talking about here. And if you relax to that type of book, there is no help for you. Whatever it is, just do something. Get in the routine of doing things you like for yourself.

And do it by yourself. Third, and probably most importantly, do it alone; not with a group of friends. If you have this disease you need to start making decisions for yourself not follow a pack. Making choices to do things that you like for yourself is probably the best habit you can pick up to fight this disease. Start small if you have to by going to dinner and a movie you want to see by yourself. Just start doing things you want to because they make you happy. It is a novel concept for some people. Me, me, me is not a bad thing as long as it is not the only thing.

If you follow these tips, I guarantee that you will be happier and healthier. And by the way, that relationship you are craving, I bet the next one you have will be a lot better if you do.