How to Cope With a Clingy Friend

If you have a friend who sticks to you like glue, there are some things you can do to give yourself some breathing room without using a crowbar. Follow these steps.

Things You'll Need

• Patience
• Tactfulness

Instructions

1. Decide if this relationship is one you are willing to keep. If you have a clingy friend, she is probably insecure and will be high maintenance. You need to decide how much you value this friendship and if it's worth the effort you will need to put in.

2. Talk to your friend. Tell her the issues you are having with her clinging and how it's affecting you. Be tactful. Start the conversation off with encouragement and tell her why you value her friendship. Then, explain that you need just a little bit of space and what the two of you can do to attain that.

3. Encourage your friend to embark on adventures or pursue interests of her own. Not every pair of friends share the same interest. Pick something she is interested in that you are not and encourage her to go after it. Encourage her other friendships.

4. Pursue your own interests as well. Let her know you wish to do an activity alone or with a different friend to broaden your horizons. Find time to hang out with a different friend occasionally to get some space.

5. Set limits on phone conversations. If you are spending huge chunks of time with your friend on the phone, a good way to get some space and to wean her off of the clinging she has toward you is to lessen this time. You don't want to cut phone conversations out completely. In fact, you call her. If you start the conversation, it's easier for you to end it whenever you want.

6. Make a tough decision. After trying all the above options, are you willing to continue the friendship with this high maintenance person or is it just too much? Her reaction to you limiting time spent with her may tell you all you need to know with regards to keeping the friendship. If she becomes abusive because you are pulling away a little bit, or doesn't respect your decision for more space by intruding on your time when she is asked not to, its time to let go of the relationship.

Tips & Warnings

• Be tactful and understand there are probably going to be hurt feelings as you limit time with your clingy friend. Spare yourself the guilt that you'll feel later and don't get angry or rude to push her away. Understand that a clingy friend is insecure.