Clingy Partner: 6 Tips to Find a Happy Balance in a Relationship

Have you ever had an overly attached girlfriend who was way too clingy, or heard a friend complain, ‘my boyfriend is so clingy!’ I mean, I love a clingy cat, but when it comes to relationships, I need some space and boundaries.

Dealing with a clingy partner can be tough and annoying. It’s totally normal to want to feel loved and needed, but it can get overwhelming when they’re always up in your business, needing constant attention and reassurance.

The key is to tackle the issue head-on and find a good balance between being together and having your own space. That way, you can work towards a healthier, more fulfilling relationship.

So, let’s get started!

What do you call a clingy person? 

A clingy person is typically referred to as someone who is overly dependent or needy.

What does it mean to be clingy in a relationship?

In a relationship, being clingy means always needing attention, validation, and reassurance from your partner. This can lead to being controlling, jealous, and obsessive. It can show up in different ways, like constantly needing to be in touch with your partner, such as calling and texting them too often. It could be seeking reassurance of their feelings for you, or relying too much on someone for your emotional wellbeing. Being clingy in a relationship can be overwhelming for your partner and can cause feelings of suffocation or resentment. It can create a negative vibe between two people. So, it’s important to have a healthy level of independence and self-reliance in any relationship to avoid coming off as needy.

Why Do People Become Clingy?

Anxiety and clingy behaviours can often be interconnected and influence each other. Some people may become clingy when they are anxious because they seek comfort and reassurance from others. On the other hand, being clingy can also exacerbate feelings of anxiety by creating dependency and fear of abandonment. So, it’s important to address both anxiety and clinginess to have healthy relationships and coping mechanisms.

Fear of Being Abandoned or Rejected

Many people become clingy in relationships because they fear being abandoned or rejected. This fear often stems from past experiences that have left them feeling insecure and in need of constant reassurance from their partner. They believe that their partner is the key to their stability and security, and they cling to them in order to feel safe and loved.

Insecurity Within Themself

Feeling insecure can cause some people to be clingy. They may have low self-esteem, lack self-confidence and depend on their partner for validation, approval, and reassurance. This can lead to constantly seeking attention in order to feel worthy.

Lack of Independence

Dependency on a partner can happen when someone lacks independence outside of a relationship. They simply don’t have a clear sense of themself and who they are as an individual. This can lead to relying on their partner for social, financial, and emotional needs.

Past Experiences

Previous experiences of abandonment, lack of trust, or being neglected can also contribute to clingy behaviour. They may fear history repeating itself and cling to their partner to avoid being hurt again.

Is it hard to break clingy behaviour?

Can clingy people change?

It can be difficult to break clingy behaviour, especially if it has become a pattern or habit in a person’s relationships. However, with self-awareness, effort, and possibly seeking therapy or counseling, it is possible to address clingy behaviour and learn healthier ways to relate to others. It may take time and patience, but it is definitely possible to break this behaviour.

CLINGY PARTNER: 6 Tips to Find a Happy Balance in a Relationship

1. Honest, Open and Transparent Discussions: 

Having honest, open and transparent discussions with your partner is important. 

Make sure to sit down and talk about their clingy behavior, how they’re feeling, and how it’s affecting your relationship. 

You’ll want to approach the conversation with some empathy and compassion to avoid any arguments and tears. 

Remember, the way you communicate is key, especially since they may be feeling insecure and fragile. Be gentle yet firm, showing concern for their wellbeing while also expressing your own feelings. It’s important to reassure them and acknowledge their emotions while also being clear about your own.

2. Set Clear and Firm Boundaries: 

Establishing boundaries is important when dealing with clingy behavior. 

It’s important to talk about these boundaries often in your conversations. For example, you can establish boundaries for when you need time and space for yourself, like going for a run every day or hanging out with friends once a week. Let your partner know that these non-negotiable boundaries are what you need for your mental wellbeing and the success of your relationship. It might be challenging at first, but standing your ground will be important in the long run.

During your discussions about clingy behavior and boundaries, make sure to give each other the chance to express yourselves and talk about how you’ve been doing with boundaries each week.

The questions you ask each other should be tailored to your partner’s behavior tendencies and what you both need to make the relationship work.

For example:
– Have you been seeking too much reassurance from your partner today or this week?
– How many phone calls have you made to your partner this week? Was it more than 3 a day?

Discuss what’s going well and what needs improvement from both of you this week.

Remember, setting boundaries is a healthy way to maintain a balanced relationship and prioritize your wellbeing.

3. Encourage Independence: 

One of the best ways to encourage your partner to explore their own interests and get involved with family and friends is to lead by example. 

Make time for your own interests and relationships outside of the relationship to demonstrate the importance of balance and independence. 

Offer to help them explore their own interests, hobbies and passions in life. Encourage them to make plans to hang out with other people, like friends and family. It’s important for them to socialize with others in order to build their own support system beyond just your relationship.

When your partner does take steps outside their comfort zone to be more independent, provide some positive reinforcement and praise. It’s a big step for them. You’re helping them build their own sense of identity and independence. 

4. Encourage Self-Reflection: 

Encourage your partner to do some self-reflection. You can check out my post on 336 Self-Reflection Journal Prompts to get started.

Also encourage them to start self-reflecting on their own personal behaviours, and consider why they are feeling and acting these behaviours out. 

They will most likely need some support and guidance, so let them know that you’re willing to help them work through their issues. Try to help them dig deeper to understand their emotions and motivations behind their behaviours. 

There are many self-reflection exercises like journaling, mediating, or just having a deep conversation about emotions and personal growth. 

You’ll have to be patient and understanding. These types of change do take time to process and to become more self-aware. 

5. Stay Strong, Firm and Consistent: 

It can be challenging at first to maintain your boundaries and stay consistent, but it’s important for the wellbeing of both of you.

Try to continue to be firm and compassionate in your communication. 

6. Get Professional Help: 

If your partner’s behaviour is getting out of hand, becoming overbearing and starting to affect your mental health or relationship beyond your control, it’s a good idea to seek help from a therapist or counsellour. They can help you with additional strategies and support to navigate this situation. 

Thank You Credits: Photo by Mizuno K on Pexels.