The older I get, the more I realize that clinginess in a relationship isn’t cute. It’s suffocating. Like, relax. We don’t have to be texting all day, every day. We don’t have to be together 24/7. A healthy relationship doesn’t mean losing yourself to another person. It means growing together while still having your own life. Go out with your friends. Find a hobby. Chase your goals. Do something that doesn’t involve me. The biggest mistake people make in relationships is thinking their partner is supposed to be their entire source of happiness. No, that’s your responsibility. Happiness is an inside job. No relationship can thrive when one or both partners are emotionally dependent on the other for their sense of fulfillment. I love affection. I love deep connections. But I also love my peace, my independence, and my own space to breathe and recharge. And I refuse to feel guilty for that. We should complement each other, not complete each other because we should already be whole.