We’ve all been exposed to THAT couple; the couple that won’t stop holding hands, kissing in public, and calling each other annoying pet names. We are constantly complaining about such couples with our girlfriends, rolling our eyes every time we’re sandwiched between two love birds in a pet-name calling contest. Yes, these couples make us want to gag, but I have come to realize something: at one point, you are probably going to realize, “Oh no, I am that couple.”
Being in a new relationship is exciting. Therefore, it’s easy to fall into the pattern of hanging out with your significant other whenever you have a moment of free time. But, its important to be able to draw lines between spending a normal amount of time with your boo, and an obsessive amount of time. I personally have struggled with balancing my relationship, schoolwork, extra-curriculars, and a social life. I decided to speak with a few SJU girls who have mastered the art of not being “that” couple, while maintaining a wonderful relationship with their boyfriend as well as their friends and family. And for my single ladies, I spoke with some of you about the most annoying “that” couple tendencies. Here are a few things I gathered from speaking with both:
1. Avoid obsessing over “couple friends.”
Girl 1:“In my last relationship, I had a good friend who was dating my boyfriend’s best friend. I became obsessed with only going out with this couple, and didn’t even realize I hadn’t been hanging out with my other friends.”
Girl 2: “I think it’s really annoying when one of my friends is suddenly best friends with all of her boyfriends friends and their girlfriends. You barely know them.”
2. Try not to make your boyfriend a permanent fixture in your room.
Girl 1:“When my boyfriend and I first started dating he used to be in my room constantly. I think it’s really important to remember that if you are sharing a room, your roommate is going to need her own space, and will probably get annoyed if she can’t even have alone time in her own room. Remember to respect her space.”
Girl 2: “There’s nothing more annoying than a couple who need to constantly be together, especially when they’re constantly in my room. Having to ask my roomies boyfriend to leave so I can get dressed is uncomfortable, and I hate when my roommate fails to see this.”
3. Don’t stay in because your boyfriends staying in.
Girl 1:“I would definitely stress having GNOs frequently. It’s always good to go out with your girlfriends and have fun.”
Girl 2: “I always get upset when my best friend decides to stay in because her boyfriend went home for the weekend. It’s like she can’t have fun with me or our friends without him attached at her hip.”
4. Have your own interests and goals, and be your own person.
Girl 1: “I think that I lost myself in one of my past relationships. I forgot what it felt like to be happy on my own, without depending on my boyfriend. When we broke up, I had to remind myself of the things I liked, and what I wanted to do with my life. I had forgotten that it wasn’t all about my boyfriend. Really, it’s my life, so it’s about me.”
I think that we can all agree that it’s easy to get caught up in a relationship, and become THAT couple. I don’t believe there’s anything wrong with being in love, and many of us will experience love for the first time throughout our college years. But, we have to remember to balance our relationship with the rest of our life. After all, every factor of our life is really just a part of who we are, and it’s important to remember this before we fall into the habit of constantly putting our relationships above all. Strive to be an independent HBIC in all that you do.
XOXOHC