How do I stop caring?

Okay, perhaps that was too general a topic, and perhaps this’ll sound like it more needs to go to an advice column, but really, y’all are the smartest folks I know, so…

I have a friend who flirts a lot. I get a certain buzz when she flirts with me, even though it’s never anything more than innocent flirtation. Somehow, however, I’ve recently become exceedingly jelous when she flirts with other people, no matter how innocent it is. I have very little idea where this comes from- I know it’s a totally innocent thing, yet I get damn near enraged. I don’t even want to bring it up with said parties, because I don’t want them thinking I can’t handle the ‘adult’-ness of it. So, in short, jelous over something I shouldn’t be, not sure what to do. Advice?

Just… let it go ArrrMatey.

Just let it go.

:slight_smile:

Ahhhhh this sounds famililar…

I also flirt a lot but I never mean anything by it. I am with my bf 18 months now and am very much in love with him and would rather die than cheat on him. I do flirt though but always have made it very clear that I am with someone else - 99% of people respect that - there is the small % of men who think of it as a challenge. Lets just say, I have lost so called “friends” who couldn’t deal with it - they got all jealous and possessive and all that crap - they couldn’t see 1) that I wasn’t just flirting with them and no-one else (I flirt with everyone) and 2) that their jealously and crap was pushing them further away from me.

Look at how she behaves with others - does she flirt with everyone? Then its not specific to you, its just how she is.

Look and ask yourself why you’re jealous - why are you getting in a rage? Maybe you really do like her? Try to analyse your feelings a little more and be honest about them…

Flirting is pretty harmless I think - I sure don’t make it highly sexually charged or anything - its mild flirting … so I never understand why some guys go mental on me for it…

Maybe you’ll help to explain that one to me??? Help us both out, huh?

Get really mad, and punch one of the people she flirts with.

Oh that it were that easy. If it were, I’d likely not be posting here.

Hrm. Well, yes, like I said, it’s something she does with a lot of people, and it’s of the harmless variety, although sometimes my overactive imagination blows it out of proportion.

I might, indeed, like her, but it wouldn’t matter; she’s not single by any stretch of the imagination. I think part of the feeling may be that I am -very- single, and I get mad thinking that she’s got all these people interrested in her, and I’ve got no one interrested in me? Dunno. That’s the best explaination I can give to you on the subject; a feeling of anger over not being desired / desirable, when another person is. Again, your milage may vary. However, even knowing about this emotional state, I’m still at a loss as to what to -do- about it.

Well, I’m no expert, but I’ll give it a shot. My advice would be essentially similar to Cletus’s, but coming at it from the opposite side. I would suggest you try to embrace it, rather than reject it.

If you can learn to accept it, you will then be in a position where the issue leaves, on its own. This is hard to do, but it can be done. You like this woman. So, accept that this is who she is, and like her even more for being free to have fun with people. She enjoys connecting with people, and having fun, and she’s chosen you as one of those special people with whom she wishes to have fun.

Coincidentally, Rhino’sHoney happens to be one of the women of whom I could easily become jealous, and probably would have, in the past. I have flirted with her, perhaps outrageously. She has flirted with me. Instead of being jealous that she also flirts with other men, I accept her for who she is. I see her as one of life’s gifts, spreading happiness wherever she goes, through her zest for life. I suspect the lady you refer to is another such gift.

Then, you need to accept your reaction. This may be even harder, if you’re at all like me. But, try to give yourself the same understanding you would like from others, or would offer others. We’re all flawed. If this is your worst flaw, you’re practically a saint. Jealousy is a very normal, natural reaction.

It can be ugly; it can even be hateful. But, it is so, so human. If you can accept this, embrace it as part of who you are, and recognize that it doesn’t make you a bad person, or even an unusual one, you will find that it loses its power over you. Then, you’ll be ready to let it go.

This is something that you’ll need to do when you are not around this woman. And, it may take some time. Give yourself that time. Work on it. I know this is a very difficult task, believe me. But, if I can do it, you can. I’m about as unforgiving of myself as it’s possible to be, as a rule.

And, realize that much of it comes from your current state of mind. If you were more content, it would not have nearly the same effect that it does, currently. You may not be able to change your contentment level, at the moment, but recognizing it as a mitigating factor will help. Once you determine how much of your reaction stems from this source, you’ll be able to filter it out, and be able to assess the situation more calmly.

I hope this helps.

Rhino’sHoney, the wisdom, as always, flows from you as honey from the comb. :slight_smile:

Dave, Dave, Dave, you make me blush so inserts blushing smiley if one existed. I don’t think we flirted outrageously - I can be way worse than that lol… I think that’s tame ;). And you are so full of compliments today !!! Can I keep you in my pocket to remind me to think happy thoughts???

I agree - I have never really been jealous up til the time I got with my bf and that’s because I have really deep solid feelings for him… but I don’t indulge that jealously because, though its normal and human, I think its a negative emotion (for me at least).

I would never accuse a lady of flirting outrageously. I said I may have. I’m glad you didn’t find it so. :slight_smile:

Is that what people mean? I keep hearing them say something about me being full of something, but it’s never quite clear what that something is. :confused:

Sure, if I can pick which pocket it is. Got any shirts with pockets on them? I can guarantee you some happy thoughts, if you do. :smiley:

Here’s my guide to not caring:

Smoke lots and lots of pot.
After a week or so intense pot smoking, you won’t care about anything. “Whatever,” “why bother?” “who cares?” “pass the doritos” will become your 4 favorite phrases. You’ll shrug off incidents minor to major, including those pertaining to social life, academic life, blah blah blah whatever. Who cares?
You’ll so busy looking at the fascinating designs found on walls everywhere that you’ll probably forget her name, among many other things.

Obviously you want more of this girls attention. When she directs her attention at someone else it bothers you simply because it is not directed at you any longer. You need to either recognize your feelings for this girl and act on them or find some other source for the attention you need.

Hrm. So far so good. A lot of this really hits home, and I think I’m making a lot of headway with what the nature of the problem is, and perhaps what to do about it. I’ll keep y’all updated, and thanks a ton, and of course any more advice is more than welcome.