Pardon me for assuming you say what you mean.
In the OP I am sorry to have to identify with the overhelpful character. I came by my neurotic behavior honestly, but it’s neurotic nonetheless and I know it bothers people sometimes. I’d really like to stop.
As an overall appraisal of the situation I think you’re behaving perfectly well either to just tolerate it, or to politely ask if it’d be OK to have less involvement.
Thinking of this from the point of view of the overhelpful person, I think it would be easier to get your message if you worded it something like “I appreciate your wanting to handhold everything, but the way I like to do things is more working it through on my own and being able to call for help when I need it. Do you think we could try it more that way for me?” As a neurotically overhelpful person, I’d find a request for a special version of help to be something I’d actually like to grant you.
That said, I think we’re talking about quirky and irrational behavior, so YMMV. Good luck.
Oh, oh, oh, GOTCHA! I didn’t SAY anything. I TYPED IT! Haha. Get outta here.
Use it in a sentence:
“One of the perqs *of this job is fresh-perked coffee every morning.”
Pronounced “per-KWAY” to rhyme with “for-TAY.”
Sigh. Everyone in this thread is a comedian.
While falling asleep tonight, I shall think of “per-KWAY”, and I shall smile.
Dou-chay.
Regards,
Shodan
Toosh! Well played.
Picture it being said by the Par-KAY margarine tub.