In my experience, observations, and time of utter and complete loneliness, I have found that there is only one way to unhook yourself from someone else's hook. It's so simple, and it's staring at all of us in the face.
Let me tell you the story of Ted.
Back in 6th grade, 7th grade, and the beginning of 8th grade, I was stuck on this kid Dylan's hook. Here I was, dreaming of Dylan, EVERYDAY. Literally, there wasn't a day that had gone by in over a year that I had not thought of Dylan. I don't even know why I liked him that much. I mean, he was cute, nice, and athletic. Well. Okay.
Anyways, the beginning of 8th grade, come to find, he likes my best friend. He asked her to a dance, and she said yes. Being me, I was sad, and so I just told him I liked him. A few days later he told me, and I quote, "I think I'm starting to like you." Okay, so after all this other irrelevant shit goes down, we were about to start dating. However, he started to get really jealous of Ted, because Ted was my best guy friend. Dylan said I talked to Ted more than I talked to him, which was technically true. It was at that point, I realized, I didn't really like Dylan very much. I mean, realistically, he wasn't even that cute. He had an okay personality, and I'm not much for sports anyways. What was the deal, all those years, then? The hook. I created a Dylan in my head that actually didn't exist, someone I wanted him to be, someone I thought he was.
As a result, I informed Dylan that I did not want a relationship with him. Two weeks later, as I started to get over Dylan, Ted asked me out. BAM. What did I do? I rejected Ted. It wasn't until a month after that I realized, hey, wait, I do kinda like Ted. He's honest, nice, funny, cute, mysterious, and has a nice taste in music. He's easy to talk to, loyal, and he's my best friend. Why didn't I realize this sooner? I was stupid, guys. So it began. I liked Ted, and ever since, I have not stopped thinking about him.
Wait, why is Lizzie telling me all of this?
GOOD QUESTION.
It's really simple. In order to get over someone, or, get off their hook, you have to find someone that you care about more.
Thinking about it now, I know, I have absolutely NO feelings for Dylan whatsoever. Sometimes I wonder why I even cared so much. And I would have never truly gotten over Dylan if I didn't realize how wonderful Ted was. In fact, if I didn't start liking Ted, I probably would have found a reason to get back on Dylan's hook. Because I was comfortable that way, it was easy, it was something I was used to.
So now you know. There are other people out there. Just look around you. You'll see who really matters in your life.