You Might Be a Stalker

Ever wonder what the characteristics of a stalker are? If you recognize yourself in the following list, then it just may be you!

Okay, so you wanted to know what your boyfriend was doing last night. And you needed to go to the grocery store anyway, so you thought since you were 'in the neighborhood', you would just drive by his house. Or you called your new love and he didn't call you back. So you called again. And then again. And then several more times. Could you be a stalker?

We all hear stalker stories and see stalker movies, but, for some reason, we never think it applies to us. But it's more common that you think and all of us have probably engaged in some stalker-ish behavior at one time or another, so let's just be real! What is a stalker? A stalker is typically defined as someone who is overly concerned with someone else's behavior. This 'concern' leads them to play an intrusive role (seen or unseen) in that person's life. Here are some signs that you yourself might be a stalker:

1. You drop or drive by someone's house uninvited because you were just 'in the neighborhood.'

2. You 'stake out' that person's house to see who shows up. (Unless you are officially paid to be a police officer or work in a surveillance group, just need go home.)

3. You go out on a 'search' mission to find out where someone is.

4. You call (with your number blocked) and hang up to see if he's just avoiding your phone calls.

5. You call him repeatedly until he answers the phone.

6. You put a GPS on your shared phones and track his every move.

7. You show up at his job unexpectedly

8. You go through his belongings.

9. You read his text messages, emails or phone book entries to find 'evidence.'

10. You show up at places you know he will be.

If you are a stalker or have been a stalker, it's okay! Admit it to yourself now and then stop being one. You are much too valuable to waste yourself pursuing someone who does not want you. Stop today and live your own life. The next time you want to drive by that person's house, don't! The next time you start to call that person, don't! If you are in a real relationship with someone, let him call you or let him come by your house instead. And then find out what it's like to have someone chase you instead of the other way around!