Dearest Blitzian,
First of all, this penguin would like to congratulate you on getting out of your previous toxic relationship. As avid Blitzians will know, I’ve been through my fair share of ill-fated relationships (including a divorce), so I’m well aware of how hard it is to turn the other flipper. But I'm not here to talk about myself. I only bring up my past mates to make it clear to you that I’ve been through it all before, and with my advice, you can make it through this troublesome situation too.
You’ve said it yourself that the mystery person you are interested in is “just a rebound”. Walter knows better than most that accepting your current situation - even if it's difficult to label - is better than pretending to be with a penguin who you're not fully committed to. With that in mind, this is where I will present to you some fish for thought:
If you really are starting to like this penguin, how can you still call them a rebound?
When Walter falls for another penguin, he falls hard. Countless nights are spent dreaming of cuddling against the Antarctic chill, and diving together off the tallest of glaciers; my notes app becomes filled with lengthy love poems, and my Spotify becomes a vessel for playlists about the penguin I adore. Ask yourself: have you fallen for this ‘rebound’ the way Walter falls for the penguins he loves? If you are “genuinely starting to like him”, does this mean that you think about him often? When you talk to him, do you search his eyes until you reach the depth of his pupils? Do you post music that you know he’d like on your Instagram notes, hoping that he will see it? Do you spend every opportunity devising ways to talk to him, even if it’s just for a moment? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, this penguin can confidently say that your relationship might be more than just a rebound.
If my advice hasn’t been definitive enough yet, then let me offer you some more suggestions. A ‘pros and cons’ list is a classic and fun way to determine if a penguin is right for you, especially if you can make it with the help of penguins you are close with (a second opinion never hurts). You might also find it helpful to pay extra attention to little details of this penguin. If you see a habit you don’t like (Walter HATES penguins who don’t brush their beak) it might be a sign that he isn’t the one for you. Finally, if you really need to find out if you like him, music can be the only solution. Put on your best yearning playlist (Jeff Buckley, Fleetwood Mac, Cigarettes After Sex, and The Smiths are some of my favourites for this), and think hard about him. If you feel yourself identifying with the music, identifying him with the music, then yes, he is definitely more than a rebound.
Remember that love isn’t an airplane. If all you're doing is moving from destination to destination, you’re never going to be able to enjoy the trip. So first, just slow down and take Walter’s advice to determine if it is more than just a rebound. Because if it isn’t and you miss your chance to get him, you might be writing back to me sooner than I’d like.
