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Not sure what to do

Not sure what to do

I have been with my partner for a year and I am aware he has had alot of tragedies in his life before he dated me. I am aware his ex cheated on him then left him when his dad passed a few years ago. Along with that his friends left him as well. So not sure if this is reason why he is currently pushing me away. He isn't a very open person but has told me how his sibling has mental issues which therapy past 3 yrs havent helped the sibling. Plus I don't think the mum has been coping either leaving him to have all this reliance on him. I know he has anxiety and was seeing a therapist at one point but not sure if he still does.

Few weeks ago a friend passed away and he did come over the next day which was surprising but of course when I asked if he is ok he responded yes. After that he has shut me off. I text and miss call everyday to show I care and only after a few days later he will respond I am ok just needed some space. Which leaves me to think he doesnt need it anymore. He also later mentioned how he is now going through a life crisis with a big birthday milestone coming. I asked him multiple times if we could catch up to talk cause i miss him but also so i can figure out what I am suppose to do to support him through this. I dont know if it is a good thing even though am chasing him that he does text me every 3-5 days to say he is ok just needed space. Last week he even said he been wanting call me but needed space. Again not sure if that is a good sign.

Mid this week, after not hearing and seeing him for few weeks, i felt worried he is drifting away and I texted him to express that. He lashed out in his reply saying how he had put alot of stuff in the back burner due to work, family and other spare time for me. This was not something I was aware off cause he never told me. He also mentioned how now he is going through this life crisis and it appears am holding it against him for not fixing it when in fact I am anxious cause i care about him and want to support but he doesnt help me understand how support him and pushes me away. He said he would love have my life and that I should not feel anxious and count my blessings when he has it worst and appears to not break down as much as I do. I replied asking him if we could talk cause obviously I want to understand if he still wants be with me and if so compromise a way I can support him, ie give him space but he needs to text me he is ok every few days etc. He has not replied.

The message he sent I believe is part of frustration due to my insecurity plus the night before his sibling acted up big time. I don't think his message was a break up..my friends says that if he did it would be face to face. I am aware he needs his space but I so desperately want to talk to him to figure out if we can work this out together. Understand if he wants be as his support and if I am a positive influence in his life. And if he does want my support I will give it but he needs communicate better, ie tell me earlier and text me if not everyday, every few days he is ok.
I am not sure what to do since I want to really talk to him but he doesnt want talk to me yet and it is making me struggle not knowing when. I want him to know I care a great deal but not sure how to reach out. Also his birthday is coming soon so was gonna text if i dont hear.

If anyone has got any advice I appreciate it.

46 replies

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In response to: Not sure what to do

Re: Not sure what to do

@pip @Anony18 @Tiggeroo

That's just it .... we are all on a life journey .... there are two people involved here, not just one ..... so it needs to be about both of you, not just one .....

Whenever you find it being all about just one, it's time to rethink the relationship, I think ....

There are different ways to do that. Sometimes it means leaving, moving on. Other times it means creating more space so both of you can breathe. Still other times it means that one or both of you have to draw support and interests from outside the core relationship to try to correct the imbalance .... and this is where carers often over-balance. They can make their whole world about the person they are caring for, but nobody is recharging their own batteries and they eventually run down.

Make yourself busy with other areas of interest, and that might name an dating others, or it might mean more time with friends and family, craft classes, exercise, going to see a movie or a show, buying a pet ....

Sometimes it just takes hearing someone else say it's okay .... it is important to invest in yourself and support your own feelings too.

🌷

In response to: Re: Not sure what to do

Re: Not sure what to do

@Faith-and-Hope@pip@Tiggeroo

Just an update....so I emailed my partner today happy birthday and he messaged me a few hrs to say thanks and that he will call when things settle down with family. Didn't expect him to call but he rang this evening 🙂

It was such a relief knowing he is ok. The convo was a quick 10 mins cause he had to go for dinner with family. He sounded positive which is good though think things with the family is complex.

In response to: Re: Not sure what to do

Re: Not sure what to do

That's good @Anony18. I am glad you are feeling better about things ...

Just always remember that you are as important as anyone else you have a r patio ship with, and don't sell yourself short for their happiness .... your own needs must be met as well. For anything to last, there must be an effort to keep your own balance as individuals, then combine your strengths from that place of personal stability.

Take care ...

🌷

In response to: Not sure what to do

Re: Not sure what to do

Hey @Anony18,
Great news!!! Hopefully your partner will learn to let you in a little more instead of shutting off from you, at least that way you will have an understanding of what's going on.
We have had a little crash in our house today and my poor man is just not himself! So we are off to our GP for a check in and to find a new psych as we have just relocated ourselves across the country! I was waiting for this to happen really, our lives have changed so drastically in the last 3 months and he has coped so well until last night! But as always, we will power through! And I'll be smiling, he will probably be scowling like an angry crab but we will get there haha!
I will keep my fingers crossed for you! And remember, You are amazing!
xx
Tigs

In response to: Not sure what to do

Re: Not sure what to do

So are you @Tiggeroo ....

🌷

In response to: Re: Not sure what to do

Re: Not sure what to do

Hey@Tiggeroo

Definitely hope my partner will - or let me rephrase. Tell me some reason why he needs space and communicate a bit more than deal with it himself and then inform me after what been going on....if that makes sense.

Oh that isn't good but your partner is so lucky to have you around. Let's hope my partner will allow me to be there for him as yours does. I know he isolates himself cause he only wants me to see the happy him, not the scowling, depressed him cause as he puts it "you are far too sweet that I don't to get grumpy at you". Time will tell.

@Faith-and-Hope - definitely agree with you there and hopefully he will be forthcoming and open with what I have to suggest.

You both are amazing and great inspiration & just like you both, I am hoping i will get there and able strengthen my relationship with my partner in time

xx

Anony

In response to: Re: Not sure what to do

Re: Not sure what to do

Hi @Anony18, that is great news

Hello @Faith-and-Hope, @Tiggeroo, @pip

In response to: Re: Not sure what to do

Re: Not sure what to do

Hi Guys. Heard from my (not sure whether he's an ex or still 'there' bf). He sort of congratulated me for going out, But then indicated that only because of distance between us, we wouldn't have worked. I reckon that's an excuse. The 2nd guy I went out with said if you really want to work, you will. distance is nothing. I had told my previous bf I was prepared to move interstate if necessary, or we could arrange something. I emailed previous bf and laid it on the line, told him straight that he was the reason we couldn't work, nothing else. Sometimes, unfortunately you have to be straight with people. I would take back 1st bf in a moment. 2nd bf nice, but I do prefer 1st. Haven't said anything to 2nd bf, but I think he knows my feelings are nowhere near as intense. Not 2nd bf's fault, if I'd started seeing him first and not met 1st bf, 2nd bf would've been the pick. Can't help the way I feel. I like 2nd bf, I really do, but at the moment, can't commit.

In response to: Re: Not sure what to do

Re: Not sure what to do

Hi @pip

I been in your position a few years back. Dated my ex who was from Ireland for years. I even went to UK to work to be closer to him and we had plans that he would come to Oz given there was no jobs in Ireland for either of us. Even said I could support him for a bit til he found something. He made all these promises and even as I return continue to say he would book his flights over. Then he said he couldn't take the risk. If your ex or "there" bf wanted you then agree that he would figure out how make it work. Especially since you said you be the one willing to move.

Understand how hard it is that you still would prob take him back in a moment. I would too given feelings still linger and memories of good times. However with time they will fade and eventually you will be ready to commit.

Out of curiosity - Does bf 2 know about email from bf 1?

In response to: Re: Not sure what to do

Re: Not sure what to do

@Anony18. Bf2 knows nothing about email from bf1, have no intention of telling him. No wish to hurt him as he has done nothing to deserve getting hurt. Bf2 won't find out about the email as he never checks my emails. All he knows about bf1 is what I told him. Eventually, as you said, my feelings for bf1 will fade. When love isn't reciprocated, feelings do die down. Do wish I hadn't met bf1, would've been easier to meet bf2 without 'ghost' there.
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