Hello, host! I really hope my answer can help you in some way.
You say that you love him very much and that you will always love him. Since the love is still so deep, of course it will not end only with separation. Many people don't understand that love is not just a feeling. It's so important to remember that a truly long-lasting, harmonious, and stable love needs to be managed and nurtured. In particular, when conflicts and disputes arise in an intimate relationship, it is also a time for us to grow.
From what you've told me, it seems like you're feeling pretty frustrated in this relationship. It seems like you always put him first, but you don't always get the response you're hoping for. When things don't go as planned, it can be really scary. It seems like you feel like you're responsible for making sure everything goes well. So, you're always being really careful, but it can also make you feel really scared. But you're also afraid of losing him because you really love him, right?
Don't worry! You've already come so far together and you love him so much. As long as you're willing to keep going, you can absolutely enjoy the rewards of a happy, stable relationship. But we do need to put in the work. This doesn't mean sacrificing yourself to please the other person. If you do that, you'll end up feeling tired and the relationship won't last. What we need to do is learn to be true to ourselves in the relationship while also seeing the real other person. We need to see both our own deep needs and the other person's deep needs. We need to understand our own actions and worries, as well as understand the other person's actions and fears. Only by doing this can you have a deeper connection and won't quarrel or even break up because of some superficial actions.
I really feel for you, and I'd love to offer you some advice.
It's so important to be able to see each other's true needs and deep desires.
You said, "He still always seizes on some of my unintentional actions and labels them as a sign that I don't love him. It's so sad! He has never trusted my feelings for him. When he doubts me and is convinced that I don't care about him, he becomes even more passive and unwilling to communicate actively or solve problems actively. He just completely wallows in self-pity, shutting himself off and passively waiting.
From what you've told me, it seems like he might be feeling a bit insecure in the relationship. It's possible that he'll label you as not loving him because of some unintentional actions on your part. It's understandable that he's worried you don't love him and don't care about him, given that he's feeling insecure. It's natural for us all to want to feel loved, trusted, and secure.
If you can give him a sense of certainty and reassure him that you love him, that you could never stop loving him, and that you are there for him when he feels insecure, I think he will feel more and more secure in the relationship and his behavior will change.
You also mentioned that you not only suffer from groundless suspicion, but also the anxiety and fear of losing him forever during his periods of self-withdrawal. It seems like you always give in, compromise, and apologize, and you feel full of fear, as if you were going to lose him and the relationship was beyond repair. I can see how that would be really tough!
So, do you see your own real, deep needs? Is it a longing to be recognized? We all have needs, and it's okay to have them!
I'd love to know if you feel affirmed. Do you also long for the other person to accept you completely?
Or is there something else on your mind?
When you really see each other for who you are, you'll understand why you're the way you are. You'll also be able to look past the little things that bother you and focus on what really matters.
This is because, according to some fascinating neurological research, "longing" and "wanting" actually activate different brain centers.
Have you ever noticed that when you want something, it activates your pleasure centers and causes your dopamine to rise, giving you a temporary rush of euphoria? But then, once that rush is gone, it drives you to pursue more wants, which in turn stimulates more dopamine.
On the other hand, "longing" activates the "satisfaction center," which is stimulated by opioid neurotransmitters that control our deep sense of satisfaction. It's truly amazing how, once our longing is fulfilled, we experience this indescribable sense of satisfaction!
We all love a treat now and then, but let's be honest, an expensive bag, doing the laundry for someone else, or a gift on Valentine's Day can only bring us temporary happiness.
"Desires" are the things in our relationships that bring us satisfaction and strength. They're the things that make our relationships feel full and complete. Things like connection and support, listening and expressing, loving and being loved, valuing and influencing, caring and trusting.
It's so important to understand the difference between "longing" and "wanting" on a scientific level. This can help us to really get to the heart of an argument and find a better way to satisfy our longings. Instead of getting temporary pleasure through "wanting," in the long run, "wanting" cannot give us a sense of satisfaction. We've all been there! And the same drama will play out in the next argument.
So, you can both become aware of what you really want, what your deep needs are, and then tell each other, understand each other, and see each other. That's the only way you can establish a really deep connection and enter a virtuous cycle of interaction.
2. It's so important to see each other's emotional patterns, understand the reasons for these behaviors, communicate sincerely, and establish a new communication model.
I'm sure you'll be interested to know that the patterns we each display in close relationships, especially when conflicts arise, are actually a repetition of the patterns of attachment relationships in childhood. That is, they are the patterns of interaction we had with our own parents.
It's clear that your boyfriend feels insecure in the relationship. He tends to latch on to your unintentional actions and use them as a reason to doubt your love and care for him. It's sad to see him in this state of self-pity, shutting himself off and passively waiting. This is actually a pattern he's developed over time, particularly when it comes to dealing with conflicts in intimate relationships. It's as if he's carrying around a burden from his childhood, when he felt his parents didn't truly care about him. It's a tough cycle to break, but with understanding and compassion, you can help him recognize the roots of his pain and find ways to heal.
He might feel that when you do these things, it shows that you don't care about him. This is an unconscious reaction, which is totally normal! If we don't pay attention, it's hard to see the connection, so this is something you need to discuss. You can summarize: when you do certain things, he gets emotional. What is the need behind the emotion?
What can you do for him to feel cared for? When you become aware again and again, you'll discover patterns, his needs, and patterns. Then you'll also know how to truly care for his needs.
And when a person's needs are truly taken care of, they won't get emotional.
Then, when conflict arises, you might feel afraid of losing him and feel terrified. But, not everyone reacts this way after conflict. It's not certain that the other person will leave after a conflict arises, so it's important to be aware of this pattern in yourself. When you were a child, did you have similar feelings? When you had a conflict with your parents, were you also so worried and afraid, but still had to put yourself out to take care of their feelings?
When you see this, you'll understand yourself and also be able to understand him. You'll understand the reasons for your behavior. On this basis, you'll communicate sincerely using non-violent communication. You'll gradually establish a positive interaction model that promotes the development of the relationship through conflict.
Nonviolent communication is actually very simple. When you have a conflict, don't judge or blame. Just state the objective matter and then express your true feelings. For example, you can say, "I feel worried, scared, and fearful." Then, express your true needs, such as, "I really need your recognition and affirmation. I hope we can communicate more calmly." Finally, make your request, such as, "In the future, when you are angry, can you not ignore me, but tell me what your feelings and needs are?"
When you communicate in this way, you'll get to know each other better and better. You'll understand each other's needs and what you need to do in the relationship. If you can achieve a balanced state without doubting yourself and each other, you'll enter a relationship of mutual support and nourishment. You'll be able to enjoy a harmonious, long-lasting, and stable intimate relationship!
I just wanted to share this with you as a little reminder. I really do wish you all the happiness in the world!
Comments
I can feel how deeply this is affecting you. It's painful when love feels like it's not enough. I wonder if he realizes the impact of his actions on you. Maybe we need to set boundaries for our own wellbeing, even in love.
Sometimes love requires more than just effort; it needs trust and understanding from both sides. It's heartbreaking to give so much and still be doubted. Perhaps it's time to talk about these feelings openly with him or seek help together.
It's hard to constantly walk on eggshells. I believe everyone deserves a relationship where they feel safe and valued. Have you considered expressing your fears and concerns directly to him? Communication might offer a path forward.
The fear of losing someone can paralyze us. But staying in a situation that drains you emotionally isn't healthy either. Could it be possible to find a balance between holding on and letting go? Maybe therapy could provide some guidance.
Your love seems so genuine, yet it's being overshadowed by doubt and fear. It's important to also consider what's best for you. Sometimes realizing we're not a fit doesn't mean failure, but recognizing what truly makes us happy.