Dear questioner,
My name is Liu, and I am here to listen.
You say you want to break up, but you're the one who's soft. When someone says they want to leave, they usually want the other person to realize they've been disappointed many times and that even a small change would make them happy. They want the other person to understand this is an ultimatum and that it shows they care.
I can sense your insecurity in this relationship. When we are extremely uneasy, we propose separation, but we also have hope. When that hope is extinguished, our psychological pain increases.
First, we must ask ourselves why the other person chose to leave.
Let me be clear: the one who has always really tried to make it work is not him, but you. The one who has repeatedly given a relationship a chance is not him, but you. From your statement, I can feel that he really is not a good lover or a suitable partner.
As the saying goes, "A fish knows whether it is cold or not when it drinks water. You know the answer very well whether you are happy or not."
We subconsciously hope he'll stay.
This has nothing to do with whether the relationship should continue.
From his perspective, if he tries to stop you, it means he doesn't want to end the relationship and still believes it can continue. If he feels you're determined to leave, trying to stop you or even begging you is pointless. Why pretend to be attached when you know you'll eventually part ways?
If he doesn't want to hold on either and agrees with this decision, he probably won't hold on either because it's not what he wants.
It's likely that there have been too many tugs in the past, and both sides are exhausted. His determination is clear in his actions. He's asking if you're sure, to ensure that this time you truly want to leave and that it's not a fake breakup. Of course, the most affection has gradually worn away during the repeated splits and reunions in the past.
If this time, it really is him who wants to go, and I'm the one who suggested we split up, then we must respect our own decision. When faced with someone who really seems to want to leave,
We must learn to let go.
2. We frequently propose breaking up and getting back together again because we hope the other person will try to keep us after we break up. This relationship has been in a protracted tug-of-war from the very beginning.
(1) It is only natural that after a breakup, one hopes that the other person will beg for forgiveness, and one may also want to find evidence that one was once loved.
It is the person who proposes the breakup who...
We also know we won't "lose."
We often hope that the person who is determined to be the one is ourselves, and the person who cannot let go is the other person. This proves something, even if in the end you may still leave. It shows that you are the one who leaves first and that you are not the one who is put aside first in love. We sometimes fall into this obsession with winning and losing.
We know this person isn't right for us. We still hope they'll show more reluctance and love.
(2) We have experienced too much anxiety and unease in this relationship. We have chosen to break up frequently in the hope that the other person will change.
Your words reveal a tumultuous relationship. For a relationship to succeed, both parties must be invested. He has not provided you with the security you deserve, nor has he listened to your demands. When people are reluctant to leave but cannot stand the situation, they often break up with the other person as a warning. This is a way to make the other person realize they are about to lose this lover, which will inspire more expressions of love and care. This is a way to calm the anxiety caused by their insecurity and make it clear they should take it seriously.
It is a pseudo-breakup.
It is a move made out of pain and helplessness, plain and simple.
When we have a row again and again, the element of a fake breakup will diminish, and the determination to actually break up will become prominent. But even so, making this decision will still be very difficult. I think reason tells you to leave, but subconsciously you still want to see what his reaction is. You need to make the decision to leave.
3. Based on your situation, I am going to offer you the following suggestions, which are just my personal opinions for your reference.
You have to make the decision and live with the consequences. You need to decide what you really want.
Your statement mentions a lot of external evaluations of your relationship by others. Let me be clear: everyone wants you to leave and end the relationship, while the person in the relationship is yourself. Everyone's negative opinions or views are just references.
If we could completely relinquish our right to choose, things would be a lot simpler. But we can't.
You need to process your thoughts. This process is an important source of information that allows you to reconcile with yourself.
List the reasons why you cannot break up. Then, list the reasons why you think breaking up is necessary. Writing it down and presenting it in words will help you sort it out more clearly. Behind each reason is an event that happened between you.
This is the best way to sort things out.
We can and should help make decisions.
(2) We all have a lot of difficulties and psychological issues at this stage, and we must address them. Self-care is essential.
Our current state is the result of a combination of factors, especially emotional experiences. You have tried very hard, hoping that the other person will be fine. But you have also given a lot to others while being stingy with yourself.
You must understand your situation and forgive yourself. You are obsessed with the idea that he will change for the better, and the more he fails to do so, the more you will devote yourself to him. You are entangled in love and pain, and you must address the underlying psychological issues.
Seek psychological counseling if possible. Learn the importance of object separation. You are not the other person's "parents," and you cannot shoulder another person's life and destiny. It is already very difficult for you to live your life well on your own.
You need to talk to someone you trust about your feelings, your grievances, the weight you carry, and your loss and disappointment.
(3) Treat yourself well and let go of your exhaustion. You cannot test whether you were loved by leaving.
You also said he'd accuse you of being heartless, when he's the one with deep feelings. This hurts you. It seems like you want to break up, but he keeps turning his back. He's been passively waiting for you to make up.
He doesn't want to change, nor does he want to be the "bad guy." If you're truly happy in this relationship, there's no reason to "leave" just to "care about" someone.
If you don't change how you interact with each other, new problems will inevitably arise if you try to reconcile. Do you really want to break up and walk away? Can you handle it?
Treat yourself with more kindness. Know what you want in a relationship and stick to it. Love yourself as much as you love others.
Live your life to the fullest.
That's my answer.
Thank you for reading.
I am a psychological counselor at Yixinli.
I'm here for you if you want to talk.


Comments
I understand your feelings, and it's clear you've been through a lot. It sounds like this relationship has taken a toll on you emotionally. You're right to consider what's best for your own wellbeing. Sometimes letting go is the hardest decision but can be the healthiest choice.
It seems like you've put in a lot of effort to keep things going, but the imbalance in the relationship might have made it unsustainable. When one person doesn't reciprocate the effort or enthusiasm, it can leave you feeling undervalued and unappreciated. Maybe it's time to prioritize yourself and look for someone who matches your energy level and life goals.
Your friends seem to support you, which is important. They see how the negativity from this relationship affects you. Listening to their advice could help guide you toward a healthier path. It's okay to take a step back and evaluate whether continuing would truly benefit either of you.
The fact that they didn't try to change your mind shows that they might not have realized the severity of your feelings. Or perhaps they are also aware deep down that the relationship isn't working. It's hard when you're met with indifference during such a critical moment.
You've thought about this deeply and tried multiple times to resolve issues. If those efforts haven't led to meaningful changes, it may be an indication that the relationship has run its course. It's important to recognize when something isn't serving you anymore and have the courage to walk away.