Hello, question asker! I'm Jiang 61, and I'm here to help in any way I can.
First of all, I would like to thank you for trusting us and being willing to tell us about the conflicts between you and your boyfriend in order to resolve them. After reading your account, I feel quite sad for you.
Your relationship has perhaps led you to lose sight of your own needs and to always cooperate with others. You ask, "What should I do next if I can't explain the relationship and he thinks it's not good for him?" Let's take a moment to consider how you might handle your relationship in a way that is respectful to both of you.
1. Relationship
1⃣️, cohabitation
You mentioned that you have been living with your roommate for four years. It seems that you have feelings for him that have not been reciprocated, and that you have maintained a sexual relationship with him. You have also opened a business together and your daily lives are closely intertwined. Initially, you shared an apartment for two years, and then lived in a house that he purchased for another two years, while you borrowed 200,000 yuan from him.
From your introduction, it seems that you have been living together for four years. It would appear that, whether it is unrequited love or one-sided, you have maintained a relationship, which shows that he acknowledges your relationship and is working together to live together.
You have been living together for four years. Initially, you shared an apartment, but then he purchased a house, and you moved in with him. You also provided him with a loan of 200,000 yuan. He has acknowledged this cohabitation for two years.
2. Attachment
It seems that you have a relationship that could be described as an attachment.
You say, "I feel insecure, I'm sensitive, I'm dependent, he's self-centered, he's irresponsible, he's a bit of an escapist, he doesn't like being alone, and he thinks that people only go out with him for the company."
You may lack a sense of security, which could make you very dependent on other people. If someone treats you slightly better, you may find that you give everything you have to that person.
Your boyfriend may have some avoidant tendencies. It seems that he may not be comfortable with the idea of being dependent on others. You have mentioned that he tends to be self-centered and focused on his own feelings, which can sometimes make it challenging for him to fully understand your perspective. Additionally, he seems to have a preference for being alone. This could be a sign that he has an attachment style of detachment, rather than being an avoidant person.
People with an alienating attachment style tend to feel at ease even without intimacy. Independence and self-sufficiency are often more important to them, and they may not always be comfortable relying on others or letting others rely on them.
Interaction patterns
You say, "There is a conflict about once every 30 days, or a big or small quarrel or cold war. The causes are related to shop management, my demand to be treated well, and trivial matters in life. When there is a conflict in the shared apartment, he has mentioned moving out, and I have mentioned moving out a few times after living in his house."
There will likely be some disagreements over experience and concepts, modes of getting along, attachment types, and views on life. It's possible that there might be a conflict once a month.
If there are some differences in your respective needs and expectations, you may consider proposing a separation. However, it is likely that you will not have the opportunity to address these differences and resolve them amicably.
3⃣, differences
It seems there are some differences between you and your boyfriend.
From my understanding, the boyfriend's perspective is as follows:
You mentioned that he recently broke the tacit agreement of spending weekends together and made separate plans with other people. I felt that he was trying to change things and that I was being left behind, which made me unhappy. I considered moving out, but after talking with him, we decided to live together again for the time being. However, he expressed that
1. He would like to take some time to reflect and consider the relationship in a more detached way, with the aim of becoming good friends.
2. He feels unhappy arguing with you and feels bad about himself. It might be best to have physical distance, so I'm considering moving out, but I'm also exploring the possibility of a shared rental, in the hope that I can move out after I buy a house.
3. While there is happiness in living together, they believe that quarrels are harmful and are willing to give up living together. Previously, they had expressed reluctance to
From the way your boyfriend expresses his thoughts, it seems he may have an avoidant attachment style. It's possible that he's more tired of arguing with you than he is of the good feelings you once had. This could mean he wants to reduce the frequency of your contact and lower your emotional connection.
And perhaps even pulling away your attachment to him.
I'm a bit confused.
You said, "Before, I thought that both parties could change their hearts to optimize the relationship. Now that he said this, I'm not sure what the best course of action is."
You want to improve the relationship and resolve the differences through changes in both parties. However, your boyfriend's three rules have made you realize that he may not be as invested in the relationship as you had hoped.
You are feeling quite sad and want to save the relationship, so you ask what you should do.
2. Potential causes of disagreement
1⃣️, different attachment styles
It seems that your attachment style may be a contributing factor to the conflicts and disagreements in your relationship. You appear to exhibit some characteristics of an anxious attachment type.
Anxious attachment can be described as an emotional state in which it may be challenging to feel love and trust for your partner. Instead, it can manifest as a kind of "emotional hunger," hoping that the other person can save you or make you more "complete."
Anxiety can be seen as a fear that stems from insecurity in a relationship. It can manifest as a fear of being abandoned, which can then lead to a fear of losing control and a desire to exert control in the relationship. Additionally, demands for kindness from one partner can also put a lot of pressure on the other.
On the other hand, people with an avoidant attachment style may find it challenging to tolerate being smothered, which could potentially lead to them distancing themselves from the situation.
It can be observed that individuals with anxious attachment styles may engage in self-defeating behaviors and contribute to a toxic dynamic in relationships. They often have a strong desire for intimacy but may be prone to suspicion and fear that their partners do not share the same level of intimacy.
As a result, the boyfriend was able to offer her three pieces of advice.
2. Different values
It may be helpful to consider that some of the conflicts you have had are caused by differences in life philosophy, experience philosophy, and values. If you would like to continue, it might be beneficial to discuss values and life philosophy in depth before moving forward.
3⃣️, there seems to be room for improvement in the communication between you both.
From what you mentioned, it seems that there might be room for improvement in the way you communicate with each other. It's not uncommon for couples to have differing opinions, but it's important to be able to express your thoughts clearly and listen to each other's perspectives. This will help you make informed decisions together.
3. What might be a good next step?
Perhaps it would be helpful to consider changing the attachment relationship.
It might be helpful to try to be a secure type of attachment.
People who are securely attached are emotionally approachable. They feel secure both in relying on others and being relied on.
You are not overly concerned about being alone or being rejected.
By making yourself this secure attachment type, you can help your boyfriend to feel relaxed and free from pressure.
Perhaps it would be helpful to consider an alternative approach.
It might be helpful to try to be more independent.
It would be beneficial to learn to be alone and to live your life well, whether or not your boyfriend is there. It is important for your boyfriend to be considerate, but you should also be able to take care of yourself. By doing things yourself, you will show your boyfriend that you are maturing and growing up. He will feel less nervous about your state when interacting with you.
Furthermore, they will be able to calmly deal with your requests.
It is important to trust the other person.
If you are honest and trust your boyfriend's attitude in your intimate relationship, it is likely that he will behave in a supportive manner. He may feel that you are his strong backing, a partner he can rely on, that you are safe, and that your relationship will be more harmonious.
2⃣️, effective communication
I would like to suggest that we consider the importance of effective communication.
Communication can be defined as the exchange of information. It is a process whereby a message is conveyed to a communication partner with the aim of eliciting a desired response. If this process is achieved, effective communication can be considered complete.
It is worth noting that communication encompasses both verbal and nonverbal messages, with the nonverbal aspect often playing a more significant role than the verbal one. Effective communication is a valuable tool in navigating the nuances of interpersonal and complex social relationships on campus.
I would like to suggest some steps that could help us all to communicate more effectively.
I believe that effective communication can be achieved by following four simple steps:
It may be helpful to consider expressing feelings rather than emotions in this situation.
Step 2: It may be helpful to express what you want, rather than what you don't want. It might also be beneficial to express that you are angry, rather than simply stating that you are angry.
Step 3: It is important to express your needs, rather than simply complaining. It is also helpful to avoid leaving your partner guessing what you want.
Step 4: Instead of dwelling on the present situation, focus on the desired outcome.
When you have a conflict with your boyfriend, you can use these four steps to express your feelings, thoughts, and demands. Instead of each person sticking to their own opinion or singing their own tune, you can establish the effectiveness of your communication, form a good communication situation, and gradually reach a consensus.
It would be beneficial to establish effective communication in an intimate relationship, as this can contribute to the development of a strong and fulfilling bond, as well as personal growth.
3⃣, It would be beneficial to establish a shared understanding.
It is thought that building a shared understanding is one of the keys to whether a relationship can last. It seems that shared understanding includes self-worth, being on the same page, self-growth and accepting the truth.
It is important to recognize and value one's own worth in a relationship.
It could be said that recognition of self-worth is one of the most important values sought in an intimate relationship. It is often the case that only by gaining self-recognition in a relationship do we feel secure and stable.
Perhaps it would be beneficial to walk in step.
It is not necessary for two people in a relationship to agree on every detail of their lives together. What is important is that they are moving in the same general direction and that the relationship is a balanced state. If one person makes excessive demands on the other, it can create discomfort and upset the balance of the relationship.
Perhaps it would be helpful to consider the concept of self-growth.
Reaching a balance in a relationship is not the end goal, but rather a continuous process of self-growth within the relationship. This self-growth does not only involve the individual, but also the willingness of the other person.
Self-growth implies a willingness to draw closer to each other, to invest in the relationship, and to envision a brighter future together.
Perhaps it would be helpful to accept the reality of the situation.
In an intimate relationship, it can be challenging to see each other and the relationship through the other person's perspective. This can lead to a shift in the relationship dynamic, where the relationship grows from intimacy to a sense of distance and misunderstanding. It's important to recognize that this can happen when one person's true attitude and thoughts are ignored or unseen, which can hurt the other person's heart.
If you can truly see the other person as they really are, see the true relationship between the two of you, and accept the real them, you will be able to make choices and judgments that are as accurate as possible.
The questioner, your happiness is within your control. You have the power to experience it fully and to achieve it. I hope you can seize your own opportunities and win your own happiness.
I would like to extend my best wishes to the original poster for a happy outcome!
Comments
I understand the complexity of our situation and it's clear we've grown apart in many ways. Maybe taking a step back and focusing on friendship could help us both find a healthier dynamic.
Living together has been challenging, especially with the frequency of conflicts. It might be beneficial for both of us to have some space. I think moving out would allow me to grow independently and reduce the stress between us.
It seems like our relationship has evolved into something that no longer serves either of us well. The idea of distancing ourselves and becoming good friends might provide clarity and peace. I agree that physical distance could improve things.
The thought of you going out with other people made me realize how much I've been relying on this arrangement. I should focus on my own happiness and consider moving out as a way to gain independence and security.
Quarreling does take its toll on us both. If living separately can bring an end to these arguments and lead to a more positive environment for both of us, then perhaps it's the right decision. I'm open to giving it a try.