Hello, question asker! I'm Jiang 61, and I'm going to answer your question.
I understand that you want to look good and make a good impression. But you are also afraid of expressing your true feelings and deliberately hiding your personality, which affects your interpersonal relationships. You want to know how to break through.
Let's take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of your personality and find a breakthrough.
1. Your personality
1⃣️, someone who is serious and strives for perfection
You have been in two relationships and dress up carefully every time you meet, because you know how important it is to make a good impression. You are a very conscientious person who strives for perfection in everything, including how you speak to people.
2⃣️, Care about what others think
You meticulously groom yourself, wear rimmed glasses instead of contact lenses, and project an image of academic excellence. You likely also deliberately select your attire, demonstrating a keen awareness of your appearance and a reluctance to make a negative impression. Simultaneously, you are hesitant to speak up and express your needs when interacting with others, concealing your true self.
All of this shows that you care a lot about what other people think. You are insecure inside, and you're afraid that other people will stay away from you.
3⃣ Habits cultivated since childhood
Your conscientiousness and concern for other people's opinions were formed by your family environment when you were young and have become part of your character. The other part is your innate character.
Character is formed by the family environment. It's a simple fact. People who are cautious in what they say and do have developed this character after being suppressed by their parents for a long time.
I believe that at least one of your parents is short-tempered and dominant. You are often scolded and told to obey your parents.
As a young person, you were too afraid to rebel, worried that you would offend them and be met with even more rebuke and rejection. You feel insecure around this person. At home, you will do everything carefully and cautiously, trying to win your parents' approval or praise and affection.
You don't speak up much because you're afraid of being criticized or questioned by others. You hide your true self because you're afraid of losing friends.
As you grew up, you developed a cautious and prudent character.
Your partner's character is something you were born with. You are naturally sensitive, perfection-seeking, pessimistic, passive, and prone to dwelling on things.
You can quickly pick up on the messages your parents send you and quickly conform to their expectations. You hope that your parents will value you and not give up on you, otherwise you will feel uneasy. You really want to be yourself, but you rarely do because you are afraid.
When parents are strong, children tend to fall into two categories: those who are strong and confront their parents, and those who are submissive and do as they're told. Given your character as a good boy who rarely made demands when you were young, you clearly fall into the latter category.
4⃣ The inner child
You care about what other people think, which means you still have a child inside you who is afraid of losing the attention, love, and approval of adults. You deliberately cater to others, close your heart, and are unwilling to let yourself grow up.
2. Strengths and weaknesses
Your meticulous nature and pursuit of perfection help you avoid mistakes. You see things others don't, giving you a competitive edge.
You don't make many friends because you are cautious. You only have a few close friends.
You care too much about what other people think. You lack the ability to express your own thoughts. You often agree with others, which makes you feel lost and insecure. You don't have many friends because you lack confidence.
3. Break through
You want to change the status quo. You need to break free from caring what others think and learn to be yourself.
1⃣️, understand your true inner feelings.
You're already feeling tired and want to change, which is great. You've got my support. To change your current situation, you must first understand the true feelings you experience every time you are afraid to speak your mind:
You're afraid of being rejected, aren't you?
Are you afraid that no one will talk to you?
Don't be afraid of not being noticed.
Don't be afraid of not being linked.
Don't be afraid of being looked down upon.
Don't be afraid of losing face.
You should be afraid of not being close.
You're afraid of not being loved.
Don't be afraid that others won't accept your love.
Don't be afraid that others won't see what you've done.
...
When fear arises, one must act. One must please others and show oneself in order to gain links, love, attention, and to be seen.
Once you know how you feel, imagine what will happen if you don't do this. You will not lose connection and love.
I refuse to believe that I will not get any attention or be seen. What will happen to me if I am wrong?
Is it more difficult? Are you depressed?
Or do you feel relaxed? You can focus better on what you want to do.
Write down your feelings.
2⃣️, express yourself bravely.
After noting your feelings, change yourself. First, face people, things, and objects with courage and express your thoughts and feelings.
Afterwards, experience your own feelings, whether you are happy or sad, and understand why you are happy or sad. Then decide what to do next: continue to try or adjust your strategy.
3⃣ Be your own master.
Once you've tried to express yourself, you'll find yourself. You'll see a grown-up child who doesn't care what others think and has learned to control his emotions and his mind.
Dress the way you want to be seen. Don't create psychological obstacles for yourself. Be the master of your own life.
4⃣️. Deliberate practice
Change doesn't happen overnight. Deliberate practice is key to shifting your focus from the feelings of others to your own. Persist, and it will become a new habit, forming a new character of yours. Your life will change qualitatively between deliberate efforts.
You will see the results of the changes. Good luck!
Comments
I can totally relate to feeling the pressure of always needing to present your best self. It's exhausting, isn't it? Maybe it's time to start thinking about what you really want from this relationship and consider if it's healthy for you to feel this way all the time. Try opening up to him about how you feel; honest communication can be incredibly liberating.
It sounds like you're carrying a lot of weight on your shoulders, trying to maintain an image and keep everyone happy. You deserve to be in a relationship where you can just be yourself without fear of rejection. Start small by sharing one thing that's been on your mind with your partner. You might find it easier to open up more over time.
Feeling like you have to be perfect every time you meet can really take its toll. Relationships should be spaces where you can relax and be authentic. Perhaps you could bring up these feelings in a gentle conversation with your partner. Let him know that you sometimes feel pressured and see if he can support you in feeling more comfortable being yourself.
Always putting on a front can be so draining. It's important to remember that true connections come from vulnerability. Consider expressing your concerns to your partner when you feel ready. You might also benefit from reflecting on why you feel the need to hide parts of yourself and explore ways to build more confidence in expressing your needs and desires.