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Gypsy
29th March 2007, 04:44 AM
My story:

My boyfriend and I have been living together for almost 10 years. We started off as best friends in college, and in time became inseparable. We've never been ones to fight or argue. We never ever go to bed mad at each other, and until now, we've always managed to talk things out.

Lately, he's been obsessed with pointing out our differences, and saying things like "Why are we together, you don't like the things I like". He seems to be referring to obscure things, not looking at the whole picture, because we still share many interests.

Example 1:
Today, he started talking about keeping bugs, so he could photograph their changes. Now wildlife / nature photography is something we have in common. We both love it. However he knows that I have a terrible fear of bugs in general. I even have trouble looking at pictures of them. He has a terrible fear of Spiders, so he knows that the very idea of Having them in the house would make me very upset. When I suggest he keeps them on the balcony he gets upset. And again, He says why do you not like anything I like to do.

Example 2:
Yesterday, despite the fact I have a bad cold, I decided to get up early, and take him on a hike. We were out for a few hours, and he decided he wanted to show me another park he had found. I wasn't up for it, and again he starts with the "Why won't you do anything with me" stuff.

That really got to me. I mean I figured he would have appreciated the fact that I took him out to begin with. and instead he throws that in my face again.

There have been a few of these instances in the past week or two. I'm not sure why it's happening. I'm not sure how to approach him about it.

Anytime the subject comes up, I'm left feeling very defensive, and hurt. I feel like he doesn't appreciate the things we do together anymore. That he doesn't appreciate me anymore, and that he's going out of his way to point out our differences...

Has anyone else gone through this? If so, how did you handle it?

Tnx

jo71
29th March 2007, 04:49 AM
Gypsy, what you posted was so clear and to the point, I almost think you should just print it out and give it to him. Everything you said, just sit him down and say those exact things to him. Give him the examples, and tell him to just openly tell you what's going on in that head of his. Is he feeling suffocated? Maybe he's getting bored and you two could do something exciting to spice things up? Or straight out ask him...how do you feel about our relationship right now? It sounds like you've had a lovely relationship in the past, and just need to open up some communication now. Don't ever stop talking to each other!
Jo

Gypsy
3rd April 2007, 08:35 AM
We talked a little, he's just feeling bit unsure of things. between jobs, not sure where he wants to go ( referring to himself ). Bugging him that I'm working, he's not atm. Think he's just doing a lot of soul searching right now. We've both been through that phase a few times in this relationship.

Guess sometimes it's easy to forget that. I'm a lot more direct, sometimes he has a hard time saying what he means. A lot of the times, I have figured out what's on his mind before he does lol. Giving him a bit of space to figure things out.


tnx for listening, I think I just needed to get out how I was feeling. Didn't want to throw all that at him when deep down knew there was something going on with him. Didn't want to add to the pressure he's putting on himself...