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Post by natasha on Feb 8, 2021 19:56:02 GMT
Hi Everyone,
I could use some in input on a situation I've (23F) been trying to work through for about 5 months now with my DA partner (23M). For the first 9 months of our 1.5 year relationship, things were great and it seemed almost as though I was exhibiting more DA characteristics than he was (he was exhibiting anxious characteristics more so than I). I noticed the shift in our dynamic when I first started to bring up real issues, like communication, loyalty, and intimacy. He started to withdraw, and has been for the past 5 months. Not surprisingly, all the while, i have become increasingly anxious and had a hard time reeling in my protest behaviors (threatening the relationship, demanding to see/speak to him in moments of uncertainty, etc). My need for reassurance is now constant and unbearable for the both of us, and the more I try to talk about it (very rationally too, following guidelines from the book "Attached"), the more he shrugs it off and withdraws. Our fights and conversations revolve around these core issues in our attachment styles, because they impact how we communicate and bond with intimacy. He seems to be working overtime to be putting distance between us, and I am running in circles trying to figure out how to get back on track.
So that said. Just last night, my protest behaviors got the best of me and I asked to see his feed on a certain social media app (after having seen something that looked suspicious- hello, anxiety), and he reluctantly agreed but told me he was very upset. He told me to leave, which I did not at first(thinking he wasn't serious), and we sat in silence on our phones for an hour. Finally, I couldn't take it any longer and asked him if we could talk about what had just happened. I apologized for asking to see his phone (he views it as an invasion of privacy and I do not do it often), and he told me he had no interest in engaging with me for the rest of the night. I was appalled and hurt at this reaction, and began inquiring MORE, while he barely took his eyes off his phone screen to even look at me, and would not reply to me. I asked him if he wanted me to go, and he said "I don't care". I began to tear up and asked him to please reassure me that everything was alright and that he loved me, to which he replied "no, not right now." That's when my protest behaviors peaked: I grabbed his phone and threw it onto some pillows on the floor. This of course had the opposite effect of what I desperately wanted, which was an emotional reaction. He told me to "leave immediately". I did. He has a habit of stonewalling me whenever we have conflict, no matter who is at fault, and I know I will be left out in the cold for days until he breaks his silence. The silence is terrifying every time, and especially now.
Now I do not know where we stand, but whether he ends things with me or not, my closest friends and family whom I confide it are telling me this is wrong and needs to be ended. I cannot fathom the pain of breaking this attachment, because I know how cold DA's are post-breakup. I'd also like to add that I am very much so a PA, with some secure attachments depending on the styles of others in those relationships, and also have several DA characteristics in certain relationships or at certain times.
Any insight on what to do next would be helpful! I want to resolve (or end) this the right way, and am always wanting to learn more about why things unfold the way they do and what I can work on within my own attachment style to improve my relationships.
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Post by tnr9 on Feb 8, 2021 20:57:15 GMT
Hi Everyone, I could use some in input on a situation I've (23F) been trying to work through for about 5 months now with my DA partner (23M). For the first 9 months of our 1.5 year relationship, things were great and it seemed almost as though I was exhibiting more DA characteristics than he was (he was exhibiting anxious characteristics more so than I). I noticed the shift in our dynamic when I first started to bring up real issues, like communication, loyalty, and intimacy. He started to withdraw, and has been for the past 5 months. Not surprisingly, all the while, i have become increasingly anxious and had a hard time reeling in my protest behaviors (threatening the relationship, demanding to see/speak to him in moments of uncertainty, etc). My need for reassurance is now constant and unbearable for the both of us, and the more I try to talk about it (very rationally too, following guidelines from the book "Attached"), the more he shrugs it off and withdraws. Our fights and conversations revolve around these core issues in our attachment styles, because they impact how we communicate and bond with intimacy. He seems to be working overtime to be putting distance between us, and I am running in circles trying to figure out how to get back on track. So that said. Just last night, my protest behaviors got the best of me and I asked to see his feed on a certain social media app (after having seen something that looked suspicious- hello, anxiety), and he reluctantly agreed but told me he was very upset. He told me to leave, which I did not at first(thinking he wasn't serious), and we sat in silence on our phones for an hour. Finally, I couldn't take it any longer and asked him if we could talk about what had just happened. I apologized for asking to see his phone (he views it as an invasion of privacy and I do not do it often), and he told me he had no interest in engaging with me for the rest of the night. I was appalled and hurt at this reaction, and began inquiring MORE, while he barely took his eyes off his phone screen to even look at me, and would not reply to me. I asked him if he wanted me to go, and he said "I don't care". I began to tear up and asked him to please reassure me that everything was alright and that he loved me, to which he replied "no, not right now." That's when my protest behaviors peaked: I grabbed his phone and threw it onto some pillows on the floor. This of course had the opposite effect of what I desperately wanted, which was an emotional reaction. He told me to "leave immediately". I did. He has a habit of stonewalling me whenever we have conflict, no matter who is at fault, and I know I will be left out in the cold for days until he breaks his silence. The silence is terrifying every time, and especially now. Now I do not know where we stand, but whether he ends things with me or not, my closest friends and family whom I confide it are telling me this is wrong and needs to be ended. I cannot fathom the pain of breaking this attachment, because I know how cold DA's are post-breakup. I'd also like to add that I am very much so a PA, with some secure attachments depending on the styles of others in those relationships, and also have several DA characteristics in certain relationships or at certain times. Any insight on what to do next would be helpful! I want to resolve (or end) this the right way, and am always wanting to learn more about why things unfold the way they do and what I can work on within my own attachment style to improve my relationships. It sounds like you both may be FA....and because he is currently leaning DA, you are leaning AP. Are you in any therapy at the moment?
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Post by natasha on Feb 8, 2021 21:06:35 GMT
Hi Everyone, I could use some in input on a situation I've (23F) been trying to work through for about 5 months now with my DA partner (23M). For the first 9 months of our 1.5 year relationship, things were great and it seemed almost as though I was exhibiting more DA characteristics than he was (he was exhibiting anxious characteristics more so than I). I noticed the shift in our dynamic when I first started to bring up real issues, like communication, loyalty, and intimacy. He started to withdraw, and has been for the past 5 months. Not surprisingly, all the while, i have become increasingly anxious and had a hard time reeling in my protest behaviors (threatening the relationship, demanding to see/speak to him in moments of uncertainty, etc). My need for reassurance is now constant and unbearable for the both of us, and the more I try to talk about it (very rationally too, following guidelines from the book "Attached"), the more he shrugs it off and withdraws. Our fights and conversations revolve around these core issues in our attachment styles, because they impact how we communicate and bond with intimacy. He seems to be working overtime to be putting distance between us, and I am running in circles trying to figure out how to get back on track. So that said. Just last night, my protest behaviors got the best of me and I asked to see his feed on a certain social media app (after having seen something that looked suspicious- hello, anxiety), and he reluctantly agreed but told me he was very upset. He told me to leave, which I did not at first(thinking he wasn't serious), and we sat in silence on our phones for an hour. Finally, I couldn't take it any longer and asked him if we could talk about what had just happened. I apologized for asking to see his phone (he views it as an invasion of privacy and I do not do it often), and he told me he had no interest in engaging with me for the rest of the night. I was appalled and hurt at this reaction, and began inquiring MORE, while he barely took his eyes off his phone screen to even look at me, and would not reply to me. I asked him if he wanted me to go, and he said "I don't care". I began to tear up and asked him to please reassure me that everything was alright and that he loved me, to which he replied "no, not right now." That's when my protest behaviors peaked: I grabbed his phone and threw it onto some pillows on the floor. This of course had the opposite effect of what I desperately wanted, which was an emotional reaction. He told me to "leave immediately". I did. He has a habit of stonewalling me whenever we have conflict, no matter who is at fault, and I know I will be left out in the cold for days until he breaks his silence. The silence is terrifying every time, and especially now. Now I do not know where we stand, but whether he ends things with me or not, my closest friends and family whom I confide it are telling me this is wrong and needs to be ended. I cannot fathom the pain of breaking this attachment, because I know how cold DA's are post-breakup. I'd also like to add that I am very much so a PA, with some secure attachments depending on the styles of others in those relationships, and also have several DA characteristics in certain relationships or at certain times. Any insight on what to do next would be helpful! I want to resolve (or end) this the right way, and am always wanting to learn more about why things unfold the way they do and what I can work on within my own attachment style to improve my relationships. Edit: I am in therapy at the moment as well. I started seeing a therapist alone every other week a few months ago, when my anxiety in the relationship starting getting worse. It sounds like you both may be FA....and because he is currently leaning DA, you are leaning AP. Are you in any therapy at the moment?
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Post by Helsbells on Feb 8, 2021 21:16:11 GMT
Oh dear first of all I want to give you a big hug. Unfortunately my love you have found yourself in a relationship with someone who is possibly unintentionally triggering you very badly and bringing all your insecurities out. First of all I wont to say please dont be to hard on yourself for your protesting behaviours as these are old wounds deep inside of you. Its sounds like you as so many of us here have done here are losing yourself in this rerelationship. You see yourself at fault and end up feeling full of shame and desperate. Believe me although I am much older than you and meant to be wiser I have recrecently been there. You seem to have a lot of awareness for your age which is good but that can lead you to wanting to take all the responsibility of the relationship on your shoulders and end up treading on eggshells as not to rock the boat. I found with my ex FA he wanted his cake and eat it. Attachment aside that is very selfish behaviour and not away to treat someone you CHOSE To be in a relationship with. I have a daughter your age and what would I be telling her.... that she is beautiful and worthy and deserves to be treated with love and respect and someone who soothes her and reassures her. But hey we dont choose who we fall in love with and life isnt that simple ( if only ). Others on this site who have been thru what your going thru will give you lots of food for thought and offer there help. Again I'm so sorry your going thru so much and hope you can find some comfort from this site. Hugs Helen x
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Post by natasha on Feb 9, 2021 15:28:01 GMT
Oh dear first of all I want to give you a big hug. Unfortunately my love you have found yourself in a relationship with someone who is possibly unintentionally triggering you very badly and bringing all your insecurities out. First of all I wont to say please dont be to hard on yourself for your protesting behaviours as these are old wounds deep inside of you. Its sounds like you as so many of us here have done here are losing yourself in this rerelationship. You see yourself at fault and end up feeling full of shame and desperate. Believe me although I am much older than you and meant to be wiser I have recrecently been there. You seem to have a lot of awareness for your age which is good but that can lead you to wanting to take all the responsibility of the relationship on your shoulders and end up treading on eggshells as not to rock the boat. I found with my ex FA he wanted his cake and eat it. Attachment aside that is very selfish behaviour and not away to treat someone you CHOSE To be in a relationship with. I have a daughter your age and what would I be telling her.... that she is beautiful and worthy and deserves to be treated with love and respect and someone who soothes her and reassures her. But hey we dont choose who we fall in love with and life isnt that simple ( if only ). Others on this site who have been thru what your going thru will give you lots of food for thought and offer there help. Again I'm so sorry your going thru so much and hope you can find some comfort from this site. Hugs Helen x Thank you so much for your comforting words, this situation feels impossible right now. I know deep down what I need to do and what would probably be best, but I can't seem to break myself from this attachment in hopes that we could maybe, possibly return to the wonderful relationship we had for the 9 months. He still has not reached out yet, and we have Valentine's day plans as well as birthday plans for his this weekend (so I have a lot of things scheduled, including things with his family). I know the timing is never right, but I can't help but hope he doesn't want to throw everything away... even if it should be. He feels so cold it's as if I don't know him, I just can't fathom doing this same thing to him.
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