So interesting to read. Thank you.

I have a similar situation which I am trying to navigate.

I have been with my boyfriend for 5 months now. The first 2 or 3 months of our relationship were wonderful. We felt connected on every level and believed we had found a long term partner in each other. (we are both in our forties) At the beginning of the year I said those 3 little words ..” I love you” and he couldn’t say them back. He said he is quite sure he will ‘get there’ and say them but is cautious to say them at this stage of the relationship. He has repeatedly said to me that he ‘wants to allow himself to love me and be loved in return’ ….and has acknowledged he has work to do around opening his heart. He followed my suggestion and has started counselling. He says he want to be someone with me who can be 100% emotionally committed. We also don’t see much of each other due to his very intensive and high pressured job which has taken him off to the far east constantly over the last 6 weeks. When I have seem him he has been exhausted and there’s been no space for real intimacy or fun. He is like a shut down zombie. This looks like it will carry on until this particular contract ends in 2 months time approx. We spoke on the phone a few nights ago and he sounded like an emotionless robot…..not the man I have come to know and love. He said he is just trying to ‘stay alive’ right now with the constant long haul travelling (11 hr flight there and 11 hrs back each week) and demanding corporate work schedule. He says he’s not sure he can ‘do us’ at the moment whilst this job is taking all his energy. He also doesn’t want to end the relationship but has asked for space……2 months space perhaps…until the contract is over and he can focus back on ‘us’. I don’t know what to do …..This feels like a very very hard thing he is asking form me. Do I stay in or get out ?