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Mind set, purpose, and relationships

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  • #167136
    Kylee
    Participant

    Hello everyone. In advance thank you for listening and considering what I have to express. I have posted  once on here before but I couldn’t find my log in and just never got back to it, when I wish I did! I really love this website and read post almost everyday.

    My name is Kylee.

    So recently my ex and I broke up. This was very hard for me considering I have love for him and deeply care about him. He was the one to break it off. I would say over all we had an okay relationship. I felt during our times together we laughed a lot, explored and had fun adventures. What lacked to me was emotional support from him and deepening our emotional connection. I tried a lot to find ways to do this and especially when it came to intimacy more times than not, I would feel like emotion lacked on his behalf. Which hurt me and he often avoided eye contact. Now I’m not asking him to stare into my soul to the point where its…weird. But I feel like its important to have eye contact to be able to feel each others emotions more. I tried to express this but not much changed. Also often he was in bad moods, I would do my very best to be a great girlfriend to him and be there for him no matter what. I know he has internal problems with himself. But don’t we all? I no I sure do. And I know that all relationships have there ups and downs… I’m someone who would love to work this out and persevere through the hard times. But I guess for him that’s not what he wants or is capable of doing. I’m not saying I was always the best person to be around but I sure tried to be loving, accepting and honest. I felt that he held back a lot, most times I would try to talk to him if he seemed upset but he would never really say much. He never really told me reassuring things to make me feel good. I mean sure there were times, but whenever I was feeling super anxious or you could pick up on my mood. I felt like he just ignored it or didn’t offer me the comfort or support I needed. I know that he does care for me, but also I feel he is selfish. He even admitted that to me. He told me many things, but it sounded like a lot of …excuses. He mentioned his ex, he mentioned our computability in a sense he states hes more introverted then I am. But I don’t see that as an issue, considering we were friends before and I don’t see why that dynamic had to change as soon as we titled it as boyfriend and girlfriend. ( I have so many thoughts in my mind, I wish I could be more thorough and complete but that would…be never ending ) Its just really sucky and sad because despite the rough spots, we never really argued and we did a lot of great things together! I know before we started dating he did have commitment issues and would hook up with a lot of girls. In our relationship I know he would still chat with like 3 girls specifically… that he used to hook up with or date. I was not okay with is, but I thought maybe they could be friends? and didn’t want to be controlling so I tried to let him have his freedom. But I did express simply that is made me feel uncomfortable and anxious. But I know he would still talk to them. I told him I understand they might be friends still but I personally wouldn’t do that to him because I know that it could cause issues for us and he never feels the way I feel because I don’t make him feel threatened by others. If that makes sense.  ugh its just so confusing. After two weeks of no contact, ( he still was on my social media, expect snap chat ( couldn’t stand to see him post something and I didn’t want him to try and “accidently send me something” ) I feel social media also just is such an issue in relationships. But anyway he finally messaged me yesterday night asking how things are going. I didn’t respond yet because I’m not sure how I feel or his intentions. I feel maybe hes just talking to me to not make himself feel guilty ( because I know he has low self esteem to an extent and hates whne people are upset with him) I don’t hate him of course, and I wouldn’t never like.. say anything shallow just to get back at him. I rather simply let it be unless he wanted to really show me.

     

    Aside from this, I’m I’m struggling internally ( this has been an issue for a while in my life ) Whenever I’m in a relationship I feel so so anxious like they person will just leave me and not work through the tough times.. which in most cases this happens. I try to be positive and give my all. Because that’s why I would like in return. I know I’m a good girlfriend, despite my flaws. Honestly nothing seems to be more important to be than my deep relationships with others. I really value deep connections and intimacy. I have to say after this break up, I have not handled a break up better than this one.. Maybe I’m starting to learn from the past? But I defiantly struggle with feeling whole with myself. I feel like I settle for less than what I deserve but then I think is that true?? maybe  I just have to high of expectations. But others tell me I don’t. But like…ugh I want to be able to think that for myself. I try to take care of myself, I eat super healthy, exercise and do tons of active activities. I often feel unaccomplished thought and lack purpose. I try to make the most of my days. I do a lot of stuff, but still end up feeling this way. I try not to let a relationship define me but its hard when I find it to be so fulfilling. and often…. I’m let down anyway. I try really hard to see all different perspectives but I feel like I’m driving myself crazy and it makes me so sad…and alone feeling.  Right now I’m trying my best to live in the moment and take life a little less seriously and what not. But its so hard to do that when I am such a deep thinker…and over think to much. I hope I expressed enough ( I sure typed a lot. )

     

    I appreciate any responses and advice. It means a lot to me. I’m determined to feel secure and whole with myself. Nothing I want more than to feel that way. But I just feel kind of stuck in the mindset and I’m trying to break free.

    Thank you

    with love, Kylee.

    #167164
    amaya
    Participant

    Dear Kylee ,

    Good to get to know you. I went through your post and this is what I felt .You are a deep thinker, so you have a vulnerability to seek answers for every conflict which arises within yourself , unless found you can’t be at peace within. One thing I would want you to concentrate is that as you mentioned ” Whenever I’m in a relationship I feel so so anxious like they person will just leave me and not work through the tough times“,I feel its a pattern due to an issue from  young or with a loved one in the family you have experienced a similar situation so deep that you have stopped believing in certain things. Due to which before you got serious about anyone that fear is clouding your thinking , so you enter into it with doubts and questions. I feel your subconscious is very strong, as you explained in the above situation with ex, you were very well aware from the starting that things weren’t looking good. So, the better you will be able to know yourself , the better you will be able to handle yourself in any relationship knowing how much you are comfortable pushing yourself in accepting and compromising for the other person. But certain fears hinders thinking clearly through situations as I mentioned above , you need to work out that anxiety factor and come into terms with it. Why don’t you give this a thought? (it might be right or wrong , so its just a view point from my side). Hope this insight helped you. Take care.

    #167304
    Kylee
    Participant

    Thank you Amaya. I appreciate your perspective. I understand my anxiety may stem from something rooted deeper. I try to work on it all the time. But sometimes its just so hard when i have the anxiety. Whenever I’m in a relationship, I do open my heart and give the best I can. I don’t really have my father in my life, he would come and go as he pleased and currently we still dont have a connection. He has his own issues and I know they aren’t my fault. But I tend to feel this way anyway. It really hurts me deeper than what i may know or show..that i dont have this relationship with my father. I have tried to reach out so many times, but I’m at the point where its just not helping me and making me feel more sad and neglected. But like in this relationship that just ended, its really hard for me to identify at times whether its me being anxious or if the person is just not doing that much. Which at times I could identify…but often I would just settle for it because I just dont even know…When we broke up he said that im so open and honest and such a great girlfriend… it makes me think then why wouldnt he want me? and it leaves me feeling unworthy…But i understand maybe he isnt ready to be as open and honest with me.. I know that he has struggled with commitment in the past and has other issues that i cant fully explain. It just makes me sad, I responded to him but i told him i dont deserve someone who broke up with me to still try and talk to me at there own convenience. Honestly I feel like I wouldnt have said that to someone in the past because i would be afraid of hurting the other person. But im soooo tired.. of feeling like im giving my all and the other person just gives minimal effort. I am not satisfied with someone who is so surfaced… I need more of a deeper connection. I think often i settle for less and i know deep down what i deserve but than that internal conflict arises. Thank you.

    #167310
    amaya
    Participant

    Dear Kylee,

    I appreciate you giving a thought over my point of view. I am really sorry to hear about the situation with your father. Kylee listen you don’t have to blame and beat yourself for the break-up, any relationship is two sided  and as you said you were trying to look over his flaws.  You mentioned “When we broke up he said that im so open and honest and such a great girlfriend… it makes me think then why wouldnt he want me? and it leaves me feeling unworthy…” I feel he just admitted what he couldn’t be. It takes real courage to be as honest and open in any relationship, with commitment issues around he has made you feel that its your fault masking all his faults making it easy for him. You are matured enough to take your own decisions, write your own story of life. There is a quote The universe will keep hitting you with the same lessons in cycles until you learn.So there is something to learn from the previous relationship.Life is never a fairy tale everyone’s life is unique you cannot compare yours with anyone. Accept the break-up, start working on yourself on your downsides. You deserve a person who is matured enough to understand your deepness and for what you are at the same time you must understand for who he is 🙂

    #167322
    Eliana
    Participant

    Hi Kylee,

    I don’t think you have “high expectations” at all. But as women, we have basic needs in a relationship. To me, “high expectations” would be trying to change or mold someone to fit what you want an ideal person to be, which is does not sound like you did that. High expectations, for example would be making or expecting a man to be funnier, to be more romantic such as “I want you to buy me flowers and candy every week, take me out to an expensive restaurant twice a month, make me a candlelit dinner every few weeks, taking me on weekend getaways every weekend, because I’m bored, buy me jewelry! “Tell me you love me, when I tell you I love you, you must do this!” “Text me back right away, as soon as I text you!.” “”Make sure to call me every time you go out with your friends to “check in”. Be home by midnight, if not call me! “Such and such boyfriend wears leather jackets, why don’t you ever dress up for me?”

    These examples above are unrealistic and high expectations. What you had were basic needs we all need in our relationships, which you were not getting. We all need to be looked at when spoken to, to be heard. We need to know we are cared about. We need emotional intimacy, not just physical. We need someone who does not build walls, that we are forced to take down brick by brick just to try to get that persons attention. We should not invest more time or energy on someone then they invest in us.

    Your ex was for some reason, emotionally available, and he did not seem like he wanted to grow and change in this area. I don’t know what his childhood was like, perhaps he did not have alot of nurturing as a child or very distant, emotionally unavailable parents, sometimes, people can only give what they have, and he could only give you what he had.

    #167332
    Anonymous
    Guest

    Dear Kylee:

    You wrote: “in this relationship that just ended, its really hard for me to identify at times whether its me being anxious or if the person is just not doing that much”- it will be a good thing for you if you are able to identify this, to figure out what about your expectations of a boyfriend are reasonable and what stem from your anxiety and are not reasonable.

    About your father, you wrote: “He has his own issues and I know they aren’t my fault. But I tend to feel this way anyway.”- it may help with the identifying you mentioned, if you listed perhaps, your father’s issues that are not your fault although you feel that they are (your fault)?

    anita

    #167516
    Kylee
    Participant

    Thank you again Amaya. I love that quote you referenced. I agree with the quote to, which is why I think I’m handling this relationship endings much better than ones I previous handled in the past. Its really nice to see others perspectives, its helps broaden my own. I will continue to work on myself always. – Kylee

    #167518
    Kylee
    Participant

    Thank you Eliana. I agree with what your saying. I guess its just hard for me to express to the person I’m with how I feel at all times when I feel they aren’t trying to understand what I’m saying. I’m often just settling for that out of fear that  he will leave me if he doesn’t like what I have to say or compromise with me. I made a lot of sacrifices I felt that I truly didn’t want to but did to try to open my perspective and understand him and his needs… But at the same time he just didn’t really see it the way I did I suppose. He growing up actually had a great family background he told me and I got to meet his family. which is so odd because he has such a wonderful family and they are all so close. But for some reason when we were around his family he acted more cold and distant towards me which made me feel so alone and sad. Especially considering it was my first time meeting them. I tried to ask him why it seemed that way but all he said was sorry u felt that way, not my intention. So I mean what else could I say at that point? He also acted so…moody towards some of his family ( like his mother ) I mean she was very excited and talkative but I was kind of like…why now the first time I’m meeting them? you know what I mean? kind of hard to explain without the full story or knowing him I suppose. But I guess at the end of the day, its his own issue and I tried to help but there was only so much I could offer.  He is still trying to keep contact but I feel its out of his own selfishness. anyway I thank you for what you had to say so much! – Kylee

    #167520
    Kylee
    Participant

    Hi Anita. Thank you for your response. I know that I need to try and learn better how to identify what I’m thinking and feeling vs what is actually happening. But then anxiety takes over and clouds my judgement. I try to do meditative practices to relieve some of this anxiety to be able to think more clearly for myself. But often in a relationship it really overwhelms me and I’m afraid what I say may sound absurd or “stupid”. I try to switch to more positive thoughts, but I guess it also depends on the person I’m with?? I felt like because he has low emotion it was harder for me to read what he was thinking. I constantly worry what hes thinking or feeling…

    When its comes to my father.. I feel I know … its not my own fault for the way he is… But I think maybe from a young age him leaving and coming as he pleases…affected me deeply and even though I don’t really think about it on a regular basis it…creeps its way in subconsciously and I’m not sure how to find deeper healing in it and not let it affect my judgment or feelings in a relationship. I often think what if my father had been there for me? Would I not be so anxious and insecure in a relationship?

     

    Thank you – Kylee

    #167554
    amaya
    Participant

    Dear Kylee,

    About your father, if things were supposed to work out it would’ve long time ago but it didn’t. The way men and women look into the same problems are different. Say what if your father was put in a similar situation of yours the way he would have handled it is different. The problem which looks trivial to one might look bigger to the other. So, you don’t know what is the problem he faced and how he handled which landed him in a particular way. Maturity doesn’t come with age, I particularly don’t believe in that. So, you might be more matured, compassionate and understanding than your father! In your situation you can take the complete responsibility for yourself and think independently.

    #167690
    Anonymous
    Guest

    Dear Kylee:

    In your note to me you wrote: ” I need to try and learn better how to identify what I’m thinking and feeling vs what is actually happening”

    Let’s look at what you are thinking and feeling vs what is actually happening:

    You wrote above, about your boyfriend: “He growing up actually had a great family background he told me and I got to meet his family. which is so odd because he has such a wonderful family and they are all so close. But for some reason when we were around his family he acted more cold and distant towards me which made me feel so alone and sad.”

    What you were feeling in this quote: “so alone and sad”. You were probably thinking that he was so close with his family members yet so distant from you, left you out of the closeness festivity, correct?

    What was actually happening: “he acted more cold and distant …He also acted so…moody towards some of his family ( like his mother ) I mean she was very excited and talkative”

    He acted cold and distant toward you because he felt cold and distant with his mother and other family members. Reality is they are not “all so close”. Distant, not close, is what was actually happening. It only felt close to you. He acted “moody towards… his mother” not because he felt close to her but because he felt distant, angry, maybe self-protective.

    The fact that she was “very excited and talkative”- what did that mean to you?

    anita

    #168896
    Kylee
    Participant

    Sorry I have not responded. Still don’t have internet!! 🙁 lol.

    I meant. My ex mother was so happy to see us and be going on this trip. She was welcoming and friendly. But My ex he just seemed like he didnt want to be bothered. I felt unwanted by him when i was there. I tried to bring it up to him but he just hardly  says much and still doesnt act any different. It makes me feel pushed away and hurt, because here I am trying so hard to be communicating with him and open and trying to meet his family. Since we broke up.. He has tried to talk to me a few times but i just havent really said much because i feel hes only talk to me out of his own satisfaction. If that makes sense?

    My anxiety has been better since we broke up.. But i often feel whenever im in a relatiopship i get such bad anxiety. I always fear the person will leave me or that im not enough for them. I try to be the best girlfriend I can be so that I dont end up feeling that way but I am usually left feel unappreciated or drained. Its very hard to find balance in a relationship for me. But I just desire close connections and love so much. I feel very alone in this mind set. I’m trying hard to just go with the flow of things…but I dont know I feel very confused.

     

    Thank you

     

     

    #168908
    Anonymous
    Guest

    Dear Kylee:

    You wrote about your father:  “he would come and go as he pleased and currently we still dont have a connection… It really hurts me deeper than what i may know or show..that i dont have this relationship with my father. I have tried to reach out so many times” 

    Later, you wrote regarding your ex boyfriend/s: “I am trying so hard to be communicating with him and open and trying … I try to be the best girlfriend I can be…But im soooo tired.. of feeling like im giving my all and the other person just gives minimal effort.”

    Reads to me that you desired love from your father very much and you tried to be the best daughter possible, tried to reach out to him repeatedly but unsuccessfully. You kept that pattern of behavior, reaching out and trying with boyfriends.

    You wrote: “I always fear the person will leave me or that im not enough for them”- probably an extension of a childhood belief that you were not enough for your father to stay with you and love you.

    Even though on some rational level you figure your father  “has his own issues and I know they aren’t my fault”, on an emotional level you still believe that his unavailability to you, his lack of attention to you, lack of trying on his part, lack of commitment to you, all these are because you are not enough.

    It takes time and work to get the emotional understanding of reality to catch up to the rational understanding. Sometimes that kind of work needs to be done in quality psychotherapy. Did you consider such?

    anita

     

    #168934
    Eliana
    Participant

    Hi Kylee,

    I too have alot of fear, insecurities and anxiety in relationships. I feel if I stand up for myself, or try to compromise, or even seem a little argumentative, as every couple argues from time to time, I get extremely anxious, thinking they will eventually reject or abandon me, just like my Alcoholic mother did time and time again, just like my father did time and time again when he had to travel for business. Just like my siblings and I were torn apart by the courts because of my mother’s severe neglect of us. Just like losing so many friends, past loves, family members, seems like everyone leaves me.

    With counseling I am working on my early childhood trauma. I am also on Anxiety/panic medication. I worry, and worry, and worry. If I can’t find something to worry about, I will find something, it’s a vicious cycle. Anxiety is the worst. Did you have any abandonment in your early childhood, or suffer from alot of loss early in life? If unresolved, this will wreak havoc in our adult relationships, as we associate our significant other with someone who abandoned us, or who we tried to please, or people who did not listen or nuture us in our early childhood. Try to work through this with counseling or a 12 step program if you can. Also anxiety medications are also very effective.

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