Relationship advices

My 34-year-old best friend, who is 33, is being unfaithful to her 36-year-old husband, and I'm uncertain about how to handle the situation.

My best friend is having an affair with someone else. I’ve known both her and her husband for over a decade and have a close relationship with them. I’m aware of her infidelity because I’ve seen it happen firsthand. Recently, she mentioned that she plans to file for divorce and leave him, but based on how she behaves around her husband, that doesn’t seem likely. Additionally, I’m receiving mixed signals from him; he’s asking me to confirm that I know about her cheating. I feel that I’ve already given him enough hints without directly confirming it. I’m at a loss about what to do and feel terrible about the situation. I'm really struggling with it.

What can I do to feel more at ease singing and dancing in front of my boyfriend?

Hey there! I've been grappling with something lately that has led to a lot of disappointment in my relationship. I feel quite insecure and anxious about dancing or singing in front of my boyfriend (26M), who I've been with for three years. He is such a vibrant person; he loves belting out songs in the car and dancing whenever a favorite tune comes on. I (23F) enjoy those activities too, but I've always felt uncomfortable doing them unless I’m alone. When I try, I feel completely frozen and my mind races with “just do it,” but I can never bring myself to. The anxiety is so overwhelming that it makes me feel nauseous. He’s shared that it makes him sad because he wants us to create those memories together as we grow old. It breaks my heart to think about it because I want that too. I can't quite grasp what's holding me back, and I feel guilty for disappointing him. He even mentioned that he feels we lack passionate moments because of this barrier. I could really use some advice on how to become more comfortable and finally break through this obstacle for his sake.

I [30F] relocated to a different country to be with my partner [32M], but I'm feeling incredibly lonely.

I relocated to a neighboring country to be with my boyfriend, but for some reason, I often feel profoundly lonely when I'm around him and his friends. They seem to share a close-knit bond that comes from years of friendships—old classmates and past romantic relationships. They have their own inside jokes about their teachers and are all in their thirties. When I spend time with them, I feel a deep sense of isolation, to the point where I would prefer to be alone. However, staying home while he meets up with friends isn’t a great option either. I do try to meet new people and forge friendships, but many seem uninterested in forming meaningful connections. Most prefer to invest their time in the established friend groups they already have. It often feels like no one is looking to build new, genuine relationships. I would love to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation. Did you find a way to make it work? Is it possible to feel comfortable in this dynamic eventually? Have you been able to negotiate an arrangement with your partner that helped? It’s been almost a year since I moved, and I’m starting to question if it’s worth it. Sometimes I find myself contemplating going back home, where I still have most of my friends. Right now, I just feel sad. Some days are better than others, and occasionally I think things might not be so bad, but those moments are few and far between. Most days, I feel like I’m just going through the motions, and there are many days when I simply feel miserable. My therapist has suggested following my heart, which seems to lead me back to the idea of moving home and trying a long-distance relationship.

I'm a 36-year-old man facing challenges in my neurodivergent relationship with my 32-year-old partner. How can I become a better partner?

Last night, my partner and I had a heart-to-heart that really highlighted how dire our situation has become. Our relationship feels utterly lifeless, and I’m at a loss for how to improve it. We're both neurodivergent—she has ADHD, depression, and possibly a personality disorder, while I’m autistic with schizotypal personality disorder and OCD. She thrives on emotional connection and physical affection, as her love language is touch. Conversely, I struggle to grasp emotions, I'm not comfortable with physical contact, and I recognize that I can be challenging to be around. Her main grievances about me include my lack of affection, being preoccupied with my own thoughts, excessive phone usage, poor financial management, blunt communication style, and a general lack of consideration for her needs and desires. She perceives me as selfish, and I acknowledge that may be true, even if it’s not my intention. I genuinely don’t want her to feel unloved or unsupported, but I often find it difficult to express my love in a way that resonates with her. While she's reached a point of wanting to give up, she’s still open to trying, and I don’t want to squander that opportunity. I’m seeking advice from anyone who has experienced something similar. What strategies have you found effective? How do you rebuild intimacy when one partner craves emotional connection while the other finds it challenging to provide it naturally? What tools, resources, or techniques work for couples in our situation? I am committed to improving but don’t know where to begin.

I tend to overthink a lot in my relationship with my boyfriend.

I'm really seeking some guidance because I need to escape my own thoughts. I'm overanalyzing every little detail to the point where it feels overwhelming. I need to figure out how to manage this. Given our history, I'm constantly on edge. For the past two days, my boyfriend has been taking over an hour to respond to my messages and hasn't been very engaged in conversation, which has sent me into a cycle of overthinking. I truly believe he's not planning to leave, especially since he planned a surprise date for us just this past Sunday and still refers to me as "baby" while expressing his love in our messages. Yet, I can't shake this anxiety because he seems distant again. Although there are plenty of signs indicating he isn't leaving, my past experiences make my mind jump to that conclusion, and it's exhausting, especially since I've never loved anyone as much as I love him. I really need to find a way to clear my head.

My boyfriend [21M] and I [22F] are thinking about cohabiting after we graduate.

Hello everyone! This is my first time posting, so bear with me if this gets a bit lengthy. I just want to share some important details! I’m a 22-year-old female, graduating in May, and I’ve started my job hunt for a full-time position. My boyfriend, who's 21 and will be starting law school this fall, has suggested that I move in with him while he’s in school. Here are some key points to consider: - We’ve been friends for a long time and have been dating for 10 months. By the time he starts his fall semester, we’ll have been together for over a year. - We both have experience living on and off campus and have learned to communicate effectively with roommates who have different cleanliness and living styles. - My hometown is about an hour away from his school, so if I decide not to move in, visiting wouldn't be a hassle. - We typically spend about five nights a week at each other's apartments and have developed a harmonious routine and similar cleanliness standards. - We have open discussions and are on the same page regarding finances, future plans, and dividing household responsibilities. - If we decide to move in together, we would look for a two-bedroom place to have an office or guest room, allowing us to maintain some personal space. - I had been considering job opportunities in his city even before we started dating because I love the vibe and have friends in the area. I believe we communicate really well, and moving in together feels like an exciting next step. If things don’t work out, I can easily move back in with my parents, but I’m looking forward to the independence that comes with graduating. However, I do have some uncertainties: - While I have confidence in our relationship, I’ve heard people say that a year is too soon to move in together. I understand this varies by couple and situation. - It might be more financially responsible to live at home after graduation, but I’m passionate about personal finance and know I can manage my savings, even if I have to pay rent. I’d love to hear your advice or insights! I want to carefully consider all aspects of this decision so that we’re not caught off guard or regret this significant step. Should I explore job opportunities in both cities and see where that leads? Thank you!

My boyfriend, who is 23, often seems to be looking at other girls. How should I handle this?

I'm trying to figure out if this is a dealbreaker for me, as it makes me feel really uncomfortable. I often catch him checking out other women, particularly those who are somewhat attractive. This has happened multiple times, and when I mentioned it once, he denied it. I'm torn between feeling like I might be too critical and recognizing my own boundaries as an adult woman looking for a lasting relationship. Since this is a relatively new relationship, I feel it's important to communicate these boundaries now. However, I'm not sure if this behavior is something that can easily change. What do you think?

I'm a 20-year-old female and I'm unsure about whether or not to break up with my girlfriend, who is 21.

We've been together for nearly 11 months, but for the past three or so, I've been feeling uncertain about our relationship. She has been facing mental health challenges, while I've been extremely busy with work, which has led to a few arguments between us. Although they’re not serious and tend to start with her, we always manage to talk things out and apologize to each other. Despite that, I often feel unhappy and struggle to envision a future together beyond college. In my previous relationship, I dealt with a lot of dependency issues, feeling as though I loved that person too much, but I don't feel that way in this one. I wonder if my concerns are common in a typical relationship, or if I'm just reacting against the unhealthy dynamics of my past. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I've already shared my feelings with my girlfriend, assuring her that I'm not planning to end things, but I do need some time to sort myself out. She's been very understanding about it.

My boyfriend [19M] and I [20F] are facing some challenges in our relationship. I would appreciate any advice.

This all began in October 2024 when I asked him to stop liking random reels where girls were literally pushing their boobs into the camera. We ended up arguing, and he promised not to like any posts from other girls. But then, I found out in October and again in November that he had liked posts from some random girls. Although there were fewer likes compared to before, with a noticeable decline from liking almost every other reel to just a few, it still bothered me. He made a promise at the start of the new year that he wouldn't like any girls' posts. Yet, I discovered that he liked a bikini picture dated January 2nd, followed by several others, leading to yet another unresolved argument. As of March 18, we’ve managed to talk nicely for maybe three or four days. I live in a strict household, so he can’t call me whenever he wants. Instead, he would text to see if I was available for a call. However, our last call was on January 26th, and since then, he hasn’t asked to call me again. I brought it up a couple of times, pointing out that he never texts about calling anymore. His response was, “are calls made after informing?” which left me baffled. Did he just now realize this after months? He didn’t seem to have any issue with it before January. I’m feeling exhausted and told him I would break up with him if I saw one more like on some random post. He keeps asking for another chance, and I keep giving him one, but nothing seems to change. Additionally, I sent him a lengthy message yesterday listing all my concerns, but he completely ignored it and instead asked, “Did you have dinner?” Like, seriously? After everything I shared, that's your response? I really want this relationship to work, but not at the expense of my mental health. Please let me know what you think I should do. I hope everyone is doing well! 🎀

My wife, who is 26, and I, at 27, have just begun our marriage. What can we do to strengthen it?

We’ve been together for four years now. Our relationship started slowly; I was fond of her, but it wasn't until a couple of years in that I truly fell in love. Now, I love her more deeply than anything else in my life, but I find myself struggling with my feelings towards her. Though we've only been married for a year, it often feels like our marriage is unraveling. Our communication and intimacy are lacking, and our arguments have reached an all-time high. They escalate quickly, leaving me with the unsettling feeling that we might be at a breaking point. I don’t want to cast blame, and I recognize my own shortcomings and take responsibility for them. However, my wife tends to react defensively to criticism, which complicates things further. I've invested so much effort into nurturing our relationship, yet I feel like I’m not receiving anything in return. To make matters worse, my wife has made hurtful comments that cut deep. When I get frustrated and finally voice the issues I’ve been bottling up, our arguments become explosive. I know I should address concerns sooner, but when I do try to talk, I often feel unheard or even gaslit, leading me to apologize instead. So, I end up staying silent. Additionally, I can't recall the last time I received oral sex, and during intimacy, it often feels like my wife is disengaged. I can’t shake the feeling that she no longer finds me attractive, even though I've been working hard on my appearance and have gained 20-30 pounds of muscle. I've also made significant efforts to improve my overall fitness and health.

I'm a 22-year-old female, and I'm having difficulty understanding my 22-year-old male boyfriend. What should I do?

Hello, Reddit community, I’ve had a debate with my boyfriend that’s led me to seek your opinions. Whenever we argue or disagree, he tends to restate my points back to me, often omitting important details and simplifying them. This frustrates me greatly because it feels like he’s just mansplaining my perspective. I recently brought this up to him during another disagreement, and he explained that his mind doesn’t process information that way. Essentially, he struggles to respond to me without breaking down the entire context into simpler terms. I get that he’s trying to organize his thoughts, but it makes me feel belittled. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this situation and how I might approach it moving forward.

My fiancée, who is 26, asked me, a 28-year-old man, to leave our home, but now she’s pleading for me to return, and I’m unsure of how to proceed.

**Hi Reddit,** I’d like to share some background about my fiancée: She (26F) had a challenging upbringing. Her father left when she was young, and her mother was emotionally abusive until she passed away from cancer. This has led her to struggle with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and fear of abandonment. She also faced several toxic relationships before we met. I (28M) moved to another country three years ago for work, where I met her. Our first year together was wonderful—we went out frequently, explored new places, and truly enjoyed each other’s company. When she confided in me about her past and mental health struggles, I was committed to supporting her. I loved her deeply and wanted to provide her with the life she deserved. I did everything in my power to help. I gave her my undivided attention, supported her during therapy, assisted her in finding a less stressful job, and took on all the financial responsibilities—bills, trips, gifts, everything. I even handled most of the housework to relieve her stress. Though it was exhausting, I believed it was worth it. However, after our first anniversary, things began to shift. She stopped attending therapy and her demeanor changed dramatically. She grew paranoid and aggressive. If I worked late, she accused me of infidelity. She insisted that I unfollow every female friend on social media, despite them being just old university acquaintances. Once, we had a major argument over a pair of underwear we purchased together, as she was convinced I was lying about it. Whenever I tried to talk things through, she would shout and insult me. Even during a family emergency that required me to return to my home country, she was unsupportive. Instead, she accused me of neglecting her and not giving her enough attention. Despite all of this, I held on, believing that the woman I fell in love with was still beneath the anger and paranoia. At work, I have a female coworker who's about my age. We're just friends and get along well, especially since most of our colleagues are older. One day, she jokingly took a photo of me while I was dozing off at work and sent it to me. We laughed, and that was the end of it. That evening, I came home and went to bed early. The next day, when I got home from work, my fiancée confronted me with a serious expression. While I was sleeping, she had taken my phone—having access to all my passwords—and accused me of cheating with my coworker. I tried to explain that there was nothing going on between us; it was just harmless office banter and I had never given her any reason to doubt my loyalty. We argued for three hours, and despite my pleas for her to believe me, she took an unexpected step—she tried to kick me out of our home. The home I paid for and moved her into after she had been living with four other girls in a shared apartment. That was my breaking point. After everything I had done for her, she tried to throw me out of my own house. I was furious but knew that if I stayed, I might say something I'd regret. So, I grabbed my keys and went to stay with a friend. The following day, while she was at work, I returned, packed my things, and left everything else behind. In my mind, it was over. When she got home and realized I had moved out, she bombarded me with calls and texts. I ignored her initially, but after a few days, I agreed to meet and talk. When I returned to the house, she broke down in tears, pleading for me to come back, saying she missed me, couldn’t live without me, and would change and resume therapy. She attributed her behavior to her mental health struggles. While I was determined to end the relationship, her emotional state made it difficult for me to do so. I told her I needed some time to think and left. Now, I’m unsure of what to do. I recognize that I should move forward with my life, but I also acknowledge that her mental health challenges significantly impact her day-to-day existence. Any advice would be appreciated.

What steps can I take as a 39-year-old woman to break free from old dating habits and create healthier relationships?

I've noticed a recurring theme in my dating experiences: I tend to attract the same types of relationships, which ultimately don't pan out. It’s frustrating because I yearn for something different, yet I struggle to find a way to initiate that change. I've been striving to be more purposeful in my dating life by prioritizing my values, establishing clearer boundaries, and identifying red flags more promptly. However, at times, I still feel trapped in old patterns. For those who have successfully broken free from unhealthy dating cycles, what strategies were the most effective for you? Were there any significant shifts in mindset, habits, or techniques that made a real difference? I’d love to hear your success stories!

[37-year-old female], [36-year-old male] experiencing marital issues

Lately, I've been facing significant challenges in my marriage. My husband (36M) and I (37F) have enjoyed a healthy relationship until about a year ago, but things have progressively worsened. We used to have nightly check-ins about each other’s feelings and share moments of emotional intimacy through a card game full of probing questions. We never argued, and any disagreements we had were resolved away from our four little ones. My husband previously showed appreciation through thoughtful gestures and helped around the house with the kids. Our children are aged 6, 3, 2, and 1. Recently, though, my husband has grown distant and indifferent, leaving me feeling isolated and unvalued. To provide some context, my husband and I have a fairly "traditional" marriage. I stay at home with the kids, homeschool them, and manage all household responsibilities. We established clear roles and boundaries before we got married, which we both agreed on. One of those roles was that he would not change diapers or handle messy situations with the kids, which was fine with me as long as he helped out if I ever needed to work. This arrangement worked well for the first six years of our marriage. Over the past year, I’ve returned to school to pursue my dream of a career in medicine, and my husband encouraged me to follow this path, promising to support me. However, our definitions of support seem to differ significantly. I’m currently taking 18 units while homeschooling our children. My husband, on the other hand, has been busy dealing with his promotion to General Foreman and has had to juggle two roles as they find a replacement for him. Recognizing his stress, I’ve tried to support him by showing interest in his day and giving him space when he gets home. Despite this, I often feel as if my own needs are being overlooked. I feel as though my husband has emotionally abandoned me. It’s as if I’m struggling to stay afloat while he’s asking for a lifeline. Though I've discussed my feelings multiple times, the conversation tends to shift back to his own stress. Not only has he not provided the support he promised, but I’ve also taken on more responsibilities. My usual duties include all domestic tasks—laundry, cooking, cleaning—while he occasionally cooks on weekends and might help out once a month, but never cleans up after cooking. I’ve had to handle yard work myself despite the dangerous creatures appearing due to his neglect. Minor repairs around the house have also fallen on my shoulders, as he takes longer than necessary to address them. When my husband gets home, he spends about an hour on his phone in the car and another hour in the bathroom, leaving me to manage everything with the kids. Alongside managing college and homeschooling four children, I'm also caring for a 13-month-old who is exclusively breastfed. Recently, I’ve taken on the responsibility of watching a special needs child in our neighborhood, which adds to my already demanding schedule. I feel as if I’m constantly running out of time and energy, and all I want is the support my husband promised. There’s another concern: my sons have started showing disrespect towards me. Our three-year-old is openly defiant, and I suspect this behavior stems from my husband's indifference when I ask for assistance. My six-year-old is willing to help but I’m cautious not to put too much responsibility on her. We avoid fighting in front of the kids, and they typically see us as a happy couple, yet I can tell my stress is affecting them. In recent nights, my husband chose to sleep on the couch, claiming it’s due to the baby being in our room, but I suspect it’s more than that. The night he started sleeping on the couch, he pressured me for intimacy when I was on my period, which I’m uncomfortable with. Although I usually make an effort to comply as it’s part of my love language, I was too tired that night and finally turned him down. This led to a heated argument where he stormed off angrily. It’s reached a point where I wouldn’t mind if he sought intimacy outside our marriage, as long as I could have my space and companionship. What I truly desire is to restore our nightly check-ins and recapture the intimacy we once had. I feel like I’m the only one working to keep our relationship healthy amid these changes. How can I salvage this marriage and reconnect with my husband?

As a 24-year-old woman, I feel like my 26-year-old boyfriend isn't contributing enough to keep our relationship thriving, and it's starting to concern me.

I (24F) and my boyfriend (26M) have been together for about two and a half years since we graduated from college. The first two years were pretty challenging as we adapted to being in a relationship outside of school, but things have improved since then. Now we both work full-time; he makes a higher salary and shares an apartment with several roommates, which keeps his rent (only $900) relatively low. Lately, I’ve noticed that I’m often the one planning our dates and casually covering expenses. In my culture, we typically give with the expectation of reciprocation when we’re in need. However, it seems like he has no problem with me paying, and he doesn’t really make an effort to repay me through dates, gifts, or other gestures. The only significant help he's offered is letting me borrow his car occasionally (about four times a month) since my commute is two hours while his is only a 20-minute train ride. I always make sure to fill the gas tank and keep the car clean. I’ve tried to communicate this to him, and while he promises to start planning things, it usually only lasts for a short time before he falls back into the same pattern. I feel like I do my part to support our relationship, and we have a good physical connection (though at times I feel like I desire it more). I enjoy taking care of things around the house and looking nice for him, yet I’m not receiving the appreciation I’m hoping for. I often get DMs from guys asking me out or complimenting my looks, which is nice but just adds to my disappointment that my own boyfriend isn’t putting in the same effort. Should I bring this up to him again and maybe mention the other attention I’m getting in hopes of sparking some healthy jealousy? I’m unsure about how to proceed, so I’m reaching out for advice.

I've been dating a guy for the past six months.

We've been talking for about six months now. He asked me to be his girlfriend back in October. I have two kids and have been separated for three years (currently going through the divorce process). I felt ready to date again, and so did my therapist, so I went for it. About a month ago, I decided to end things with him, but we've continued to see each other. The situation got a little awkward between my friend group and his, and in a rush, I grabbed my things and called it off. I realize now that I acted impulsively and should have taken the time to discuss it with him first. I've apologized for that, and I let him know that I’d like to give our relationship another shot. He mentioned that he wanted to ask me to be his girlfriend in his own time, but right now he’s hesitant because everything felt so immature and left him with a negative impression. I still care about him, and it’s clear he cares about me too. When we hang out, we go on dates, he takes me dirt biking, we drive together, and watch movies—we have a great time, almost as if nothing changed. Would you wait in a situation like this to see where it leads, staying in a sort of limbo? Or would you choose to move on? I'm new to dating after three years of being single and not engaging with anyone romantically. I'm looking for perspectives on this, especially since this is my first post! Excited to see what advice you Reddit folks have to offer! 🥰✨

There's just something that doesn't feel quite right with my boyfriend [18M], but it's more of an intuition rather than an actual issue.

**TL;DR:** Should I talk to my boyfriend about what feels like a change in our mood/vibe, even if I don’t have clear evidence? If so, how should I approach the conversation? Should I ask if something's bothering him? Most of my concerns are based on our text exchanges, and I’m unsure if I’m just misinterpreting his tone. I don’t want to blow things out of proportion or plant doubts in his mind that could cause tension. I don’t have anything concrete to bring up, so what should I say? I’ve noticed he doesn’t seem as excited to hang out or text me lately, but this change only appeared over the last week. Since we’ve only been dating for three months and he’s my first boyfriend, I’m not sure how to handle this.

I'm a 22-year-old female, and my 21-year-old girlfriend and I are experiencing trust issues in our relationship. I'm seeking help with this sensitive situation.

I'm re-uploading this because my previous post was taken down by the mods. For the past couple of months, I've been in a long-distance relationship with this girl and things were going well at first. However, in the last 2-3 weeks, things have become tumultuous. We keep having arguments where she questions my loyalty and suspects that I'm cheating, despite my track record of honesty. One moment she seems fine, then a small incident triggers her insecurities or jealousy, sometimes thinking that other people find me attractive. As a result, she becomes distant, blunt, or even blocks me, telling me to do what I want. Daily, we find ourselves embroiled in arguments about her lack of trust and her fears that I'll leave her. No matter how much I try to reassure her, it feels like my words don’t reach her. She’ll say she trusts me and that she's just frightened and that things will improve, only to revert to the same behavior either a few hours later or the following day. I’m feeling overwhelmed because it seems like I’m always on the defensive for things I haven’t done. Often, I'm trying to understand the reasons behind her arguments. I realize her history and past trauma play significant roles in her behavior, but it feels as if she's projecting that trauma onto me, treating me as if I were her previous partners. She alternates between saying she’s done with me and then sending me messages apologizing and calling herself a "mess" before threatening self-harm. We make up in the end, and she promises change, but it’s a cycle that repeats itself. I truly care for her and want to make this work, but I can’t keep pretending everything is alright. The ongoing struggle of her questioning situations she’s created in her mind, believing them to be real, is exhausting. When I try to communicate with her, she either shuts down completely or brushes me off with vague reassurances while hinting at hurting herself. I'm at a crossroads because, despite my feelings for her, I'm not sure if she’s in a place where she can truly trust me, regardless of my reassurances. It seems there’s unresolved trauma from her past, and I question whether she’s ready for a relationship. On the other hand, I worry that if I end things, she might take drastic actions. I would greatly appreciate any advice on how to navigate this situation. 🫶🏻

I [18M] feel quite unloved by my girlfriend [18F], and I'm afraid to share my feelings and needs with her.

**Title: Navigating Affection in My Relationship** I’m in a young, first relationship that’s been going strong for four months now. During this time, I've come to realize how different relationships can feel from the start compared to where they stand now. In the beginning, everything felt so unique; I felt cherished in every way. Lately, though, I’ve been questioning what’s changed. First and foremost, I want to express how deeply I love my girlfriend. She has Asperger's, which is part of the autism spectrum, and I believe this might be a contributing factor to our current dynamic. Many people with ASD may not be very affectionate, and some even find physical affection overwhelming. However, my girlfriend enjoys cuddling, appreciates words of affirmation, and loves giving gifts. My primary love languages also include physical touch and words of affirmation. I’ve noticed that she responds very positively when I offer her affection—she genuinely enjoys it, which makes me happy. I have always operated under the mindset of prioritizing her happiness, but recently, I find myself unconsciously trying to shower her with affection in hopes of having it reciprocated. Unfortunately, I often have to initiate our physical interactions, whether it's hugs, kisses, cuddling, or even FaceTime calls. A few months ago, I was overwhelmed with emotion when she unexpectedly said "I love you." It was a beautiful moment that left me feeling so vulnerable. What I crave is for her to genuinely want to hug me, to kiss me, or to simply touch me—just having her hand on me would mean the world. I sense that she wants to, but something holds her back. For instance, during a cuddle session, she once mentioned, "You give me so many kisses, but I don’t give any to you," and despite that, she didn’t offer any. This left me hesitant to ask for more affection, fearing that she might feel pressured to do it just because I brought it up. It feels as though her lack of initiation suggests a disinterest, even though I know that’s not true. I’m someone who thrives on physical affection and words of affirmation, and without it, I find it hard to feel loved. I long for her to freely express affection, to offer compliments, to hold my hand without my prompting. It’s painful to feel that I’m asking for it rather than receiving it out of her genuine desire. She has previously expressed that it's challenging for her to articulate affection with words, which makes it even more difficult. I often feel unloved, despite knowing she cares for me deeply, creating a confusing turmoil of emotions. I find myself giving her compliments regularly—telling her how beautiful she is—but the quiet on her end stings. A week ago, I worried that she might not find me attractive anymore. When I asked, she reaffirmed that I am the most attractive boy to her, which melted my heart. Yet, I still crave to hear those words more often. I've tried to express my need without directly saying, "Please love me more; I feel unloved." Instead, I hint at liking it when she says "I love you" often or when she compliments me, but I’m unsure if that resonates with her. This internal struggle has been emotionally taxing. I normally manage my feelings well, but now I find myself in distress late into the night, trying to navigate this situation. I adore her and would cherish her exactly as she is for the rest of my life, but these feelings of longing are difficult to manage. Although I often check in with her about her needs and how I can support her, she always seems fine, which is a relief yet also leaves me feeling isolated with my emotions. **Question: How can I approach her about my feelings without coming across as accusatory? I’d appreciate any advice on how to navigate this conversation and also how to cope with the guilt I feel about needing more affection, knowing it may be challenging for her.** In summary, I feel unloved in my relationship because my girlfriend rarely initiates affection, despite enjoying it. I’m unsure how to communicate this need effectively to her.

I [5148M] find it difficult to make friends.

It's as straightforward as the title suggests. Throughout my life, I’ve been a soldier, dedicated to serving my empire and complying with every command. However, as I've grown older, I find myself feeling increasingly isolated. Despite my attempts to engage with others, hardly anyone seems to want to talk to me. I’ve spent my life following orders, and in doing so, I've created this loneliness for myself. I often ponder what I could achieve if I stepped outside this role—I know there's so much more I could offer. Sometimes, when I’m flying solo, I feel a wave of sadness wash over me, and I almost want to cry. But what would be the point? No one would be there to witness it. I'm seeking advice on how to make friends, but the one person I confided in [18M] ended up attacking me instead. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Discovered socks that don't belong to me [26F] [30M].

This morning, I went to get a plastic grocery bag from the closet. When I took one out, I found something inside it—a pair of ankle socks. I never wear those! I called my boyfriend to share the news, and he was just as puzzled, wondering how they ended up there. My mind has been racing ever since. They could belong to my mom, but that seems unlikely since she’s only visited my place once.

[30m] discovered images of [32f] girlfriends gone wild on Reddit.

I'm uncertain about where to seek advice, but I need help managing a situation I've encountered. I recently stumbled upon explicit photos of my girlfriend on a Reddit archive, which she thought she had deleted from her profile. Although she had previously informed me that she posted such content, she doesn't take pride in her past choices, leaving me unsure if I should discuss this with her. While I find it intriguing that she used to share explicit images (especially since I do as well), I am concerned that these pictures are now permanently online for anyone to access, given her Reddit username. It's not just one archive I've found; there are several, and some of them don't delete content even if requested. How should I address this with her?

I, an 18-year-old male, am contemplating ending my relationship with my girlfriend, who is also 18.

Hi everyone, I’m reaching out because I feel like I have no one else to talk to about something that’s been weighing on me. I’m still young, but I’ve been in a relationship with someone—let’s call her F—for nearly 9 months. Recently, things have become quite challenging. We seem to argue frequently, and I often feel like I can’t make any decisions without her approval. It feels controlling, and I’m beginning to feel trapped. I care about her deeply, but she has expressed that she would harm herself if I were to end things, which complicates my feelings immensely. I’m really unsure whether I should stay in this relationship or find a way to move on. Does anyone have any advice on how to navigate this situation?

My boyfriend [25M] took pictures of me [21F] while I was under the influence, and I'm struggling to figure out how to handle the situation.

Last night, my boyfriend picked me up from a work party. When we got to his place, I was quite inebriated and ended up lying on his bathroom floor in just my underwear and bra. He came into the bathroom and, without my consent, took explicit photos of me. In a moment of clarity, I asked him if he did, and he became very defensive, shaking and refusing to show me his phone. After I became emotional and began to cry, he finally admitted to taking the photos, saying he intended to keep them for his own use later. We had a major argument, and in the end, I decided to walk home instead of staying with him, even though we live nearby. This experience has left me feeling like he completely violated my trust, and I feel really uncomfortable thinking about it. He knows I wouldn't approve of such actions and claimed he never meant to hurt me. I truly care about him, and we've been together for a significant amount of time. Logically, I feel like we should end things, but my love for him makes it incredibly difficult to consider that option. I'm uncertain about what to do next. Do you think we should break up, or is there a chance we could work through this?

My boyfriend, who is 28, might have experienced sexual assault, and I'm struggling to cope with this situation.

Subject: Feeling Betrayed Yet Not Fully Cheated On I'm feeling a bit confused and hurt after a recent revelation from my boyfriend, with whom I've been in a relationship for five years. To spare the details, he admitted to cheating on me, which was incredibly painful. Despite this, I chose to work towards forgiving him. After some deep conversations and research, I've now come to believe that he might not have been in a position to consent during that situation and may have even been assaulted or drugged. I want to be clear that I'm not making excuses for his behavior; there are indications that have led me to this conclusion. Now, I find it difficult to blame someone who has clearly been victimized and is struggling with the aftermath, especially since he has a hard time acknowledging himself as a victim. Yet, I still grapple with feelings of hurt, betrayal, and disgust when I think about him being with another woman, even if they likely didn’t have sex. There was a time last week when I genuinely felt like I had forgiven him and was happy, but now I’m overwhelmed with anxiety and negative emotions that have resurfaced. I've started asking him for more details about what happened, and while he is open and patient with me, I can tell it's taking a toll on him as well. I can't seem to shake these thoughts from my head. I've been obsessively reading stories about infidelity online, and it feels like our relationship as I once knew it is gone. I understand that he never intended for any of this to happen, so why do I still feel this way? I’ve always struggled with anxiety, and I just want our happy relationship back. Maybe I'm not really trying to reconcile, but rather trying to navigate my way through the aftermath of what occurred. I would appreciate any comforting words or advice. Please don't judge me for how I feel; I wish I could simply turn off my anxiety. If anyone has a similar experience or knows of success stories where couples faced challenges but found peace in their relationship, I would be grateful for your insights. Thank you!

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