Relationship advices

Why do I (18M) feel jealous of my partner's (17F) success and accomplishments?

I'm a 19-year-old male who recently ended a relationship with an 18-year-old girl, and I'm reflecting on what went wrong. We met while I was a senior in high school and she was a junior. A key issue in our relationship, ultimately leading to its end, was my jealousy towards her. She was a cheerleader, an honor student, a flag football player, a student ambassador, and a track athlete. She consistently brought home honors and accolades, and instead of feeling happy and proud, I found myself consumed by jealousy. I struggled with feelings of inadequacy, believing she was a better athlete, student, and teammate than I was, which fostered resentment in me. I couldn't shake off the fact that she had won a state championship in cheerleading the year before we started dating, and even though I truly loved her, my emotions overshadowed my pride in her success. My reactions were unhealthy: I stopped attending her events and undermined her achievements, both in my mind and openly to her. I realize now that these actions deeply damaged our relationship and made me feel like a terrible partner and an even worse person. I find myself asking: Am I broken? What’s wrong with me? Why couldn’t I just be happy to be the person she chose? I understand I was in high school then, and now I'm in college, which might make my struggle seem trivial to more mature individuals. But I’m seeking advice because my jealousy cost me a wonderful relationship with a sweet girl, and I want to understand how to address this issue within myself so I can grow beyond it.

I'm a 18-year-old female and my boyfriend, who is 19, wants us to get married, but I'm unsure if I'm ready for that step.

I've been with my boyfriend for almost a year now, and we've recently begun discussing marriage. At first, I was super excited, but then a flood of doubts crept in. What if he isn't the right one, and we end up divorced? I find myself questioning whether I'm truly ready for marriage, and I'm unsure if I'll ever feel prepared. I love him and envision a future together, so I suggested we get our own place first and then consider marriage. He insists he wants to marry me and spend his life with me, which sounds amazing, but I still have my reservations. I haven't finished school yet, we don’t have our own home, and I’m not in my dream job. I’d prefer to feel more stable before taking such a big step, but I worry that I might never feel ready. I tend to overthink everything, and I might be doing that with this situation as well. I genuinely love him and can picture a life together. We share the same values, want similar lifestyles, and agree on how to raise our future kids. He feels perfect for me; we both embrace our quirks, and I appreciate his kindness and willingness to improve. Still, I grapple with the uncertainty of whether I'm ready for marriage and fear he might leave if I’m not. I desire independence and want to experience life on my own, but I also long to share those experiences with him. My emotions are all over the place. I care deeply for him and fear losing him, but I’m conflicted about whether I'm truly ready or just overthinking everything.

I am a 31-year-old woman, and he is 56 years old.

I really like him; he has a wonderful personality and is very caring. However, the age gap concerns me. In a few years, if we decide to have kids, will he be able to play with them or join them for practices? Will we be able to travel together? I haven't traveled much before and there are so many experiences I'd love to have. I grew up in a strict household in the Middle East, so I missed out on a lot of those more adventurous things during my twenties that many others enjoyed. I'm a doctor and recently completed my residency, while he works as a producer in the film industry. We genuinely connect, and I find our conversations incredibly engaging—something I've never experienced with other guys.

I need to find out how to handle this.

I've been in a relationship with this wonderful woman (F37) for a while now, but she has a high-stress job that sometimes requires her to take time for herself. I totally understand the need for personal space—everyone needs time to recharge and reflect, right? However, she’s mentioned that in the past, her stress has led her to completely withdraw for days at a time, and that’s where I struggle. I know it’s not me causing her need for space, as she reassures me of that, but I can't help but wonder why I have to bear the brunt of her needing to isolate, especially if it’s due to stress from others. It’s tough for me to accept, and I worry that it makes me come off as unsupportive. I really question myself about this. Days without communication feel really painful. I’d appreciate any advice on how to cope during these times, and I’d like to hear your thoughts: Am I being selfish? Thank you!

30/F, 31/M - I'm unsure about how to love!

I'm a 30-year-old woman working in fintech, earning a respectable income. My boyfriend is 31, incredibly charming, and has a vibrant, outgoing personality with a wide circle of friends. In contrast, I tend to be more reserved and private, with just one or two close friends, and I prefer not to share much about myself. Social interactions can be draining for me. I worry that my behavior might be causing him distress. I thought I understood how to love, but it seems I'm either too intense or not involved enough. While I'm generally independent, I realize that in a relationship, emotional reliance is important for connection. This creates a dilemma for me: I either feel like I can't survive without him or that I could walk away without a second thought. I just want to enjoy a happy, healthy relationship filled with laughter and minimal conflict. How can I improve our situation? Any advice would be appreciated!

dating someone who had a fling with my best friend

Even though my best friend and he hooked up once, they never officially dated; they only talked and occasionally spent time together. We were discussing him and noticed that we share some similarities. She gave me her blessing to talk to him, and we've been chatting for a little while now. I'm beginning to develop feelings for him, and if things progress, the intention would be to date. It doesn't really bother me that they had that experience, but I do wonder if it might affect me in the future. They still have some contact since we all attend the same university, which means we run into each other sometimes. Am I overthinking this, or do I have valid reasons to reconsider pursuing him?

Should I share my feelings with her?

We ended our relationship amicably about a month ago, and it wasn't due to any personal issues—she just needed some time to focus on herself during a stressful period. My feelings for her haven't changed; I love her just as deeply as I did the day I left her place. Last weekend, she called me after having a few drinks, and I expressed my desire to reconnect when she's feeling better. She responded by saying, "We're not getting back together. It could be years before I'm ready for anything again, and I don't want you to wait. I want you to move on and find someone just as wonderful and loving as you are." The truth is, I believe that person is her. I'm more than willing to wait—whether it's years or even decades. I understand it's still early, but she is everything I've ever wanted and more. While we did have some challenges in our relationship, I've reflected on them and don't think they would pose a problem now. My love for her remains, and I want her in my life, always. Should I share my feelings with her? If you have any other questions, feel free to ask—I'm open to discussing anything.

I discovered that my girlfriend, who is 21, was cheating on me with my roommate, who is 22.

I'm in a tough spot and really need some advice. This morning, I discovered some explicit messages between my roommate and my girlfriend. I've been with my girlfriend for three years and my roommate for two. For the last four to five months, I've been feeling uneasy about how much time she spends with him. She frequently cancels our plans, there's been poor communication when they hang out, and she often gets physically close to him—like sitting right next to him and sharing a blanket. I've expressed my feelings about this to her and admitted that it makes me question if something more might be happening between them. This sparked a prolonged argument that's been going on for the past week or two. Her response has been that it's my fault for not being supportive. To add some context, I lost a longtime friend to suicide last February, and since then I've been working on my emotional well-being. I've been committed to addressing her concerns, making an effort to improve, and establishing a solid plan through therapy and pushing myself outside my comfort zone. However, when I raise my own issues, she says she'll work on them but doesn't follow through. When I found those explicit messages this morning, I confronted her about it. She expressed remorse but insisted that they’ve only kissed once recently. I struggle to believe her given our situation. I've told her that I need some space, and I haven’t spoken to my roommate yet. I'm unsure how to process all of this. I'm caught between the fear of losing two important relationships in my life and the pain that makes me feel like I never want to speak to them again.

I’m a 19-year-old guy, and I lost my girlfriend’s trust by posting photos on Instagram with girls showing their feet. She shared this with everyone in her life, but she still wants to work things out. How can we rebuild trust together?

Before I started dating my girlfriend, I developed a personal fascination with legs and feet that led me to regularly search for related content on Instagram and save it for myself. While I never acted on it in real life, it became a habit I didn’t take seriously. Two weeks into our relationship, she stumbled upon a folder of saved posts on my account and confronted me. She expressed her hurt and discomfort, asking me to stop, which I promised I would. When she discovered the posts, she was upset and felt as though I was comparing her to tall, slender women and that I didn’t find her attractive. At the time, I misinterpreted her reaction, assuming she was simply insecure about her body and upset with my attraction to a particular body type. I failed to grasp the deeper implications of my actions and how disrespectful they were. I’ve always seen her as perfect and would never intentionally compare her to anyone else. I now recognize that my behavior caused her pain, something I didn’t understand back then. For several months, I succeeded in avoiding this habit, but about nine months into our relationship, similar content began appearing in my Instagram feed again. I secretly started saving it to an alternative account. I told myself it wasn’t a big deal since I wasn’t directly interacting with anyone or doing anything inappropriate. I even rationalized my actions by pointing out that she sometimes watched porn and saved celebrity edits. Looking back, I see this was a poor excuse for my behavior. My habit spiraled out of control; I was sending posts that included images of celebrities wearing open-toed shoes, faceless photos of people from my university, and videos of women dancing. I deeply regret sending the images of people from my university, especially considering I didn’t even know them. I can’t believe I crossed that line, and I now see how much it could hurt her. Two weeks ago, she uncovered the alt account and realized what I had been doing. She confronted me and ended our relationship right away. Initially, I downplayed my actions because I didn’t think they were serious. I wasn’t messaging anyone or engaging with the content, so I convinced myself that they were just harmless images. However, seeing her pain made me fully understand how I had betrayed her trust, and I’m ashamed of what I did. Since that moment, she’s been torn. She’s expressed that her greatest fear is being hurt again. She believes we may be too damaged to repair and doubts my ability to genuinely change. I’ve tried everything I can think of to demonstrate my commitment to change—bringing her flowers, cooking for her, and assuring her I won’t repeat my mistakes. Yet, she’s expressed concern that I’m emotionally manipulating her, which is terrifying for me because that’s the last thing I want. To complicate matters, she has shared what happened with everyone in her life—not just her close friends, but acquaintances as well. Over 20 people are now aware of my actions and have urged her to end things with me. Although her parents don’t view my behavior as severely as others do, they acknowledge that I lied to her, which can be forgiven. Classmates and acquaintances are now aware, and one girl even took it upon herself to warn other girls who are friends of mine. While my friends have assured me they understand, I can’t shake the fear that people will want to ostracize me. Right now, she feels torn because, despite declaring her love for me, she doubts my capacity for change. She fears we are too broken to mend, and I don’t want to give up on our relationship. We both truly love each other and want our partnership to succeed if there’s a chance. I know I have deeply wounded her, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to prove I can improve. Yet, I’m also afraid that it might be too late and that I may not be able to change her perspective. Length of Relationship: Approximately 15 months TL;DR: I undermined my girlfriend’s trust by secretly saving Instagram posts related to feet, despite my promise to stop after she confronted me earlier in our relationship. I rationalized my behavior by pointing to her engagement with porn and celebrity edits, but I now realize how wrong and hurtful that was. After she found my alt account, I’m devastated by the pain I’ve caused her. We’ve both made mistakes, and while she is conflicted, I want to show her that I can change and make things right. How can we both work towards forgiveness and rebuild our relationship?

I'm a 25-year-old woman who recently ended my relationship with my 28-year-old boyfriend, and now he’s asking for another opportunity. How should I handle this?

My boyfriend (28M) and I (25F) have been together for over a year. While our relationship was never perfect, it had its decent moments. Initially, I was impressed by how open and communicative he was, and I felt genuinely lucky to have him. However, the past few months have been challenging, and I’ve begun to feel like we’re not the same people anymore. To provide some background: I unexpectedly found out I was pregnant in July, though it wasn't confirmed until October. During that period, I realized I wanted to break up due to my unhappiness in the relationship. He convinced me to work through it together, and we began couples counseling. Ultimately, we mutually decided to terminate the pregnancy, a heartbreaking choice. Throughout this, he was supportive and allowed me the space to make my own decision without pressure. Since then, our relationship has been tumultuous. We’ve quarreled over seemingly minor issues (like my reluctance to share my Gatorade on the day of the procedure), which escalated into intense arguments where he resorted to name-calling. He later apologized, saying he felt overwhelmed and hadn’t been the support I needed. Although he attempted to be there for me after the procedure, I’ve felt emotionally, physically, and mentally neglected. He has been spending significant time with friends and family, frequently using our shared car for his own purposes while leaving me to arrange my own transportation. He has also steered clear of talking about the abortion or checking in on my emotional state, leaving me feeling unimportant. Despite repeatedly expressing my needs for affection, communication, and quality time, it seems like nothing has changed. Last night, everything came to a head. I shared my feelings of neglect and that my needs and boundaries were being overlooked. I told him that love alone is insufficient for a healthy relationship and that I’ve been unhappy for quite some time. I expressed my concerns that he might be inherently selfish and that I can’t envision a future together. Initially, he agreed to break up, stating he loves me and wants me to be happy. However, he later became emotional, insisting he doesn’t want to lose me and that our love is the most genuine connection he’s ever experienced. He pleaded for another chance, offering to implement changes, such as establishing a weekly date night on Mondays. He then sent me a message saying: "I know you’re done with me, but if you’d like to go on a date every Monday, please say yes. If not, just tell me what I want to hear. Even after I leave for my trip, I want to continue. I got too comfortable and didn’t put in the effort you deserve. Just forget everything else. Good night. ❤️ Do what’s best for you, love." Now I'm feeling conflicted. Breaking up was heartbreaking, yet it also brought a sense of relief. I’ve never ended a relationship with someone I loved before, and it's been emotionally taxing. Part of me contemplates giving him another chance since he appears willing to change, but another part feels drained and skeptical about whether anything will improve, especially since I’ve heard similar promises in the past. What should I do? How can I determine if it’s worthwhile to try again or if it’s best to walk away? **TL;DR** I (24F) ended my relationship with my boyfriend (28M) after months of conflict, neglect, and unmet needs following an unplanned pregnancy and abortion. He’s now pleading for another chance, claiming he will change, but I feel emotionally exhausted and uncertain if it's worth it. Should I give him another chance or move on? **NOTE:** Throughout our time together, there have been financial problems on his part, breaches of trust, and a past incident of cheating. He once downloaded an app to talk to another woman after a fight, claiming he needed an escape from the negativity. He said I should have focused on what I could do to prevent him from feeling that way (that was about seven months ago).

My boyfriend (22M) and I (20F) had the police called on us by his mother because we're in a relationship. How should I handle this situation?

My boyfriend and I have been together for four years. Initially, his mother liked me, but over time she started calling me boring and began bad-mouthing me. My boyfriend is currently unemployed, and she has begun blaming me for his situation, even though he tends to be lazy and only engages in productive activities when prompted repeatedly. One day, after a conversation with him, I hung up for a moment and called back without receiving an answer. Concerned, I reached out to his friend for help. I found out that his mom had taken his phone away because she disapproved of our relationship. I decided to call her directly, and while she acted benign, she called me a "bitch" and hung up when I confronted her about the phone situation. Determined to resolve things, I went to his house. When I arrived, his mother wasn't home, so I waited until she returned. To my surprise, she showed up with the police, stating she wanted to put an end to our relationship. The officers asked my boyfriend if he wanted to be with me, and he affirmed that he did, as did I. The police found the situation awkward and suggested we go to the nearest station. Eventually, I managed to convince his mother that we would reduce our communication and meet less frequently, which seemed to ease the tension for a while. However, yesterday, she argued with my boyfriend after we met for just an hour in the evening. She has now threatened him with arrest if he doesn’t end our relationship. I believe no parent should dictate their child's dating life. If he's happy with me, why does it matter to her? What do you think of this situation? "TL;DR": My boyfriend's mom called the police because we want to be together, but she doesn't approve. We both still wish to stay together despite her opposition.

Drifting away from love? :(

I've been in a relationship with my boyfriend for four months, but we've been exclusive for over a year. He confessed his love for me more than a month ago, but I wasn't ready to respond until last week, just a day before a huge argument we had. We tend to fight often, but after this last confrontation, things feel different—I can sense a shift in our connection. Last week, we had one of our biggest disputes, sparked by me jokingly touch another girl. Being bisexual, he became really upset about it, and my jealousy towards other girls escalated the situation. He repeatedly told me he was done and asked me to leave when I got to his place. He insists he wasn't suggesting a breakup, but it certainly felt that way, especially since I had to clearly state that I didn't want to end things. After that night, we haven't discussed the argument much, aside from him expressing that he feels I don't care or put in enough effort. It saddens me to hear that, and I can partly understand why he feels that way. He’s been saying he loves me for a while, and I only recently found the courage to reciprocate those feelings, but then we fought, so I haven't had the chance to say it back. Since the fight, there’s been a noticeable distance between us—some days are fine, while others really highlight the gap. He believes that eventually, I'll show that I care more, but I'm worried he might no longer love me. He mentioned it once while I was crying, but that was the last affirmation I had. I feel disheartened at the thought of him falling out of love, as I know that’s usually irreversible. I’m unsure if he still loves me or if I should bring it up or just give it more time. It’s puzzling; he's not as verbally or physically affectionate as before and seems to get annoyed with me more often. I just don't know what to make of it.

How long should I, a 25-year-old woman, continue my relationship with my boyfriend, who is 28 and struggling with substance abuse?

His issues haven't negatively impacted our relationship so far. We have a healthy and loving connection and are considering marriage. However, he does use recreational drugs and has struggled specifically with cocaine. We’ve talked about it, and he agreed to quit. Unfortunately, I believe he has substituted that with increased alcohol consumption and smoking weed. He drinks several times a day and uses cannabis throughout the day. Although he promised to stay away from cocaine, one night he tried ketamine because he felt it wasn’t the same. He also has a nicotine addiction (I don't smoke). I've communicated that living a healthy lifestyle is important to me, and while he agrees, he believes that being young makes it acceptable and plans to cut back in a few years. I feel that real change comes from a desire to change, and I’m not sure he’ll overcome this addictive nature. If it's not one substance, it might just be another. I want a life partner, and I’m concerned that his substance use will pose challenges in the future. Nicotine alone can lead to serious health issues. I’m seeking advice because while I enjoy going out for drinks occasionally, I believe it’s unhealthy to rely on substances.

Did She Feel the Same Way, or Was I Just Dreaming?

I recently experienced something that's been consuming my thoughts. There's this colleague of mine—let's call her Anna—who I've had a crush on ever since we first met. She's intelligent, funny, and incredibly easy to communicate with. There's an effortless charm about her, and I’ve found myself daydreaming about her more times than I’d like to admit. A few days ago, our team went out for lunch. We were a large group, with lots of conversation and laughter around the table. I went in expecting just a typical lunch experience. Suddenly, in the midst of it all, Anna turned to me and said, “Hey, could I borrow your spoon? Mine broke.” What struck me was that we were among at least ten people, each with their own utensils. For some reason, she chose to ask me. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was significant—was I overthinking it? When she asked, it felt like a little spark ignited in my chest. Why me? Why not someone else? I handed her my spoon, and we exchanged a brief smile. I didn’t want to create any awkwardness, so I returned to my food and continued chatting with everyone. But later, as I replayed that moment in my mind, I started to wonder—was this meaningful, or am I just imagining things? Here's the catch: she’s in a relationship and has a baby. I know I shouldn't read too much into it, yet I can't shake the feeling that maybe there was something more there. It wasn’t our first conversation, but it was the first time I felt she purposely singled me out from the group. Perhaps I’m overinterpreting this small moment because of my feelings for her, but it keeps nagging at me. I'm curious if anyone else thinks this is something worth considering, or if I’m just projecting my feelings onto an innocent interaction. I’d hate to complicate things at work or overstep any boundaries, especially since I know she’s already committed. Still, I'm feeling a bit bewildered by her behavior. Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated!

(19F) - My boyfriend (22M) is acting immature and exhibiting toxic behavior.

Hi, I (19F) am seeking advice regarding my relationship with my boyfriend (22M). I’m starting to feel that he’s immature, manipulative, and doesn’t respect my boundaries. We met online shortly after I ended a mentally draining situationship, and things progressed rapidly. Even before we officially started dating, he requested explicit photos and sent me sexual outfit ideas. Eventually, we transitioned into a friends-with-benefits arrangement, and after a few months, we both admitted our feelings. I initially believed he genuinely cared for me, but now I recognize that I overlooked several red flags. Once we began dating, his friend purchased my ticket to visit him in another country. He didn’t contribute to my travel costs, even though I was flying alone to a new continent for him. I kept hoping he would demonstrate more effort, but it feels as though I’m the only one making sacrifices. He frequently engages in sexual conversations, especially about how we will be intimate when we move in together. I’ve shared my history of sexual abuse with him, but he continues to bring it up and reacts negatively when I’m not interested, saying things like, “You don’t want me” or “You’re not attracted to me.” This feels manipulative and dismissive of my feelings. During arguments, he gives me the silent treatment, despite knowing I dislike it because my father does the same. Instead of addressing issues, he simply acts as if everything is fine afterward, leaving me feeling confused and hurt. Financially, I’ve sent him over $700, even before we started dating, and he has yet to repay me or indicate that he intends to. He often asks for money for his debts or wants, despite having a job, and I lack trust in his financial habits. He tends to overspend on unnecessary items and seems to ignore future planning while frequently talking about us moving in together. Moreover, he is emotionally exhausting. He often says things like, “You hate me,” “I’m a bad boyfriend,” or jokingly mentions breaking up, which makes me feel guilty and insecure. I’m beginning to suspect that he may be manipulative and unhealthy for me, but I’m unsure if I’m overreacting. Should I try to work through these issues or consider ending the relationship? I would appreciate any advice.

Parents with difficult dynamics

Is anyone else dealing with dysfunctional parents? If so, how do you manage it? My mother frequently asks me for money every week. While I try to help her when I can, as a single woman, I have my own bills to pay. It's worth noting that she has a husband as well. Recently, she stopped communicating with me and no longer shares her location, which I suspect is because I didn't lend her money last week. She has often made me feel like my worth to her is tied to my financial support. I’d appreciate any advice from those who have experienced similar situations or any tips on how to cope.

Urgent Help and Advice for Long-Distance Relationship

I’m in a long-distance relationship with my girlfriend who moved to LA for a job in aerospace engineering just a couple of months after we started dating. We've been together for two years now. I visit her whenever I can, and she tries to come see me too; we make an effort to connect when possible. We’ve discussed the idea of me moving out there with her, but I don’t bring it up often unless she does. I just turned 30, and she’s 24. During my last visit, I noticed the vibe felt off, and I saw scratches on her back and butt, which I've noticed before. This has led me to wonder if she might be cheating. Recently, she’s also been more rude and disrespectful towards me, and her roommate has made it clear that I can't stay for more than five days. It all makes me feel like the energy between us has shifted, and I’m starting to think I might just be a casual fling at this point. I'm at a crossroads: should I distance myself, break up, or stay in this situation? I genuinely want to move closer to her, and she has hinted that she wants that too, but I question whether she really means it. Do you think she’s been in LA for two years without becoming involved with someone else?

Challenges in female friendships

I've been dating a guy who’s 23 for a year now, and I can honestly say it’s been the best relationship I’ve ever had. He's genuinely the sweetest person, and he has really restored my faith in love and relationships. When we first got together, I made it clear that I was okay with him having female friends, as long as it didn’t cross any boundaries in our relationship or if those friends didn’t know about me. He did have a casual female friend from work who was aware of me, and everything was fine—so much so that we even planned a dog playdate together. However, about two weeks ago, I noticed that he had texted her calling her “hun,” and she replied with hearts. While "hun" isn't the worst thing, her response felt a bit flirty, especially since he was congratulating her on a new job when he said it. I expressed to him that it upset me; the pet name and the hearts felt inappropriate. He insisted that the friendship wasn’t significant and ultimately decided to unfriend her, despite me saying he didn’t have to do that—just that I wanted him to be mindful. So, it came as a shock when I found her in my Instagram suggestions just two days ago. I checked his Instagram and saw that he had added her back. He had muted her notifications so I wouldn’t be aware of their conversations. The messages started with him telling her I forced him to unfriend her (which isn’t true) and then claiming he missed her and wanted to hang out. I was outraged. I woke up immediately and confronted him. Not only had he hidden the notifications but he seemed to be planning to meet her while telling her he missed her. If their friendship wasn't that important, why did he say he missed her? He claimed he missed her because they could talk about dogs and still wanted to make arrangements for the dog playdate, insisting he just wanted to figure things out so we could all be friends. He admitted he was hiding this from me because he thought I’d get upset if he told me he wanted to talk to her. I’m struggling to believe this reasoning. I never told him he couldn’t be friends with her, and we’ve always had open communication in our relationship. So, why the secrecy? He promises he would let me know if they actually hung out, but shouldn’t he have told me he wanted to see her before actually doing it? This feels wrong and deceptive. He ultimately blocked her on all platforms at my request, saying he lost trust in being her friend, but I’m left unsure about everything. I never thought he would be unfaithful or act inappropriately, but this situation has really shaken me, and now I'm questioning what I can trust and whether he's being completely honest.

My (19F) talking stage (19M) is behaving oddly after our first date. Am I in trouble?

Hi Reddit, I don't have many people to turn to for advice, so I’d love to hear your thoughts on my current situation. I’ve been chatting with someone in the talking stage for about a week and a half. He's got a busy schedule, so he can't always reply right away, but he does find time during the day to keep in touch, which has been really nice. We recently went on a date, and I thought it went really well! It wasn't awkward at all; we had great conversations, and at the end, he gave me a kiss. Just five minutes after I left, he texted to say he enjoyed seeing me. However, since that date, his responses have drastically slowed down to just 1-2 messages a day, while we used to text more frequently. He mentioned he has a lot on his plate right now, but I can’t help but wonder—does that really prevent him from sending quick replies throughout the day? I made it clear that I want to get to know him better, and he said he "wouldn't mind meeting again." I’m starting to feel like something is off. Is he losing interest after our date? It's been a week of lackluster replies, and I can't tell if he’s being honest about his situation. I know he doesn’t owe me anything, but this leaves me feeling really confused about how to move forward. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! <3

My roommate is crossing the line regarding my boyfriend.

I'm feeling really confused about my situation. I'm a 27-year-old woman, and my roommate and friend, who is 28, has never liked my boyfriend, who is 32, since we started dating. She critiques even the smallest things he does and claims they are red flags. Whenever we have a disagreement, she insists that I deserve someone better. But as far as I know, having occasional arguments is normal in relationships. She also comments on how he doesn't visit as often as he used to when we first started dating. We live nearly an hour apart, and he's been swamped with work, which I believe are completely valid reasons for not seeing each other every day. My friend continuously compares his behavior to that of her unfaithful ex, but I've been dismissing her 'concerns' because they seem unfounded and biased. I trust my boyfriend completely. However, this isn’t the first time she’s tried to meddle in my dating life; after a previous incident that led to my heartbreak, we agreed she would stay out of it. Now I’m worried she's acting behind my back and it's going to put my relationship at risk. She even posted about him anonymously on a local Facebook page for people who think they might be dating the same guy. I asked her to take it down because I dread the thought of someone recognizing him and telling him, which would fall back on me. My biggest concern is discovering she went through his wallet and took pictures of things while we were at my place the other night. I found out because I reviewed camera footage. She has no idea that I know about this. If I confront her, it could lead to issues since we have to live together for another two months. But if I say nothing, I feel like I'm betraying my boyfriend. I really don’t know what to do.

Looking for assistance in finding a partner.

Hello! I’m looking for some advice, not about an existing relationship, but rather about how to find one. I’m a 19-year-old guy and I've discovered that I'm attracted to older women, especially those in their late 20s and early 30s. I also find myself particularly drawn to single mothers, but there's a challenge... Many women in this age group don’t seem to be interested in dating someone my age. I genuinely want to meet someone who fits this description. Does anyone have suggestions on how I might connect with someone who would consider dating someone younger?

Struggling to feel love?

My boyfriend [23M] and I [22F] have been together for five years. While we've experienced our share of highs and lows, one issue that's been growing is his belief that he doesn't know what love feels like and that he's never truly loved anyone. He only recently came to this conclusion. When we first started dating, he used to journal a lot because he found it difficult to express his feelings and understand them. For our one-year anniversary, he put together a book filled with his journal entries about me. In his personal journal, he wrote beautiful things about how happy I made him and how much he missed being close to me. He often shared how being with me brought him immense joy, even during mundane moments. However, things have changed since then. He stopped journaling and feels as though he's lost touch with himself. He claims he's never experienced love before and that he must not have been thinking clearly when he wrote those entries. Doesn't that sound unbelievable? Surely he has feelings, doesn't he? I could really use some advice.

When you're feeling less knowledgeable in a relationship, what should I do? Any advice?

Hello, I'm a 20-year-old girl in a very loving relationship with my classmate, who is also 20. We've known each other since childhood. He's generally very kind to everyone, but occasionally he does mistreat me. I understand that people can have moments of anger or frustration, but I find his behavior uncomfortable. Additionally, I experience significant mood swings during my menstrual cycle, which can last about two weeks, making me more irritable than usual. We've been together for so long that he often teases me, and sometimes it feels like he doesn't appreciate me. However, after a while, his efforts tend to win me over again. I love him dearly and don't want to break up, as I truly believe he's a wonderful person. I often spoil him, but there are moments when I feel frustrated and even resentful. Do any guys have advice on how to navigate this situation?

Adult content in a relationship

I know this might sound silly to some, but I really need some advice. My boyfriend (21M) and I (21M) have been together for three years. We didn’t have sex for the first two years, and even now, our intimacy is quite sporadic. To clarify, he is definitely not ace. Recently, I found out that he’s been subscribing to OnlyFans, looking up girls on Instagram and TikTok, and following or liking their posts, though he hasn’t made any overt moves on anyone. When I confronted him about the OnlyFans subscriptions, it hurt my feelings. I’m open to sex and willing to explore new things, but I don't see myself as conventionally attractive; I’m a bigger girl, which can be more of an acquired taste for some. The girls he’s been following are entirely different from me—they're either skinny gamer girls or fitness enthusiasts. Since discovering this about six months ago, I’ve tried to lose some weight and have lost about 20 pounds. When I first brought it up, he promised to stop and acknowledged that it contributed to our intimacy issues. However, four months later, I found out he hasn't stopped. He admits it feels like an addiction, expresses guilt, and insists that this time will be different. I discovered this again about a month ago after asking him directly; I’m not sure if he was being truthful about whether he continued until just before I asked or if he was nervous about getting caught. He’s begging me for another chance, and I’m willing to give it to him, but our intimacy hasn’t improved much after that initial promise, which raises concerns that he may have slipped back into his old habits. Should I bring it up again or try to trust him? I can’t shake the feeling that he’s looking at other girls or watching porn, which has left me feeling insecure. I didn’t feel unattractive until I discovered this six months ago, and it’s been weighing on me. How can I learn to trust him again? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I was unfaithfully treated in my marriage and then held responsible for it.

Hello everyone, I’m going to try to avoid focusing too much on the negatives, as I've already dedicated a significant amount of time to processing what’s happened. I’m a 24-year-old Muslim woman who entered into an arranged marriage with a 28-year-old man two years ago. Despite the nature of our marriage, I fell for him the moment I laid eyes on him on our wedding day. After we married, I relocated to his country and moved in with his family. I made substantial efforts to adapt to a new culture, language, and way of life. Although it was challenging, my love for him motivated me to persevere and make our marriage work. Initially, he was very kind, but as time passed, he became emotionally distant, and I sensed him pulling away. During this period, I tried my hardest to salvage our relationship, but it often felt like I was the only one making an effort. I had hoped we would move out this year, as I had expressed my discomfort in living with his family. Despite my attempts to win her over, his mother never seemed to accept me. I was transparent about my struggles—navigating a new country, integrating into a new family, and dealing with my depression. I communicated that it was my first year and I simply needed time to adjust. I truly believed that once we moved out, I would feel better, and we could begin our lives together. Living in that environment was incredibly tough. I often felt miserable and found myself crying frequently, but I persevered. During this time, I earned my master’s degree, secured a job, and dedicated myself to working hard. On weekends, I took on various household responsibilities, including cooking and cleaning. Although it was challenging, I did my best. After a year, I unexpectedly learned that he had been unfaithful. He had downloaded a dating app, met someone else, and vented to her about me being "too emotional.” To make matters worse, his affair partner knew he was married yet continued the relationship. She presents herself as very devout, which I find highly hypocritical. Upon discovering the truth, he pressured me to delete evidence, but I confronted his parents first to ensure they heard my side of the story. To my astonishment, instead of holding him accountable, his parents blamed me. They claimed, “You don’t make coffee for my son, and that’s why this happened.” It was utterly ridiculous. Soon after, my husband and his mother compiled a long list of grievances against me, even involving my parents in their complaints, accusing me of being lazy and resentful toward his mother. Many of their allegations were exaggerated or outright distorted. For instance, while I did express my frustrations about his mother privately, they misrepresented it as if I constantly criticized her. He also used my desire to move out against me, portraying me as unreasonable for wanting that so early in our marriage. Regarding their accusation of laziness, I admit I felt overwhelmed at times trying to balance work, studying, and living in a tense household. Still, I worked hard on weekends to avoid these kinds of accusations. My parents were frustrated as well, questioning why these issues weren’t brought up earlier instead of being used to justify his infidelity. Now, I’m back with my parents, distanced from them all. My husband and his family have gone quiet. I’ve chosen not to initiate contact because any discussions with him lead to gaslighting, shame, and projection. He accuses me of betraying his family by leaving, while ignoring the fact that he betrayed me. I haven't received a single apology; instead, he continually asks what I can do to fix our relationship. After everything, I feel exhausted. It’s bewildering to read his messages, where I’m constantly criticized for not being a good wife, despite the fact that he cheated on me for a month. I acknowledge my imperfections, but I believe those are issues that should be addressed within a relationship. Instead of dealing with our problems, he chose to cheat. Currently, things are stagnant; we’re both just at a standstill. I recognize I’ve vented a lot here, but it was necessary for me to express my feelings. What’s most important is that I wish to focus on healing and improving myself. If anyone has advice on how I can move forward, I would greatly appreciate it.

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