Relationship advices

I sense that my thoughts and opinions aren't valued or considered.

Hello, Reddit community. I've been in a wonderful relationship with my girlfriend (f33) for over a year now, and we've shared countless happy moments together. I've never felt this kind of love before. However, there's one issue that bothers me: my girlfriend often interrupts me mid-sentence to say she already knows what I'm trying to explain, and her tone can come off as irritated. This happens even when I’m discussing simple things like my favorite movie. It feels like she views me as not very smart. I’m unsure how to address this without upsetting her or making her feel defensive, but I genuinely feel like my intellect isn’t being respected.

Unexpectedly Discovered a Stunning Woman While Networking on LinkedIn

I was networking on LinkedIn and came across a beautiful girl who is a student at my university and works at a consulting firm I'm interested in. I discovered that she has a boyfriend (no need to judge), and I'm curious about the best way to get to know her and see if she's open to new possibilities in her personal life. Would a coffee chat for "networking" be a good idea, or are there better strategies? I want to keep it subtle, especially since she’s in a relationship (although her boyfriend seems a bit dull). Do you have any suggestions?

One year of being in a relationship with my boyfriend.

My boyfriend and I have a great relationship and we always communicate openly about our feelings and issues. However, I'm feeling a bit uneasy about our upcoming trip. I'm currently saving my own money, as I work as a call center agent and my salary barely covers my expenses and bills. Meanwhile, my boyfriend makes six times what I earn each month through his social media work. He knows I can’t afford the trip, yet he insists that I come along and suggested that I borrow money from him. I'm left wondering, is this normal? Shouldn't he treat me to the trip, especially since he earns so much more than I do? The cost of the ticket and other expenses is quite high. I just hope someone understands where I'm coming from.

Assistance with relationship issues :(

Hello everyone! I'm a 25-year-old woman in a relationship with a 27-year-old man. We've been together for about four years, but we've faced some challenges over the past year since moving in together. My boyfriend has a history of drug use, which genuinely worries me. Currently, his main struggle is with nicotine, and he's been trying to quit for quite a while. Lately, I’ve had some difficult moments where I acted impulsively and went through his belongings. I know this was wrong, and I did apologize after we had a long discussion about it. Unfortunately, I discovered that he hasn’t quit nicotine and has been using pouches of varying strengths, and he's also been watching pornography. This revelation really upset me, as I consider pornography to be almost equivalent to infidelity. It left me feeling undesirable and hurt. We did manage to have a two-day, constructive conversation about our issues, but I’m seeking advice on how to move forward. How can we work through this? How can I regain my confidence and sense of worth? How do I rebuild trust after experiencing dishonesty and secrecy? And how can I maintain my boundaries after setting them? I truly love him and can’t imagine my life without him – he's my bright spot on cloudy days and my guiding light in the dark. I just want to know how we can navigate this together.

(21F and 23M) I'm suspecting that my boyfriend may have been unfaithful. What steps should I take?

I'm a 21-year-old female and my boyfriend is a 23-year-old male. We've been together for a year and a half. Recently, on February 1, 2025, he turned off his location, which is unusual for him. He typically lets me know when he does this, mainly because he usually turns it off to hide the fact that he didn’t go to work from his mom. But this time, he didn’t say anything to me. Earlier that day, I called and pointed out that his location showed he was at his workplace eight hours ago, but then later, it showed he was at home. His response was just, “Oh, that’s weird,” and then he asked if I had to work. When I told him I did, he said he went to work briefly but left early. Later that night, his location was completely off, showing “no location found.” I called him again and asked if he had turned off his location, and he confirmed that he did. When I asked why, he replied, “I don’t have a reason; I just did.” This was strange since he always insists that I keep my location on and never turn mine off. During our first call, instead of simply saying he had turned off his location, he just said, “Oh, that’s weird.” The story changed when I called again; he claimed he had been home all day and didn’t go to work, which doesn’t make sense because who turns off their location when they’re at home? Does this seem suspicious? To summarize: my boyfriend turned off his location at home for no reason, which is out of character for him. He usually only does this when he’s trying to avoid his mom finding out that he skipped work. Initially, he said he was at work early but then later claimed he was home all day. Does this suggest he might be cheating?

I (24M) am unsure how to handle my girlfriend's (24F) ongoing emotional distance.

I'm not one to typically seek advice, but I'm feeling pretty conflicted and having trouble seeing the situation clearly. I'm a 24-year-old man and have been in a relationship with my girlfriend, who is also 24, for a year. Lately, I've sensed that something's off, especially since around November. We live apart—she has a roommate— and we usually see each other once or twice a week. Our outings typically involve watching movies, going for walks, or having dinner together. This has been our routine since the beginning of our relationship. I've always found it a bit odd, as my friends and I used to spend much more time together with previous partners. After coming out of a more intense relationship, I thought a change in pace would give me some much-needed personal time. I assumed that as our relationship progressed, she'd become more open. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened, and it's increasingly bothering me. I've talked to her about it, and she cites her exhaustion after work and an unpredictable schedule as reasons for her limited availability. While I understand where she's coming from, I also believe that being adults means we need to manage our time effectively in a relationship. There's nothing especially 'wrong' with her; she's not controlling or prone to starting arguments, which is why I've tried to overlook other issues that have made me uneasy. In the earlier stages of our relationship, we were intimate almost every time we saw each other. However, in the past few months, I can count the number of times we've been intimate on one hand. I’ve hesitated to bring this up, as I don’t want her to think that my only concern is the frequency of our intimate moments. During our last meeting, the atmosphere felt strained, almost like nails on a chalkboard. Conversations seemed forced; when I shared insights from a book I was reading, she just responded with a disinterested “oh.” Although I’ve always felt our interests were somewhat different, I believed we could bridge that gap. I genuinely try to engage with the things she enjoys, but that moment hurt. Additionally, I noticed that she didn't touch me at all, while she used to be more physically affectionate. What really unsettled me was that she had just gotten lip fillers the day before and gave me a quick peck, saying it was because her lips needed to heal and she wanted to avoid complications. But then, she proceeded to vape throughout the evening. I'm feeling lost on how to proceed, especially since my friends have given me a mix of conflicting advice. I'm seeking some impartial perspectives on my situation. Thanks for taking the time to read this!

How can I move past this?

A month and a half ago, after three months together, my boyfriend suddenly told me that he no longer had any feelings for me and saw me more as a friend than a girlfriend. He even admitted that he had been pretending to be happy with me lately. He broke up with me in that moment, and just a week later, he tweeted about how happy he was and the bright future ahead of him. He mentioned wanting to date and flirt with other girls. This made me incredibly angry, so I reached out to him to express how deeply he had hurt me and told him I wished him nothing but misery. He didn’t respond directly but tweeted that people should learn to accept not being wanted and that he had succeeded in every area of his life this year, except for his love life, which he described as a "complete disaster." What do you all think? Is he being a jerk?

Am I overthinking, being childish, or is she simply occupied?

M20 F22 I met this girl three days ago, and everything was going well. However, things have since changed; she doesn't respond as promptly as she used to. I asked her if she wanted to grab milkshakes with me this evening, but all day I’ve been left on delivered. She responded by suggesting tomorrow instead. It just feels different since she typically replies quickly, and today that hasn’t been the case.

The husband is experiencing uncertainty.

My husband and I have been married for five months, having been together for 8.5 years. Recently, I went on a five-week vacation to visit family. Just three days before my return, he called to say he wasn't looking forward to seeing me, enjoyed his time alone, and wanted a divorce. He expressed that the thought of being with the same woman for the rest of his life frightened him, and he missed the thrill of dating. During my absence, he spent a lot of time with three single friends who often boast about their freedom, open relationships, and casual encounters. Upon my return, after a grueling 30-hour trip and feeling extremely anxious about what awaited me, he told me I was like medicine to him and that he felt much better when I was around. He claimed our relationship was fantastic and that he couldn't find anyone else with whom he had the same connection. He wrestled with choosing between the excitement of pursuing other women and remaining in a loving marriage where he feels valued. He also confessed he had only slept with five people before me and felt he had missed out on experiences. Now nearing 36, he believes he has only a few good years ahead before hitting middle age. We sought couples therapy, where the therapist noted that if his feelings of doubt predominantly arose when I was away but diminished upon my return, this could be linked to unresolved childhood traumas. He had a tumultuous upbringing with unstable marriage examples and a lack of a nurturing environment. While it seems things have returned to some semblance of normal, and we continue to discuss these issues, I feel deeply hurt and inadequate. He insists it's his struggle and that I'm amazing. He apologized for suggesting divorce and recognized he needs to confront his feelings. He often refers to himself as the "patient" in this situation. Over the past three weeks, I've struggled to feel like myself and have lost my zest for life, apart from going to the gym. I make an effort to remain upbeat around him to show that things can be okay, but I feel extremely lost. He says he's committed to therapy because he wants to work on our marriage. We're also in the process of buying a house together in four weeks. I'm seeking advice on how to cope with the overwhelming sadness and hurt. While I understand that he is grappling with his own issues, I need to find a way to move forward and set these feelings aside. Has anyone experienced something similar? Is questioning one's relationship normal? Any insights would be greatly appreciated, as I feel very stuck in my emotions. In summary: My husband is struggling with the idea of committing to the same partner for life.

My girlfriend, who is 18, seems emotionally distant after we were intimate, and I’m looking for advice on how to address this.

The phrase "emotionally muted" might sound harsh and insensitive, but I couldn't find a better way to express it succinctly, so I hope you understand. I’m an 18-year-old male, and my girlfriend, also 18, and I have been together for 11 months. This is our first relationship for both of us, and we have each other’s first experiences. For about three months (after being together for eight), we were dry humping, which started accidentally while we were making out. Recently, we decided we were ready to take the next step. We had initial conversations about it while we continued dry humping, but then we talked more intensively for about a week, which probably wasn’t enough time. Eventually, we both agreed that we were “ready,” and the day came when we went through with it. Afterward, my girlfriend expressed that she felt we should have discussed it longer. This led to her feeling hesitant about it and experiencing a sense of "emptiness" afterward. It’s affected her emotionally; her willingness to engage in conversation with me or others diminishes after half an hour to an hour. She seems to force her laughter and often questions her reasons for laughing, feeling like she "still enjoys doing things with me, but it’s muted." In her words, her emotions feel muted by about 80%, making it difficult for her to genuinely enjoy our relationship. I’ve tried to express my love and offer comfort, but she often claims she doesn’t know what’s wrong, and nothing I do seems to make her happy. She reassures me that she loves me, but I can’t help but wonder if that love has turned into mere attachment. She mentioned she doesn’t know what’s causing this and that time won’t heal it, which is incredibly tough because I feel lost (though there was a slight development two days ago). Two days ago, we began apologizing to each other for being intimate. I never intended to hurt her, but with no clear solution, I suggested we take some time apart (not a break—this isn’t something we do). I thought that stepping back might give her the space she needs to understand her feelings without my constant presence distracting her from finding the underlying truth. During our conversation, she mentioned that one possible reason for her feelings might be her sadness about not having hobbies and needing happiness outside of our relationship. She also shared that she had seen videos about boyfriends becoming emotionally distant, which made her worry about signs of that in our relationship. However, these reasons are just possibilities, and she hadn’t communicated any of this to me until now, which left me without the chance to help. As we discussed it, she grew frustrated and decided to end the conversation, asking me to stop and saying goodnight. It’s been two days since, and when I checked in, she only responded with a thumbs-up, which makes me sad because she isn’t open to talking. Additionally, she turned off her location, which adds to my concern. Does anyone have insights into what might be happening with her, similar experiences, or advice on how I can help improve this situation? I don’t want to see her as an emotional shell, as it's impacting our relationship, and I’m determined not to give up on us. **TL;DR:** Does anyone have advice on how I can support my girlfriend, who seems emotionally disconnected?

I'm 18 and I'm unsure if my relationship with my classmate, who is also 18, is purely platonic or if she’s interested in something more.

I'm an 18-year-old male, and I'm feeling a bit confused about my relationship with a female classmate who is 18. We often have nice conversations, but recently she's been asking me if I plan to attend the upcoming school dance. While she’s going with some friends, she also inquired about who I might want to go with, and since I don’t have many female friends (being more introverted), I didn’t have an answer. She even suggested that I could invite her to the dance. I’m not great at reading between the lines, so I’m uncertain whether she’s being friendly or if she’s hinting at wanting to go together as a couple.

My husband [28M] and I [27F] are having difficulties with task management and communication. Is there a way to improve this?

Hello everyone, I'm seeking advice on how to manage tasks and communication within my relationship. Here's some context: I’m a 28-year-old man currently studying abroad, while my wife, who is 27, is working in Canada to support my education. She is very caring towards my family, and they adore her in return. She is also an independent individual with considerable work experience from our home country. Lately, we've been facing some challenges regarding small tasks and the sharing of advice. For instance, prior to my arrival in Canada, I reminded her several times—probably around 20—to contact her manager for a Job Experience letter. It took her two weeks to finally make that call. She has acknowledged that she tends to procrastinate. When I follow up on these tasks, she often feels overwhelmed and expresses that I’m adding too much pressure. She also points out that she doesn’t assign me tasks or offer me advice. I’m a bit perplexed about whether I should allow her to handle things at her own pace or if I should guide her decisions as we plan for our future. Ultimately, I find myself questioning the essence of our partnership when we both have the freedom to make our own decisions. What does that mean for our relationship as husband and wife?

Experiencing silence after a relationship

I understand that it's often recommended to move on after a relationship ends, but our breakup wasn't particularly negative. Despite this, my ex continues to ignore my attempts to reconnect. I was the one who decided to end things, but that choice came after many efforts to improve his communication, which left me with little option. He claims he doesn't see a reason to talk now that we’re no longer together. I might be holding onto false hope, but I genuinely wanted this relationship to succeed and my feelings for him remain strong. Any advice would be appreciated.

Why did he block me and become so indifferent so quickly?

A few Saturdays ago, my boyfriend unexpectedly broke up with me over FaceTime, and it completely devastated me. The following Wednesday, I drove to see him because we're in a long-distance relationship and I needed closure, especially since we'll be coworkers in April. I met up with him again that Saturday for our goodbyes, but I couldn't shake the impression that he was so indifferent. He kept insisting, "We need to do no contact so we can both move on," which felt especially confusing since he had called me his dream woman just at Christmas. I really can't fathom why he changed so drastically and became so cold. Then, on Monday, I learned that my childhood dog was being put down, and I was an emotional wreck. I needed support from him, so I reached out and broke our no-contact rule. When he didn’t respond, I called the next day to ask why he hadn’t even said, "I'm sorry for your loss." It was clear he didn’t care, and I got angry, telling him, “Don’t ever talk to me again,” especially since I desperately needed him during such a hard time. After that call, he blocked my number like I didn't matter at all, and it felt so easy for him to do that. I just don’t understand why or what he’s thinking.

My boyfriend (24M) frequently brings up his previous relationship.

Hey, I've been dating my boyfriend (24M) for about a month now, and I’ve noticed that during our conversations, he often references memories with his ex. I understand he was with her for two years during college, so it's natural he would have some lingering thoughts. I've also moved on from my ex (23M) after a four-year relationship that was quite toxic, but I haven’t mentioned him once. For instance, while we were at a party, my boyfriend said, “When my ex and I were in college, we knew this one guy—” which seemed unnecessary to bring up. Later that night, after sharing a few drinks, I asked him about their breakup, and he casually mentioned, “She moved for her job,” before dozing off. Even though it's been two years since they split, I can't shake the feeling that he might still have feelings for her, and I worry that I’m just a stand-in. In short: My boyfriend frequently brings up his ex, and it makes me feel like I’m just a replacement.

Girlfriend distancing

20F, 20M. Hello, I've been in a relationship for 1.5 years, and while we've had our ups and downs, things took a turn recently. Over the past month, my girlfriend has been distancing herself from me. We live apart, and in the last three weeks, I've been organizing fewer sleepovers as I'm in the process of moving to a place where I intend to live with her. I thought she was excited about this change, but since we visited the new place about two weeks ago, she's expressed second thoughts and has been quite negative about the idea. She tends to be more pessimistic than I'm used to, which I've come to accept as part of her personality. She also experiences mood swings and often shows her affection differently from one day to the next. She self-diagnosed herself with BPD, or at least that's what her high school psychologist suggested. Today, she told me she's losing interest in being emotionally close to me. Over the past month, her texting has become sluggish, and she's fallen out of our usual routines (like good morning texts and saying "I love you"). I might be overreacting at this point. I’m just not ready to let her go; she’s one of my first serious relationships, and I always envisioned her by my side. I'm hopeful that things might improve when she spends some nights at the new place, hopefully next week. I'm looking for general advice on how someone in my situation should approach this.

The husband is unsure.

My husband and I have been married for five months and together for eight and a half years. While I was on a five-week trip to visit family, he called me three days before I returned and told me he wasn’t looking forward to my homecoming. He mentioned that he enjoyed being alone and wanted a divorce, expressing fear about being with the same woman for life and missing the thrill of dating other girls. During my absence, he had been spending a lot of time with three single friends who often brag about their freedom, casual encounters, and open relationships. When I finally arrived home after a grueling 30-hour journey, I was filled with anxiety about what to expect. To my surprise, he said he viewed me as his "medicine" and felt better when he was with me. He insisted that our relationship was wonderful and that he didn’t lack anything, claiming he would never find someone as good as me with the same connection. He expressed that he now faced a choice between the shallow pursuit of other girls, something he claims not to want, and remaining in a loving marriage where he feels valued. He also shared that he has slept with only five people in his life and feels he has missed out, noting that he was 28 when we met and is now almost 36 and worried about approaching middle age. We sought the help of a couple’s therapist, who suggested that his feelings might arise only when I’m away and then subside when I return. This likely relates to unresolved childhood traumas; he comes from a turbulent background and didn’t have strong examples of healthy marriages or a loving environment. Things have started to feel somewhat normal again, and we've been discussing this issue openly, but I still feel deeply hurt. It feels as though I'm not enough for him. He reassures me that it’s not about me, saying he is the one struggling and that I am amazing. He’s apologized for expressing a desire for divorce and acknowledged that he needs to work on his thoughts. He keeps emphasizing that he is the one who needs help. Over the past three weeks, I haven’t felt like myself and have lost my enthusiasm for life, aside from going to the gym. I attempt to maintain a cheerful demeanor around him to convey that things can be okay, but I feel very lost. My husband says he is committed to therapy because he wants to make our marriage work. To add to this, we are set to buy a house together in four weeks. How do I cope with this profound sadness and hurt? I feel betrayed by my husband, but I know I need to set aside these feelings to move forward, yet I’m not sure how. Has anyone else experienced something similar? Is it common for people to question their long-term commitment in this way? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I feel stuck in this difficult situation. **TL;DR:** My husband is having doubts about staying with me for life.

Looking for guidance.

I'm 17 (M) and my mom is 35 (F). To give you a bit of background, the relationship between my mom and dad (43) is quite complicated. They separated in the past but never finalized a divorce because my dad loves her deeply and would do anything for her. However, for the past three years, I've discovered that she's been chatting with other men, including flirting and sending pictures. My dad is aware of this and had her block all of them after they had an argument. Now that my dad is working abroad, I've become increasingly suspicious of my mom's behavior. Tonight, after she left, I decided to check her WhatsApp. I found the blocked contacts, but then I stumbled upon a chat with a schoolmate. In it, she mentioned that she made a boyfriend at the gym and described him in a very explicit way. When her friend asked if it was a one-night stand, I realized what was going on. My heart raced, and I felt a wave of pain hit me. I tried to message my girlfriend for comfort, but she was already asleep. I feel torn about whether or not to tell my dad, especially since he lives so far away, and I'm worried he might react poorly. Part of me wants my parents to divorce because my mom has made my life difficult since I was six. I’m really unsure about what to do next. I'd appreciate any advice you can give.

I'm uncertain whether ending my relationship with my boyfriend will turn out to be a mistake I'll regret forever.

I really appreciate Reddit for its advice, but I'm seeking guidance on a specific issue. Here's my situation: I'm a 23-year-old woman in a relationship with my boyfriend, who is 29, and we've been together for just over three years in the UK. I love him deeply, but we seem to want different things in life. I've always dreamed of traveling and am nearly certain I do not want children, while he aspires for a stable relationship with a mortgage and kids. We've almost ended things multiple times due to this disparity, but I recently suggested I could compromise on travel. As someone with auDHD, I find it hard to meet new people and be away from my family, so I think I would prefer vacations over long-term travel. I want to experience new cultures, but it’s not about the typical "traveling experience.” I also lack the desire to raise children and want to focus on living my life for myself. If I ever decide to have kids, I feel it would be when I’m in my 30s, when I might be ready and have accomplished the things I want. My boyfriend, who struggles with his relationship with his father, seems to want to be the father figure he never had. When we first met, he mentioned he felt if he wanted kids, he would have had them by now. I interpreted that as a no, but since then, our differing views on this have become more pronounced. We came to a compromise where I told him I wouldn’t try for a baby, but if I accidentally got pregnant, I’d go along with it. Recently, he got a puppy, and I’ve been having a hard time adjusting to this change in our relationship dynamics. He works night shifts and we don’t live together due to rental issues, so I only see him two nights a week. When we do spend time together, he’s often exhausted from caring for the puppy. I’ve felt frustrated because our relationship used to be spontaneous and fun, but now it feels stagnant. I worry about whether this is what our future holds. I might have been too harsh when I said I wasn’t willing to settle for this change, especially after I had already compromised on travel and kids. I think he believes breaking up might be best for me, as he feels like he’s holding me back. However, I struggle with PMDD, which impacts my emotions, and I often express my feelings out of anger and frustration. I’m confused about my feelings; I know I love him and we both believe we’re meant to be together. He even suggested I do what I need to do and enjoy life, hoping we might reconnect in the future, but I’m scared to take that risk. If we broke up and he started a family, I would be devastated. I feel uncertain about what I want in life, and though people tell me there’s no rush, I feel the pressure of our age difference. I don’t want him to wait indefinitely as I figure things out, but I also don’t want to lose him. My desires constantly shift, but one constant has been my love for him. It’s heartbreaking to think I might lose the love of my life over these differences. He has said he could make peace with the idea of not having kids, but I don’t want him to regret that decision and resent me later. I would love to hear from others who have experienced similar issues in relationships—how did you reconcile different desires, and did you end up feeling satisfied or regretted your choices? Or any general advice on whether there’s a possibility for us to make this work? We share a simple lifestyle and enjoy our time together, but it’s just about the kids and my uncertainty about my future that provides these challenges. I’m feeling really lost because of how deeply we love each other, and the thought of possibly losing him over these differences is so painful. Thanks for listening.

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Recently, an old acquaintance of mine from a past talking stage has ended up in jail. We had stopped talking about 4 or 5 months ago, but we managed to stay friends. A few months back, he mentioned that he had a girlfriend, which led us to talk less frequently. I was perfectly okay with this since I had entered a relationship as well. However, I received a call from him recently (from jail), and he informed me that he and his girlfriend had broken up. Apparently, the breakup happened because she saw messages from him expressing his love for me from months earlier, and he seemed to blame me for their split. At the end of our conversation, he mentioned that he would likely be calling frequently just to chat, and this is where my dilemma arises. I have no desire to engage in constant communication with him—or any communication at all, really—especially since I've moved on. I’m also concerned that he will overstep boundaries, as that’s his tendency. Is it wrong for me to block his number and decide not to speak with him again?

My boyfriend, who is 20, occasionally loses his erection during sex, and I’m 20 as well. I want to address this with him because I don’t want him to feel embarrassed.

Hey everyone! This is my first post on Reddit, and I'm feeling a bit lost about something, so I thought I’d reach out for advice. I've been with my boyfriend for two years, and our relationship overall is wonderful. However, I've recently noticed something odd—during our morning intimacy, he sometimes loses his erection unexpectedly. What confuses me is that he's usually the one who starts things, so I assume he’s interested. Yet, at some point, he goes soft. This doesn’t seem to happen at night or during other times, just mainly in the mornings. I haven't mentioned it to him yet because I don’t want to make him feel bad, but I'm curious about what's going on. Is this a common issue? Could there be a physical reason behind it, or might it relate to stress? I'd really value any insights from those who have been through something similar or any advice on how to address this without making him feel uncomfortable. Thanks!

What am I feeling?

I've been with my girlfriend for over a year now, and we’re both 19. Our relationship has been really positive, but I’ve found myself reflecting on my experiences with her in a way I never have before. Caring for her deeply has led me to self-analyze and identify areas where I can grow. In the past, I've done well in certain respects—like validating her feelings, really listening to her, and setting aside my pride. However, I know I’ve struggled with showing empathy and have occasionally let my jealousy and anger get the best of me. Recently, I've been motivated to improve our relationship even more. I've noticed that we don't argue anymore, which she attributes to my efforts to address my shortcomings. However, I sense that she might be holding back from sharing her feelings fully because she worries that I won’t understand her. I recognize where she's coming from, and I'll be there for her until she feels comfortable opening up again without fear of being invalidated. Being in this relationship has also illuminated my own flaws. I’ve realized that I can be envious and quick to anger, which isn’t the best way to behave. But she inspires me to be a better person—not just for her, but for myself and everyone around me. She encourages me to let go of past hurts, live in the present, and embrace positivity. In fact, she even motivates me to explore a relationship with Jesus and attend church, all in the pursuit of becoming a better man. I want nothing more than to share my life with her. I know we’re young, but this relationship feels like home to me. I can cry in her arms without feeling ashamed—she was the first person I ever cried in front of, and she makes me feel safe. Lately, I’ve found myself overthinking whether this is love, and I’m not entirely sure why. All the signs point to love when I’m not overanalyzing, but when I do, I start to feel like I’m holding her back from reaching her full potential. The Bible says that love is not envious or hateful, that it prioritizes the other person, and I know these are qualities I don’t yet fully possess. I’m committed to learning and growing, even considering therapy if that’s what it takes to be the partner she deserves. This is all so confusing because I genuinely care for her and have strong feelings, yet I find myself questioning our love. It feels like I’m being tested to see if what we share is real. But if I have the ability to love her in the way she needs, I’m willing to do whatever it takes because I want her, and I cherish everything that comes with being with her. My heart aches while writing all of this.

My boyfriend is behaving suspiciously.

My boyfriend and I have been together for three months, and while things started off seemingly perfect (maybe I was a bit naive), I'm beginning to notice some concerning traits. For instance, he’s not a great driver, and it really worries me when I feel like he doesn't prioritize our safety. There was also a recent incident at a coffee shop where he spotted his ex’s car and didn’t want to go inside to avoid seeing her. I understood his feelings and went in alone. However, I later found out that he is still following her on social media. This bothers me, especially because he has spoken negatively about her in the past, describing her as "crazy" and detailing the issues that led to their breakup. Additionally, at the start of our relationship, he mentioned keeping pictures of his exes on his phone as sentimental mementos. I initially brushed it off, but it ended up bothering me. Even his friends advised him to delete them, which he eventually did after I expressed my discomfort. Another issue is that he often takes a few hours to respond to my texts or leaves me on read. His excuse is that he’s busy with schoolwork, or he prefers to reply only when he can give a thoughtful response rather than responding right away. There are more things weighing on my mind, but these stand out to me. What should I do?

What actions should I take?

I have a lot of unresolved feelings regarding my relationship. There was a moment when she rushed to see her ex-crush while we were together, eagerly exclaiming, "Oh, you're so handsome," right in front of me and everyone else. I was incredibly embarrassed. This happened a year ago, yet it still weighs heavily on my heart. I tried to discuss it with her, but she dismissed it as nothing. Eventually, when she finally acknowledged it, she said, "I was just excited to see him." That hit me hard—it felt like a punch to my soul. To make things worse, she was upset with me for being upset about it. For context, she doesn't allow me to have female friends. I love her deeply and truly, and I can’t imagine walking away from her. How can I work through these unresolved issues, either with her or without her?

I, a 26-year-old woman, have feelings for my friend, a 25-year-old man.

I'm trying to figure out whether to maintain my friendship with a guy friend. I feel that our friendship has greater potential for development than a romantic relationship would. I worry that dating could compromise the deep bond we have, and the thought of losing him entirely would be incredibly painful for me. He’s making real progress in his personal growth, but he's grappling with some challenges that I’ve encountered in past relationships. For instance, he struggles to express his feelings verbally and tends to communicate through actions alone. For me, being with someone who articulates their thoughts and feelings is crucial since that's my natural way of connecting. For example, we met up yesterday, and when we hung out, he held my hand while driving. I asked him what holding hands meant to him, and he shared that it signifies he likes someone. Given that we’ve only known each other for four months, I understand how nerve-wracking it can be to express that feeling, which is why I haven't yet revealed my own feelings for him. I recently learned that his parents never verbally expressed their love for him, and he is just beginning to experience that with them. It's heartwarming to witness his growth in forming genuine friendships—with me and our mutual friends—and to see him start expressing loving words to his parents. I’ve received mixed advice from friends: some suggest letting things unfold naturally, while others advise staying just friends. What I do know is that this connection feels healthier than any similar situation I've had before. There aren’t any major red flags, just a few minor concerns, and he has already shown a willingness to grow after our discussions about better expressing himself. I also try not to let astrology overly influence my feelings, but the fact that he is a Virgo does affect my perspective. I haven’t had the best experiences with Virgos in the past, and some of his struggles echo issues I've faced before. Additionally, I had a dream about a dark figure with a right eye, sitting in a room full of people we both know. Everyone around him seemed comfortable, but he was staring directly at me, which left me feeling frightened. I didn't delve too deeply into it, but I came across a Bible verse that resonated strongly with that dream. Matthew 5:29 states, "If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away. For it is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." If anyone would like more details, I’m open to sharing further. What would you do in my situation?

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