Relationship advices

I [25F] believe my boyfriend [26M] has forgotten that I have access to his location, and I discovered he wasn't being truthful.

Hello Reddit! I'm a 25-year-old woman (F) currently in a relationship with my boyfriend, who is 26 (M), and we've been dating for a little over six months now. We met on a dating app, and although our relationship is still relatively new, things have been going really well. It's starting to feel more serious, and we share similar values, interests, and future goals, which I appreciate. A few weeks back, we went on a trip to another city, and he suggested we share our locations temporarily, just in case we got separated. However, we both forgot to stop sharing our locations afterwards. Here’s some important context: my boyfriend is a regular at a bar across town, where he knows the staff and a group of regulars who have all become friends. His ex (let’s call her X) also frequents this bar. Although he introduced me to the friends there, he was initially hesitant to introduce me to X. From what I understand, their relationship was more of a "situationship," and she wasn't interested in anything serious. He told me he broke things off with her several months before we started dating. We've had multiple discussions about her, and he has consistently assured me that he doesn't have feelings for her and that I'm the one he wants to be with. I've made it clear that I’m okay with their friendship, although I’m not a huge fan of it. I think if they’re "just friends," she should know who I am, and there shouldn't be any reason for him to hide her from me. I did meet her, and I thought the situation was fine. Now to the issue at hand. I don't usually check his location, but while we were texting about our days, I noticed that it showed he was in the vicinity of the bar. I looked at his location and confirmed he was there. It felt a bit odd for a weekday, but I didn't think much of it at the time. Later that evening, he called me, and when I asked how his day went, he lied and said he’d been home for several hours, completely leaving out the fact that he had been at the bar. I regret not confronting him right then and there, but I panicked and continued the conversation as if everything was fine. He has no idea that I know he was at the bar. I'm puzzled as to why he felt the need to lie about it, and I'm worried he may have gone there to see X without wanting to tell me, which feels really off. At the same time, I’m trying not to jump to conclusions, and I want to address this with him. How should I bring this up and confront him about his lie, given that I went along with it in the moment? What could his lie indicate?

I'm a 30-year-old woman, and my husband is 32. He's struggling to accept my past in adult work, and it's causing tension between us. How can I help him move past this issue?

My husband is often triggered and holds resentment towards me (30/f) because I did adult video work many years ago when we were engaged, which he was aware of from the beginning. I took that step because we were in financial need at the time. The experience turned out to be quite different than expected; the second shoot at a studio called Facial Abuse was far worse than the first, and after two films, I decided to quit. Despite this, he constantly brings it up, often yelling at me and referring to me as "damaged goods." This treatment frustrates me so much that I feel like responding in anger. While he loves me, he still views me as less than because of my past choices. It always resurfaces during our arguments, and it's exhausting. I can’t change what I did, and it’s not like I’m the only person who has taken on this kind of work; he makes me feel inferior, as if I’m worse than illegal activities. Living with this situation has caused me a great deal of anxiety over the years. How can I get him to let this go?

My mother and my girlfriend don't see eye to eye.

I've been dating my girlfriend for two years now; I'm 19, and she's 18. We started our relationship during my senior year of high school and everything has been going well, except for one major issue: my mother can't stand her. In fact, she has openly wished she could choose my partners like in an arranged marriage and often expresses that she believes I could do better. To give you more context, my girlfriend is a year younger, partially deaf, and struggles with anxiety. She doesn't drive yet and is currently in her first year of beauty school, working one night a week at a nearby bowling alley. Her parents are pretty laid back—they didn’t push her to get a job and trust she'll find work after finishing school. They often help us out by giving us rides since I’m still in the process of buying my own car, and they’re perfectly fine with it. However, my mother has been critical of my girlfriend from the start. She’s concerned about her parents driving us around because she thinks we should be more independent. She also takes issue with my girlfriend's inability to drive, her behavior, and several other aspects. I'm not sure if this is a phase that will pass or if it's a permanent issue, but it weighs heavily on me that they don’t get along. I truly care about both my mom and my girlfriend, and I'm looking for advice on how to navigate this situation without hurting either of them. If anyone has faced similar challenges, I’d really appreciate your thoughts.

Afraid of getting married

The title says it all. I'll keep this brief, but there's a lot to unpack. I’m a 25-year-old male, and my fiancé/girlfriend/ex, who is also 25, and I are going through a tough time. We've been together for just over two years, during which we've lived together for most of that time. In the last year, we both left the military, moved across the country, and got engaged about nine months ago. Up until recently, our relationship was great—healthy, an active sex life, and we’re best friends. I love her deeply. However, she has been somewhat pressing about our wedding timeline, which I didn't mind until now. For the past four or five months, I’ve felt increasingly unhappy. I can’t pinpoint why; she’s perfect for me, and there’s nothing about her I dislike. Yet, I find myself feeling unfulfilled in life in general. My hobbies don’t excite me, work feels mundane, and sadly, I’ve started to view my relationship in the same light. When marriage was brought up a few months ago, I didn’t feel ready. I confided in my mom, who suggested that perhaps she isn’t the right one for me. I shared my unhappiness and this opinion with my girlfriend, which ultimately strained our relationship. While she initially tried to support me, her mood vacillates between being understanding and frustrated. Now, she has a negative view of my mom, and I can see how my mother’s opinion weighs on me. It’s like a wedge driving us apart. To give us both some space, I’ve moved in with a friend, and I’ve started therapy. I know I have a lot of responsibility for how things have turned out, but I can’t grasp why I have these mixed feelings. Even with minimal contact and not living together, every day feels overwhelming. I’m struggling deeply—occasionally not eating or sleeping, drinking too much, feeling withdrawn, and not performing well at work. Why can’t I make a decision? I worry I can't go back until I feel completely ready, but I’m uncertain how to achieve that. Have any of you ever experienced a strong, undeniable “yes” when it comes to marriage? I’ve had some rough breakups in the past, but this feels so much worse. Is this a sign that I’m head over heels in love, or am I just co-dependent? I feel trapped in a cycle where every day that passes makes me feel like she’s slipping away, which is painful knowing I’m causing her hurt. It’s a difficult time for me; at points, I feel like it would be better to not be here at all. I’m caught between wishing I had more time to figure out my feelings and not wanting to waste her time because I’m unsure. I can’t picture myself with anyone else, and the idea of her being with someone else makes me feel physically ill. I’m seeking advice—has anyone else been through something similar?

I defended my friend's partner, and although I believe I made the right choice, I can't help but dislike how it feels.

I (22F) have a close male friend, J (22M), who has been in a relationship with N (22F) for the past few months. While I’ve known N for a few years, we’ve never been close, merely acquaintances within the same social group. Recently, during one of our conversations, I noticed J seemed a bit down. I suggested we meet up to talk. He opened up about feeling emotionally neglected in his relationship, sharing how he often feels like he’s giving endlessly without receiving comfort or understanding in return. It truly pained me to see him struggle, so I gave him a hug. He held onto me longer than I expected, and I could tell he was on the verge of tears. When we met again the following week, he shared that our time together had provided him with great comfort and that I was the only person he felt safe confiding in. While we were chatting on his bed, we ended up cuddling. However, I mentioned that we might be crossing a boundary and suggested we keep some physical distance. He agreed and moved away immediately. I believe this was the right decision; I wouldn’t want to be in a situation where my partner was cuddling with their best friend if I were in a relationship. Still, I can’t shake the feeling that I might be overthinking it, especially since I’ve been cheated on before. In the back of my mind, I also wrestle with the notion that it feels unfair for me to uphold a “girls support girls” mentality when N isn’t treating J well. I’m reminded of how the girls my ex cheated on me with never spoke up for me, even though they knew me. Did I make the right choice?

Have I fallen out of love with my husband?

I'm seeking advice from those with experience in marriage or divorce. I'm a 30-year-old woman married to a 33-year-old man for eight years, and we've been together for twelve. We have three kids aged 11, 7, and 15 months. To provide some context, he is an amazing partner—he shares household chores, offers emotional and financial support, and spends quality time with our kids, though his night work makes that challenging at times. We have a strong friendship, often finishing each other’s sentences and sharing lots of laughter. However, I’ve noticed a significant lack of physical attraction for quite some time now. Although we do argue, I believe that’s normal in any relationship. I have struggled with low libido for many years since becoming a parent, and while I've often pushed myself to be intimate, I no longer feel compelled to do so, which is creating issues for him. I really care for him; he’s truly my best friend and has supported me through so much, yet I can’t shake the feeling that I might be ungrateful. It’s hard to describe, but I don't feel that initial spark or that I'm actively in love with him. I often think he deserves someone better because I know I can be emotionally challenging. Is this a common experience after being in a relationship for a long time, especially starting young, or should I consider seeking couples counseling or personal therapy?

I'm trapped in this predicament.

I’m a 29-year-old man in a relationship with my 22-year-old girlfriend, and we’ve been together for two months. To put it simply, the mix of positives and negatives in our relationship has left me feeling overwhelmed and unsure about the future. When it comes to finances, education, and life goals, she’s definitely in a different league than I am. She seems to have no real need or interest in me, yet paradoxically, she is incredibly enamored with me—her enthusiasm feels like a solid 95 out of 100. She constantly reaches out with calls and texts throughout the day, and on our days off, we spend hours on the phone. I don’t have to make an effort for this connection; she naturally takes charge in our intimate moments without me prompting her. While we do live some distance apart, she has invested significantly in our relationship, often handling transportation and hotel costs for our trips together. I offered to contribute whenever she visited me, but she consistently declined, and I never pressured her to cover my expenses. She frequently talks about me with her friends and has introduced me to her family as well. She makes the effort to come see me whenever she can and goes out of her way to invest in us. Up until now, everything has been remarkably wonderful. When we were together, I asked her if she wanted to commit to a relationship, and she said yes. I mentioned that I had one important rule: she needed to cut off contact with past partners and not engage with them on social media. She agreed without any hesitation. I imposed this rule due to prior experiences that caused me considerable stress. Her ex from a year ago had been messaging her, which she claimed to have blocked. However, after a few weeks, I noticed she hadn’t followed through. I confronted her about it, emphasizing how important this rule was to me, and as a result, we ended up breaking up temporarily. She was visibly upset and even offered to share her social media passwords with me, except for WhatsApp. I never logged into any of her accounts, but she reassured me that she had no lingering connections with anyone from her past, whether romantic or otherwise. I decided to trust her, and we continued our relationship. However, our arguments intensified over the next few weeks concerning this issue. She would cry often, and it took a toll on our sleep schedules, as I worried she might still miss her ex. She continually insisted that she checked her accounts regularly and hadn’t interacted with anyone from her past. But after a while, I discovered messages from a former casual partner she had told me were just friends. Following some conflict, she admitted they had a history together. This ultimately turned our arguments into a matter of trust instead of just focusing on her past relationship. Despite our daily conflicts over her ex, she struggled to remove her former partner from her accounts. It wasn’t until things escalated to the brink of a breakup that she finally deleted and blocked them. Lately, I’ve been feeling more mentally unstable than ever. One moment I’m filled with hope, and the next, I’m consumed by doubt.

What does it signify when a girl asks for a break?

My girlfriend, who is 20 and with whom I've been for three years, has decided she wants to take a break. The past few days have been tough, but she still reaches out through texts and occasionally calls me. She explained that she needs this time apart to rediscover herself, as she feels she changed too much to align with what she thought I wanted. She quickly removed our photos and updated her Instagram bio, although she mentioned she would change it back eventually. Our pictures still remain on Facebook, though. She reassures me that this is just a temporary situation and that she envisions marrying me one day. Still, I'm left feeling confused about what actions to take and how to process my feelings. I love her deeply and recognize my mistakes, but I am committed to improving myself during this time apart. My fear is that this break might be more permanent than she's suggesting. While she continues to text regularly, her attitude seems different now. It feels as if the spark between us has faded. She claims she still loves me, yet admits she's losing feelings, and I'm not quite sure what that really signifies. What does it mean when she says she loves me but is losing those feelings?

Unrealistic expectations regarding a possible proposal

Hey everyone, I’m a 25-year-old woman, and I have this strong feeling that my boyfriend, who's 27, might propose soon. We've been together for over a year and have been living together for about a year now. He knows I feel he’s "the one," and we often discuss marriage and our future. His family frequently hints that they believe I’m the one he’ll marry. He knows my preferences for rings and my size. We’ve talked about proposals, and while he insists he has a specific plan in mind, he refuses to share the details—thank goodness, because I don’t want to know! Recently, though, he seems to be acting a bit differently. It’s not in a suspicious way or anything like that. It started when he mentioned that a coworker is proposing to his girlfriend on Christmas Day. I responded, “Wow, that’s exciting! They have kids together.” He then quipped, “You wish that was you, don’t you?” I replied that I absolutely want to marry him, but we already share a life together, and I don’t want to pressure him. I told him, “When it happens, it happens.” He went quiet for a bit, and in his usual joking manner, he said, “Oh, so you don’t want to marry me…” I laughed it off, but I’m unsure if he was actually offended or just being playful. Fast forward three days, and I had a dream where he proposed. This week has been filled with signs—like seeing couples getting engaged on social media. The other night, while we were looking at Christmas lights, we spotted a big inflatable ring. I’m quite spiritual and believe that the universe gives us signs, and my intuition keeps telling me he’s either planning to propose or has something in mind. Am I being unrealistic or overthinking this? I’m hesitant to bring it up with him because if he’s not planning anything, I don’t want to set myself up for disappointment or put pressure on him. I know that kind of pressure can strain a relationship over time. I’ve never felt this way about anyone else, but my best friend shares a similar hunch—though we like to joke that we might just be a bit delusional!

My boyfriend struggles with trust.

I’m 22 (F) and my boyfriend is 23 (M). I ended a previous relationship just a week and a half before I met him. Initially, I wasn’t fully serious about our relationship because I was cautious about getting hurt again; my ex treated me poorly. I also have a habit of staring, and a few weeks into dating my boyfriend, he noticed me looking at other guys, which I totally understand is disrespectful. I never intended to harm our relationship—I was genuinely invested in him. I have a complicated history with men, and my body count is 26. I’ve made some minor lies in the early stages of our relationship, which has led him to feel that he can't trust me at all. He worries that I won’t be able to remain committed to one person for life, viewing him as just another number, “the 26 guy.” Yet, he's the first man I’ve ever truly loved, and it feels like my words carry no weight with him now. He seems to believe that I’ll cheat on him, even though I have never cheated on anyone myself—I've only been cheated on three times. We’ve been together for over six months, and I’ve been living with him for more than four months. To show my commitment, I deleted all my social media and currently, since we’re both unemployed, I’m with him all the time. Still, he suspects I’ve cheated at least once during our relationship. Is it fair for him to feel this way because of my past and the early days of our relationship? I consider myself a loyal person with a kind heart, and all I want is to be loved unconditionally, just as I would love them in return. Please help.

M(36) is seeking advice on how to discuss ways to enhance the intimacy in his relationship with his girlfriend(43).

I've been in a wonderful relationship with an incredible older woman for over a year. We met on a dating app, and things escalated quickly. At first, our chemistry was intense and full of adventure—we even attended a sex party together, which she surprised me with, and it was an amazing experience. However, as our relationship has progressed, some of the excitement and exploration in our intimate life seems to have diminished. Lately, I've been feeling a bit restless. I adore her and don’t have any intentions of cheating, but I'm quite sexual and have a strong desire to explore new things together. I’ve been considering suggesting threesomes (both MFF and MMF, if she’s open to it), attending another sex party, or simply using the toys and games I purchased months ago that we haven’t yet tried. There are also smaller things, like experimenting with different positions or rekindling the experience of finishing in her mouth, which I truly miss. We’ve explored anal a few times in the past, but it's been a while now. She knows how much I enjoy it and has expressed her interest as well, but I wish she would initiate it more or show that she desires it often. We discussed our fantasies when we first connected, so she’s aware of my preferences, and I would also love to help her explore her own fantasies or try new things that she may want from me, but finding the right moment to bring it up has been challenging. The main issue is figuring out how to approach this topic without making her feel like I'm dissatisfied or putting pressure on her. I want to frame the conversation in a way that highlights our growth together and the desire to keep the excitement alive rather than suggesting that I'm unhappy. How can I start this conversation? What can I do to ensure she feels comfortable and understands that I love and value her, regardless of how our intimacy evolves? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Why does my girlfriend (22F) get upset when I rub my feet on her while we're lying down? I'm 27M.

When we sit on the couch in the evenings, she positions herself at one end while I lie down with my head at the opposite end. Being 6'3", my feet reach her. I have a habit of "Cricketing" at night, which is the rhythmic rubbing of my feet together—something I often do without realizing it as I try to relax or fall asleep. She has brought it up several times and explained why it bothers her, and I genuinely try to be aware of it. However, I often don’t even realize I'm “Cricketing” against her leg. She also says I do it in bed, which I am completely oblivious to as well. Does anyone else experience this? Is there a way for me to stop, or perhaps a way for her to appreciate it?

Non-Playable Character Boyfriend

I'm a 19-year-old female, and my boyfriend is 20. We've been together for a year, having met at university, and overall, our relationship has been wonderful. He’s incredibly sweet and genuinely cares for me. He’s emotionally mature for his age and is attentive to my feelings, often knowing when I’m upset and what to say to comfort me. However, I have concerns about the depth of our relationship. Despite being together for a year, I've only been to his dorm once and met his friends just once. I feel like we struggle to have meaningful conversations without them becoming awkward. During our interactions, he often responds in a way that feels dismissive, like saying "I see," which leaves me feeling unheard. It doesn’t seem like he’s trying to avoid conversation; it feels more like he just doesn’t have much to say. Additionally, he rarely shares his opinions on various topics. I believe it's essential for a future partner to engage in discussions about daily life, politics, and things we find interesting, but I often feel bored when we try to talk about these subjects. We’re not particularly close – I only see him once a week, and our time together mainly consists of going to the movies, sharing a meal, and some affectionate moments. I hadn’t realized how crucial intellectual intimacy was to me until this relationship. As it stands, I feel as though I can’t engage with him about the world without losing interest. We’re both each other’s firsts in terms of relationships and kisses, but I worry that if I continue in this relationship, I might end up feeling dissatisfied and trapped, simply staying out of fear of the unknown. Since he’s a year older, I think if I ended things now, he’d have more opportunities to meet others who might want a long-term relationship with him. He’s really an amazing person, and I don’t want to waste his time, especially since we both take dating seriously. He’s always willing to address issues and work on the emotional side of things, but I wonder if this particular challenge—his personality—can really be worked on. While he cares about my feelings, which is sweet, I yearn for more engaging conversations about deeper topics. Even after a year, the silences still feel awkward, and I don’t envision that changing. We recently watched a movie that touched on religion, which I thought would spark a deeper conversation, but he became awkward and struggled to express his thoughts. Often, he ends up saying "never mind," leaving me frustrated by his inability to communicate about life in a meaningful way. I question whether I truly love him and if this relationship can survive beyond our fun college years, especially when we face real-life decisions and the initial excitement fades. Since he’s often busy, our texting mainly consists of simple daily updates, usually amounting to about five messages a day, with our in-person meetings just once weekly. I tend to see him as sweet and caring because he tends to accommodate my desires, but I realize this is partly due to his lack of a strong personality or distinct opinions, which is something I find frustrating. So, my dilemma is this: Should I stay in a relationship that I don’t see having a happy future, or should I end it so we can both explore opportunities for deeper connections with others that could lead to lasting happiness?

I (35F) recently discovered that my boyfriend (39M) has been chatting with and receiving pictures from his ex every day throughout our relationship. Are there any alternatives to breaking up?

**Summary:** My boyfriend insisted he was different from my ex, who would get overly attached and text female colleagues. He got upset whenever my ex was mentioned, but it turns out he’s been secretly texting his ex daily. Can we work through this, or is breaking up the only option? We met on Hinge in October and immediately clicked, moving in together by November. He emphasized how crucial it is for partners to maintain appropriate boundaries with the opposite sex. He compared himself to my ex, who had been too emotionally involved with female colleagues, assuring me he was an open book. We made a point of discussing the importance of transparency in our relationship, with him regularly expressing disdain for hypocrisy and lack of respect. However, he has become upset at the sight of messages from my male friends, even though they were harmless. He also reacted strongly to notifications about memories involving my ex, suggesting I should turn those off. This context makes what I discovered yesterday all the more painful. Despite everything he said, he has been texting his ex—whom he claimed to have broken up with five months ago—almost daily while we’ve been together. They discuss her life, and he expresses pride in her accomplishments. His ex has been fixated on him, trying to win him back, and has even sent him explicit photos. Although he reportedly avoided giving in to her advances, he never mentioned me to her. I only found out due to his unusual behavior, which prompted me to directly ask if he was talking to other women. It turns out his ex had recently found out about me, confronting him before he blocked her after their argument. He claimed he was only messaging her out of concern for her mental health, insisting she’s unstable. When I pushed back on that excuse, he admitted he was looking for validation as he feels insecure about our relationship. He acknowledged he messed up and expressed a desire to earn my trust back, even though he understands it might not be possible. I’m in shock and feel betrayed. His behavior contradicts everything he preached about fidelity and respect. I like him, but I can't overlook this breach of trust and I’m uncertain how I can ever feel secure with him again. While he hasn’t engaged in anything explicitly inappropriate, the situation has left me feeling blindsided and foolish. Can we rebuild from this, or is breaking up the only path forward?

The other day, my boyfriend (35m) mentioned engagement rings.

My boyfriend and I have been together for a year now. Although we don’t live together, I spend five days a week at his place, and we see each other nearly every day. Recently, he asked me what type of engagement rings I like, claiming it was just out of curiosity. I truly love him and, for the first time in my life, I feel like I’ve found my soulmate. While I know no one can read his mind, I’m curious—would he bring up such a topic casually if he didn’t have serious intentions? I wouldn’t mind if our relationship moved in that direction, and we’ve discussed marriage loosely before. Is this just a playful comment, or does it hint at something more serious? How might this be interpreted in my situation? Thanks for your thoughts!

What’s the best way to express my feelings to my boyfriend? I’m 32 and he’s 54.

My boyfriend is 54 and often tells me he desires me. A year ago, when I moved in, we were making love three times a week, but that has now decreased to once a week, and lately, it's more like every couple of weeks. I understand that the age difference might be a factor, but sometimes I can't shake the feeling that something else is replacing our intimacy. How can I express my feelings to him without making him feel blamed? He claims to desire me, yet I don't see that reflected in his actions. He often says that actions speak louder than words, and he doesn’t want to feel pressured or that it's a chore, so I’ve tried to stop asking. I’m always ready when he wants to be intimate, but when I initiate, it never feels like the right time. Am I wrong to feel this way? He often tells me it's just my insecurities.

28-year-old female married to a 49-year-old male.

Hello, I’m looking for some guidance: My husband and I have been together for nine years and married for three. He often makes comments that I find hurtful. For instance, when I take medication for weight loss and mental health, it feels like he's throwing it back at me, which affects my self-esteem. When I try to discuss how I feel, he tends to dismiss my feelings, suggesting that my reactions are just due to my menstrual cycle. We haven’t spoken since Monday, December 16, despite living together. I suggested going out for dinner or celebrating New Year's apart, and he replied that he would like to talk first. I agreed to have a conversation on Saturday when I’m off work. Should I be bracing myself for a divorce? We have a dog and share property. I’m seeking advice on how to improve our relationship.

I'm not certain I can manage my future mother-in-law.

I'm 26 and contemplating ending my relationship with my girlfriend Cam, who is 25, mainly because I'm uncomfortable with her family. I feel she struggles to recognize that her mother, Aimee, is a deeply flawed individual. This seems to indicate a fundamental incompatibility between us. After two years together, during which we've been living together, I was even considering proposing before our upcoming family vacation. Aimee divorced Cam's dad and married her stepdad, Bob, who is 18 years older and quite wealthy, with an estimated net worth of over $20 million. Unfortunately, Aimee is often rude and disrespectful toward Bob, who has significant physical limitations. She refuses to walk with him and has let him fall in the middle of the street numerous times, which could easily result in serious injury or even death. After spending time with this family on multiple occasions and now heading out on a three-day vacation with them, it's clear to me that Aimee has little regard for Bob and her behavior towards him is frankly disturbing. Moreover, Aimee spends Bob's money extravagantly, treating my girlfriend and her stepbrother to lavish purchases, including an $80,000 rug and various renovations. There are countless examples of wasteful spending and disrespectful treatment that I’ve observed. I worry that Cam idolizes her mother, and while I get why—Aimee is very affectionate towards her—I can't help but be concerned that Cam might adopt similar behaviors in our relationship. I've tried pointing out how Aimee treats Bob, who is genuinely kind and accepting of Cam, but she seems blind to what I view as clearly abusive behavior. Coming from a less privileged background, it also frustrates me that Aimee spends money so frivolously, especially since she wasn’t involved in Bob's life when he was building his wealth. My own upbringing hasn’t been without flaws; my dad cheated on my mom several times, and she struggles with a severe hoarding problem and has taken money from both me and her siblings. I love them both, but I can see their faults and acknowledge their mistakes. After this vacation, I’m not sure I can have Aimee in my life and feel strongly about it. I would appreciate any advice on how to approach this topic with Cam. I worry that she may not understand my perspective, and it feels disingenuous to bring it up now if she hasn't recognized these issues at 28. Is this relationship irreparable?

I'm a 26-year-old woman feeling overlooked and unsupported by my 28-year-old partner. Should I consider moving on?

My partner and I have been together for five years. About five months into our relationship, we moved in together and spent four years as roommates until he decided to move out to focus on his startup. I understood his decision, as I also hold a demanding leadership position, and we both want to advance our careers before considering marriage. He relocated just 15 minutes away, and for the first six months, we spent weekends together, as well as time during my periods. However, things began to shift when his work travel intensified. He has never been the best at texting, but during his trips, his responses became almost nonexistent, even after I expressed how much it upset me. I stayed up late for calls, but he always prioritized work instead. While he chats enthusiastically with friends, he barely acknowledges my messages, even when he's online. In person, he’s often glued to his phone or laptop; while he listens, it feels like he’s not fully present. I’ve conveyed my feelings about this, but there hasn’t been any change. For my birthday, I like to throw big parties (which I cover the costs for). Last year, when I requested his help with the guest list, he told me to handle it myself, despite the fact that I take care of his birthday plans every year without complaint. He hasn't given me a gift since our first year together, and he doesn't acknowledge our anniversary. I've come to expect minimal effort—perhaps just dinner. It’s not about money—he earns more than I do, and I’ve never anticipated financial support from him since I treat myself to what I want—but his lack of initiative is painful. Our intimate life has dwindled as well. I stopped trying to initiate after facing frequent rejection due to his low libido, even when we were living together. Now, I often feel sad after moments of intimacy. He rarely visits me, and when I go to his place, he sometimes calls me a distraction. Recently, after a light-hearted joke about him not opening the car door for me, he snapped at me to “get the f*** out of his house.” I still have feelings for him, but each meeting leaves me feeling heartbroken. He is kind, intelligent, and genuinely cares for me, always putting his work aside when I'm going through a tough time. However, I’m exhausted from asking for the bare minimum: flowers only when I request them, and dates only when I organize them. I don’t see the point in staying when I feel I receive so little in return. He claims these are just our growth years and insists things will improve after marriage, but I’m beginning to doubt that. He was so affectionate when we first started dating, and I can’t quite understand what has changed.

I'm a 27-year-old man in a long-distance relationship with a 26-year-old woman, and I've noticed that she tends to avoid sending pictures. This has begun to bother me. Any advice would be appreciated!

I’m a 27-year-old male in a long-distance relationship with my girlfriend, who is 26, and we’ve been together for nearly a year. Although we’ve exchanged photos in the past, she hasn’t felt comfortable sharing any new ones since then. To clarify, I’m not looking for anything out of the ordinary—just typical, casual pictures, like selfies or snapshots of her daily life. This seems like a normal aspect of a relationship, especially in a long-distance situation where connecting visually can help bridge the gap. Whenever I bring it up, she either expresses reluctance to share photos or changes the subject, suggesting we revisit it later. I’ve been trying to honor her boundaries, but after almost a year, it feels a bit unsettling. I’m starting to wonder if I’m overreacting or if there’s something more significant at play. Am I being unreasonable to want this? How can I approach the situation in a way that doesn’t make her uncomfortable? I’m unsure if it’s a trust issue on my side or if she’s simply not as open. In summary: My long-distance girlfriend hasn’t shared any photos with me in the past year, and she tends to sidestep the topic when I ask. I’m conflicted about whether I should be concerned or just let it go. How should I address this?

I'm a 22-year-old man and I'm feeling really unhappy in my relationship with my 25-year-old girlfriend. Does anyone have any advice?

I've been with my girlfriend for about a year and a half, having met her through my cousin. The first few months were amazing, but after that, I've noticed some troubling behavior from her. At first, her outbursts were not directed at me, and while I thought they were overreactions, I justified them given the circumstances. However, she slowly began to show her harsh side towards me. Our first major argument left me mentally exhausted, and I ended up apologizing in an attempt to move past it. Around the nine-month mark, I found an apartment suitable for both of us and invited her to join me. Shortly after moving in, her behavior worsened significantly—she would often yell or ignore me after work. Despite this, there were still moments when I saw her softer side when she was more relaxed. After a week or two, I reached my breaking point and confronted her, which led to another argument. Lately, her demeanor has become increasingly mean, although she still maintains a pleasant facade around friends, except for one incident when she lashed out at me in private. I've ended up sleeping on the couch more often than in our bed, and I find myself dreading returning home from work. My happiness in the relationship has diminished, but I'm too afraid to end things. I'm not worried about physical abuse, but I feel it's easier to endure her harshness than face the prospect of being single again. I'm hesitant to admit to anyone that I'm in a situation where I'm being mistreated, and the idea of explaining a breakup fills me with dread. A close friend of mine noticed that I seemed off when I visited him last Sunday. He texted to ask what was wrong, but I brushed it off, claiming I was just tired from working overtime. I'm scared of being single and feeling inadequate in relationships, leaving me conflicted about what I truly want in life. What should I do?

My girlfriend (18) mentioned to me (19) that if she were a guy, she believes she would be more well-endowed.

My girlfriend mentioned that if she were a guy, she would have a bigger penis than me. She hasn't seen mine in person yet, but she has felt it through my pants. We haven't had the opportunity to be intimate because her family is usually around. Perhaps she made that remark out of frustration from a sarcastic joke I made that she took personally. Should I be concerned about this? Is it common in relationships? Just for reference, mine is over 6.5 inches.

What does it feel like to be the toxic one in a relationship?

I’m a 31-year-old woman, and my husband is 36. We’ve been together for over 11 years and married for 4, but we don’t have any children. He truly is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I love him immensely; I honestly don’t know how I would function without him. He loves me deeply, too, and always stands up for me. He cannot tolerate anyone who disrespects me, whether it’s my colleagues, friends, or even our parents. It feels like it’s always us against the world, which I really appreciate. However, I struggle to match his level of support. I’ve been a people pleaser and an overachiever for most of my life, always wanting to be the nice person and avoiding conflict, even if it means making significant adjustments and compromises on my part. I’ve been trying to change this behavior for a long time, but I find myself falling back into the same patterns. When this happens, we end up fighting, and I feel miserable for both myself and him. Sometimes, I worry that I’m the toxic one in our relationship and that he deserves someone better given all he does for me. I tend to be very sensitive and cry easily, which I dislike about myself. He always comforts me when he sees me upset, even though I often cause the issues. I’m at a loss and feel like I’ll never be the better person that both he and I want me to be. Despite the trouble my tendencies have caused—often allowing people to take advantage of me—I find it challenging to learn from these experiences. There are times when I just want to give up. 😔 Please forgive any mistakes in my English!

I just met my girlfriend's boyfriend.

I'm a 34-year-old man, and I recently met my girlfriend's boyfriend, who is 24. Here’s the situation: my girlfriend graduated from college today. Yes, there is an age difference between us, but we’ve talked about it, and she’s comfortable with it. We were introduced by a mutual friend who is 26. A little background: I've done a lot of work on myself regarding childhood trauma, relationships, and trust issues stemming from my upbringing in group and foster homes. As a result, I’ve focused heavily on communication in our relationship, which we sometimes struggled with. She had mentioned that her friends and family were in town for her big day and that they would help her move out of her apartment. Since her graduation was a ticketed event, I couldn’t attend, and we had agreed that I might not see her while her family was visiting. I didn’t consider this a red flag, as I’ve worked hard to not impose my past trust issues onto her. I wanted to surprise her with flowers, so I called her to let her know, but there was no answer. Thinking she would be at her celebration, I decided to drop off the bouquet anyway. When I arrived, I was surprised to see lights on and people around her apartment. Dressed up and holding the flowers, I knocked, and a guy opened the door, looking perplexed. I asked if my girlfriend was there, and he went to get her. When she came out, she looked extremely displeased, almost as if she had seen a ghost. I was confused because I thought she would appreciate the flowers, especially since I had helped her pick out a nice dress for the occasion. We exchanged words, and she was upset that I had shown up unannounced, while I was simply trying to be a supportive boyfriend. We agreed to discuss it later. As I was leaving, the guy who opened the door and I ran into each other. He revealed that he was her boyfriend, and I introduced myself as her boyfriend as well. Both of us were shocked. He asked when we had last been intimate, and I told him it was just two days ago, right before he arrived for her graduation. We exchanged numbers and agreed to sort everything out later. TLDR: My girlfriend has a boyfriend from her hometown, while I’m her boyfriend in the city where she currently lives, and we accidentally crossed paths in front of her family. Now, I’m unsure of how to proceed. Should I seek closure, or should I confront her? I really like this girl—it felt like a love-at-first-sight connection. Initially, I attributed some communication gaps to my own insecurities from past problematic relationships. I feel bad for the guy, as he was completely unaware of my existence. They were supposed to spend a long weekend in the mountains together, which she had originally described as a "friends trip." We had discussed the challenges of long-distance relationships and made plans to see each other once a month, as well as move together to a new city in six months. However, I’m at a loss. The guy and I have talked briefly, but she hasn’t responded to my messages. He did mention that she admitted to him that I exist. I'm frustrated, especially since she shared her past trauma and trust issues with men. I’ve genuinely tried to meet her halfway and help her overcome her beliefs about men, only to find myself in this situation. It’s disheartening. 😫🤦🏽‍♂️

35-year-old man wants his girlfriend, who is 39, to end her friendship with her male best friend of 20 years. What are your thoughts?

I'm a 39-year-old woman currently in a relationship with my boyfriend, who is 35. We've been together for nine months, but recently we've had a lot of disagreements due to his concerns about my male best friend, who I've known for nearly 20 years. My boyfriend went through my phone and found some messages from 2017 that he interprets as flirty. In one exchange, I sent a photo of my Halloween costume, and the conversation included comments like "Hot" and "Garnet still would’ve been better though." He then asked if I got any numbers, to which I replied, "Meh nah." He also made a joke about the guys where I live, saying, "Your cleavage was too much for them." My boyfriend feels these messages are inappropriate and doesn't believe me when I say my friendship with him is purely platonic. He wants me to sever ties with my best friend, who is married and lives in my home country. I understand that he can be a bit loose with his words, but I assure him there's no flirting involved. I've also deleted all contacts of my exes and agreed not to travel home without my boyfriend in the future, but he still insists on cutting off my long-term friendship. He's been reading posts that label having a straight male best friend as a potential red flag, leading him to believe that there’s a risk involved. However, my best friend and I have maintained a platonic relationship for all these years, and I don't feel that the messages he found reflect anything inappropriate. What steps can we take to resolve this situation? Do you think the messages are flirty?

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 [38] 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49