My partner [32F] and I [31NB] have a stable relationship but we’re struggling with emotional intimacy. Should we try to improve it or consider moving on?
My partner (32F) and I (31NB) have been in a relationship for a year and a half, and we've been living together since September 2023. On the surface, we seem well-aligned on key life choices such as finances, lifestyle, future ambitions, and family aspirations. She is dependable, kind, and accepting of my unconventional lifestyle as a nomad with a non-traditional career. However, I find myself grappling with some core elements of our connection. The primary concerns are: 1. She is entirely resistant to discussing or processing emotions, which is essential for me. 2. I am taking on all the emotional labor in our relationship. 3. When I step back from managing our emotional landscape, the relationship struggles. 4. She tends to adopt a follower role, allowing me to plan everything from activities to social engagements. 5. We seem to be lacking chemistry and a spark, potentially due to these communication gaps. Despite these issues, she is incredibly dependable in practical matters. We complement each other well, with her providing stability to my more unpredictable tendencies. When I rate our relationship on a scale of -10 to +10, we typically hover around a +2 to +4, occasionally reaching a +6 or dipping to -2. (For clarification, a +3 on this scale roughly translates to a 6.2 on a scale of 1-10). I’m feeling conflicted about: 1. Accepting this as a solid foundation and working within these boundaries. 2. Acknowledging that I might be settling and longing for a more fulfilling connection. 3. Seeking ways to improve the challenging aspects of our relationship while valuing the stable elements. Is it reasonable to maintain a relationship that is stable yet lacks emotional depth? How can I navigate these issues without fundamentally altering who we are?