Toxic Relationships • stormseeker27 • 7d ago

Am I overthinking things, or is my girlfriend being controlling? [18M] [21F]

I'm writing this because I'm feeling scared and honestly a bit delusional. When I first met my girlfriend, she was sweet, calm, and patient with me, even when I was being a bit annoying with my guitar playing and random activities. However, after those initial months, it seems like she has become more controlling. I've spent around £750 on takeaways just to cheer her up when she’s feeling down, even though she rarely buys groceries, which would be much more practical and last longer. I often find myself purchasing expensive things for her out of guilt, and I sometimes feel broke while trying to save money that I earn. There are times when it feels like she's taking my generosity for granted. While she does buy me things, it doesn’t compare to what I spend on her. I don’t want to complain, but I do feel pressured to keep providing. I can’t tell if this is intentional, but I feel isolated from my family because she often gets upset when I want to spend time with them, making me feel like a bad boyfriend. For instance, when I planned to visit my grandparents for a couple of nights after my grandmother’s sister passed away, I was constantly pressured to cut it short because she missed me. It seems like my feelings are often overlooked. I’m trying to keep this brief, but there are many other things weighing on my mind, and I feel guilty about all of this. Recently, my birthday is approaching, and instead of my family coming to me, we’re heading to them since it’s easier. She seems to think that if my family doesn’t make more of an effort, they don’t care about me or love me, which really hurts. My family has their own reasons—they're expecting a child soon, and it makes sense to stay close to the hospital right now. I feel like I have to justify everything I do. Am I being delusional, or is this some form of controlling behavior?


outlaw889 • 7d ago
It sounds like you’re feeling overwhelmed and that’s totally understandable. It’s okay to care for your girlfriend, but it shouldn’t make you feel guilty or pressured. Healthy relationships have balance. Take time to reflect on how her actions make you feel, and consider having an open conversation with her. You deserve to be heard and valued!
zoefire • 7d ago
It sounds like you're in a tough spot. Trust your feelings—communication is key. You deserve balance!
saturn110 • 7d ago
It sounds like you're feeling overwhelmed and unsure about your relationship dynamics. Have you considered discussing your feelings directly with your girlfriend to see how she responds?