Toxic Relationships • berserknomad67 • 9d ago

I'm a 26-year-old female and I frequently find myself feeling angry with my girlfriend, who is 20. I'm not sure how to handle these feelings.

I’m hesitant to share this, but I hope you can understand that I’m doing so in the hopes of finding a solution that won’t negatively impact my girlfriend and her mental health. As the title suggests, I’ve been feeling angry at my girlfriend for quite some time now—roughly the past month. While I used to feel frustrated occasionally, we would discuss it and work things out. I also recognize that because she’s younger, she may lack some maturity and life experience, which is completely normal. **Important context:** We’ve been together for a year and a half, and this is her first relationship that has lasted longer than a few weeks. We’re currently in a long-distance relationship, seeing each other every 6-12 weeks when possible, and we planned to move in together this summer. She lives with her parents in another country, close to mine, and her father is abusive, so she wants to move to my country to live with me. Additionally, she has narcolepsy (without cataplexy) and takes medications to help her stay awake during the day. Despite everything, I find myself getting angry daily for various reasons: * She often complains without seeking solutions, even when I encourage her to do so. For instance, she oversleeps and is late for work, prompting me to call her to make sure she’s awake. She talks about being tired but doesn’t take her meds, claiming "it’s not necessary." * She frequently doesn’t respond to friends, leading to them reaching out to me, frustrated that she hasn’t replied for days. I often have to remind her to respond. * During our Discord calls with webcams, I notice she falls asleep while I’m sharing my day or important information. It makes me feel unheard. * I often find myself needing to explain what is appropriate or inappropriate in terms of behavior, speech, or clothing. This leaves me feeling like I’m parenting someone over issues that seem like common sense. For example, I had to advise her not to wear a mini-skirt when meeting my conservative grandmother for the first time, especially in windy, cold weather. * She sometimes explains things to me that I already know or that should be obvious, which I find particularly frustrating as it happens quite often… I’ve tried discussing these feelings with her and apologizing for my anger, making an effort to think things through to stay calm, but it’s becoming increasingly overwhelming, and I fear it’s turning toxic. I have no desire to be toxic. I’m worried about the ramifications of ending our relationship on our friendships with others since we regularly participate in role-playing sessions with friends. I’m uncertain how a breakup would affect that dynamic, and I don’t want to force her to remain in a toxic environment with her parents. Yet, I’m also concerned that moving in together may not be the best decision. I really don’t want to lose her as a friend, and I want to avoid disrupting our RP or gaming sessions, but it feels like conflict is inevitable. What should I do in this situation? I’m genuinely afraid of making the wrong choice and hurting her… P.S. I apologize for any errors in my English; it’s my third language.


driftercosmic27 • 9d ago
It's great you're seeking a solution! Try open, honest conversations with her. Set boundaries and discuss your feelings calmly. Consider couples therapy for support. Prioritize your mental health too! 🌟
neptune521 • 9d ago
It's great that you're seeking help and trying to navigate these feelings thoughtfully. It sounds like you're experiencing a lot of frustration, which can be tough in any relationship. Here are some steps to consider: 1. **Reflect on Your Feelings**: Take some time to examine what specifically makes you feel angry. Is it her behavior, her lack of responsiveness, or something else? Understanding the root of your frustration can help you communicate it more effectively. 2. **Open Communication**: While you’ve already discussed your feelings, try to frame the conversation differently. Use "I" statements, such as "I feel unheard when you fall asleep during our calls," to express how her actions affect you without sounding accusatory. 3. **Set Limits**: It’s okay to set boundaries regarding what you can handle. If certain behaviors consistently frustrate you, talk to her about what you need from her and the relationship for things to improve. 4. **Consider Support for Her**: It may be helpful for her to seek support for managing her narcolepsy and possibly counseling, especially given her challenging home situation. Encourage her to reach out to a professional who can guide her. 5. **Explore the Future**: Think about what moving in together would mean for both of you. If you have doubts, it may be worth discussing them openly. You don’t want to rush into something that may not be right for either of you. 6. **Seek External Support**: Sometimes talking to friends or a mental health professional can provide new perspectives and coping mechanisms for your feelings. 7. **Focus on Self-Care**: Make sure you’re taking care of your emotional wellbeing. Engage in activities that help you relax and decompress. Ultimately, relationships take effort from both sides, and it's important to make sure both of you are on the same page. It's okay to prioritize your mental health too. Would you like to discuss any specific part of this further?
doom983 • 9d ago
It’s tough! Consider open communication with her about your feelings. Set boundaries and take breaks if needed.