I get anxious every day when my boyfriend comes home.
My boyfriend (24m) has struggled with work stress for as long as I’ve known him. We’ve been together for three years and have lived together for one. I've tried to be as supportive and understanding as possible. When he mentioned needing some time alone to unwind after work, I agreed to give him that space. However, I’ve started to feel really anxious each day as I anticipate him coming home. It’s like I can’t catch my breath. He often arrives home feeling upset—withdrawn, sullen, and angry. When we do interact, he barely makes eye contact and only offers a few words before retreating to his office for at least an hour. If I try to join him, he doesn’t seem to acknowledge my presence; he just continues playing games on his phone. Dinner time is usually when he comes out and seems to be in a better mood, ready to engage with me. My question is, is this behavior typical in a relationship? I grew up in a tight-knit family, where we support each other through tough times, so I wanted to get an outside perspective. I feel a disconnect between us every day, and getting back into our normal routine after his alone time feels a bit awkward. While he has always been this way, I’m starting to reevaluate what I need from our relationship. Thanks for reading this lengthy message!