I'm a 24-year-old woman, and I'm feeling uncertain about my boyfriend, who is 25. I could really use some advice.

Hi there. I apologize for the lengthy message. My boyfriend and I have been together for nearly three years. We developed a strong bond very quickly; I believe he is my soulmate, and we truly complement each other. Given how rare it is to find a good partner, I cherish him and plan to be with him for life. However, there are some issues that are causing me to wonder if I'm making the right choice. Firstly, this is my first serious relationship, so I don’t have much to compare it to. Yet, from what I observe in others, what we have is truly special. He loves me deeply, treats me with care, and makes me feel genuinely cherished, which are all qualities I seek in a partner. I feel completely comfortable around him; we are not only a couple but also best friends. He is kind, loyal, funny, and has a sensitive heart. There's so much I appreciate about him, and I can’t imagine my life without him. That said, there are a few things that sometimes weigh on my mind. He’s 25 and currently unemployed, not actively searching for work as he’s trying to transition into a new career. Because of this, I end up covering most expenses. He moved in with me before we reached the one-year mark, and I had to hide it from my parents. While I love living together and he helps a lot around the house, my financial burden is significant. As I work from home, I often find it hard to enjoy my earnings or save for the future since I’m effectively supporting two people. When I bring this up to him, he expresses regret and insists he’s doing his best, but his mental and physical health struggles hinder his progress. His primary issue is anxiety, which seems to overwhelm him more than it motivates him to take action. He also suffers from sleep apnea, which severely impacts his quality of life, causing him to struggle with focus and feel restless due to lack of sleep. Unfortunately, he can't afford to see a specialist or get a CPAP machine for his condition. This situation also affects our intimacy; we often can’t sleep together, and our sex life is lacking. While our encounters are satisfying when they happen, they’re infrequent since he’s rarely in the mood, and sometimes his anxiety disrupts the moment. Recently, I've been feeling confused about whether I should keep waiting for him to work through his challenges. I fear we are in different stages of life; I’ve just graduated and am starting to enjoy my newfound independence, while he’s still trying to get his life on track. I worry that I'm wasting my youth by settling down with my first boyfriend, especially since we can’t seem to enjoy experiences together. Our financial disparities affect all our plans; I want to go on vacation, but he can’t afford it, and if I offer to pay, he feels guilty and often declines. We do communicate openly, which is something I value between us. If I were to leave him over these issues, I know finding someone else might be a challenge. The thought of that brings me a lot of sadness because I am truly in love with him and can’t envision leaving. I just feel lost navigating these challenges. When we discuss these matters, he acknowledges my concerns but asks for more understanding from my side. I feel selfish because I recognize he's struggling too. However, I've been patient; I can’t shake this sense of being stuck, unable to live the life I want while I wait for him to find his way. I'm not sure if I've articulated my feelings clearly, but I would really appreciate any advice from anyone who can relate. Thank you!