Agnostic.com

6 1

Sadness that I can't express anywhere else or to anyone else.
As a freelancer, my social media is my business card & also my fishing pond. Before this, I was more free to express my thoughts, opinions, and my emotional state.
Which as of right now, is melancholy.

I may or may not have PTSD from past relationships. And also low self-esteem stemming from said experiences, years of romantic rejection, and the result of a childhood in the LDS church which brainwashes their members to covet marriage and family as the highest standard of happiness. -a standard I've always failed to achieve and the shame of which lives on my shoulder despite my not being a member for 20 years now.

My current relationship woes are mostly to blame.
Things are "fine" on the surface, but I've come to realize a few things about myself.
I appreciate kindness, generosity, manners, and a giving heart more than anything in a partner. People I encounter that have those traits are people I latch onto, because I know that when I give or sacrifice, it will be appropriate.
I love to give, especially if it makes someone happy.
I do not love to give if there's no appreciation for it. It makes my effort feel like it didn't go towards their happiness, or that they expected it of me...as though I work for them.

A pretty face sweetens the deal. But the underlying personality is paramount.

I met someone last year, and while dating hasn't been exciting, being in a relationship with someone who accepted me was nice.
We're both geeks, and it seemed like a good fit.
...but when she drinks she becomes loud, rude, obnoxious, and selfish. It's the exact opposite of what I'm attracted to. The loud & obnoxious part is hard to deal with as I work with my ears and I have tinnitus. So, it's like having someone yelling in your ear.
But the boyfriend bashing in front of my friends caused me to react the same way; as an attempt to get her to see what she was doing and to put her in my shoes. Which failed. It just caused more of the same. She doesn't drink often. And when she's sober she doesn't bring up things that bother her. ...she waits until friends are around.
Usually when I ask what's on her mind, she says "nothing". -sure sometimes, but every time???
It just makes me feel like either nobody is home or that she doesn't feel like she can talk to me.
-which makes me feel like I'm not doing my job. Your s.o. should be your bestfriend, right?

Overhearing her vent about being a nurse for the 5th otmr 6th time didn't help. When nurses vent about the job, they seem callous, uncaring, and snobby. I'm sure most people do when they vent about their job, but a nurses job is to care; attend.

When she's not working, she's asleep. If I want to see her, I have to wake her up...and also catch her at a time when she's not engrossed in facebook.
On my birthday I had to make the plans.
For Valentine's Day, I cooked at her place and basically had to drag her out of bed to eat the thing she loves most; tacos.
I got her flowers and mermaid socks that make it look like she has one flipper. She loves mermaids.
She got me a cheap finger-drum kit, which was a novel idea. But it didn't work...even the box mislabeled the batteries it need. She'd planned to replace it, but never did. It sits on her mantel, unmoved.
Much like most of her stuff, of which she still hasn't unpacked after 3 months in her new place.
I've done most of her unpacking.

She has depression and anxiety.
I do as well, but I'm a little severe and more functional.

I can't remember the last time she planned a date or actually made an effort romance department.
It's like her contribution is being there...

I really hate to end it, mostly because I don't think I'd be able to do better, or that I deserve better.
I feel like love is for the young, and maybe companionship is what is available after 35.

But then again I was in love 2 years ago, despite it being a short affair.
And thinking about past loves makes me miss the ones who got away, makes my cry about the ones who used me and played head games, and makes me wonder if I was ever loved by any of them.
I always felt like I was just "useful" to them because they wanted something from me; my ability to be a future husband/father, being in the band scene, being their footstool, being their plaything, being a sex toy, being their yes man, fulfilling their desire to feel wanted, etc.

This one seems to like me for me...but, is my anxiety and depression just getting the better of me?
Why am I so attracted to girls with manners and consideration for others?
Are they really as rare as I think?
Are most people interested in others because of the perceived benefits rather than actual romantic feelings and bonds of love?

Anyone have any good anecdotes?

MuzikDan 5 Mar 6
Share

Enjoy being online again!

Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.

Create your free account

6 comments

Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.

0

Re-ead your post. You really didn't say anything good, (except you're both geeks?)

twill Level 7 Mar 13, 2020
0

Soooo, what are You getting out of this "relationship"? Other than spending a lot of your precious life being a pack mule & getting hurt...oh, and making up excuses.
Past Time to EXIT!

0

Damn, this is so familiar. I've had some tumultuous relationships and it always seems to feel like you can't do any better. You and I each deserve better, but in my case, each relationship has been more stressful than the previous one. I don't have any advice about that.

I've never dumped girlfriend, they always dump me, so I don't have any advice about that either.

She sounds like a really uninvolved person. You seem to be putting a lot of attention into the relationship, which is a great skill for the future and something to feel good about.

And the need to feel useful: it seems like I always have to provide something, some service, something of value, to earn their attention and hopefully their affection. Doesn't it seem like somebody could value you just for being you?

I have 2 ideas, short of ending the relationship.

  1. sit down with her some time and tell her how important she is to you, and why making this relationship feel good is so important. Tell her some of the things that don't feel good and ask for her help to make them better.

  2. Lead by example. You both suffer from anxiety and depression (as do I), so ask what you can do for her. Make it a 2-way thing.

But I'm no expert on relationships by a long shot.

Hope I gave you something of value.

0

Why is melancholy always so verbose?

TL;DR, I'll leave that to the pros you should be talking too.

1of5 Level 8 Mar 6, 2020
0

You mentioned problematic past relationships as well: so bad you have ptsd? Ptsd would imply that they had been life threatening. Perhaps there are a few other things you need to realise about yourself. You chose these partners so perhaps you're attracted to women who are distant and perhaps you like being submissive, at least that's what comes across in your post. Maybe they are similar to a significant other so on another level you are comfortable being treated this way? Either way, if this relationship is typical for you, it's not the women who have the problem.

0

Might be useful for you to talk with a counselor to sort through some of this.

Write Comment
You can include a link to this post in your posts and comments by including the text q:467330
Agnostic does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any content. Read full disclaimer.