I need some relationship advice
I've been struggling a lot with my relationship and I genuinely don't know what the right thing to do is anymore. My partner and I have been together for 11 years, and we've been in a romantic relationship for the last 4. I used to love her deeply, but over the past few months i started to lose those feelings, and this caused me depression, anxiety, and a complete loss of appetite, I don't have the energy to talk or spend as much time together as I used to, and even though she's been patient and supportive, I know the distance has hurt her, I keep finding myself drifting away from her.
I used to be head over heels for her for 3 years and im not saying it’s been all good or all bad.
Every time we argued or had a fight i feel like she isn’t listening to me, instead i feel like she was trying to prove something and not understanding me.
She disappears a lot and I always found myself seeking her affection and time to spend together and talk and it really hurts how im basically begging for my needs in this relationship.
I spend nights and nights talking with my friend about how i was struggling with this and they kept telling me to be patient and communicate and i did, a lot. But nothing happened and nothing changed all i got from it is me apologising.
A year ago i met a friend on some game (i was feeling lonely at the time and tried to have some company and distract myself) i didn’t think much of it but then we started to talk and spend time together more and more until we got super close but nothing crossed the boundaries.
At this year i felt loved and understood and listened to, he gave me what my girlfriend couldn’t give and loved me the way i wanted to be loved. And then i started to feel like i don’t love my girlfriend anymore.
I never intended for it to happen, and I felt an overwhelming amount of guilt because of it. My partner knows about my feelings i told them about how im falling out of love because i didn’t wanna keep things away from her, and after many emotional conversations she told me that I don't have to choose between them and that she doesn't want to lose me. Even with that reassurance, I'm still left feeling confused, guilty, and emotionally exhausted. Sometimes I wonder if I'm staying because I truly want to, because we've been together for so long, or because I'm afraid of hurting her. Other times I can't imagine my life without her and the thought of leaving makes me feel empty.
I don't know if what I'm feeling is because my mental health is making it hard to connect with anyone, or if it's a sign that our relationship has changed. I don't want to make a decision I'll regret—whether that's ending the relationship or staying in it for the wrong reasons. I care deeply about both people involved, and the last thing I want is to hurt anyone.
@patientWater280
im sorry this is happening, when youre in a relationship for a long time it can feel very repetitive causing a sense of bordem There is no right way to handle this and your emphasis on communication with your partner is very admirable, sometimes having a new person or habit into your life can make it seem more exciting and interesting than the path you are used to. It may help to think about what changed, what did you love so much about your girlfriend?, what makes you feel heard with your new friend?, or what could you or your girlfriend do to rekindle the spark?. When it comes to the path forward its entirely up to you, and im glad that you are in touch with your mental health - aware of the emotional impact that this is having on you. Its very important that you dont stay in the relationship for the wrong reasons but also that you dont regret with what you do choose. Its a hard to step in life to either continue in a relationship or leave - i wish you the best of luck and remember youre not alone 💛
@navyMango8430
@patientWater280
Im so sorry that this was how that ended. Im glad my response helped, it makes total sense to feel confused or lost when this kind of confession is thrown at you.