Like many of you here I’m sure, one of the more difficult challenges I face in my life is how to navigate relationship problems. I have a hard time not taking certain things personally, especially when my gf is stressed, upset, anxious, and/or luteal, and specifically when that stress feels like it’s being taken out on me. I know and have read of many men that choose to suffer silently, essentially suppressing some of the feelings that come up when their partner might take out their feelings on them. That seemingly calms the storm but doesn’t foster a necessarily healthy relationship. I’ve tried that in the past to a point where my gf had said “wow, we’ve been handling conflict so well recently” and that was due to me not voicing my concerns with her for a few months. When I told her, she said that is not the type of relationship she wants to be in and I went back to the good ole trying to communicate my feelings with her which often just escalates into fights. This has been a theme in all of my long term relationships especially as time goes on and my partner and I get more comfortable maybe? I have read many books on communication, social skills, relationships, and try my best to implement those teachings but it feels hopeless at times. I guess I’m just trying to gauge what other men’s relationships look like and if anyone has found a way to hold space for their partner’s emotional cycles that work for them. submitted by /u/cbrewdrummer
Originally posted by u/cbrewdrummer on r/AskMen