Hi, friends. I apologize in advance because this is going to be a long one. Friends and family have tried to help and give me advice, but they donât truly understand how OCD/ROCD disrupts me from thinking logically.
Quick back story:
I was in a relationship for 10 years with a guy who I liked enough, but was never truly âin loveâ with. We bought a house together and everything. I broke up with him in January 2024 after learning that he had been lying to me and hiding multiple substance addictions throughout our relationship. He was also a compulsive liar. Needless to say, I was left in shambles with a ton of trust issues and a mortgage that I couldnât afford alone.
Flash forward to October 2024:
I was unexpectedly setup by someone and ended up going on a date with a divorced 38 year old, Iâm 30 for reference. Neither of us expected it to go anywhere and we were both the first person the other dated since ending their previous relationship/marriage. Plot twistâŚ.I fell absolutely in love with this man. I mean, getting excited to go to bed because I knew when I woke up I could talk to him again in love (đ¤Ž). Lame, I know. He said he loved me very quickly after a night of drinking, but the next day made it clear that âI know I was drunk, but I know what I said and I meant it.â Things progressed, we spent a lot of time together very quickly and there were a lot of big feelings. Things were fantastic and I felt like I was living in a movie.
Now, here we are 5 months later.
Iâve learned that he is definitely an avoidant, which is tough because I have an anxious attachment style. Heâs stopped saying the cute things he said in the beginning, and I know that people will say that was the âhoneymoon phaseâ but I still feel just as happy and excited to be around him as I was in the beginning. Heâs been pulling away and said that he does love me and wants to be with me, but he needs to work on himself first. I ended up breaking down and telling him everything I was feeling and everything that was upsetting me. He was taken back, but said that he hears me and that everything Iâve said is extremely valid. He said he didnât realize that I felt that way and heâs sorry. We took a few days to collect our thoughts and process, finally seeing each other again last Friday.
When we saw each other we had an open and honest talk. He said that he has noticed that heâs repeating things heâs done in past relationships and that he doesnât want to do that with me, he doesnât want to lose me. He said he wants to be together and that he sees a future with me, but he just needs a minute before he can âfully commitâ I.e. introduce me to any more of his friends and family.
Iâm completely lost. I want to be with him more than anything. I respect that he recognizes a pattern and his detrimental behavior and Iâm willing to meet him where he is. But at the same time, should I have to try so hard for someone to love me? I donât want to lose him, but I cannot lose myself again either.
Iâm torn between âthe right person will do what it takes to be with youâ and âif they arenât giving you what you need, walk awayââŚ
I know this is long, but if you made it this far, any and all advice would be extremely appreciated.
Thank you!!