I’m sensing a change in my boyfriend but he denies it

[PepperSpice]

I have been with my boyfriend for around a year. We see each other a lot more now, so we don’t text as much, but his texting has completely changed.

There are lots of examples but tonight’s is:
I sent him a picture of my outfit before a night out with my friends, which I’ve always done.
At the beginning and beyond, he’d always reply with something like “oh my god” or lots of emojis such as “😍😍🔥🔥”
I did the same tonight and he just said “oh you look great!”

I said this, and he said not to worry and that I’m being stupid. That it should be about the contents of what he’s saying, not how he says it.
I just don’t understand WHY it’s so different though because it really is. No one can deny that. It makes me think he’s going off me.

I find this so hard to explain, but he just seems more ‘friendly’ when he texts me now. Like it used to be things like “miss you” “just wanna be with you” “can’t stop thinking about you” etc. now it’s just “have fun!” “See you soon!”

am I being ridiculous here?

The “😍😍🔥🔥” example is weak but you can judge the situation better. That intense attraction phase does often fade after a year. How do you text him, are you still sending him 😍😍🔥🔥?

It’s important to look at how he behaves with you generally. Does he make the effort to see you? Does he build you up?

He does, and I have no doubt he cares about me an awful lot. You can care about someone and still fall out of physical love/attraction though right?

Yes, you can. How is he with intimacy, still the same?

We’re still active but less than we used to be. He’s a lot more gentle with me and I’ll initiate probably more

Come on, just listen to yourself! You are worried because your boyfriend doesn’t send you emojis like he used to? Because that’s basically what you are saying. It’s just texts . He’s with you because he wanrts to be with you. Don’t judge a relationship on the number of emojis you get

Put it this way. He's likely got zero interest in what you wear on a night out and doesn't thing you look different to normal. But because you sent him a photo in the early days basically asking for a compliment, he duly obliged.

Now a year on, he's bored of having to validate you.

Come on OP.

He asks for the photos though! He always says ooh show me the outfit

It’s about the change in him, not necessarily the reaction itself

You sound 16 sorry. Perhaps he’s more comfortable in the relationship and is growing. You run the risk of driving away btw - imagine saying ‘you’ve changed as you don’t use emojis anymore’ - how old are you OP?

Am I being ridiculous here?

@toomanyy said, you can judge the situation better.
Your examples don't seem concerning to most of us. The worst I observed in your post was him calling you "stupid." I personally wouldn't like that, but I suppose some people say that casually.
I do find, however, that sometimes I get a vibe about a relationship. Nothing specific, not a falling out, nothing I can put my finger on, but something is "off." And I'm usually right.
For example, a few years ago I became friendly with someone in the neighbourhood. We had a lot in common, we vowed that were sisters in a previous life, etc. etc. Then one day, something felt "off." No Idea what happened, but the friendship just dissolved.
Be observant, OP, and use your gut. Things will become clear.