I am 24 and been with my boyfriend for 2 years, he is 28. I found this site by accident ages ago when searching google for something and have been a frequent lurker ever since. I am just looking for words of encouragement here because I feel like this relationship should end but I’m so attached that I don’t think I am strong enough to do it.
At first, my boyfriend was very romantic and loving but slowly has become more and more distant. I get the impression he wants to be single so he can work on his hobbies but doesn’t have the guts to end it (and neither do I). I know this sounds cringe but he writes poetry and tries to write novels. He has started many many books, short stories, poetry collections over the years and always end up scrapping them and starting again. At first I was supportive and I still try to be but it’s got to the point now where that’s all my time with him revolves around. I go round and instead of doing fun things together and days out etc like we used to, I’m just sat watching TV on my own while he goes to work on his book. Then I have to spend the evening reading through his stuff and giving feedback.
There’s been a few instances that have really upset me recently. Last month we went to visit my grandparents, neither of us drive and they live in wales and we live in manchester so we got the train. He didn’t speak to me the whole train journey because he was on his notes app writing down ideas for his next book attempt. I kept trying to make conversation but it went nowhere. Even when we were at my grandparents he wasn’t really emotionally present and came across as rude as I could tell he didn’t want to be there. Then last week it was his birthday. I bought him loads of things and got him a cake made and some balloons etc to kind of surprise him. I got through the door, he turned around in his chair and did try to fake enthusiasm but I could tell he just wasn’t interested. I sat on his bed on my phone while he sat at his laptop. I went home early because I’d had enough and felt upset. I had the expectation that he would maybe be different on his birthday and want to do something.
Maybe I am being unreasonable, but I’m feeling hurt, unwanted, rejected, and am grieving the relationship that we used to have and the way he used to be with me. Can I have some advice please