Can a relationship survive without communication?
I been in an on/off relationship with a guy for quite a while. Needless to say things have never been perfect and to a point its quite volatile. The reasons for this stem from a huge lack of communication and emotional input on his part, to the point of a general conversation is, in my views, forced small talk.
He's aware that I want/need verbal and emotional stimulation but says this is something he struggles with. He doesn't communicate about anything, he rarely initiates a conversation and would rather sit and stew or immediately walk away in any form of disagreement. He's obviously not non verbal because he can quite happily text essays and arguments quite freely. He's very physical but at times I feel suffocated by that because the regular couple stuff isn't there. Everything we do together would be no different than if he wasn't here doing it with me, if that makes sense. If I'm honest, it's pretty boring and I'm struggling to find a reason to stay or to fix things He knows all this, we've had countless break ups and he's promised, begged and pleaded that things will change, he will try more, etc. But it never happens.
I want a partner who can support and comfort me without needing to be told what to do. I want to be able to have a conversation without having to constantly think of the topic and how to keep it flowing. I want to be able to feel that I have something to miss when he's not around. I want to feel interesting and special. But none of that is there.
I really dont know what im hanging on to, ive known this guy for years (outside of the relationship), and im wondering if its perhaps a trauma bond sort of thing being the reason why i cant just block and get on with it.
Is this normal? Is there any way this could ever be resolved? I plan to relocate in the new year for work and a fresh start, so do I use that as my motivation to break free from this relationship or give it one last shot?