Sorry for the long post. I'm worried that I'm giving up on my relationship before I should and blowing things out of proportion. I tried to break up with DP a month ago and he begged me for another chance to work on things for a few months. He said we will work on the issues we both bring and see if we can get through it. I'm really struggling with this as I feel like I'm just done and everything nice he's doing feels fake. He has been as nice as possible, actually doing kind things for me, contributing to housework etc which is far from the norm. I just don't know if I can trust that this will last and that we won't be back to the same old shit like we usually are.
For background on the relationship issues:
- He is usually very lazy around the house and helping out with puppy - he's done a bit of a U-turn on this and been out for nearly every dog walk this week.
- He usually can't control his emotions and I feel like I walk on eggshells but I can see him catching himself on occasions when he might otherwise not. He has previously punched holes in walls during arguments when his anger gets too much and he 'sees red'.
- He is usually very critical of most things I do (cooking, cleaning, dog stuff) and I generally feel unappreciated. The criticism has definitely cut down in the last few weeks.
- My family and friends really dislike him however I'm worried thats because they've had to support me through the bad times and only hear about them. The only caveat to this is that there's been a few occasions around my family members where they have later commented on the way he speaks to me and that he is being controlling (with dog, spending money etc). And one incident where his Mother said to me I hate when he speaks to you like that.
Prior to the last few months I could never see myself without him but somethings changed in my head. We have good times, love to go out for good food and travel, share some similar interests and I feel he does love me. I'm just really struggling to see the good in him just now but I'm worried I'm giving up too easy and making the above issues seem like they cannot be worked through. Does the relationship sound like it's just over or are these all issues that could be worked on?