Sunday, 11 April 2010
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Datingish Advice: How Do I Know When It's Time to Break Up?
And within these past few months, my mind and eyes have been wandering more; I've even thought about being in a relationship with a guy I know.
My BF and I have been dating for 2+ years, and while he loves me just as much as ever, I feel like things are slowly going down the drain. I'm in my 20s, but this is my first relationship ever, so bear with me if I sound naive.I still love him, and we've worked out a lot of kinks together. We were good friends before hand, and have a strong relationship as friends as well as lovers. It's just that for the last month or so, I haven't really been missing him or wanted to talk to him. We're in a long distance relationship, and I usually get kinda down when I don't see him for over a week. But it's been three, and I can't say I've really missed him all that much.
The doubts I've always had have been popping up like weeds (unstimulating conversation, too passive, no social life, blah blah blah). Some friends say that I definitely need to call it quits because I think I can do better, and I'm having thoughts of other men; others say I'm not being patient enough, and am being unordinarily harsh him for not "matching my standards."
Am I being unrealistic, or am I actually dissatisfied? What do you do when you just DON'T KNOW?
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Comments (25)
Well, there is some amount of "settling into" any long-term relationship. For me, it's been wonderful and I wouldn't trade it for anything. But maybe you're not ready for that yet - perhaps you simply aren't ready to be that committed at this stage in your life.
Or maybe he's just boring. Either way, I would end things. Just be careful: it's easy to get into a pattern of "serial monogamy"
Well... you're not married. You're also young and in your first relationship. Breaking up might be a good way to know how you really feel about each other. Not that you have to go jumping into another relationship... I'd say use the things you've learned from your current relationship and embrace your singleness. You're free to go about life as you wish
If you and your current boyfriend talk about this and don't want to break up... I'd say at least make some goals together as a couple so that things aren't so boring... and you'd learn some new things about each other... might fan the flame a bit!
Embrace your youth!
Jen
I'm not sure. I've never "not known". I have, however, known it was over but didn't know how to end it, so faked it for a little while. And that's not fair to either of you. You have to figure out what you want. And if you truly don't know what you want, it's hardly fair to string someone along while you explore all your options, you know? Can't say for sure whether you should break up - I don't know enough details. But in my past, not knowing has always been synonymous with not working. Just my opinion.
esp if it's your first relationship, maybe you just need to be sure before you settle for real.
sounds like a good relationship though,but don't stay if it makes you unhappy... you're too young to settle for 'good enough'.I think maybe the other commenters are right. You're young. It's your first relationship. You aren't ready to settle. Although I will admit that 2 years is a long time for your first relationship. So kudos on that. But really I think it may be time to call it quits. If you've been thinking about being with someone else then that's a definite sign you should break up.
Each guy brings something new to the table, and you'll learn and eventually be ready to settle down, but I get the feeling that time isn't now.
My relationship is definitely a lot less serious, but I still really identify with this. It's hard to know when to break up with nothing "horrible" happens but things have just sort of faded. I think that's part of why people can be tempted to cheat: it provides a clear and easy means to decide that the relationship should end.
You're still young, if you're not happy, leave. I'm in a long distance relationship also so I can partly understand your despair.
Its normal to doubt whether or not this person is right for you in any long-term relationship. I think you'd have to take a look at long-term compatibility issues such as do you have the same goals, same values, etc. Or does it feel like the "spark" has just faded? If so, then figure something out to rekindle the spark. Do you feel that maybe you haven't really grown enough by yourself? Some things you just can't learn about yourself when you're in a relationship with someone. Also, he is long-distance so typically you should have more room to learn things by yourself than if he was always there. If not, then maybe you should consider taking a break or breaking up with your boyfriend. I mean, there's always some amount of like settling as a relationship progresses. Read up on the relationship stages and see if those feelings match yours and then decide.
I think when it comes to this you really need to speak with your SO. Tell him your fustrations and your concerns......In order to get somewhere you have to have a goal. It wont just happen....if your goal is to be happy and its not with him then move on. Its not his fault and its not your fault. Thats life and it comes with maturity. You learn about what your needs and wants are. He was your first relationship so I understand how you just dont know. You have never experienced anything else;therefore, you have nothing to compare him too.
Right now though its apparent you want to move on and experience someone else. You just dont want to admit it because that means 4 yrs with your current SO down the drain...and you also dont wanna make a big mistake and lose the best thing thats ever happened to you too. That is to say he is.
Maybe you just need a break......see other people. And if you miss him then you're gonna have to suck up your pride and go running back. But, if not, it was the best decision of your life.
Cause now you can find someone that no matter how long you have been together or how well you think you know him...everyday and every moment is new and fun. Dont settle. You'll regret it and be wondering what if and what if is a killer.
I was in an ldr and it got boring because we ran out of things to talk about if that is possible since we talked so much. Idk but I lost interest and he didn't seem to care anymore so instead of a heated breakup, we just faded out of each other's lives. I think we were both too depressed to do anything about it. we weren't ready for a committed relationship. I'm lost most of the time and don't know what I really want. I want to be happy but not sure if someone else can give me that because it seems that I get bored easily and then the same cycle begins again.
i say you should talk to him maybe take some time to date other people then maybe when the relationship doesnt have to be long distance anymore you can give it another shot
@P0RCELA1N_D0LL@xanga - how true. The minute you're bored with a relationship, it's doomed.
Usually when you are easily annoyed by your SO and everything he/she does irks you? That's the first sign that you're heart has left the relationship. Be kind and set that person free. Somebody else will find their quirks endearing...
I totally agree with @P0RCELA1N_D0LL@xanga, same thing happened with my last relationship. I just had to call it quits. Why waste his and my time on something so petty? ( At least in my situation. ) Or perhaps you can try talking to him about it again? You're still young though, I bet there's more and better men out there :P.
@Utoppia - my ex... idk for a time I found him annoying but... I eventually got over it and didn't mind the annoyingness again, it was good. but later on, he started getting annoyed by me all the time, he told me so, but we didn't know why... and it all blew up later
it's lame, but happens. in my situation though, it sucks so much because he made promises to never give up, no matter what (besides cheating) if he hadn't made the promises I'd understand. maybe it wasn't(for us), and isn't the right time for you two. LDR's suck too, I was in one too at the time when he started to get annoyed by me. never really experienced boredom though, maybe 2 years in and then that all got flipped around and boredom was gone again so nothing to tell you there.
i think you know already.
If you can wonder about this, then you should probably break up with him. Eventually, everything is just going to go down the drain. Since it's your first relationship, I think you should experience new things before deciding whether or not you're ready to settle. I'm not saying you should go and try a ton of different boyfriends for the hell of it, I just think that if your mind is wandering, then maybe it's a sign for you to break up with him. Wandering minds can never be healthy for a relationship, and dragging it on will just hurt him even more in the end.
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When you start to wonder about being in relationships with other people that is NOT your significant other, there's something missing in your relationship that you're lacking or you're just not into it anymore.
Have a talk with your significant other. Tell him how you truly feel and go on from there.
Just don't break up with him and then get back with him again. I've seen and heard so many people do that that it's just becomes... boring!
if this relationship is really what you want, you wouldn't be questioning whether or not to break up with him.
so i'd say end it.
ur jst dissatisfied..leave ..i am sure u will be much more happier.
i've done long distance relationships, and it gets hard. do you guys ever get to see each other? when you do see each other, do all of the feelings come rushing back? or is it still kind of bleh?
if you arent happy in the relationship, then maybe you should end it. if theres a chance the relationship won't be long distance for much longer, maybe you could wait it out and see if it gets better. maybe just ask for a break? see what else is out there? do what makes YOU happy. just, make sure you're honest with him about your decisions.
I think it's probably just that it's been two years and you're comfortable, and thus a little bored. And because it's long-distance you're naturally a little deprived of male attention and your eyes are wandering.
Of course, it could be that you want to break up, but don't do it unless you're sure.
There is no time to "break up", breaking up is only for the weaks. "True love" meant to last for ever...And it's strong enough to hold you together even if there is a distance...........
Definitely talk to him about it and see what his point of view is as well before walking away.
Here's a couple ways to find out if you're ready to split:
Think of how you would feel if you saw him dating someone else.
Think of what life would be like without him.
Things like these happen from time to time, especially in ldrs. I've been with my boyfriend for 2+ years as well and we've been in an ldr for at least a year and a half of that 2+ years. We've been through this and are still going through it. We simply acknowledged that it does happen, but agree that we still wouldn't be able to live without each other and that we're definitely happier with each other than without.
As for the new guy, you may be missing the chance to experience the honeymoon stage again. I had the same doubts that led to me ending it with my current boyfriend, but I was so torn up about it that we ended up getting back together and staying together. I guess in that case, see each other, break up (don't take just a break, cuz there would still a possibility of being together, but make it clear that there will be no dating other people so that no drama develops) for maybe a week or so, if you guys can last that long without each other. If you can't, there's your good news :)
I had the same feelings. My bf of four years just broke up about 3 months ago. It is confusing because your like what am i missing? But if you dont feel like you dont love or care for him as much, its best to let me go. I ended my four year relationship with my exs and i feel perfectly fine. Its just that my mom and him had a very good bond that she keeps bringing him back up, and sometimes i think to my self if i made the right decisions. But its the past so let the past be the past. Stay strong is all i have to say.