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Lorenita's avatar

Need advice on relationship issues.. what to do when you don't want the same anymore..?

Asked by Lorenita (735points) August 30th, 2010

Ok, I’ve been having issues with my 2 and a half years relationship. I’ve been struggling with this for about a month, and need some opinions. Like I said, i’ve been in a relationship for about 2 years and a half. He is 8 years older than me, he’s a chef and I’m about to get my degree, I’m a lawyer. I was still finishing college when he and I started to date, and i loved the fact that we were so different with different activities and all that.. Since I used to work part time in restaurants when I was still in college, it has always been easier for me to relate to him, and understand what he goes trough everyday. I didn’t really had much of a plan for myself, I just wanted to follow him wherever he would go, like it would be all about him. The thing is that these past 6 months I’ve been doing an internship, and of course it got me more “into it” like, my career and all that stuff.. I feel like I’ve changed a lot lately, and just don’t know if I would just follow him “wherever” , Im pretty much starting to think about myself and my future, I want to explore my possibilities and I just dont’t know .. it feels like our paths are getting separated. The romance is fading, at least on my side, I dont feel crazy about him anymore.. and the whole mix of things it’s driving me nuts. I talked to him about this, told him I was feeling lonely and that we were falling apart.. and he said he loves me and doesnt want to be without me.. what can I do about this?? can I still save this relationship? What happened to me? I know people changes and all that.. I know i did.. help!!!!

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14 Answers

phoebusg's avatar

I quickly skimmed the block of text. I would suggest off the bat seeing an advisor on campus. Career and counseling services or the equivalent of your university. They may have a lot of useful feedback for you :)

Simone_De_Beauvoir's avatar

@phoebusg should have read it more closely.
@Lorenita This is a normal development and I think your relationship needs more communication. Don’t give up on it just yet. He needs to know how you feel so that the both of you can make a more informed decision as to what to do next. If you’re no longer in love with him, this can not wait.

GladysMensch's avatar

There are a lot of variables at work here. Is he resentful at your level of education, or are you resentful at the lack of his? Do either of you feel like your working harder than the other? Are you on different schedules (chefs often work late nights)? Are you in a location with opportunities for both of your careers?
These are just a few issues that may be at play. It’s also possible that you may be growing-up and apart. The important thing is to keep the communication flowing.

harple's avatar

Don’t feel bad about how you are feeling… Feelings are the one thing that can never be wrong. Not knowing how you feel is okay, and natural, particularly at this exciting time in your life… I have spent too many lifetimes following men’s dreams and visions without considering my own, so I would offer support to you to feel okay about wanting what you want, whatever that is…

phoebusg's avatar

@Simone_De_Beauvoir I responded pre-question revision, also flagged it for revision, so please disregard:)

Neizvestnaya's avatar

Your feelings of being more independent from him may be because you’re finding your own way with your job. If before you didn’t feel you had much direction then your focus was more on him, your security tied in with his. You might not be falling out of love with him but instead be realizing the excitement of coming into your own which changes the dynamic of the relationship. Anything new usually makes something used to seem a little less bright, at least temporarily.

janbb's avatar

Sounds like you already know where this is heading.

marinelife's avatar

This seems like a natural time in your life to want to break up.

The real question is was there something lasting there to try to save or was it just a stopgap?

Just because you have new horizons and things are starting to fade on your side is not a reason to break up, but underlying incompatibility—lack of shared base values, lack of future plans, lack of common interests—is.

Only you can figure out which it is right now, and thus what your correct course of action is.

Lorenita's avatar

Thank you all guys..
@GladysMensch Right now I’m living where I have the most possibilities to develop my career interests, he is here too but he’s being offered this big oportunity in another city… He asked me to go with him.. Im just not so sure that’s a good Idea for me. Also, in your answer, you asked if I was resentful of his level of education. The truth is I’m not, but sometimes he just can’t put himself on my shoes and have a conversation with me about my stuff .. which leads me to another question..Do you believe in the future the educational level difference, will heavily appear???

marinelife's avatar

@Lorenita Yes, the educational differences can become an issue. It depends on if he is as smart as you are rather more than education.

wgallios's avatar

I went through about the same thing, my wife and I divorced after about 2 years; our lives simply went separate ways, and that is ok. I think of situations like this as a learning experience. I think if your finishing your degree, going on to do your own thing, it’s not the end of the world. Live your life, don’t try to make something work if you do not have to, especially if you’re young.

Honestly, if you even have doubts that it isn’t “going to last”, it’s probably best to just not waste peoples time, and get it over with. It’s sad but true.

GladysMensch's avatar

@Lorenita Educational differences can be an issue. I know many couples with differing levels of education. In some cases the person with the lower level was resentful that he/she didn’t get the education they wanted due to lack of money or bad timing. In other cases, the person with the higher level would feel like they were carrying more of the financial burden because the other never “bothered” to get a degree.

In your case, it may just be that he’s not all that interested in your career. On the other hand, it’s not a good sign if he’s not even willing to feign interest in your job.

Finally, if he’s willing to leave you for a job in another city then let him go.

BarnacleBill's avatar

You’re embarking on a career, which will need your full attention. His career is already launched. You need your latitude to find your own way and own identity. Graduating, passing the bar, finding a job, getting established are going to be time-consuming for you. If the feelings aren’t there, it’s better to go it alone.

xYouBet's avatar

Well if you’ve been following him around for the past couple of years maybe it time for him to do the same for you. It is very hard to keep work and love away from each other but maybe if you think it’s time for you to settle into this intership and focus on work then maybe focusing on you for a while isn’t a bad idea. If he really cares about you then he will understand that and then maybe you guys can make an agreement together and work something out. It takes two to tango he is not the only one in the realationship and niether are you…work together to find a solution.If it doesn’t work think of whats best for YOU. He has already got a job don’t throw away the chance you’ve got to start yours.

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