r/LongDistance • u/Ancient_Variation835 • 9m ago
Need Advice [20F] [21M] I love him but I'm exhausted from feeling hurt and missing him at the same time
My long distance boyfriend and I have been together for four months, and lately, things have felt emotionally exhausting.
Yesterday, he had a terrible day. He was overwhelmed by some government paperwork, and later, an ATM swallowed his bank card. He was feeling awful and started worrying that I would leave him because of his problems. I tried to reassure him and help, but the conversation turned into an argument because he felt like I didn't care about him, while I felt like he was pushing me away when all I wanted was to be there for him.
We both ended up hurt. He was afraid of losing me, and I felt rejected by the way he spoke to me. Eventually, we apologized and reassured each other that we wanted to stay together, but the whole situation left me emotionally drained.
Then, when we were starting to make up, he played some old funny Romanian songs for me, probably trying to make me laugh. And I did laugh, but it also hurt me in a way I don't know how to explain.
His ex is Romanian, and she's the person who introduced him to Romanian culture. He still listens to Romanian music, follows Romanian content, and talks about the culture enthusiastically.
The thing is, I don't necessarily think he still has feelings for her. Even if I knew for certain that he didn't, I think it would still bother me. It hurts knowing that something he discovered through someone he used to love is still part of his life.
I understand that people don't have to abandon their interests just because they discovered them with an ex. I don't want to control what he listens to or make him feel guilty for having a past. But emotionally, I struggle with the association, even though logically I know that enjoying Romanian culture doesn't mean he still cares about her.
I posted a story expressing how I felt because I wanted him to understand that I was upset. Now I'm worried that when he sees it, we'll end up fighting again. We've already exhausted ourselves trying to repair things, and I don't want another argument.
The worst part is that I miss him so much. He's asleep while I'm at university, and all I want is to spend the day talking to him, laughing with him, and being happy together. I want to be close to him, but I'm still hurt, and I don't know how to deal with both feelings at once.
Yesterday, he was afraid I would leave him, while I was hurt because I felt rejected by him. Now I'm struggling with something that might seem insignificant to him but genuinely hurts me.
I don't want to compete with his past, and I don't want him to feel like he has to erase it for me. I just wish I could explain my feelings without making him think I'm accusing him of still loving his ex.
I'm tired of overthinking, tired of feeling conflicted, and tired of how emotionally exhausting things can become between us.
I love him, and I want us to be okay. I just wish loving each other didn't sometimes feel this difficult.
How do I deal with something that hurts me emotionally when I understand logically that it might not mean anything?