• Fizz@lemmy.nz
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    5 minutes ago

    Having a partner in life makes a huge difference to motivation. I dont really agree with this idea of them leveraging things to force you to act that sounds like a living hell. These things should come naturally as you desire being the best version of yourself for your partner.

  • BlueFootedPetey@sh.itjust.works
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    3 hours ago

    Hey, if two (or more) people are making each other happy and doing well, right on. Yea that "traditional " style of relationship isnt for me. Especially the idea of withholding conversation or sex as punishment. Well, if it was kink minded then maybe, but I digress.

    Anywhoots, being in a happy stable relationship certainly helped me get some of my act together. Hopefully i wont fully come apart the seams right now.

  • RBWells@lemmy.world
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    5 hours ago

    Yeah, no. That is not what I signed up for.

    We do lift each other up, it’s not a one way thing. Can advise, and do, and he does with me too. So sure, I am willing to make suggestions and he always wants me to do stuff like style his wardrobe, do all the interior design, etc., yeah I’m down, my eye is better. He plans all the trips, his mom was a travel agent.

    But would not dream of using sex as a lever, because I want sex for sex.

    And I sure as fuck don’t want another kid, I want a partner.

  • roscoe@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    8 hours ago

    Meanwhile, my wife enables my executive dysfunction, saying things like “oh, just do it tomorrow.” I have to explain to her, if I don’t do it now, it won’t get done for a month. Saying it out loud like that seems to give me the motivation to do it now.

  • Tonava@sopuli.xyz
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    9 hours ago

    There’s certain common patterns this dynamic seems to take:

    • They end up in that type of traditional marriage for fifty years where the wife controls absolutely everything and the man throws around jokes about ball and chain. This ends when either one dies; if the man dies first, the wife will live happily for another ten years, but if the wife dies first, the man follows soon
    • The man loses all sights of himself and becomes a passive and meek “yes, dear” -man, and then the girlfriend (or wife if they managed to get married) eventually gets bored since the project car isn’t fun anymore, and cheats or just straight up leaves him. This pattern might also involve straight up domestic violence where the man is too embarrassed and scared to seek help
    • The girlfriend (or wife again) gets tired of taking care of a manchild instead of having an equal partner, and leaves. This happens especially if they have children and the wife realizes it’s actually easier to take care of the children alone. Often the man also ends up whining about how he doesn’t understand what he did wrong, and thought everything was going so well
      • the_crotch@sh.itjust.works
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        8 hours ago

        Pretty common phenomenon. And it works for some people, there are men who need hand holding and women who want to nurture (or vice versa). I think it would be healthier for OOP to recognize it for what it is though, and also that it’s not a universal experience. For example I’d be miserable as either party in that relationship.

  • peoplebeproblems@midwest.social
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    13 hours ago

    On a serious note, having been that guy, this is the worst experience ever.

    15 years of slowly being convinced being who I was, was wrong. 15 years of being told she was normal, what I wanted wasn’t. 15 years of isolation. 15 years brainwashing. 15 years of ever building self doubt.

    Then she cheated on me.

    Somehow I haven’t been in grippy socks yet. Pretty fucking close though with the outpatient stuff I do. Been on one date with someone else.

    • Owl@mander.xyz
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      9 hours ago

      Been on one date with someone else.

      Congrats ! 🎉

      Each step, however small it may seem, away from this abusive person is a great one

    • Kaerkob@lemmy.world
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      9 hours ago

      There is a name for it: Narcissistic Abuse. Keep going, you’ll make it through. It gets better.

    • untorquer@lemmy.world
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      12 hours ago

      I was in it for 5 years. I wouldn’t have made it another decade. Glad you’re on the other side. I hope you can find your emotions, the ones that you have somewhere inside that really care for you in a way you haven’t felt all this time.

      Also therapy if you can afford it and find one that clicks with you. It’s frustratingly helpful in that it doesn’t feel like you’re doing much but the reinforcement and structure is everything.

      And definitely more dates!

  • Kn1ghtDigital@lemmy.zip
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    13 hours ago

    Don’t look for the easy way out of your own maturity. Nobody can tell you who you are better than you. Look for someone who wants to build you up, not control you.

  • ClockworkOtter@lemmy.world
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    11 hours ago

    I don’t need someone telling me not to be a slob to get things done, but having someone around all the time makes me more aware of my better behaviours and function better.