Problems
“My boyfriend has a degree and a well-paying job, but since we started living together, I’ve begun doubting his common sense. I asked him to take the pizza out of the oven because I had an incoming call and didn’t want it to burn. The next morning, I noticed he hadn’t turned off the oven—it was still scorching hot. When I asked, he said he didn’t know he had to turn it off too; he thought just taking the pizza out was enough. A week later, I gave him a scented candle and lit it for him; he liked it. That night I worked a night shift and came home in the morning—the candle was still burning next to his bed! He said he didn’t know how to put it out. How could I have a child with someone like that?! I’d never trust him with a baby...”
Cheated
“I found out my husband cheated on me, so I cheated too. We agreed we don’t want to lose each other and that we’re even now, but isn’t this toxic...?”
Roles
“My girlfriend and I are happy, and I’m planning to propose. I know she’ll be a great wife and the best mom I could wish for. Our sex life is good, we understand each other, everything’s great—but I need more. We’ve been together for three years, and I’ve cheated almost the whole time. The girls I bring home for one night are just about sex, nothing else. It was easy to manage before because we didn’t live together, but now we’re moving in, even considering buying a house. On one hand, I’m glad my life is on track with her; on the other, I’m scared because I can’t imagine going without occasionally picking up a girl and sleeping with her. I know it sounds terrible, but that’s how I am. I can’t live without adventures or without my girlfriend.”
Hitting
“Sometimes my boyfriend annoys me so much that I lash out and hit him wherever I can. I don’t even admit it to myself, but I do it regularly, and he lets it happen.”
Shame
“I love my boyfriend very much; he’s smart and kind. We met on Tinder two years ago, and the sexual chemistry was amazing. I really love him, but I don’t like how he looks. He’s not ugly, not exactly handsome either, but I just can’t get used to his appearance—I don’t know why. He talks about engagement, wedding, and kids, but I know I won’t be able to do that with him. I’m ashamed of how I feel.”
Body
“My husband is a perfect partner and a good dad, but I no longer desire sex with him. Sometimes I give in—when he really wants it—because I know he needs it, but I have no interest. He’s tried everything to make it exciting again, but nothing works for me; I just want to be left alone in bed. It’s not that I want someone else—I have no desire for sex at all. I’ve even thought about telling him it’s okay if he ‘takes care of it elsewhere,’ just don’t tell me.”
Useless
“I love my husband, but he’s useless. He can’t fix anything—not even simple things. I don’t expect him to be handy with everything, but dripping faucets, patching holes, installing new lights, setting up the TV—all fall on me. These aren’t complicated tasks; I manage them by watching YouTube videos, but he doesn’t even try. I hate being the ‘man’ in the relationship in this way.”
ADHD
“I think my girlfriend has ADHD. She shows every symptom I’ve read about: living in chaos and mess, procrastinating until the last minute, dissociating, and staring at her phone all day. I tell her to get diagnosed, but she refuses, even though it’s treatable.”
Sexy
“Once the wedding was over, the woman I adored stopped existing. She’s gained weight (which doesn’t bother me, but even my mother-in-law asked if she has hormonal issues), she’s sloppy, doesn’t cook, doesn’t wash dishes, doesn’t clean—I do it all. And there’s no sex, just binge-watching TV shows. I work and run the household; she just exists. I feel like I’ve been tricked, but the problem is I still love her, so I don’t know what to do.”
Repulsion
“We’ve been together for seven years, and I’m disgusted by my husband. I can’t even stand to see him and hate him as a person. I know he feels the same about me, but we have three kids and a business together. I can’t leave, but I can’t accept living my life with him either.”
Cover photo: stockbusters/depositphotos.com
