[ . Mirage . ]
Thanks Pepstar. I appreciate that. Boy trouble. I love him so much, but he keeps hurting me and I am feeling increasingly worse and worse about myself because of our relationship. We've been together for almost 4 years, and it's so hard to let it go... but at this point, it's against my better judgment to be with him. Don't get me wrong - I WANT to be with him, but sometimes I wonder how I can allow myself to do that when I feel as bad as I do most of the time. And the worst part about it is that he doesn't put me down directly- ever. But his actions speak otherwise, so it's a a hard thing to really react to. It's just confusing because he's so inconsistent and all that... and I think anyone can see that it's confusing, especially when trying to explain it only takes me in circles.
And then there's the part about me leaving the country for like, 5 months straight and him not even seeming to care a whole lot. I thought he'd be making more of an effort to spend more time with me since he knows full well I'm going, but he doesn't. And that just kills me. And I'm starting to wonder if I like, smell weird or something...
If you find yourself having to make exuses about your S.O.'s behavior, then either something needs to change in the relationship or it needs to end. Does he know that he's hurting you? Have you talked to him about how what he does makes you feel? And how you feel like even though he says one thing he does another, and that inconsistency is tearing you up even more? If you have, and he still acts this way, get rid of him. Four years is a long history to throw away, but look at it this way, the longer you stay with him the more time you're wasting when you could be getting over him and finding someone who will treat you right.
Honestly, from the way he's treating you, and not showing sadness that you're leaving, it sounds like he's just in the relationship because it's convenient. That is a horrible kind of relationship to be in, and, as you've felt already, it can be really damaging to the person who's really in the relationship for love. Unreciprocated or false affection (aka, telling you he loves you but doing things that obviously prove differently) is one of the most painful things ever, the best thing you can do for yourself is get out of that relationship.
However, if you still have some smidgen of hope for him, sit him down and tell him everything you wrote here, and more. It'll probably be hard, especially because he doesn't directly do anything to hurt your feelings, so he might be like "I've never done anything!" and then you might end up feeling guilty for bringing up problems that he 'never did'. And you'll probably already feel guilty bringing things up, because when someone tells you they love you and don't want to hurt you, you want to believe them, even if they keep doing it. That's a cycle you'll have to break though.
Do talk to him though, and see if he responds to it well, and makes some changes. If not, then screw him (not literally
gonk ), you don't need someone who's basically just there to make your life harder. It sounds like you've already realized this for yourself, so if you were looking for a way to break it to him and start the process of leaving, talking to him would be the best way. That way you'll really know whether you're making the right decision or not, and won't look back on it later on and think 'what if' and feel guilty and miss him.
**Sorry I wrote a book, I just hate seeing people in bad situations like that.