There is mean way to set boundaries and I’ve found that a lot of people that “don’t put up with shit” use it as an excuse to be a really mean person. I think you need to acknowledge his feelings and how he might feel that way.. because there is a kind way to set boundaries and not be a pushover. And that doesn’t sound like what you are doing
Strangers aren’t biased. I know that if I ask family or friends they’re going to agree with whatever I say/think or they’re going to bring up things that don’t pertain to the situation (I know that’s ironic to say because of the random homophobia on this post) for the most part I get non biased responses that actually help (I asked for advice a few weeks ago about how to address an issue with my parents)
I understand what you are saying. I think a major issue for me is that my bf and I have two very different definitions of being “kind” and “mean”. It’s like sometimes hurt his feelings and I acknowledge when I do it and I apologize for it and sometimes he’ll hurt my feelings vice versa but I don’t think either of us intend to do so. Like does that make sense.
I’m gonna make this plain and simple. He is trying to manipulate you. You set boundaries and punt him in his place and that’s “mean” to him. He’s afraid you will yell at him? He’s afraid you’re gonna react to his disrespect. He wants to have his cake and eat it too. Am I making any sense?? He’s also gonna end up cheating if he hasn’t already and then blame you for it because you’re “so mean”🙄 I suggest you leave him, you’re gonna be going in circles with him.
The problem with y’all verbally abusive people is that you’ll never admit you’re abusive. Idk what boundaries you’ve set, but in my experience abusers LOVE to set “boundaries” that are really just an excuse to manipulate and control someone and their behavior. This man is walking on eggshells constantly. You need to step back and realize that he’s legitimately TRAUMATIZED from your relationship. Really let that sink in, you fucking TRAUMATIZED him. Get your shit together or leave so he can heal
That’s the thing I don’t verbally abuse him, I don’t call him out his name, I don’t say things that I know would hurt his feelings and I don’t degrade him. I will admit I do yell when I get frustrated with him for doing something I constantly ask him not do. Like for example our bed he gets in with his work clothes or his work out clothes. I’ve asked him several times not to do it and he will constantly do it. Yesterday he did it twice once with his work clothes and the other time with his work
Our clothes the first time I was calm and I literally said “hey I know your tired but can you please take off your uniform” and he did but later when he came in from running he jumped on the bed and I did yell I said “hey your are sweaty and I can literally see dirt on your back get off the bed” and ik I shouldn’t have yelled but I don’t see that as me being verbally abusive and that’s how most of me yelling goes it’s never out of malice it’s out of frustration.
And the hard boundaries I set are boundaries with myself like for example I don’t like being touched when I’m getting out of the shower or naked it makes me feel icky but he will constantly come up to me and try to give me hug or rub my back and I will tell him to stop or get off. Whenever I do that he’ll say “I’m sorry I just want some love I love you and I find you very attractive you make me feel like you hate me” or he’ll say “why are you so mean to me” and it’s like I just don’t like
It because he didn’t want to give me hug or kiss when I was clothed why do feel so inclined to do it now. So I don’t think the boundaries I set are me being manipulative or trying to control the situation. I know that whole rant was me mentioning the things I don’t like but it’s just hard for me to distinguish what I should do because like stated in my OP he says he wants to stay in the relationship but I don’t want him to stay with me if I’m make him feel that way but I also don’t think I’m
I also mentioned this in other comments bit I think it should also be mentioned in this thread as well sometimes I will hurt his feelings sometimes unknowingly and when I do I always apologize vice versa. It’s normally when I’m making what I think is a joke but it’s something that bothers him. When I see it hurts him I talk with him about it and I don’t bring up the content of the joke again.