Stay with boyfriend or move on?

Dear Reader,

The decision to end a relationship with a partner can be a difficult one. Ultimately, only you can know for sure if that's the path you want to take. The dynamics of a relationship are only known to those involved, making it difficult for another to decide for you whether to stay or go. You ask if you need to break up with your boyfriend, but you’re the only person who can decide whether or not this relationship is right for you. And while the ins and outs of your particular situation are murky to even you, there are some steps you can take to gain clarification.

Since there are a number of questions to sort through, it may help to think about them one at a time. First, from what you’ve described, it seems as if you may feel this other person is meeting your needs for closeness and warmth in a way that your boyfriend isn't. It may help to sit down alone and identify the specific emotions that this other person fosters in you. How do you feel when you’re with them? What differences are there between the ways the two of you interact in comparison to you and your boyfriend? This type of thought process might lead you to a deeper understanding of why you’re considering leaving your current relationship.

Next, it's typical and quite common, in fact, for people to find themselves attracted to other people while in a relationship. It's also reasonable to enjoy the company of many people and to seek different friendships, each having their special elements. One question you could ask is why your boyfriend believes that women aren’t supposed to have male friends? Have you ever discussed his concerns about this? What are your reasons for wanting male companionship outside of your romantic relationship? These might be some areas to explore with your boyfriend, even without discussing your emotional closeness to your friend.

Some other areas to consider might be how supporting your boyfriend financially has made you feel, how he seems to feel about this issue, and what, if any, impact this has had on your relationship. You've also stated that you and your boyfriend have had difficulties before, leading you to attempt, repeatedly, to break off the relationship. What has caused you to change your mind and "agree to try harder?" Has this been fueled by your interest in preserving the relationship, or have you felt pressured by your boyfriend? How has this left you feeling? These reflections may help you determine whether or not you’re interested in maintaining the relationship or ending it.

Mulling your relationship over with someone you trust may help. Do you have a close friend or family member with whom you can talk? Journaling may also help. Some people find it easier to sort through their feelings by writing them out. Another option is to speak with a mental health professional. Whatever you decide to do, the first step might be to give yourself some space to think about your feelings and needs.

Hoping you find some clarity,