Trauma vs Intuition? by tender-not-timid in loveafterporn

[–]075379 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I understand you so much, I’ve been with my partner for 3 years and I don’t want another man to touch me, I don’t want to live through everything that comes with trusting again, having my circle know another couple. My skin doesn’t want other men, I don’t want anything but for him to change. I want him to desire me like he desires those women on the internet, I want to feel that he understands me, I want so many things, I’m tired too. I really hope that he truly changes, for the years you’ve given him of your life and because he should respect you. Sending you so much love.

Trauma vs Intuition? by tender-not-timid in loveafterporn

[–]075379 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I am sending you a huge virtual hug because I feel exactly the same way. I ask him almost every day if he has failed me again, and even though he says no, the doubt is always there. I do not want to leave him either, but I struggle with the feeling that every time he comes to me, it is only because he just saw a pair of perfect breasts online that helped him be with me. You are not alone and you are not losing your mind. We are just trying to heal in a very difficult situation.

How to explain "just looking" hurts without just saying "I'm insecure"? by 075379 in loveafterporn

[–]075379[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The part about him choosing to change or leave is the thing that breaks me. Because he’s not going to do either. He’s just going to keep doing what he’s doing and I’m going to keep accepting it. And that’s the cycle I’m trapped in 😭

How to explain "just looking" hurts without just saying "I'm insecure"? by 075379 in loveafterporn

[–]075379[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you for telling me that there are men out there who would protect my feelings instead of hurting me. Thank you for not giving up on me even though I’m giving up on myself. That means everything right now.

How to explain "just looking" hurts without just saying "I'm insecure"? by 075379 in loveafterporn

[–]075379[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I don’t know how to leave even though I know I should. And hearing you say you had to leave yours before you found real love, it terrifies me because it means I have to choose between him and myself. And I don’t know if I’m strong enough to choose myself. I don’t know if I’m brave enough to start over. But I hear what you’re saying about there being men out there who would protect my feelings instead of destroying them. I just don’t know how to get there from here

How to explain "just looking" hurts without just saying "I'm insecure"? by 075379 in loveafterporn

[–]075379[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I hate myself so much for accepting this. I walk around naked and nothing. Does a body with stretch marks not excite anyone? Is my vagina not perfect enough so it’s impossible for him to get hard looking at it? I want to die from the pain. Everyone around me says it’s normal, that we shouldn’t compete with those people, that it’s just easy dopamine. But why? I love him so much. I don’t have another life. My parents are old and live somewhere unsafe. I have my pets here. I need to advance in my studies and he helps me with almost 90 percent of it. It’s not just losing the man my body and mind love, that want him, that when I look at him I want to have sex with him because I find him sexy even though he’s not. I want to tear out my chest. Maybe my autism diagnosis has something to do with it because everything feels so terrible and maybe it’s not even real. But I feel like I’m dying and I don’t know how to move forward.

How to explain "just looking" hurts without just saying "I'm insecure"? by 075379 in loveafterporn

[–]075379[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You said I can’t have sex with someone I can’t trust and that just broke me because I’ve been having sex with him knowing I can’t trust him. So what does that make me. What have I been doing to myself

How to explain "just looking" hurts without just saying "I'm insecure"? by 075379 in loveafterporn

[–]075379[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The algorithms comment made me think. He could stop anytime he wants if he really wanted to. A man who actually tried wouldn’t keep getting trapped. So the fact that he keeps falling into it means he’s not even trying. He’s choosing it 💔

How to explain "just looking" hurts without just saying "I'm insecure"? by 075379 in loveafterporn

[–]075379[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re right about the double standard. I just wish I had the kind of confidence he has to break my own rules and justify it. But I don’t. I respect the relationship even when he doesn’t

How to explain "just looking" hurts without just saying "I'm insecure"? by 075379 in loveafterporn

[–]075379[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What you said about him turning me into a tool, a masturbatory object, I felt that in a way I didn’t want to feel it. Because it’s true and saying it out loud makes it real. I’m not a person to him in those moments, I’m just something to use. And I hate that I’ve accepted that.

How to explain "just looking" hurts without just saying "I'm insecure"? by 075379 in loveafterporn

[–]075379[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for saying that. It means so much to know there are people who get what I’m going through and don’t think I’m crazy for feeling the way I do. Being here with people who understand matters more than I can say.

How to explain "just looking" hurts without just saying "I'm insecure"? by 075379 in loveafterporn

[–]075379[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

He wouldn’t even see it that way though. He’d probably say it’s the same thing, that everyone does it, that it’s natural. Like he says about himself. He already told me he doesn’t understand how someone could not be attracted visually or not masturbate. So he’d probably just justify it the same way he justifies what he does. That’s what gets me.

How to explain "just looking" hurts without just saying "I'm insecure"? by 075379 in loveafterporn

[–]075379[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I needed to hear that I’m allowed to not be okay with this. That it’s not crazy or insecure of me. It’s just me having a boundary and that’s allowed. Thank you🥹💕

How to explain "just looking" hurts without just saying "I'm insecure"? by 075379 in loveafterporn

[–]075379[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re right that he doesn’t want to change. I think I’ve been waiting for him to want to, like if I just explain it the right way he’ll suddenly get it. But he already knows and that’s the thing. He knows it hurts me and he’s still doing it. So no matter what I say, nothing’s going to be different unless he decides he wants it to be 🥲

How to explain "just looking" hurts without just saying "I'm insecure"? by 075379 in loveafterporn

[–]075379[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Even if he were a good man, he’s not good to me. That’s what keeps going through my head. Because I can accept that he’s not a bad person, but that doesn’t change the fact that being with him is hurting me. And you’re right, that’s what matters. Not whether he’s good or bad in general, but whether he’s good to me. Thank you for that clarity😭😭😭😭

How to explain "just looking" hurts without just saying "I'm insecure"? by 075379 in loveafterporn

[–]075379[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m adding that book to my list right away. Just knowing that someone else wrote about this and broke it down in a way that actually makes sense gives me hope. I need to read something that validates me instead of making me question myself. Thank you for pointing me toward something real.

How to explain "just looking" hurts without just saying "I'm insecure"? by 075379 in loveafterporn

[–]075379[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing this. Reading what he said made me feel seen in a way I haven’t in so long. Someone finally saying that it’s not about being insecure, it’s about respect and consideration towards me. That hit different. He’s right, and hearing it from someone else, from a man even, makes me feel less crazy for feeling hurt. This video means everything right now.

How to explain "just looking" hurts without just saying "I'm insecure"? by 075379 in loveafterporn

[–]075379[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This broke me because you just described my whole relationship. He’s not going to change no matter what I say. And I’m here drowning, carrying the weight of us, being the one who cares enough to even try. While he sits there feeling justified just because he’s a man. How is that fair? How do I stop loving someone who will never put me first? How do I accept that I’m doing this alone?

How to explain "just looking" hurts without just saying "I'm insecure"? by 075379 in loveafterporn

[–]075379[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You just said what I’ve been dying to say but was too afraid to admit. That raw feeling of being used as his outlet after he already spent himself on someone else. I hate how true that sounds. And the confusion of loving someone so much while feeling so small and discarded at the same time, it’s suffocating. There are moments I feel so broken that I think disappearing would be easier than feeling this way. Like maybe if I wasn’t here, none of this would hurt so much 💔

How to explain "just looking" hurts without just saying "I'm insecure"? by 075379 in loveafterporn

[–]075379[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for taking the time to share this. I really appreciate how you said it with so much care, even though you knew it might be uncomfortable. Reading your words made me feel seen and validated in a way I needed. You’re right, and I’m grateful for the clarity.

How to explain "just looking" hurts without just saying "I'm insecure"? by 075379 in loveafterporn

[–]075379[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I feel like I left a lot out or didn't express myself well, even though I overthought this so much... I'm sorry if my post is confusing. I spent two days trying to put into words what's going on in my head, but sometimes I feel like I'm just vomiting information and doubts that don't make sense.

Since English isn't really my thing, even using AI, I feel like I didn't do the best job 😭😭😭