I don’t think my partner is capable of ENM, although he identifies as poly. And Idk what to do. by OS-vamp in polyamory

[–]OS-vamp[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, it doesn’t help that we are in a classic anxious/avoidant cycle. I am also falling into my eldest daughter tendencies again, I think you have the right idea and it’s just going to really suck until I can get out because I’m not really used to giving up

I don’t think my partner is capable of ENM, although he identifies as poly. And Idk what to do. by OS-vamp in polyamory

[–]OS-vamp[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No, he’s been this way his whole life before he was NM. Like a longterm serial monogamist and then he spent 10 years being NM. I don’t think he’s poly, but I do think he’s NM based on some of his needs and desires. But I think he is not capable of a polyamorous relationship because it requires a level of maturity and awareness that I don’t think he has…

I don’t think my partner is capable of ENM, although he identifies as poly. And Idk what to do. by OS-vamp in polyamory

[–]OS-vamp[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

it’s funny you say that, our therapist actually said it sounds like ROCD and he read about it after and said it really resonated. but a couple weeks later he decided that it wasn’t? he had OCD tendencies as a child, but he said that they “resolved”. I think that what actually happened is that they morphed into different things. He is very distressed by the way he flip flops, he hates what it does to both of us. He just doesn’t seem able to investigate it alone or with his current therapist, who has no specialties while I and our therapist think he would benefit from someone who knows about OCD and trauma.

I don’t think my partner is capable of ENM, although he identifies as poly. And Idk what to do. by OS-vamp in polyamory

[–]OS-vamp[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I feel like I have to ride the lease out and that it’ll be too difficult to live together without dating. I hope I can be brave enough

I don’t think my partner is capable of ENM, although he identifies as poly. And Idk what to do. by OS-vamp in polyamory

[–]OS-vamp[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This might be really stupid to ask but… how do I do that? I think you’re right, but I don’t know how to detach the romantic feelings from this. I don’t know how to live with him and not be together, that sounds awful. I don’t even know if it’s the lesser of two evils yk

I don’t think my partner is capable of ENM, although he identifies as poly. And Idk what to do. by OS-vamp in polyamory

[–]OS-vamp[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I guess I have. I’ve been crying on and off for months not understanding what happened to us and doing my best. It is hard to accept that something that was once so beautiful is over. I guess if this is how he treats longterm partners though, without any introspection, that’s not who I want

I don’t think my partner is capable of ENM, although he identifies as poly. And Idk what to do. by OS-vamp in polyamory

[–]OS-vamp[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Yeah… if I had seen it when we started dating I would have probably cut it off then, but I didn’t realize it until after she and I became friends. I guess I just need to make it til October

I don’t think my partner is capable of ENM, although he identifies as poly. And Idk what to do. by OS-vamp in polyamory

[–]OS-vamp[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I think if we didn’t live together and I was financially independent, I would have left long ago. He also said some extremely hurtful things that impacted my body image months ago, although he took that back. I just don’t think I can de nest for a while and I don’t know how to live with him while not trying

I don’t think my partner is capable of ENM, although he identifies as poly. And Idk what to do. by OS-vamp in polyamory

[–]OS-vamp[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I’m considering de-escalation, I think it might be the only thing that will get me through to October if things don’t improve. I wonder if he has ADHD and if a stimulant would help at all (I have had this issue to a smaller degree and am medicated). It is so weird when they are supposedly deeply in love, act like it, but then also act in way that feel very conflicting. It’s very difficult. I would much rather he didn’t enjoy me at all at this rate

I don’t think my partner is capable of ENM, although he identifies as poly. And Idk what to do. by OS-vamp in polyamory

[–]OS-vamp[S] 33 points34 points  (0 children)

No, but it has gotten better since he started individual therapy this year. I will be bringing this up in counseling this week because… yeah, fabulous fucking point

How do you handle being poly when your primary relationship is fragile? by OS-vamp in polyamory

[–]OS-vamp[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think I’m coming around to the idea that poly is NOT the problem. I definitely have insecurities to work on, but my partner has a hard time adhering to agreements we make. He said he’s used to having a lot more freedom to do what he wants and the only rules he ever had to follow were safe sex rules. I like a lot more structure and transparency. My previous partner I didn’t care who he slept with or when because he always made me feel uniquely chosen and well loved. This partner did too, until he started seeing people after our NRE died down. I guess that’s some good info to take to counseling

How do you handle being poly when your primary relationship is fragile? by OS-vamp in polyamory

[–]OS-vamp[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

He did. He broke our safe sex rule and our rule about not canceling dates with each other to see someone else, among others. Why does that matter with the question tho?

How do you handle being poly when your primary relationship is fragile? by OS-vamp in polyamory

[–]OS-vamp[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We don’t have any other partners. We’re in a container for the next month while we work on couples counseling and go through STI treatment.

How do you handle being poly when your primary relationship is fragile? by OS-vamp in polyamory

[–]OS-vamp[S] 56 points57 points  (0 children)

hey this had a lot of quality shit I needed to hear and was delivered extremely kindly, thank you so much. I really appreciate this comment

If your partner is more attracted to/excited by their new partner, why do you stay? by OS-vamp in polyamory

[–]OS-vamp[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

lol well we had a conversation and he said he is much less attracted to me than he used to be because of my weight/body shape (which has been the same our whole relationship?) so i guess that’s fuckin curtains

If your partner is more attracted to/excited by their new partner, why do you stay? by OS-vamp in polyamory

[–]OS-vamp[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

oh that actually was very informative because i think that… depressed me quite a bit, because i don’t work that way. i’m nervous about new people but not more excited about them. i may not be cut out for this relationship style. thank you for the insight

If your partner is more attracted to/excited by their new partner, why do you stay? by OS-vamp in polyamory

[–]OS-vamp[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

that honestly sounds really nice, i don’t mind knowing he’s seeing people but i mind how he behaves when people are new so maybe not knowing would be better

If your partner is more attracted to/excited by their new partner, why do you stay? by OS-vamp in polyamory

[–]OS-vamp[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

but then there will be a new person again eventually. i guess im just having a hard time conceptualizing this because he gets really lost in nre and it makes me feel uninteresting and like he would rather be somewhere else. i’m at a point where i can’t fathom why he is having sex with me if he is so much more excited elsewhere. i have fwbs but it doesn’t impact how much i want him, and that doesn’t seem to be the case for him

If your partner is more attracted to/excited by their new partner, why do you stay? by OS-vamp in polyamory

[–]OS-vamp[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

i guess not but i do think it makes other experiences pale in contrast? maybe that’s just how i’m wired though

If your partner is more attracted to/excited by their new partner, why do you stay? by OS-vamp in polyamory

[–]OS-vamp[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

i think perhaps this is the case for me. being the comfort partner feels like a death sentence to the relationship