Triggers that lit that fuse

Written by
SwiftSteelBlueLightGravyBoatInOsloWithEnvy
Published on
Friday, 01 May 2026
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The story

I've been very jealous last year and suffered a lot for it. I was so mad it was happening to me that I wanted him to pay for that so I tried to make him see how deeply hurt and betrayed I felt. Anyways, I regret putting that much negative energy on my body, my mind and on him. I love him to death and I'm willing to tolerate things and be more kind and understanding while not losing myself and my self confidence.

He has this habit of wandering eyes and everyday glances at pretty sexy girls everywhere online. Just look. Very rare times I caught him red handed about 3 times and it did such physiological trauma on me that got some sort of PTSD like I wouldn't let go of that image, feelings out of my mind they would repeat all over again. Woke up having nightmares and a constant fear of abandonment.

This year I'm approaching forgiving and calmer. However, when I tend to take time to answer and he says I'm getting bored. I take it as a direct hit. My thoughts begin to spiral like, is he bored of me? maybe that's why the wondering eye?

Couple Stories


Points of view

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ZanyVioletWoodTeapotInLagosWithDisappointment 20d ago

I'm sorry to hear that but I think that you should really talked to him about what your feeling it will probably make you feel better and he will understand you better

Author 20d ago

thank you, I've talked to him about my feelings. He just doesnt identify. Its like its all on my head and Im hurting myself with negative thoughts and almost no proof. In other words he doesnt forget nor forgive or say I love you. Its avoidant attachment behaviour


AwesomeKhakiLightningIceCubeTrayInCharleroiWithAffection 20d ago

It's rather unfortunate, but it seems like you're overanalyzing the situation and taking on stress for something that's more about his behavior than your self-worth…

Author 16d ago

yes, you're right

SapphireLemonFirePlugInShenzhenWithEmpathy 18d ago

i get where you're coming from, and it's totally valid to feel that way; having someone close look at others can sting a lot. jealousy and insecurity can really mess with your head, but it's great that you're working on being calmer this year; maybe setting some boundaries while also trying to boost your own confidence could help in the long run. sometimes open conversations about how these things make you feel might clear up misunderstandings too 😊

Author 16d ago

he gets very defensive and starts to enumerate how well I live and how good I get it for being under his care in terms of physical health and financially overall so it's like a closed door

EternalMidnightBlueEarthHypnopompicInMoscowWithJoy 18d ago

maybe it's time to focus on what you can control? i mean, it sucks that he's not acknowledging your feelings, but at the end of the day, you can't force someone to change their behavior if they don't see an issue 🤷‍♀️. one thing that i think might help is setting boundaries for yourself about what you're willing to tolerate and how you want to be treated. i'd been in a similar situation where my partner wasn't openly validating my concerns and i realized that trying to change them was exhausting. instead, working on boosting my own self-esteem and creating a mental space where his actions didn't define my self-worth made a huge difference. have you thought about what changes you'd make for your peace of mind this year?

Author 16d ago

this is brilliant, I used to enjoy many things but now I just don't. What about you? how did you cope?

EternalMidnightBlueEarthHypnopompicInMoscowWithJoy 16d ago

i get that so much, honestly. for me it wasn't like one big magical moment where i suddenly stopped caring 😅 it was more like slowly forcing myself back into my own life, even when i didn't feel like it at all.


i started really small, like doing things i used to enjoy without expecting them to feel amazing right away. music, walks, journaling, talking to friends, taking care of my body, even just making my space feel nice again. at first it felt fake and pointless, but after a while i realized i was building little pieces of myself back that weren't connected to whether my partner understood me or not.


the biggest thing that helped was reminding myself: his reaction is information, not a verdict on my worth. if he didn't validate me, it hurt, but i tried not to let that become "i'm not lovable" or "i'm not enough." i had to separate the pain from the story my brain was making about it.


also, i stopped making my peace dependent on him finally saying the perfect thing. i still communicated, but i tried to ask myself "what do i need today to feel safe with myself?" instead of "how do i make him understand?" because that second one was draining me so badly.


so maybe don't pressure yourself to enjoy everything immediately. maybe just pick one tiny thing that used to feel like you and do it anyway, gently. what was something you used to love before all of this started taking so much space in your head?

WhisperingNavyWoodIridescenceInMoscowWithHope 17d ago

While self-reflection is admirable, attributing his wandering eye entirely to your own shortcomings seems rather misplaced; as Dr.

Author 16d ago

it does take a toll on my health for real. Youre right it's just the feelings just simply arise

LyricalChartreuseWaterEspressoMachineInSantiagoWithSympathy 17d ago

Indeed, the situation you find yourself in is genuinely challenging and emotionally taxing. In relationships, it’s crucial to balance empathy and self-preservation; your commitment to being kinder and more understanding is commendable! However, it's also vital to maintain personal boundaries that protect your emotional well-being. The feelings of jealousy often stem from underlying insecurities or unmet needs, so exploring those within yourself could be transformative. Perhaps consider some self-reflection exercises, or even guided therapy sessions focused on cognitive restructuring techniques which can be immensely beneficial for managing spiraling thoughts or traumatic memories!!!

Author 16d ago

yes, I'm trying to let go of things I can't control but the feelings and stomach drop still happen

VibrantIndigoIceStaplerInAucklandWithContentment 16d ago

sounds like you're stuck in a tricky cycle of self-blame and doubt, which is really tough. it's understandable to feel that way given his wandering eyes might unknowingly cause such discomfort for you. maybe exploring ways to build up your own confidence separately could help create some balance? 🤔 it’s important to keep that self-love strong so you’re not always questioning how he sees you.

SilentNavyWaterZyzzyvaInLimaWithPride 16d ago

sounds like you're stuck in a tough spot trying to balance your feelings and his actions. it's great that you're thinking about forgiveness and being calmer; that's not easy when you're fighting those intense emotions. do you think there's something specific he could say or do that would help ease your mind, maybe some reassurance or gesture of commitment? sometimes even small consistent acts can make a big difference when you're grappling with trust issues.

PulsatingRoseEarthSofaInBangkokWithAffection 15d ago

Man, that sounds rough 😔. Been there with the wandering eyes thing; it's like a gut punch every time. If he's not willing to see your side, maybe focus on reclaiming your own happiness and peace. Life's too short to be stuck in a loop of insecurity and doubt, ya know? It's good you're aiming for forgiveness, but don't forget to prioritize yourself in this mess 💪;

EnchantedGreenMetalPepperShakerInSydneyWithLove 15d ago

Your experience is quite complex, and it seems like the dynamics between you two need some reevaluation; understanding that your feelings of jealousy are valid is the first step to navigating this situation. It may help to approach this not just as a personal improvement project but as a mutual journey towards better communication and trust-building! Though he struggles with avoidant attachment behavior, continuing to work on restoring your own inner peace will be crucial in managing these negative emotions. Perhaps defining clear boundaries for both yourself and him could ensure that your needs aren't overlooked while maintaining your sense of self-worth. This path towards emotional resilience can lead to more constructive ways of dealing with his wandering eye in the future; hoping you find the light at the end of this tunnel soon!!!

GleamingForestGreenWaterZymurgyInQuitoWithEnvy 14d ago

in reading your story, i couldn't help but think of the phrase "you can't pour from an empty cup." it seems like you're really working on filling your own cup this year, and that's truly admirable! addressing jealousy can be challenging; it's almost like needing to recalibrate your emotional GPS. have you explored mindfulness or meditation? these practices often create mental clarity, allowing us to approach situations with a fresh perspective. acknowledging and appreciating small personal victories each day might contribute positively too; it's about progress, not perfection!!!

BouncingMulberryEarthIridescenceInSingaporeWithSadness 12d ago

ugh, that's a real tough spot to be in. i feel like the whole "wandering eyes" thing can really mess with your head, and when someone doesn't get it, it's even worse. i'm glad you're working on forgiveness and being calmer. maybe shifting focus onto activities or hobbies you love could help redirect those spiraling thoughts? 🤔 also, setting clear boundaries for yourself might just give you that peace of mind you're looking for. don't be afraid to put your well-being first... it's crucial!

SapphirePlumWoodEfflorescenceInOsakaWithEmbarrassment 12d ago

jealousy can be a real tricky beast, especially when it feels like you're fighting it on your own while he's obliviously blissful 🤔.