it's Tuesday night, I'm sitting in my room alone, feeling like a third wheel in my own relationship. My boyfriend is once again caught up in another video game marathon with his friends. I get it, everyone needs their downtime and interests outside of the relationship, but it seems like these gaming sessions top any priority list he might have. it's as if he doesn't even notice that I'm here waiting for some acknowledgment or attention. I've shot him a few texts hoping for at least a little response, maybe even just a quick "hey babe", but all I am met with is radio silence. it's incredibly frustrating because this seems to be becoming more of a pattern rather than an exception.

Before anyone jumps on the "maybe he's just really into his games" bandwagon, let me clarify that I fully support his gaming hobbies. I appreciate his passion for them; however, there has to be a balance somewhere, right? Communication isn't too much to ask for (or is it?), especially when I've made it clear that being stonewalled like this feels isolating and invalidating. Am I the one overreacting here? I'm not asking him to drop everything and bend over backward whenever I snap my fingers, just a bit of recognition would be nice.

Some might suggest talking it out: trust me, words have been exchanged on numerous occasions about how this makes me feel disregarded. He's always very apologetic afterward just to fall back into his old ways seemingly the next weekend we're apart. So I'm left wrestling whether it's worth addressing again or perhaps if this is just how things are going to be moving forward; saying "I love you" while devoting all your spare time elsewhere certainly sends mixed signals. Relationships take effort: compromise goes both ways.

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