iReload wrote:I really need some advice.
I've been dating this guy for a year & a month [We're both in our late teens], and although we don't have a lot in common, I feel so comfortable when I'm doing things with him - Like cooking, watching TV, cuddling - Almost all the things of a married couple.
But recently, I've been having this knot feeling in my throat/stomach, & it seems to be telling me that I should take a break.
But we barely ever argue, or don't necessarily have a reason to take a break.
And I know this might sound weird, but I've never been single - at least, for a short period of time.
And my gut feeling is longing to know what it's like to be single.
I don't want to take a break to date other guys or anything like that, I just feel like I need time for myself, but I'm really afraid of getting too used to it & not wanting to go back. What should I do? I've already mentioned it to him, and he's willing to cooperate, but I just don't know what to do.
[PS: I used to date online / Long distance, which seemed to have made me more used to being alone physically - Current relationship is only my second in "real life"].
Feeling comfortable with him is fantastic. But do you also feel comfortable discussing things with him? That's also important, and it sounds like this is becoming a big issue for you. If it's just been happening the past couple weeks, I'd say wait on it. If it's been going on a couple months, then I'd say it's time to say something to him. Let him know that you still like him but that you don't have much to compare it to so you just don't really know what you're doing. I think everyone needs some time to be single. I didn't even date until college (though not deliberately) - but still, I think I'm glad for that. I've been with my boyfriend nearly two years and I don't know what I'm doing and I don't really have much to compare it to, either. But we've talked about this some.
Let him know what you told us - that you need to make sure you can be YOU before you can be part of a pair. Just let him know that you feel you are in a slightly uncomfortable position and that you aren't sure what to do.
Well, I'm a dolt, just saw that you HAVE mentioned it. Maybe it's time to bring it up again? What's helpful is that you don't sound like you want to date around, just that you want to have time to focus on YOU, and there's nothing wrong with that. Especially as a teen, you might be at a time in your life where you are thinking about you future, such as jobs and/or college. That means you are thinking about where you want to live one day, what sort of 'grown up' you will be, what career you will have pursued. And that can definitely seem like a huge amount of scarily serious stuff! So yeah, I would say it's understandable to want to focus on yourself for a little while, and sounds like he's a good guy that's willing to wait a reasonable amount of time.