Romantic Needs Not Being Met

katja24

New member
Here is my trouble:

I am an insecure-attachment type (I get easily freaked out by confrontation, think that we are on the verge of breaking up when we argue, etc), and I know this attachment type of mine is easily aggravated by having a poly reality. I work on managing these feelings as best I can. I also know that it impacts my desires and needs when J is investing time, energy, and attention into another romantic relationships. All I desire when I am feeling anxious is to have emotional reassurance and romantic gestures: massage, meditative time together, looking into each other's eyes, focusing 100% on each other.

J does not desire as much intimacy in our relationship as I desire. He says he is at his max for connection and intimacy with me. Thus, he does not desire more "romance." We live together and do a lot of day-to-day things together (walking the dog, going to the gym, making food, studying on the couch, etc), and he has expressed that if we didn't see each other for a week, that he could see himself desiring romance.

When I bring up my desire and need for more romance, he completely pulls back from me. Our sexual intimacy pretty much stops, and other kinds of physical intimacy is almost non-existant, too (minus a couple of pecks on the lips). This adds to my aggravation and feelings of insecurity and sadness.

He is planning on seeing C, his secondary, this week. That is fine with me and I expect it. It is much harder for me to manage my own feelings of insecurity and fear when I know that he is going to spend distraction-free, romantic time with another partner and is not desirous of doing it with me; not only that, but our sexual and physical intimacy has stopped momentarily. Frankly, it feels like he is witholding this from me, even though he says he just doesn't desire it with me.

What to do? what solutions are there?

I know we could set aside time to engage in distraction-free and romantic space together. No cellphones, computers, TV. No talking about other stressors in our lives. Just engaging with each other. Breathing together, eye contact, compliments, massage, candles, music.

I would love it if we could do this. But again, he says that he is so maxed out on connection and intimacy with me that he just doesn't desire it and really does not want to do it.

What other solutions might there be? I feel at a complete loss and I am in pain.
 
It sounds as though this is a really painful time for you - I hope it gets better sooner then later.

You say that J is maxed out with intimacy with you, I'm reading that as a need to explore himself and others apart from you. It also sounds like you have talked with him in detail about this (is that the case?) and he probably isn't going to suddenly provide you with more 1-on-1 time anytime soon. I don't think asking for more of his time is a good idea - it may appear needy to him and thats probably not the feeling you want to promote (not that you might be contemplating this, but just in case).

You acknowledge a level of personal insecurity, and the fear of losing the relationship during confrontations with J. How severe are these feelings? Sometimes when couples argue or disagree, the relationship can actually improve because people can air their grievances with one another. But rejection-anxiety issues can be a huge block to this process - for both parties. He may feel as though he can't ever be completely honest with you for fear of triggering your anxiety. This can be very taxing on your partner (and you), and may be part of the reason why he wants more time away from you.

What steps have you taken so far to understand the basis for your anxieties? Are there people other then J that you can talk to about this? Maybe finding ways to reduce the triggers for your fears can make it easier on both you guys. Anxiety, in general, is a debilitating situation to be in. Finding some way to reduce those feelings might go a long way for you two.


.
 
What to do? what solutions are there?

Get an engaging hobby.
Join a meetup group with people who have a similar interest.
Read books/articles about self esteem in hopes of bolstering your own.
Hang out with your friends and hopefully make new ones.

What I'm saying is, stop letting your emotional state depend on getting reassurance and attention from him. That approach to relating to people is going to continually put strain on your relationships (romantic or otherwise).
 
I second Marcus, and add that if you don't have one, maybe schedule at least one day a week where you and he don't have any domestic duties to take care of together, so there is time and space to relax. Maybe make it a set date day to go somewhere low key, as it sounds like romantic dinners aren't comfortable for him right now with you, a bowl of Pho, the zoo, making the rounds of thrift stores in the best part of town to look for a new painting or vase for your place (really I suck at low pressure dating ideas..but you get the point).

Did you USED to get the romance and intimacy you craved from him, or is this a new development after a certain amount of time went by?
 
You could stop doing the chore things together -- walking the dog, going to the gym, making food, studying on the couch, etc -- and do it APART. Seek out other friends and people to to that stuff with. A dog walking group or gym class pals. Whatever.

Then you can spend your "together time" on the romance stuff that you crave more of. Instead of spending it on the mundane things of living.

If you are cooped up with each other all the time it get cabin fever-y because there is NOTHING NEW to talk about. Wanting more time/attention when he doesn't have it to give -- he gets tired and then you perceive it as pulling away and maybe act in hmmphy ways, which turns him off and leads to no sex intimacy, which hmmphs you further -- it becomes this spiral thing.

As for your conflict resolution style -- could you work on that so you don't get anxious by that and stop being avoidy? Then he can share his vulnerable more with you instead of walking on egg shells worrying you are going wig out.

Emotional intimacy can lead to other kinds of intimacies. Then you are helping yourself to feed your "I am secure" bucket and not your "I am anxious!" bucket.

Confidence is grown by doing -- so you have to open yourself to risk and face conflict more directly to learn that -- "Hey! I can handle this! And I didn't wig out too badly here and nobody broke up! Whew!" and then next time you don't have to feel so anxious. You have direct experience telling you that you CAN handle this. Then you are working toward being more secure in yourself.

Could that help any?

GG
 
Last edited:
you sound like me ..

Hi,

You sound like a very similar personality trait to myself and I have been looking for ways to fix this before it happens. I havent entered a poly relationship yet because of the fear of all that you said is happening is going to happen to me. It does have it goods points doesnt it? I mean Master and myself are looking at the other women eventually living with us ...

I hope you feel better soon, I would love to hear back about what works for you

xx
 
Wow, thank you all for your insightful replies.



BreatheDeeply: I think you hit it on many really significant points. He doesn't desire more 1-1 time with me right now, and I don't plan on asking for it because I don't want to push him away further and I don't want to be needy. Also, yes, the rejection-anxiety dynamic has been detrimental to his ability to be honest. That is something that I am working on managing. My simple acknowledgment a few months ago, to myself and to him, that I am an insecure-attachment type has been really helpful in understanding our dynamics when I experience a trigger. The anxieties and insecurities are things that I am doing a lot of introspective inquiry with, and in the context of my regular counseling.

Marcus: I appreciate your suggestions. I don't really feel like my self esteem is an issue. My engagement with my own activities and relationships is something that I have been addressing, and was the impetus for going back into counseling six months ago. That part of my life is getting stronger, and yes, it is helpful to have a wider support network and activity interests.

Anneintherain: I really like your suggestion, and I honestly don't have an idea about how he would feel about having a weekly low-key non-domestic date. It's a good idea though. And in response to your question, more "romantic" time has been a desire of mine for a long time (years), and I was just able to verbalize what that meant to me a couple of months ago (sensual touch, massage, presence, meditation with each other and on each other).

GalaGirl: Yes, your suggestion about stopping the joint day-to-day activities was one a friend also suggested. I honestly don't feel willing to give those things up. I really like the conflict resolution styles article your suggested. I definitely used to be a complete accommodator, and now I am much more of a compromiser or collaborator. It was helpful to look at it and reflect on how we each approach conflict.

ShakingFlower: I am curious what personality traits you see as similar :) Thank you for your empathy and support!!
 
similarities

Hi again katja,

Wow there is a wealth of information here, its great !

I identify with your anxiety and fear, as ilogical as it may be I cant help but feel it. I am working on being able to verbalise things with my Master but its hard when I dont quite know what to say, I then read your post and saw most of my fears written before me.

If you could let me know how long you experience this for ? Do these feelings come back when you see her again ?

I am at the stage of re programming my mental dialogue.

GOOD LUCK :)
 
Hi Katja!

What I´m about to write might seem cruel, but please believe me when I say that I write it in order to try and help: I think that if I were in J´s position, it would give me the heebie-jeebies!

I feel able to write that because YOU realise that there´s a problem, and are willing to consider that it´s not all J´s fault. You sound like somebody I´d define as a "clinging ivy". And I think that you really need to work on your own issues before you tackle the relationship ones.

I used to have a HUGE inferiority complex / insecurity. I KNOW that it´s difficult for other people to deal with.

It´s a disaster to expect one person to provide you with EVERYTHING. You´ll make that person feel claustrophobic.

I get this strong signal that you need to learn to love yourself, to have faith in yourself. And to stop trying to get ALL your emotional needs supplied by J. Try to get a DVD copy of "Scorchers" by David Beaird, and pay attention to the transformation in Talbot. Her husband of just 6 months has lost all interest in her, UNTIL...

I wish you all the best.:)
 
Last edited:
I am an insecure-attachment type (I get easily freaked out by confrontation, think that we are on the verge of breaking up when we argue, etc), and I know this attachment type of mine is easily aggravated by having a poly reality. I work on managing these feelings as best I can.

Hmm. It seems to me that you have accepted a certain aspect of yourself, and perhaps that acceptance - which is a good thing when first discovering what's going on inside us - has turned into complacency. Don't make it a rule about who you are - approach it as a pattern you have noticed but can choose not to go there anymore. I think you might benefit more if, instead of simply managing how insecure and attached you get, strive to transcend it.

You don't have to say "this is just how I am, I always get attached and insecure." You can make every effort you can not to indulge in the behaviors and thought processes that bring those feelings up. It is a challenge, but so important. Start letting go, and acknowledge yourself for the things you do feel secure about. Pay attention to the things you say to yourself on a regular basis. Many of those self-limiting beliefs we have can shift with a reframing of how we dialogue with ourselves. You can break free and if you do this, you won't have to work on your relationship - it will automatically get better when you are more secure and less attached.
 
Personally, I'm a big believer that if I couldn't maintain a healthy relationship with one partner AND I am unwilling to work on it with them, I have no business continuing to neglect that person while I start a new relationship with someone else. Under those conditions its pretty easy to understand how you're feeling.

How invested in this person are you beyond your emotional ties?
 
FarFromMrRight: I appreciate your candid feedback. I, however, do not see myself as clingy and I honestly do not think I give J the heebie-jeebies. Since discussing all of this with J, he understands the specific behavior I am desiring more of (sensual touch) and we have negotiated around this: we will have a monthly date where we do this intentionally, and any other desires I have for it, I will seek out in other relationships of mine. This need (sensual touch) is one that is very important to me to have at least sometimes within my primary partnership, although I am very willing to seek it out with others. I do not rely on J for all of my emotional needs, and I definitely don't expect him to give me everything. I really do appreciate your candid feedback, because it has given me a chance to articulate all of the above.

nycindie: I have read and re-read your post a few times, and have now swallowed it :) I think you are right that I had become a bit complacent with that realization of mine (that I have insecure-attachment patterns). I do want to transcend it, very much... I think I feel a little stuck with how to, especially because I am not even aware of conscious internal dialogue that says "oh no, he's leaving you!" or other similar things. I know I have fears like that come up in very specific situations, and I am able to critically examine them at those times. But thank you so much for your post and for pointing that out; it feels like a critical piece of feedback to have for my self-growth. Thank you!!

Vinccenzo: Thank you for understanding my difficulties and being sympathetic to them. To be fair to J, while this need has festered for years, it was only in the past couple of months that I really started to identify and verbalize it. And like I mentioned above in my response to FarFromMrRight, we have negotiated about the need and I am hopeful that it will help. How invested am I in him? Pretty darn invested :) Beyond emotional ties, we are not financially or legally tied to each other. Because it has been more on my end of not speaking up until recently, I want to make sure we work adequately on this before I would even consider not working on it together (it's not like he has been unwilling or ignoring my requests and needs for years; he's been trying to listen to me and understand as best he can in the past couple of months). He is an understanding and intelligent person, and does understand that I want sensual touch and presence with my primary partner. I am confident that we will work together around this. :)
 
nycindie: I have read and re-read your post a few times, and have now swallowed it :) I think you are right that I had become a bit complacent with that realization of mine (that I have insecure-attachment patterns). I do want to transcend it, very much... I think I feel a little stuck with how to, especially because I am not even aware of conscious internal dialogue that says "oh no, he's leaving you!" or other similar things. I know I have fears like that come up in very specific situations, and I am able to critically examine them at those times. But thank you so much for your post and for pointing that out; it feels like a critical piece of feedback to have for my self-growth. Thank you!!

You're welcome. Here is how you take the first steps toward transforming the patterns of thought that keep you stuck: just give yourself some homework - and the homework is to notice such thoughts. That's all. You don't have to do anything about them except pay attention. You may find yourself wrapped up in some mental wrangling and then remember that your assignment is to notice your thoughts -so you mentally step back and review what just came to your mind. And if and when you notice a thought like, "He doesn't want me," or some such sentiment, just acknowledge it. "Oh, there's that thought again."

Don't judge the thought as negative, nor yourself for thinking it, and don't tell yourself you should get rid of that thought. Eventually it will come up again - because our minds are machines, you see, and it's like we have a built-in program that replays all our thoughts over and over again, and even replays the thoughts of the people around us because we, as human beings, are very perceptive.

Anyway, eventually, you recognize your thought pattern ("Oh, there's that thought again") but by simply recognizing it, it no longer has power over you. By recognizing it as simply a pattern in your mind/bio-computer, you now have a choice you didn't have before when you couldn't see those thoughts floating in. And the choice you have is basically whether to follow that pattern like you always did, and pay credence to it (or indulge), which gives it substance and power and puts you at its mercy OR letting it go and getting engaged in something else instead of the mental anguish. Get to work on a project on your desk, do something fun, masturbate, turn your face to the sun and feel its warmth, pet a dog, anything! Just letting your thoughts be, without judging them, and then engaging in your life ... is the key to getting free.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top