Our culture, and often our upbringing, teaches us that emotional strength equals control; rather than working through or processing difficult emotions, like anger, grief, shame, and fear, we learn to push feelings aside and 'get over it'. Don't dwell. Don't fall apart. Be positive. Get a grip. We learn to project an image of unrealistic stability and strength, while ignoring our actual mental state.
When was the last time you asked yourself: Why am I in this relationship?Is it because you genuinely want to be with this person, or because what they offer feels safe, stable, or hard to walk away from? When those reasons blur, and when you stay just because you always have, anger builds quietly inside. Irritations flare for no reason. Conflicts appear out of nowhere. And, slowly, you feel lost in your own relationship without knowing why.
I'm absorbing a lot of criticism and I'm not really allowed to give my own. I'm a sounding board for everyone's emotions but I need to be reserved in my own until I know how you're going to feel about them. I'm pushing forward and supporting you whenever and however I can. I barely even have my own thoughts unless you say it's okay.