She's very distant...

Greetings! Great website, I'm using a lot of what I learn, but I'm still having difficulties. I'm an 18 year old male in a relationship with an 18 year old female. We've been dating about 7 or 8 months now and we're starting to have troubles. I used to live here in town around her during the summer and we spent a lot of time together, but then school season came and I had to move about 20 minutes away for my college while she stayed here for her college. It's been about 3 months since then.

I come home on the weekends to visit with her, my parents, and do things here in my hometown. Mainly I come to see her though, because I want this relationship to last. Lately she seems like she doesn't want to do anything anymore. She claims that "She doesn't know who I am" anymore, that she feels "obligated to spend entire weekends with me" and so forth and so on. I've asked her if she just wants to break up, but she seems at least somewhat determined to stay together.

Obviously we're past our "honeymoon stage," but I don't know how to tackle this next stage. Admittedly we've both gone through some changes, but I don't see why we can't get along anymore. I've tried to open up communication with her more, since that has been part of the problem, but she doesn't look at it that way. Are there any pointers you can give to help us? Perhaps ways of letting each other know how we've changed (outside of the relationship) and how to deal with them? Any help would be much appreciated, thanks.

Her saying "She doesn't know who I am" anymore, that she feels "obligated to spend entire weekends with me" are not very good signs. I would think it is important to look at those two things and see what it is specifically that she is feeling in each case, to try to learn what is really going on with her, what she really wants or needs. In general, it is also important to make sure there are ongoing sources of positive energy in the relationship. Find lost of little ways to actively show her or tell her that you appreciate her. I sense there are some things around communication that you need to look at and possibly learn some new approaches, but I am would need to know in greater depth what exactly has been the issues and obstacles for each of you. One thing I might suggest is to use the Soulmate Oracle cards on our website with her -- and to mutually explore with her facets of love and relationship in a little greater depth. I often have couples pick 3 cards and then read the text for each out loud to each other, alternating who reads every few paragraphs. That often opens up conversation on a deeper and more meaningful level. In some ways, it sounds like communication and emotions are stagnating a bit, and you need to try to move deeper in intimate connection. She has a lot of the information that could help that, and it's a matter of trying to open up that communication channel.

She's always been one to not show much communication unless we're alone for a long time and she's in one of her open moods. Another problem, stated in the "I feel obligated to spend entire weekends with you", is being approached at "scheduled" weekends. So we both have time for friends, family, weekend school work, and then each other, and we don't feel so obligated to spend every evening and every waking moment together. I'm really afraid I'm going to lose her, and I love her way too much for that, but as one of my friends said so lightly yet effectively...."She's finding reasons."

You have to walk a fine line between: (1) showing her you really want it to work out -- vs. (2) chasing after her too much. If the relationship gets too lopsided, with you being the one who is always trying to make it work, it won't work anyway. It has to be an equal thing. And if she is not opening up, or if she won't communicate, then you are left in a place of no-win. It takes two people to make it work. I would like to assure you that she is not backing out (yet I'm not a mind-reader) -- but even if she isn't -- either way -- you need to strengthen your own inner sense of self, get your supportive friends supporting you more right now, soothe your own feelings, keep your focus on your work, and not totally lose yourself in obsessing about her.

Wow, you're reading me like a book. I was thinking "Dang, I always feel like I'm doing all the work, and that can't be good." But it's really hard to NOT do anything, or not call her all the time and talk about things. Though, you said surround yourself in supportive friends, and that's a great idea. Maybe taking up a bit more interest in my hobbies or schoolwork will allow enough "plot" in my life to let up on the obsessing on the relationship thing. I suppose the same advice could apply to my angst over the fact that if I DON'T work at it, then she'll just slip away. You're really helped me, thanks a lot. Now, just gotta get some rest and start the morning in a new way.

Great.... This is the strongest move you can make right now.... Let me know how it goes....

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