Should I Stay Or Should I Go?

So in a nutshell. Here's my story.

I was with my ex boyfriend for one year. He has depression, anxiety, is quite socially awkward as well.

When we first started dating, it was lovely. He would phone, text, take me out on dates and compliment me. He was quite affectionate. We would have sex. It was all perfect.

Once the honeymoon period wore out, I noticed he became distant. I found myself initiating everything but he would respond. We became more like best friends then lovers.

He later admitted to me that he finds relationships difficult especially intimacy and commitment. But his willing to work on things and wants to take things slow.

His always been quite a cold person. Doesn't communicate his needs and makes excuses to prevent confrontation.

When it comes to affection. He pushed me away when I went to hold his hand, or kiss him. He would often show anxiety. I just put it down to his fear with intimacy. To give it time he might come out of it.

I also learnt as he doesn't communicate well. I had learnt to observe his actions, body language and words to understand his communication. Even then, it's been hard.

I eventually told him I loved him. This created more distance from his part. In fact he stopped responding altogether to my texts and phone calls straight after.

I did ask why does he keep pushing me away. As this is becoming an long issue. He said, he doesn't know why he keeps pushing me away. He appeared quite uncomfortable with this conversation and trying to run away. If I know the fears and the anxiety and the cause of why he feels this way. Then we have something to work on. Then I can avoid certain things. But all he kept saying is - I don't know why I'm like this. I don't mean to push you away. I don't know why I push you away. Claiming he doesn't mean to hurt me. He doesn't know why he does.

I know from one of his previous relationships - his GF went though the same thing. To the point, she decided to end the relationship and maintain being friends. Then she ended the friendship to the point where she cut contact with him.

His previous relationships has been short term or one night stands. He stayed over on Friday evening. Made it clear that he didn't want to discuss our relationship and nor his decision. However, he informed he wants to maintain in a relationship together. However, we cuddled up and he admitted he likes affection but in small doses.

I also informed that he has dodged us talking about the status of our relationship. He doesn't communicate and isn't honest. When he pushes me away when I go to touch him, it feels like rejection.

In a nutshell, he admitted he finds intimacy and personal relationships difficult. He admitted that as we work and hang out together and have a good laugh and good times. He explained he doesn't feel quite the same way as I do by loving me. But admitted it could progress in time. I admitted that I wished I didn't love him as it would make it easier to walk away especially the first time he hurt me. But as I love him - I'm the one getting hurt.

He has loved someone in the past and has had friendships where he has wanted more to progress in the past. But his scared to get close to someone in case he gets hurt. He is afraid of getting close to someone.

I started a new job after. I was hoping to use this as an opportunity for us to have space. But also I realized I had to move on with my life. The bottom line is - he has issues and needs to address it via talking to a professional. Although he admitted he agreeds - as it hasn't affected his friendships - he was in no rush to talk to someone.

New Job

As soon as I started the new job. We saw less and less of each other. We stopped hanging out. I got anxious by the thought. So I thought by asking him to move in with me. This actually made things worse. His anxiety went into overdrive.

Well since I told him a lot of home truths on how his ways had impacted on me during the relationship - providing examples by the lack of effort and indirect communication and I described the pain and hurt it had caused me. Although hearing it - he cried and I decided to end things between us for good. Unless he seeks professional help - then it's over.

Since we broke up and moved on with our lives via doing his job and my new job. We saw less and less of each other. Communication became less and less. I noticed he became a hermit. Not going out much with anyone. I texted him a few times in between three weeks asking him about hanging out as friends. But he didn't reply. So I continued to get on with life.

A few times he tried to make a bit of effort by phoning me. But I just moved forward.

Even during times we saw each other around. I could sense his behaviour around me was he was clearly in pain. Trying to impress me. Trying to seek reassurance. I think hearing what I went through in the relationship deeply hurt and affected him.

It felt like when a child is in pain they look at their mother to reach out and comfort and reassure them. This is what I sensed a few times when I could see the pain on his face.

One particular time a colleague saw this and felt there had been or was going on. By informing me - looking at his face - he deeply cares for me.

My job didn't work out for me so I requested for a transfer back to my old job which I start back tomorrow. As soon as he learnt about this - he has requested for us to go out despite me asking a few times before. Although I met with him once for a drink. I could clearly see he had gone back into a shell since I left.

Last week another colleague mentioned they could see there is something between us.

However, we saw each other. We had a personal conversation. I was really surprised and saw a difference in him. He seemed to be able to communicate better. He was able to talk and be more intuned of his feelings and expressed them.

Kept saying he is excited that I am coming back to work with the team. I told him two colleagues were aware of something that had been between us - he didn't seem to care of people knowing. (something he seemed previously not wanting anyone to know). He also admitted he feels something is still there between us. He learns from his mistakes. I just listened. He kept saying with watery eyes - he doesn't want to get involved as he doesn't want me to get hurt. I'm a good person.

He also informed that since I left he has been hurting and is still hurting.

Since I returned back to my old job. My team suspect I and my ex were/are in a relationship. I and my ex work in the same team. But my management has ensured that we don't work closely together anymore.

Since I and my ex split up. I got on with my life. Didn't contact him anymore. The space that we had had worked wonders between us. To the point, he contacted me to iniate meeting up and going out for a drink and meal.

After one month of seeing him often. My feelings for him started to come back.

When we met up after work. He informed me he wants us to get back together. He feels we are on better terms. He thanked me for giving him space and time. He informed he wants us to go back to meeting up, dating and hanging out. However, he doesn't want to ever move in with me.

He said, he thinks my attitude towards things has matured greatly. I am a lot more patient hence giving him space and time - I guess this was one aspect of the relationship he didn't like - shame it took to tell me after we split up.

I informed I was happy that the space and time has helped him greatly. However, if we were to get back together. I don't want a casual relationship as I do want him to move in with me. I want the relationship to progress. I don't want to invest my time into something for it not to progress.

I'm happy that my ways has improved to the point where he feels a relationship can happen. However, he needs to work on his issues and show commitment towards the relationship.

He confirmed he knows I won't back down on the idea on him moving in together. I told him either he faces his commitment issues and deals with it - then the relationship won't work. I'm happy to give him space and time. I reasured that I'm not in it for the short term. He thanked me for that.

He said - he will need a lot of space and time to face this.

So I've backed off and got on with my life. I do check in with him from time to time. He tells me he has been thinking about it but continues on wanting his space. I try to encourage him to talk about how he is feeling. However, he runs away.

So after finally getting a hold of this guy. We sat down to have a chat.

He informed me he only told me what I wanted to hear via needing time and space to think about working on his commitment. Doesn't want commitment.

Told me he doesn't want to commit to me nor anyone ever. Said he is willing to give things another go. His willing to see how things go. He doesn't mind dating and hanging out. But only wants companionship and not looking for love. Said he doesn't love me. Just only sees me as a close friend. Isn't looking for love.

Said he finds it diffciult to text, phone and iniate plans when he knows I love him. Would find it a lot easier if I didn't love him.

Said he stopped coming over to my house as I was pressuring him into having sex everytime he came over.

Said his rubbish at close relationships and doesn't have much experience. However, friendships work better for him.

He enjoys going to the pub. However, most times prefers to stay indoors.

Either I accept to dating him which only comes with hanging out and compantionship. Or I walk away?