Should I involve my as bf in my social life?

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Rudin
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06 Aug 2015, 9:13 am

starfox wrote:
If your really social then why are you with him? :-/ doesn't match.


How rude! Neurotypicals can be social with Aspies. Are you saying Aspies can only be social with Aspies and vice versa?

If you are then you are simply wrong.


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cooksp53
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06 Aug 2015, 10:06 am

Try driving separately(if that's an option). That way when he gets uncomfortable he can head home to decompress.

My wife and I do that sometimes. I get my alone time but she can maximize her social time. Another benefit is that I won't have to take the alone time out of our time together.

Does it always go smoothly? Absolutely not.



CuddleHug
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06 Aug 2015, 3:34 pm

The best solution for relationship problems is effective communication. Be it talking or letters as has been suggested. Bluntness can be very helpful and I’m among the group who prefers written communication over verbal more likely to be successful.

The one thing I would suggest however is explaining how relationships work and what they are specifically all the dozens of different types their are. This comes from the perspective that perhaps he doesn’t understand and a more informed opinion will put him at ease in regards to your relationships with others if he could understand them and they could be properly categorized. Why they exist, why you do what you do, why you desire them and what is going to happen in them. What the bounds are. There is a very difficult to understand difference between people who are extremely social and people who are not like myself. I realize you do it for entertainment purposes, only rational, it’s a good idea to use multiple sources it keeps one from going numb. Of course that can be difficult to relate to when you like the repetition of just one and it doesn’t go numb as for the average person. A difference of the way the brain processes pleasure. It’s quite interesting that one reason people interact with others is because it makes the time you spend together more enjoyable. That’s definitely something I don’t understand. Why the pleasure wrought would change, how it’s even possible for the emotions to change or desire to change. So transient.

Establishing clear bounds and expectations for the relationship between you two also creates comfort because it creates reliability. It lets him know exactly what he has to do to sustain a relationship with you and gets rid of the threat that it’s not going to work. It certainly appears he cares about you but would benefit from clear instruction on what to do to please you. A nice written list or rule. A plan for achieving whatever objective he desires. Perhaps marriage.



glebel
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06 Aug 2015, 3:42 pm

starfox wrote:
If your really social then why are you with him? :-/ doesn't match.

Actually,it does. My late wife was very gregarious, and I am obviously not. However, we both had strengths that covered the others' weaknesses. Even though at the time I had no idea that I was ND, both of us knew that I was not social sure of myself. Opposites do attract and do complement each other and can lead to a very strong relationship.


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06 Aug 2015, 4:48 pm

Rudin wrote:
starfox wrote:
If your really social then why are you with him? :-/ doesn't match.


How rude! Neurotypicals can be social with Aspies. Are you saying Aspies can only be social with Aspies and vice versa?

If you are then you are simply wrong.


Starfox's point is surely about a highly social person and a highly non-social person being together, not about the general case of a neurotypical and an Aspie. A tad blunt, sure, but that's going to happen on a website for autistic people.



Hlbjag
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06 Aug 2015, 5:01 pm

cooksp53 wrote:
Try driving separately(if that's an option). That way when he gets uncomfortable he can head home to decompress.

My wife and I do that sometimes. I get my alone time but she can maximize her social time. Another benefit is that I won't have to take the alone time out of our time together.

Does it always go smoothly? Absolutely not.


I love that idea and it would be great in certain circumstances. I believe mutually he and I like to drive together. But definitely there are times that it could save us from some issues. Thank you!



Hlbjag
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06 Aug 2015, 5:25 pm

CuddleHug wrote:
The best solution for relationship problems is effective communication. Be it talking or letters as has been suggested. Bluntness can be very helpful and I’m among the group who prefers written communication over verbal more likely to be successful.

The one thing I would suggest however is explaining how relationships work and what they are specifically all the dozens of different types their are. This comes from the perspective that perhaps he doesn’t understand and a more informed opinion will put him at ease in regards to your relationships with others if he could understand them and they could be properly categorized. Why they exist, why you do what you do, why you desire them and what is going to happen in them. What the bounds are. There is a very difficult to understand difference between people who are extremely social and people who are not like myself. I realize you do it for entertainment purposes, only rational, it’s a good idea to use multiple sources it keeps one from going numb. Of course that can be difficult to relate to when you like the repetition of just one and it doesn’t go numb as for the average person. A difference of the way the brain processes pleasure. It’s quite interesting that one reason people interact with others is because it makes the time you spend together more enjoyable. That’s definitely something I don’t understand. Why the pleasure wrought would change, how it’s even possible for the emotions to change or desire to change. So transient.

Establishing clear bounds and expectations for the relationship between you two also creates comfort because it creates reliability. It lets him know exactly what he has to do to sustain a relationship with you and gets rid of the threat that it’s not going to work. It certainly appears he cares about you but would benefit from clear instruction on what to do to please you. A nice written list or rule. A plan for achieving whatever objective he desires. Perhaps marriage.


I agree. I have tried to explain for five years but obviously am not choosing the right words. I keep trying. It is a need for me to have social relationships as it is a need for air to breathe. Quite a combination because I am very emotional and altruistic and he is opposite. I think this ultimately is what makes us work. I am a communicator and I create clear boundaries but sometimes I think I talk so much that it is tuned out. I have started to ask him to give me 3 tasks per week to work on that would make him happier and we discuss them. They are usually pretty broad but I get clarification. I then give him 3 very specific tasks to work on such as acknowledging people when they are around with a hello, how is your day, or goodbye rather than ignoring people (family and friends not strangers) and learning how to say thank you. Eventually we will get to "I'm sorry" but I know this will be a hard one for him. This seems to work well and he does great. We should maybe start writing it down to make it easier. We have a great time together traveling, playing bingo, outside sports, adventures or just going out to eat or staying home and doing nothing. My problem is not at all with my time with him but getting time away from him or to be social without having it be stressful to either of us.



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06 Aug 2015, 5:36 pm

Hlbjag wrote:
He definitely does not like me talking to guys and I have to constantly reassure him that I chose to be with him and have no desire for another. But I can tell he doesn't like me talking with anyone. I think he can't understand why I need other relationships because he doesn't need them. And that he thinks he should be enough for me so when I do things with others it makes him feel inadequate.


Thanks. So would it be correct to say that he doesn't complain about or try to obstruct your talking with women, but just doesn't seem to like it? And that his actual objections are mainly about other men? Sorry about all the questions, it's just that some of my own relationship experiences make me feel I can almost get into his shoes, but I don't want to wade in with much advice until I'm sure I'm not just projecting my own feelings into the situation, so I'd be grateful for any details you can give us about exactly what his fears and objections seem to be.



Hlbjag
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06 Aug 2015, 5:43 pm

glebel wrote:
starfox wrote:
If your really social then why are you with him? :-/ doesn't match.

Actually,it does. My late wife was very gregarious, and I am obviously not. However, we both had strengths that covered the others' weaknesses. Even though at the time I had no idea that I was ND, both of us knew that I was not social sure of myself. Opposites do attract and do complement each other and can lead to a very strong relationship.


Very true! I find it hard to understand how two AS people could get along but it happens and it works. NT/AS seems much more reasonable to me but that is my experience. Every relationship requires adjustment and understanding. I think my boyfriend and I definitely complement one another. I don't know what I would do without his organizational skills and much more but to keep this short, I also know he appreciates my fly by the seat personality. We all need our time together, time alone, time with friends and family regardless of our dispositions. It is just trying to figure out the balance and making sure both are getting what we need. If he could stay behind and let me enjoy my time I would like that but he always wants to come. It seems he is not happy unless I am just spending my time with him. Which doesn't fulfill me.



Hlbjag
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06 Aug 2015, 5:49 pm

I would like to thank all of you for your responses. They have all been insightful and helpful. I have been doing a lot of reading and research and trying to apply what I have learned for the last 4 years. This is the first time I have reached out to others and am wishing I had a long time ago. Thank you, I appreciate the support and advice!



Waterfalls
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06 Aug 2015, 6:07 pm

Sometimes it can be hard to read facial expressions, as he is an aspie, he may look annoyed but not actually be feeling annoyed. Hopefully more communication helps with that.

To maintain your dignity so you can feel happy in the relationship, don't you need to be willing to give it up if it does not work for you both? I think not being to attached to what the outcome is (a relationship or not) and being attached to feeling good yourself and helping him enjoy himself is how I would look at it. Some disagreements are part of life, but I would rather give someone up than make them unhappy in the long run.

At best, is it possible some of what looks like jealousy is difficulty understanding and relating to how much you need social contact? If that's the case, perhaps sitting down with him and sharing deeply about how much of a need socializing is for you might help change things. The difference from past discussions might be that you're approaching him for help by sharing that it hurts you if you don't have social contact. You are saying he isn't enough for you. If you are enough for him, it might not make sense unless you show him vulnerability and emotion and really convey this in a heartfelt way.



Hlbjag
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06 Aug 2015, 6:58 pm

ToughDiamond wrote:
Hlbjag wrote:
He definitely does not like me talking to guys and I have to constantly reassure him that I chose to be with him and have no desire for another. But I can tell he doesn't like me talking with anyone. I think he can't understand why I need other relationships because he doesn't need them. And that he thinks he should be enough for me so when I do things with others it makes him feel inadequate.


Thanks. So would it be correct to say that he doesn't complain about or try to obstruct your talking with women, but just doesn't seem to like it? And that his actual objections are mainly about other men? Sorry about all the questions, it's just that some of my own relationship experiences make me feel I can almost get into his shoes, but I don't want to wade in with much advice until I'm sure I'm not just projecting my own feelings into the situation, so I'd be grateful for any details you can give us about exactly what his fears and objections seem to be.


He is very controlling. Has somehow figured out how to receive my messages and texts from my phone and access to all of my accounts. I am constantly having to change passwords but that doesn't help. I have learned to just leave everything open because he is going to get in anyways. I have nothing to hide but don't like being monitored, no one does. I am a pretty strong and resilient woman so I make a point to assert my independence. While I am also a very caring person so I understand that he functions on a different level and I try to accommodate that without losing myself.



Hlbjag
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06 Aug 2015, 7:03 pm

Hlbjag wrote:
ToughDiamond wrote:
Hlbjag wrote:
He definitely does not like me talking to guys and I have to constantly reassure him that I chose to be with him and have no desire for another. But I can tell he doesn't like me talking with anyone. I think he can't understand why I need other relationships because he doesn't need them. And that he thinks he should be enough for me so when I do things with others it makes him feel inadequate.


Thanks. So would it be correct to say that he doesn't complain about or try to obstruct your talking with women, but just doesn't seem to like it? And that his actual objections are mainly about other men? Sorry about all the questions, it's just that some of my own relationship experiences make me feel I can almost get into his shoes, but I don't want to wade in with much advice until I'm sure I'm not just projecting my own feelings into the situation, so I'd be grateful for any details you can give us about exactly what his fears and objections seem to be.


He is very controlling. Has somehow figured out how to receive my messages and texts from my phone and access to all of my accounts. I am constantly having to change passwords but that doesn't help. I have learned to just leave everything open because he is going to get in anyways. I have nothing to hide but don't like being monitored, no one does. I am a pretty strong and resilient woman so I make a point to assert my independence. While I am also a very caring person so I understand that he functions on a different level and I try to accommodate that without losing myself.


Basically he does not like me talking to anyone but him unless he knows what I am saying and to whom.



kraftiekortie
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06 Aug 2015, 7:09 pm

I find that extremely controlling, and would not accept this sort of talk from my wife.



Waterfalls
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06 Aug 2015, 7:11 pm

I worry for you that you are essentially trying to appease him because you love him, but don't think anything less than all of you will be enough. And that's too much for someone who loves you to ask.

Being strong about who you are and what you need is a choice you can make. I worry it will be very hard for you to be happy with someone so controlling and intrusive.



Hlbjag
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06 Aug 2015, 7:32 pm

Waterfalls wrote:
I worry for you that you are essentially trying to appease him because you love him, but don't think anything less than all of you will be enough. And that's too much for someone who loves you to ask.

Being strong about who you are and what you need is a choice you can make. I worry it will be very hard for you to be happy with someone so controlling and intrusive.


True but our relationship involves more then just our lives. There are children who need stability. I am the one responsible for maintaining that. You have no idea how hard this is. At every angle, I can't let the kids be affected by his behaviour, neighbors can't know, friends can't know. It is a full time job and I am ok, I am doing it but want some peace for myself.