Has anyone had success in dating someone who is guarded emotionally and often shuts down in moments of conflict?

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I'm not emotionally guarded but I shut down in personal conflicts! That's my reaction mechanism. Can't help with it.

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It’s hard!

I was very guarded for several months into my current relationship because of past experiences. I didn’t even realize I was behaving like that until my partner acknowledged it.

What helped things change (and they have changed, significantly, for the better) are a few things:
1. My own desire to do the work through therapy, etc. My dedication and progress showed my partner my level of commitment to getting better and our relationship overall.
2. The way that my partner approached me and supported me. It was completely unlike previous relationships that caused me to shut down. My partner was empathetic and supportive in these moments of conflict which encouraged me to chip away at opening up.

When you say “conflict,” I encourage you to look at how you engage in conflict. Your conflict style could be triggering to the other person, causing them to shut down. This might not be the case, but it’s just something to consider. I know, personally, that I wouldn’t have been so successful at opening up had my partner not consistently reminded me that they are a safe space in which to do so.

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i love this! 🖤🥺

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Read up on avoidant attachment theory. Tough to change but if you understand what is going on it’s still possible to set up a good relationship dynamic

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Thats me. Why

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Yes, many of us love torturing ourselves or bad situations in general.

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Currently dating someone with very little emotional depth. Shooting myself in the foot sometimes

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We take the bad with the good.

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Are we dating???

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I have a parent who does this to my other parent. They have a great relationship otherwise but I see it is very difficult. I am seeing the same dynamic in my relationship.

Wow that’s like John Gottmans like top predictor of divorce so I’m gonna go with a no it’s not going to work out.

No. That person is a child. No thank you.

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