[28/f] about to marry [32/m] terrified i'm making the wrong choice

Sadly, it is very likely things will continue to devolve should you continue. What you once perceived as love will erode into resentment tinged with love, confusing you and the relationship further. Poor choices will breed in what already appears to be a very fraught and emotional environment, both practically speaking and psychologically. Though it is perfectly normal for one to ardently wish that someone will change, or that some external enlightenment will convince another to mend their ways, the fact is, nothing will induce another individual until they are ready to do so themselves. You may implore, beg, and suggest all you please, but this tends to only distance a partner, further entrenching them; for it's doubtful he perceives your grievances as valid, or his actions as 'wrong'. It's a much greater possibility that he feels justified in diminishing you verbally or through hostile actions— actions meant to elicit your attention; or more darkly, to shame you, to control you, or to make you as miserable as possible.

It's also probable (depending on your own character, resilience, and self-esteem) that you yourself may be inspired to new and unexpected lows; what one could call 'meeting him on his level'. Doing so is also a predictable and not uncommon progression, of motivated by nothing more than pure frustration. However, the inevitable stooping to the same petty passive-aggressive retaliation is far from an absolute fate should you act soon enough. But should you begin on that path, the cycle only worsens with time; as two people closely bound tend feed on negativity in an ever increasing intensity.

Or, perhaps you may stoically endure it for a time. Your values part, and differ more and more. You habour your feelings of mistreatment. Perhaps eventually you decide act out seeking attention elsewhere. You've now validated his prophesy. It makes no difference that his knowledge of your past conduct is presently playing on his own insecurity. Should you reach this hypothetical whilst intertwined in a more legally formalised construct such as marriage, imagine how far his behaviour will escalate then— as you are now both are 'trapped'.

These are bleak posits indeed, and by no means guaranteed. But without wasting time parsing this man's character further, it is quite safe to say that some semblance of the above events can be utterly counted on.

Painful as it may be, rest assured, pro-actively recognising that destiny does not bode well for this situation will save even greater distress and heartache in future, difficult as the choice may seem in the immediacy of this moment.

/r/relationship_advice Thread