Thanks for the response!
> Might be worthwhile to explore this about yourself, as avoidance leads to shallow emotional connections with our partners. A deeper connection is critical after the much easier romance aspect.
Can you please expand on this?
> I'd like to add it's a little confusing to read at the start of you post that a long-term relationship wasn't feasible yet toward the end of your post you want to have a long-term relationship. I'm not sure if the "certain reasons" would clarify that.
To clarify, I want an amicably platonic relationship with her... that is what we both agreed to. And the reasons include her parental disapproval as well as her avoidant attachment style...
> This begs the often-asked question - Does this come from having betrayed her, or from getting caught? Not something you need to defend or explain here belbaba, more a question to ask yourself. I'm sorry you both find yourselves in a difficult time.
Honestly, I don't have the emotional intelligence to answer this question. Can please you help me answer that?
All I know is that viewing her in pain and visible disappointment as a result of my behaviour left me in a daze. I told her, "I need to develop a stronger appreciation for the consequences of my behaviour and how my behaviour impacts the people I love and care about".
And RE: clinical post, I think that's maybe a product of overregulating my emotions at the moment...