Hi Tina,

Even if you love him, relationships are about mutual love. If he ‘treats you like crap’ but tells you he loves you, then his actions are not matching up to his words, suggesting that he doesn’t love you back.

If this has always been a constant in your relationship then chances are he won’t change and it’s likely up to you to instead. You have made the first step and recognised that you are not being treated in the way you wish to be. If you have raised this with him before and nothing has changed then it might be in your interests to find someone who will treat you better.

In relationships people can lose a sense of self and what they want, so perhaps ask yourself this- how do you want your boyfriend to be with you? Once you know that, then comparing it with your current situation might give you some idea of where you are and where you want to be.

Love can sometimes get confused with fear of being alone, or changing habits made with your current partner. Is it love or is it the anticipation of possible change to your life that is holding you back from walking away?