Been where you are, going on 40 years marriage, 46 years being together, when I started putting myself first and doing the things I loved again, he started paying attention, I even separated from him for a year and 2 months because I didn’t like where we were headed. He hung money over my head, a lot of his mother issues came into play, he never shared his concerns I would just have to guess about things, but he found out and became very aware that I could always take care of myself and I didn’t need him but just wanted him in my life. We started like we were dating again all the time we were apart living separately, he started paying attention to our issues, we counseled for a little bit and I finally moved back home. There has been a definite change for the better, not everything perfect I had to let some things go, like I said compromise is the key and not losing yourself in the process, you are worth it! 🤗🤗🌹🌹♥️♥️

Thanks for your encouraging words - interesting that my husband & I have also been together for 46 years; all of it whilst being married.

Our 'problem' mostly originated with me. Being the daughter of a man, whom became quadriplegic when I was a baby, I learned very early on to kinda just fade into the background, & not to expect too much attention or personal interaction with my folks, whom were stretched to the limit just getting through the day, & putting food on the table. (Having said that, I did have a good childhood, & never doubted, for a moment, that I was loved.)

However, in recent years I have come to realize that I have, in fact, carried that expectation into my marriage. At first, it wasn't much of a problem, but as the years went by, & the challenges started getting more & more intense, cracks in the relationship started to form, because of it.

Long story short... I recently made a conscious decision to make changes to how I perceive myself, and my place in thi