Iam,
Exactly! These things that we do to hurt each other are inexcusable, but we just don't need to fight them every step of the way with vigor like we tend to do. And it is very hard to "see" what you are doing to others. Every time my boyfriend stomps away now, I just let him go. My mom started making a hand gesture, which I've picked up, where she fills a virtual ballon with stress or anger, and flicks it out into the atmosphere. I added to that stress relieving technique by telling my boyfriend that all things will be considered and then released in my balloons, but that I am keeping a virtual file of our actions and reactions to be later addressed. I don't want to fight about changing anything. If it is able to be changed, then great. But if it's not, I will base my decisions on which of those things in the "not changing" list that are most important to me.
I try to confront my boyfriend every time he is hurtful, rude, or just plain immature. My problem is having the ability to not add to the simple issue. Last night he called from Lowe's and asked me to go look at what size furnace filter we needed. I was a jerk, and had to comment on his refusal to do an immediate favor for me the night before. I was compelled to make the comparison, and I'm sure it set the tone for what happened next. I was at school online, and took about 5 minutes to go downstairs; I told him I would take that time. All in all, I texted him back with the info exactly 10 minutes after the call. He stepped in the door 3 minutes after I sent the text, and immediately came upstairs and barked "Thanks for checking on that for me"!! It was not a sincere gesture of gratitude in the least, and my emotional barrier went up. He didn't receive the text because of a gliche I suppose, and believed I hadn't done it all. It ended up being a short spat; one I stepped away from very quickly (7 minutes). But had I not made the comparison in the first place, I'm not sure he would have reacted to not receiving the info he wanted the way he did.
Nutshell; It was not fair that he refuse to do a favor, and then ask one of me. I chose to confront him on the rules of fair treatment; give and take; at an inappropriate time. He was rude and out of line when he came home. Although I might have better handled the situation by not making the comparison, I couldn't take it back. My comparison and his sarcastic gratitude were both inexcusable. The trouble is that while I see where I made my mistake, he cannot. And I can't force him to be remorseful because he feels justified by what I did. Two wrongs don't make a right.
Did I deserve to be spoken to that way? No. Could I have chosen not to compare the favors? Yes. Should I have? That one I'm not sure of; was it just bad timing? I have decided to be happy with the fact that I stood up for myself, and let the rest go for now. His inability to be accountable for his own actions and words will simply go in the virtual file. I can't change that in him. Maybe he'll learn how to be accountable without damaging his own self esteem in the future, I can't form a conclusion one way or another at this point. I am grateful for the efforts that he makes, but I still have to consider the things that just aren't working for us. I'm hoping that my virtual file will contain more good than bad, but I have to be realistic in thinking that he may not be the right person to be my carer.
I've only been in this relationship for 3 years, and we have no children together. You on the other hand have a lot more at stake with 33 years of marriage. I can't give experienced advice in any form, but to say that I believe you are moving in the right direction, and to keep on using these methods. I do agree with you that we should all be clear and voice our intentions verbally. I've been doing that a lot more. I tell my boyfriend specifically why I'm leaving his company (withdraw). Whether it's because being near him is stressful and emotional at the time, or simply because his choice of TV shows is deplorable in my opinion and I'd rather go play Warcraft or get on the forums. I've made it clear that if he wishes to perk up and be nice, I will stay with him in the room, but that I do not wish to be "mad". The choice is his. I've also told him that he is more than welcome to interrupt me with invitations to do or watch something else. I am simply doing what I need to do to be happy. I tell him; "It has nothing to do with you personally". I'm trying very hard to keep the descriptions of my intentions simple and impersonal, although I'm not always successful there. Rather than say "he's stressing me out, and making me want to go upstairs", I tell him that "I'm not in control of my emotions right now, and I need to go relax my brain upstairs". Blame is such an evil beast, and it runs rampid in our home. No one wants to take responsibility for their actions; someone always made them do it. I've been guilty in the past, but not anymore; I control what upsets me. Apologies are so much easier when you can understand symptoms and faulty thinking due to PTSD. But we still have to get a rein on them to ensure our futures.
I am no stranger to emotional abuse. My father is the master with his forked tongue and apparent pleasure at hurting people. I picked up very bad habits of tearing people apart, and I'm an expert at how that feels to be torn apart. It IS a form of abuse that not too many will give credit to because there are no outward signs of it. Words don't bruise our skin, they bruise our hearts and minds, and no one can see that. I, for one, will no longer take part in it. It is very hard to hear hurtful things said out of anger or frustration, and not retaliate when I know I could eat him alive... and have done so. Walking away, whether you are truly withdrawing or not, just might be the best thing to do in these situations.
The important thing to remember is that "You can't unring a bell". Even words can leave lasting scars that destroy marriages and relationships. It may feel great to shout some terrible slam, and get the last word in that one time. But in the end, we have to ask "What did we want out of this". It certainly wasn't to destroy our marriage or relationship, so that little bit of temporary satisfaction really bit us in the butt in reality.
You're well on your way to recovery and management; I'm proud of you.
~Meli