Q: I am kind of in a predicament here. Or at least I feel really confused. (It is quite long, I’m sorry)
My boyfriend and I have been dating for quite a while, nearly a year. I love him a lot and I feel that things were going smoothly. However, a few weeks ago his ex came back to NY. (She had moved to VA before) And I felt that it was nothing really. The background is that he had dated her for a long time as well, about two years or so and from his friends, they told me that he really liked her (when they were dating) and the reason they broke up was because she had to move to VA and because she thought she’ll be leaving permanently, they decided to stop their relationship so it won’t drag on.
So I guess that isn’t really the problem but I can’t help but feel queasy when I see them together. They are hanging out together a lot nowadays. They way they laugh at each others jokes and how she smiles at him, is just getting me nervous. But she is a really nice person at least to everyone around her. However sometimes when she talks to me I feel that her smile is kind of forced. I guess it is just an instinct or maybe I am just paranoid. But I mean that her smile is really bright and she seems really happy but her eyes don’t tell me that. They are still and solemn despite her smile. Maybe I am just imagining things but I can’t help but feel…insecure I guess? I know it sounds really childish to be jealous when there probably isn’t anything wrong.
I feel kind of bad to be thinking this way and feeling that there is something going on…but I just can’t help the feeling. I talked to my closest friend and she tells me she understands. (She tells me she doesn’t like his ex either) So I have no idea now. I just don’t know if…my feelings are right or should I just stop thinking senselessly and acting childish? Should I just let things go and pretend to be alright? I don’t want to talk to my boyfriend because I love him and I don’t want to be not trusting him (I feel so guilty inside for thinking and feeling this way, it seems as if I don’t trust him but I really do- I just can’t help…) And it is not that he is neglecting me. He has been really sweet throughout our time together, and despite his ex’s arrival, he is still really nice to me. What should I do? Is it wrong to feel such a way? Am I considered selfish to feel queasy when I see them? Is it considered a lack of trust? I just…don’t know.