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GF Stops Overperforming And Matches BF’s Bare Minimum After He Forgets Her Special Events
Young woman looking thoughtful and upset indoors, reflecting on relationship after boyfriend forgets her birthday again.

GF Stops Overperforming And Matches BF’s Bare Minimum After He Forgets Her Special Events

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A healthy relationship needs to have a lot of give and take so that both partners feel loved. If one person drops the ball by not making enough effort or always waiting for their partner to make the first move, it can end up causing a lot of resentment.

This is exactly what one woman faced in her relationship because her boyfriend of three years never seemed to remember her birthday and didn’t think it was necessary to do anything special for her. That’s why she eventually got frustrated and asked people online for advice.

More info: Reddit

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    When things start becoming one-sided between partners, it can lead to a conflict and make the person putting in the most effort feel unloved

    Image credits: Kateryna Hliznitsova / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

    The poster explained that she had been with her boyfriend for three years and that she always planned special things for holidays, his birthdays, and their anniversaries

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    Image credits: Lala Azizli / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

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    Even though she never skimped on things for her boyfriend, he didn’t do the same in return, and either forgot her birthday or got her last-minute gifts

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    Image credits: Camandona / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    The woman eventually decided to match her boyfriend’s lack of effort, and didn’t even remind him of her birthday, which he later ended up getting her a cheap gift for

    Image credits: Freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    The man also didn’t install their bathtub, which was the one thing the poster asked him to do for her

    Image credits: FreeNefariousness498

    The poster was fed up with her partner’s behavior and wanted to leave him, but since she depended on him for his car, she felt stuck in the relationship

    Right from the start, the OP had put a lot of effort into making her boyfriend happy and giving him special gifts regardless of how much money she had. She knew that the thought she put into the presents and experiences would make him happy, which is why she kept doing it, even if he didn’t.

    According to experts, people don’t need to give each other expensive gifts, because even simple, thoughtful presents can make a big impact as well. It’s all about showing the other person how much you love and care for them, which is exactly what the woman had been doing for her boyfriend.

    Unfortunately, she had slowly noticed that her relationship was quite one-sided, and her partner didn’t seem to put in as much effort as she did. He kept forgetting her birthday, bought her last-minute gifts, and never planned anything for her to enjoy, which slowly began to make her feel resentful.

    When one person has to continually initiate every event or interaction, it can make them feel very unappreciated. This is especially true if their partner always relies on them financially and emotionally, which might make them feel like they can never take a break or get the same kind of support in return.

    Image credits: kuroos_angel / Reddit

    The woman noticed how little effort her boyfriend put in for her, so she decided to do the same thing to him by matching his energy. Unfortunately, that just made her feel bad because he didn’t seem to realize the change in her behavior, and he also forgot her birthday till the very last minute.

    When people find themselves in an unbalanced relationship like this, therapists advise talking to their partner directly and using ‘I’ statements to voice any concerns. Although it might be tough at first to speak about the one-sidedness, over time, it might help the other individual recognize where they are falling short and make a change.

    Instead of talking to her boyfriend, the woman decided to keep quiet and let him make his own bed. She knew that there were other problems as well and that she should end the relationship, but she didn’t want to because she relied on him for his car.

    The OP also told people that she was in the process of saving up to get her own vehicle and that in a few months she’d probably be able to afford it. Hopefully, once she does that, she can break up with her boyfriend and move on to a healthier relationship.

    What do you think about this situation, and what advice would you give to the woman? Do share your thoughts down below, and if you’ve ever been in a one-sided relationship like this.

    People urged the woman to leave her partner and not settle for such behavior

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    Beverly Noronha

    Beverly Noronha

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

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    You can call me Bev! I'm a world-class reader, a quirky writer, and a gardener who paints. If you’re looking for information about tattoos, Bulbasaur, and books, then I'm the NPC you must approach.

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    Beverly Noronha

    Beverly Noronha

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    You can call me Bev! I'm a world-class reader, a quirky writer, and a gardener who paints. If you’re looking for information about tattoos, Bulbasaur, and books, then I'm the NPC you must approach.

    Rūta Zumbrickaitė

    Rūta Zumbrickaitė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

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    Hi! Here at Panda's I'm responsible for Photo Editing and all of the things surrounding it. I love finding great, moody or even dramatic photos to fit the story. Besides that, I'm a proud owner of 2 cats with the silliest names and a bazillion plants<3You can find me at a makeup counter with headphones swatching all of the sparkly eyeshadows

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    Rūta Zumbrickaitė

    Rūta Zumbrickaitė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Hi! Here at Panda's I'm responsible for Photo Editing and all of the things surrounding it. I love finding great, moody or even dramatic photos to fit the story. Besides that, I'm a proud owner of 2 cats with the silliest names and a bazillion plants<3You can find me at a makeup counter with headphones swatching all of the sparkly eyeshadows

    What do you think ?
    Sparky Hughes
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Yikes. I am at that stage in life where I just don’t want or need stuff. I get embarrassed at the attention for my birthday since I got chastised as a kid from my mother for getting excited for my birthday and being called selfish. My husband STILL, 2 decades later, makes a huge deal. We have started going on very nice holidays so in my mind, that’s enough. Not him. It’s like he keeps trying to make up for my mom’s neglect. He found out my fragrantica.com account and saw my wish list and he has mined that. It’s not what he gets me, but it’s the effort he puts in. This poor girl has a crappy bf.

    Kate Johnson
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hopefully they get their car soon.

    Emilu
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some people just don't value birthdays. However, when you're in a relationship with someone that *does*, I feel it's the least you can do to mark the occasion with something special. It doesn't have to be costly. A nice walk through some botanic gardens (if you're fortunate to have some locally), a romantic picnic; a homemade meal. You can make something 'cheap' into a lovely memory if you try, and the flag here is that the BF not even trying when he knows that OP values birthdays etc. I think she should just go and enjoy her day with people that do remember it's her birthday.

    Load More Comments
    Sparky Hughes
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Yikes. I am at that stage in life where I just don’t want or need stuff. I get embarrassed at the attention for my birthday since I got chastised as a kid from my mother for getting excited for my birthday and being called selfish. My husband STILL, 2 decades later, makes a huge deal. We have started going on very nice holidays so in my mind, that’s enough. Not him. It’s like he keeps trying to make up for my mom’s neglect. He found out my fragrantica.com account and saw my wish list and he has mined that. It’s not what he gets me, but it’s the effort he puts in. This poor girl has a crappy bf.

    Kate Johnson
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hopefully they get their car soon.

    Emilu
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some people just don't value birthdays. However, when you're in a relationship with someone that *does*, I feel it's the least you can do to mark the occasion with something special. It doesn't have to be costly. A nice walk through some botanic gardens (if you're fortunate to have some locally), a romantic picnic; a homemade meal. You can make something 'cheap' into a lovely memory if you try, and the flag here is that the BF not even trying when he knows that OP values birthdays etc. I think she should just go and enjoy her day with people that do remember it's her birthday.

    Load More Comments
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