Jade came to me with a clear focus for what she wanted to work on.
“I want to show my boyfriend that he can trust me,” she said. “He had a really toxic relationship with his ex, and now he says he’s scared of getting close to anyone else again. How can I help him get over his fears?”
Jade was the kind of woman any man would feel thankful for. She radiated warmth, generosity, and dependability. She was determined to improve herself and make a wonderful life for the man she’d eventually marry.
“Did anything happen to make him doubt you?” I asked.
“No, not that I know of.”
“What are you doing right now to help him overcome his fears from the past?”
“Like, everything!” She threw her hands up in frustration. “I give him plenty of space. I don’t push him. I don’t ask much of him. But it’s not working. He says he needs more time.”
It wasn’t the first time I’d heard a story like this.
There are a lot of men who won’t get close to a woman because of their troubled past.
For some, it’s because their parents divorced and they’re afraid the same thing will happen to them. Others won’t get close because a nasty breakup soured them on relationships. Still others are afraid of being rejected or used or letting someone down.
These men are lucky to find partners like Jade who are willing to work with them.
Jade wanted to help her boyfriend get over his fears. She had so much love to give him. But he had to be willing to receive it.
In a moment, I’ll give you 3 questions that will help you decide if his desire for a relationship is greater than his fears.
But first, let’s see if we can get inside his head.
Have you ever really wanted a relationship…
But felt scared?
If so, what were you afraid of?
Were you afraid of getting hurt? Of giving away all your power to someone else? Of making a fool out of yourself? Of messing up your one shot with someone you really respected?
If you take relationships seriously, then of course you’re going to be nervous. The more you want anything, the more frightened you’ll feel of taking that first step. Once you start, it feels like there’s no going back.
For some, the dream is so big and attractive that it paralyzes them. It’s easier to wish and hope than actually do something about it. Never trying means you’ll never fail.
Some men fall into that camp. They’d rather fantasize about a relationship than do anything about it.
Because you’re reading this, I don’t think that describes you. 😉 I think you’re more than willing to do the work to get a great relationship, even if it means you might get rejected or dumped.
But is he willing?
Holding back from you may be his way of protecting himself.
What he doesn’t realize is that he’s protecting himself from love as well as heartbreak.
You need to know whether this man can get over his fears so he can love you the way you deserve … or whether he’ll choose his fears over you.
Find out by asking yourself these 3 questions.
#1. Does he know his future involves a relationship?
A man who isn’t sure whether he wants a relationship may not have the motivation to face his fears. He may use his fear of getting hurt as an excuse to push you away.
If someone genuinely wants a relationship, they won’t let their fear of getting hurt stop them. That’s why it’s so important that he can see himself in a relationship someday, even if he’s not promising it will be with you.
#2. Does he keep his promises?
A man who’s afraid of getting hurt will proceed cautiously. He’ll take longer to make a move. He wants to be sure of each step.
But he also knows that delaying too long increases his risk of losing you. So he’s torn. Jump into a relationship before he’s ready? Or go slow and risk losing you to someone else?
One way to balance those competing needs is only making promises to you that he knows he can keep. He won’t promise you the moon, but he’ll follow through on what he can offer.
#3. Do you talk about boundaries?
People who are afraid of getting hurt can act in ways that seem rude or thoughtless. They’re trying to protect themselves in a clumsy, ham-fisted way.
That’s why boundaries are so important.
If he can let you know what he needs to feel safe, then he won’t have to pull back abruptly. He can set limits, knowing you’ll respect them.
You need to be able to set limits with him, too. No more giving you the cold shoulder then begging to have you back. Just because he’s scared doesn’t mean you have to bend over backwards to accommodate him.
That was a lesson Jade needed to learn. Her guy’s fear of intimacy didn’t give him carte blanche to push her away.
Have you ever dated a guy like that? Tell us your story in the comments.
Two years ago I took up with a lifelong bachelor… Maybe I should say he took up with me. He had/has all the issues you brought up. But I know that all behavior is caused so had patience and applied insight, study, care and prayer.
In frustration I even broke up with him for six months: He did not break up with me, however, and after realizing that we had actually “saved the best for last” (we’re Seniors), I relented. Finally, I played Kate Wolf’s song GIVE YOURSELF TO LOVE for him, saying nothing. In a daze, he left my apartment. When he came back, he had crossed his own lines of fear, pain, learned mistrust and had ‘given himself to love’. It slipped in through the “atoms” of his “barrier” using both the exquisite and simple beauty of the tune and performance, and the words Kate had penned and performed. Sometimes beauty and truth work their own magic when everything else is right but “ignition” just doesn’t happen… Sometimes it’s music that carries the message because we humans listen to rather than filter out music. We’re into our 2nd year as a couple now. 10/2019
I also dated a guy for 2.5 – 3 months, and we were set up by a mutual friend looking out for both of our best interests. The first month – month and a half was fun, exciting, and it evolved into a respectful dating experience with intimacy and seeing each other a few times a week. He started to pull away, and just recently broke it off. Prior to this break, we had a good talk about what we truly want in life & a relationship (we’re both in our 40’s), and we seemed to be on the same page. After this talk, he continued to date me for about 2 weeks, then took a short trip with a guy friend, and when he returned from the trip, ended things with me. I’m confused because he was continuing communication before and during the trip, and even says now he’d like to stay in touch. I just feel like giving up.
yeah – I am seeing a guy.. its been 3 months. started as normal dates (including intimacy). then he switched… he said he just wanted to be friends… and now its amazing. we text, we chat, we do things together, we have everything except for sex.
He says he may never have a relationship with someone as he doesn’t think he’s built for it… but at the same time he treats me as, for all intents and purposes, like someone he is dating.. but always just the two of us.
I have never pushed him to answer why because I don’t want to loose him. I think I am falling for him.
Hi Evelyn,
Thank you for sharing with us. That in-between state can be a very confusing place to be. “Are we friends? Are we more?” Your situation brings to mind a couple of James’s reports from the BeIrresistible Insiders Club. I want you to take a look at these and see if you think they might be able to help you figure out which way it’s going with you and your guy.
The first report is: Dating or Hanging Out? and the second report is: His 5 Biggest Relationship Fears.
I really hope they help you find a way out of limbo – you deserve to be certain about where your love life is headed.
Best,
Tracey
Is the fact that he’s such a challenge part of his “draw” for you? Are you a “healer of hearts” needing and wanting to help him? You could be “hooked” on him as a type of addiction id you answered “Yes” to either or both questions. You might be right for each other anyway but really ask yourself this, and keep pen and paper by your bed and record dreams and impressions every time you wake up. Record your “gut feeling”: butterflies, confidence, cold prickly feelings… Go over it weekly. Your brain is dumb here: Your heart and your gut will let you know. . . mine uses words as well as gut feelings. Get to know your gut!
Dear James, I tried to follow your ways in Relationship Rewrite Method yet, he is too stubborn (or still mad at me?) and a single minded Aquarius who thinks he’s done when it is done. I received no response from him and couldn’t melt the ice and resume conversation. Humility just doesn’t seem to work… What else can I do? It has been 2 days since I sent him the message saying that I am sorry and that I’m still concerned about him and want to know if he is ok. But he hasn’t responded at all.
Hi Celia,
I know it’s hard to have questions un-answered and painful to see your hopes sliding away. Your question requires a bit of back-and-forth dialogue though so I recommend that you share the exact phrases you used when you contacted him as well as some context about the nature of your breakup in our private forum.
Within this private community you can ask questions and share experiences with like-minded women and our most advanced members. This way you can get extra real-time feedback and support for your unique situation.
Warm wishes,
Tracey T.
Let him go. DON’T PERSUE HIM one second or one step more. If he comes back, make him wait two days to see you. Men HAVE to do the chasing; it’s hardwired into them. You can let him catch up with you but he won’t value anything from this point on that he doesn’t:
1. Have to EARN and 2. Doesn’t stand to lose.
Meanwhile: Work on becoming in _yourself_ what your dream companion is like… make a list but don’t taylor it to him. . . Ask yourself what you NEED from a man, then give it to yourself. If he can give it, fine but better you be stkng enough to take care of your own self.
Flip over the sheet and write down what you _want_ from a mate… If he can but won’t, then he really can’t: Give him sun, space, and lots of distance & fresh air! Practice saying “No- Not right now” & “No, that won’t work for me” so that you can say it to him.
He won’t be back unless he gets to missing you and reviewing in his own heart what he likes about you. Men are emotional but they have to “drive themselves” to any emotional destination or conclusion, and he can’t emote with you in the picture or the figurative driver or passenger seat.
Run this past your gut and see if it fits your case: Your gut will know.
__Gut Answer Guidelines__
(Which still could be WRONG!)
__Gut agrees:__
1. Butterflies in your stomach;
2. Feeling a ‘warm hug to your heart’;
3. A voice speaking words that you somehow hear urging this action-
__Gut says “Bad Advice:__
1. Just not being able to do it combined with feeling heavy, blocked from acting on it;
2. A cold, prickly feeling in your stomach;
3. Words of loving tones saying “No. Don’t listen: Help the man NOW.”
Celia..
Let him go..he has made it plain he is not committed to a relationship with you..chasing him via text or calls is a waste of your time and will only cause him to further push you away..one of the things we must realize is if he doesn’t want to be caught..we will never have him!! And we must realize our worth and let him go…our sense of worth and self esteem must be greater than a man who runs from us!!
He is not the one..nothing can keep the “right” one from pursuing us..trust me..