Dear Abby: Struggling Relationship

My boyfriend and I have been together for 18 years. Everyone thinks we’re married, but officially, we never tied the knot. He’s not always been empathetic, and I’ve had to deal with things or just let them go. He never buys me gifts, no matter how many times I hint at it, and getting him to hold me when I’m down feels like pulling teeth.

Lately, things have been tougher than ever. I find myself emotional eating and feeling like our relationship is on shaky ground. We haven’t been intimate in six months, and honestly, it makes me question if it’s something I’ve done.

We used to share intimate moments, like massages, that brought us closer, but now it feels like there’s a wall between us. Yes, I get that life is stressful, but where’s the love? I really need to talk to him about this, but I’m unsure how to start. — stranger in love

Dear Stranger:

Pick a moment when you’re both calm and things aren’t too chaotic. Start by mentioning that you sense he might not be happy and ask what’s going on. Remember, marriage isn’t the end goal for everyone; there are often reasons behind the decision. Those reasons should’ve been addressed a long time ago.

Once he shares his feelings, it’s your turn to express how lonely and unhappy you’ve been. If you both want to improve things, then there’s still hope for a better future together. But if he’s stuck in his ways, it may be time to consider moving on before you feel completely starved for affection. Emotional eating usually stems from a lack of love.

Dear Abby: Ex-Girlfriend Issues

My ex-girlfriend just doesn’t seem to get it. She keeps trying to reconnect and even stalks me. I’ve blocked her number, but I’m reaching my limit. How can I make her understand that I no longer love or even like her? Honestly, I can’t stand her, her family, or her friends. Our relationship was full of deceit. I feel much happier now that she’s out of my life, but she still hasn’t taken the hint. Any advice on dealing with this situation? — don’t forget her in florida

Dear Florida:

Keep avoiding her and don’t acknowledge her if you run into each other. If she approaches, firmly tell her it’s over and that you want nothing to do with her anymore. Ignore her calls, emails, and texts. If she sends you anything through the mail, write “Return to sender” on it.

Let your friends know she’s been stalking you and that her behavior feels creepy. Then focus on your dating life and social activities. If she escalates or damages your belongings, don’t hesitate to report it. The best way to move on is to reclaim your life from before you met her—and don’t look back.