Bf(23) wanted space, but I(f23) couldn't really give that to him. Was I being a selfish person?

Before you read, know that I'm not looking for advice on how to move forward. I'm looking for some impartial eyes to give me their opinion on the situation. I tried posting this on other subreddits, but they keep taking the post down. Thank you for helping me out.

So some context: we've been together for a year, he is a wonderful person and all I want to to is see him happy and successful.

Last Friday my bf lost his job. I cooked him some comfort food and he got some things off his chest. Sat with him and asked him what his plan was, keeping it about him. He asked if he moved back home, what about us, and instead of saying we'll figure it out later, stupid me answered, "I'll just move with you." He agreed. (Edit: we had started off ldr and have since expressed how we didn't want to do that again)

Sunday, I told my mom about moving and told bf. He then said he didn't want to do that, saying only negative things about it (i.e. that he doesn't know how we'll be and that he can't get things done around me) and that I took advantage of him. I told him it hurts to hear, but if he didn't want to he could have said no. He said he needed space, but I still felt hurt, so I said my piece (that he hurt me, that I thought after one year he would know me better than that, why I thought moving in was the logical solution, etc).

He said he's allowed to feel what he's feeling, he knew I was too immature to handle this, and I need to give him space. I ignored the whole immaturity thing (bc that's a stupid argument), and told him I never said he's not allowed to feel what he's feeling, I'm here for him, he's allowed space, but he's not allowed to be rude to me and shut me out. That I just wanted to know that I was loved and cared for. I told him that I knew what it was like and knew how it feels. He said I was telling him how to feel.

So I stopped texting until yesterday. I told him that he should be allowed to feel shitty, to want space, to make his own decisions, but he isn't allowed to be mean towards me, shut me out, or "make me feel like a worthless piece of garbage." I told him that whenever something bad happens, he seems to lash out and that doesn't sit right with me. For him to say I love you and then turn around and accuse me of manipulation doesn't make sense. I told him he could say I love you until his face turned blue and he took his last breath, but if he doesn't show it, I'm not going to believe him. He then told me he wasn't going to apologize (even though he did later), and said that I shouldn't have talked to him if I wanted him to positive and to not say shitty things to me.

So I asked if it was right to tell me I shouldn't have talked to him in the first place. I asked if I shouldn't have confronted him about the things he said. I showed him that he didn't ask me to give him space until after he had hurt me, and how that's kinda unfair.

He thinks I don't respect the fact that he wants to work through this when he can, but he said I should get stuff off my chest. So I did:

I told him I needed to know that he sincerely cared and loved me. I told him I don't need a grand gesture. But I felt like he wasn't going give me what I needed atm. (Sent him BTR's Turd song, to be cheeky.)

Then I asked if he would treat his mom, brother, or father like this. He called me, yelling, asking why I was being so horrible, why I was doing this to him, telling me that this isn't about me and then cussed and hung up... I couldn't say anything after that... He's since apologized and seems sincere, but.. Idk how long it will be until I can talk to him. I've always struggled with feeling like I'm being selfish and horrible to people...

Was I wrong for just wanting to talk to him? Should I have just stayed silent until he was ready to speak? Am I really the bad guy here?

Edit: for clarity

Also also, we have a safe word, literally for all situations because I don't see boundaries sometimes.... and he didn't use it..... If that helps?

Posted Jun 4, 2019, 3:10 PM UTC · edited

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