And So I left.... Should I go back?

Situation & Question
Out of fear, I hid that my divorce wasn’t final from my boyfriend. When he found out he said he could never trust me again. We've been together for three years.  When we have an argument, and I want to share my feelings, he says he doesn’t want a lecture or can't believe me anyway,  and just wants to smooth the whole thing over and forget about it.   

But I feel as if, he’s using my initial omission early in our relationship as a way out of ever hearing about my feelings on any topic. Even though, I’ve apologized, for and been honest with him about everything since that time, and he says he forgives me, he continues to bring it up.

So after our last argument, when he, again, wouldn’t listen to anything I had to say I left him.  He wants to reconcile and he's been nice and wants to smooth things over again.  Maybe give us another chance even though he's still not willing to hear what I have to say regarding our last argument. What do you think?

​Deborah Says:  When people use your past to control you, they are manipulating you.
He could have chosen to truly forgive you, see that you’ve changed your ways, and appreciated that quality in you and never brought it up again,  or he could have said  “lying to me is a deal breaker, I’m out.” But he did neither and now continues to use your initial deception as leverage whenever he doesn't want to listen.  

If he is still unwilling to experience you as an equal partner in the relationship by listening to you, regardless of what excuse he wants to use to get out of it, if you don't feel you have a voice in the relationship, especially when things get heated, then Its not  a healthy relationship.   

Beyond that, you’ve learned that lying about anything is never the answer.  If it took this situation for you to learn that lesson, then so be it. 

When it comes to being honest, you also need to be honest with yourself.   As you go forward, ask yourself if you feel, on some level, you need or depend on drama in a relationship to feel connected to the man you are with.  If this is true,  this can spell trouble for you and another potential companion.  

If you are truly ready to go forward, and avoid this unhealthy cycle of arguing, not being listened to, forgiving and reconciling only to have it happen over and over again, then I invite you to use the next six months to prove it to yourself:

1. Avoid dramatic relationships of all shapes and sizes.  This includes dating relationships, friendships and even family members who create and stir up drama, demand, control, manipulate, behave selfishly or threaten to abandon the relationship over the smallest of things.  
2. Trust others to be able to handle and resolve their own problems.  When you act over-responsible for others problems, you attract people who are under-responsible for their own problems.  Instead look for potential companions who are in a good place in their lives, and who are ready to both give and receive love.  
3. Recognize and appreciate those who have Good E.A.R.S (See Below). These are people who are emotionally mature. They are kind, they share, they listen and consider others peoples feelings, they are fair, they are willing to be vulnerable, and yet have strength, confidence and self respect for themselves and can say 'NO' when needed. They are:  
   1. E - EMPATHETIC toward you
   2. A - ACCOUNTABLE for their own actions
   3. R - demonstrate RESTRAINT AND SELF-CONTROL
   4. S. - have SELF - RESPECT for themselves. ​
4. Be consistently reliable in your day to day life.  Manage your emotions, avoid/eliminate addictive substances and compulsive behavior (shopping, eating, etc.)  Pay your bills on-time.  To avoid manipulation, practice saying ‘no’ to things that would disrupt your routine.  

If you can do these things for at least six months, you will prove you are ready to walk away from drama and prepare yourself to be part of an emotionally healthy, long-term relationship.  

Keep in touch! 

Fearless and Warm Regards, 

Deborah