How Do I "Fix" My Girlfriend?

Hi Dr Paul, I've recently posted here about the "fixing issues" I've had with my gf, and am now trying to maintain my personal boundaries better, try to not tolerate bad behavior, etc.
Lately, I have been seeing and feeling that the attraction was decreasing in my relationship. I am a Lover personality and really am fond of cuddling, holding hands, signs of affection from my gf. This has decreased in the past few weeks. Sex has decreased as well. I live 1.5 hours away, and would visit home (also where she lives) on weekends. Some weekends she would also visit me. We used to have sex pretty regularly, but lately we havent. She was supposed to visit me the weekend before Christmas, but couldnt because she was low on funds and couldnt make the drive. I was cool with that decision, as it allowed me some free weekend time to do my own things, but I was also a little bit annoyed that she couldnt, or wouldnt, find a way to visit me. I came home for Christmas, and though I slept over her place the past 2 nights, we did not cuddle much, if at all, and there was no sex at all. I am trying not to let it get to me but I am very concerned about this.
On one hand I wonder if it is normal for sex to decrease after being a relationship for a while. We have been dating for a little over a year. I also wonder if it is because my masculinity is feeling dwindled lately, or if perhaps she is having personal issues. I do know that she started taking Zoloft a couple of months ago, and that it effects sex drive. She is also overweight and perhaps not feeling sexy?
It is making me get stuck in my head and have negative thought loops. I am trying to maintain my boundary and wait to get feedback from my therapist and from the forums on what to do, and its difficult. How does one approach this issue? Do I bring it up to her and ask what is going on? I always thought that this would reveal that I am very attached to the sex, thus making me appear even weaker and losing more masculinity. Is there a point where you notice that there is a problem because sex is happening less frequently? How do I gauge this properly?
How can I bring this up to her in conversation in a positive healthy way?
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Solid Answer:
First off, there needs to be BALANCE in how you think about this. No one technique is going to be the "magic key" to this, but as usual, boundaries are always a good idea, and boundaries help us FILTER what is important from what is not, and BUDGET how we spend our time and resources.
For one, "there's always tomorrow." Don't get all wrapped up in worry about one weekend or one interaction.
Yes, sex slows for a time that far into a relationship, but it ebbs and flows. Some authors have even talked about it in terms of being like "seasons" and you are in "winter," sexually.
A balance of healthy interest in new friends, including female friends (platonically) may help spur her rekindled interest.
Secondly, remembering that all three phases of courtship we cover in the Omega matter at all times - and so even though you are working on friendship and commitment, the sexual attraction steps still apply. Notice these are PSYCHOLOGICAL, not just "physical moves."
The Omega is at:
http://www.menspsychology.com/courses/miwomen
And so even if you aren't doing the sex act itself for a time - being in the "sexual winter" of the relationship - this is not to say you couldn't practice steps one two and three on her as far as sexual CHEMISTRY - a very different thing from the sex ACT itself. Don't get caught up in the sexual frequency. People get "out of phase" for a time, and then back in phase after working on steps one-three.
Finally, remember boundaries and not getting obsessive or jealous, territorial or entitled too much about the sex. In the long haul yes, the man in a relationship is getting short shrift if he is doing all kinds of husbandly duties so to speak, but there is no sex at all. Why is he there? Just to serve? And if it gets too WIN/LOSE in this way, it's as if the man is psychologically "being used."
So you are right - use the time to amp up masculinity in other areas of your life - career, friendships, including with other women - and maybe winter will pass quickly, aided by your elevated masculinity coming from other sources. We cover this in the Mature Masculine Power Program:
http://www.menspsychology.com/courses/miman
After all, in the Omega, we conclude that ultimately what attracts a woman to a man is his level of expressed and deeply ingrained masculinity, and what attracts him to her is her level of femininity. It is a very valid thing to wonder if a woman's weight affects her level of feeling sexy and being in the mood, and because of boundaries we have to respect that women are different than we are, and have an internal psychological life all their own. You don't control her weight or her own feelings of sexual confidence. You can only coach, offer, inspire and wait - and if you have to wait too long, you may be getting taken for a ride.
The Omega is at:
http://www.menspsychology.com/courses/miwomen
And is also available as a more affordable Video Streaming Program:
http://www.menspsychology.com/streaming
But with boundaries, you decide on how long is too long, when to get out and ultimately steer your life according to your preferences. The new boundary program for men is at:
http://www.menspsychology.com/courses/masculine-intelligence-in-personal-boundaries
Everything about career and boundaries between it and women is highlighted in Mature Masculine Power at:
http://www.menspsychology.com/courses/miman
and all of human courtship is in the Omega Male Program at:
http://www.menspsychology.com/courses/miwomen
Complete answers in the Omega Male Program...
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