DEAR ABBY: I have been in a relationship with my partner for 10 years. While the first two years were good, things have slowly deteriorated.
For example, we used to go to movies and dinner at least one day a weekend. Now we don’t do anything unless he wants to play cards. I’m getting bored with cards all the time. I feel like I’m wasting my life sitting at home with him.
There’s no excitement. And to top it off, when we do go places, we invariably end up taking my car, and I must pay for the gas and wear and tear. It’s getting old. Any advice? — FED UP IN MISSOURI
DEAR FED UP: You appear to be the passive partner in this relationship. If you would like to change the balance of power, assert yourself. Because you find playing cards so often boring, and he isn’t up for going to a show or out for dinner, go with a girlfriend.
I wish you had mentioned why you provide all the transportation, because changing that pattern should be as easy as saying, “No, I prefer we use YOUR car this time.” Remember, nothing will change unless YOU change.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.