Reacted to a surprise and think I upset someone.

Hi.

I am feeling confused and unsettled but trying not to be selfish because I think I may have inadvertently upset my girlfriend. This is not something I want to do ergo seeking advice on this.

Christmas went and was usual mess with bonus of not having to see people; the plus side of Covid. My partner bought me a canvas I loved; but I get really freaked out by pictures without frames so I asked if I could swap if for same image as a framed print. She was really annoyed with me and said she couldn’t and was really angry at me which makes no sense. When we last argued about this nearly three weeks ago she said she would get a frame and so on and so on but I had been in touch with seller and already arranged an exchange. In mean time she has gone and got the canvas framed (badly) and is annoyed that when she showed me about 2 hours ago I just shut down.

I mean a surprise, and one about something that has caused loads of grief already!?! That is really insensitive and now I feel bad because she is upset at how I react to surprises - I don’t like them. They freak me out. 

I don’t know what to do now as she is angry at me (I think) and I am pissed off that she doesn’t give a toss about my opinion or how surprises affect me

Parents
  • I have great sympathy for your situation. From my experience, these situations are best handled by complete openness. Insist on having a calm dialogue and let her know that you understand it from her perspective. I guess you are able to see the irrationality of the situation but unable to control your feelings. I get the same and I let my wife know what I feel, but always acknowledge her as well. Or.. Most of the times. Not perfect :) I don't like surprises either. For me it has been really useful to practice minimalism and detach myself from materialistic objects as much as I can. Makes me much more calm. 

    Being autistic does not mean you can't challenge yourself :)

Reply
  • I have great sympathy for your situation. From my experience, these situations are best handled by complete openness. Insist on having a calm dialogue and let her know that you understand it from her perspective. I guess you are able to see the irrationality of the situation but unable to control your feelings. I get the same and I let my wife know what I feel, but always acknowledge her as well. Or.. Most of the times. Not perfect :) I don't like surprises either. For me it has been really useful to practice minimalism and detach myself from materialistic objects as much as I can. Makes me much more calm. 

    Being autistic does not mean you can't challenge yourself :)

Children
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