Because if you turn the tables. If a man always scrutinized her behaviours and used melodrama to neutralize, a woman would be gone faster than the wind. But as men it’s like we have to brush everything off and pretend it doesn’t matter. Because if we show it matters, they push that button harder. From my experience.
I’m looking for ways to neutralize this all together while still having freedom of play. I’m just starting to realize it’s been a common thread.
Advice from the old lady:
You've already got the answer. Turn the tables. Do it. Hold her accountable and scrutinize her behavior. Notice what happens when you mentally work through that scenario in your mind...
You feel fear that she'll leave. That you won't find another one like her, etc. You have a scarcity mindset, you fear consequences...you become conflict averse...and therefore your frame collapses.
Ouch. I know. That is why your view comes in its current perspective. Change your perspective, change your view.
In your first example noted in your list lies a good teachable scenario. Ok. She says "Gee you have aggressive behavior sometimes". Own that. OWN it. Say "I know baby. But I'm a man and that is my masculine nature". and drive on. This is what my man does. He owns his masculine nature, he makes no apologies whatsoever for that sort of thing.
Now. Obviously some women have higher value to you and your individual ambitions in the dating realm than others. The women with intrinsically higher value as defined by your standards ARE harder to find, etc. Everybody wants the most desirable total package they can get...BUT...you can't operate from a place of fear of loss. You must remain outcome independent even as you develop a connection to someone.
This is why vulnerability must always come from a place of inner courage and strength. You allow someone into your human experience understanding you are exposing yourself to the risk of hurt and pain.
Scrutinizing a woman's behavior and holding her accountable is a by product of your own self respect. You can't sacrifice your self respect to avoid conflicts, large or small. You'll erode her respect for you if you do not honor your own self respect, and you'll kill the attraction between you.
My boyfriend holds my feet to the fire. I hold his feet to the fire as well. The challenge in any good relationship is to respect yourself as an individual AND treat the other person with dignity and respect. That doesn't always line up. It WILL create conflict. That's OK and can be quite healthy.
When you have your first fight in a relationship it means you aren't lined up with your partner so you experience conflict. How you work through that conflict is telling. My man and I first realized the relationship might have legs the night we had our first fight (and we fight at times and we've had some doozies)...
It is the intrinsic value we see in the other person that keeps us coming together...that in combination with our own individual self regard. We retain our individual selves while the relationship deepens & develops. But we both also retain the strength to walk away if necessary. It's a balance.
So examine your perspective. Hold her accountable. Do not be a jerk but do not allow her to chip away your frame either.
It's a fine line as things grow & progress...but worth the rewards with a quality partner.