Just more or less journaling here, but I'm thinking that I need to learn to "lie" about my emotions. That is, if it's 3am and I want to cry my eyes out, then go in the bathroom, turn the exhaust fan on, and cry your eyes out, man, but do NOT do it in front of her, as it will NOT come across the least been attractive!
Instead, I'm going to have to learn to deliver lines like "Look, I'm not going to fall apart if you tell me the truth about how you feel. I've pretty much already been doing without getting most of my physical and emotional needs met, so the fact that we're even talking is gravy to me at this point. Yes, it will hurt, but I'm a big boy, and I think it's a fair question."
And say it just as cooly, strongly, and matter-of-factly as I can.
