Need Encouragement part deux

[workinghardguy]

I say "pretending" because it seems unnatural or forced

I know exactly what you mean Pickle... my W does it too. I think of it as "over the top"... I've never taken stock in it because there end up being too many moments where she falls back into her old self and our old selves. Where we talk, laugh, share an inside joke, or recall a fond memory. In those moments the coldness disappears and my old W returns. Once in a while we can go a whole day or even two like that... but then the over the top rejection comes back.

I used to be hurt by it or get angry. Now I mostly laugh (though inside, not out loud) because I find it humorous.

I guess what it really reminds me of is our five year old son. When he is mad or hurt he makes sure everyone is aware by overdramatizing his emotions. It's comical to watch... while it's comical with my W too, it's also tragic (and gets tiring to put up with).

I have noticed that as I've accepted the situation the overdramatizing has decreased. I'm actually curious, once we live apart, if it will continue. I suspect it won't... after all she will have what she says she wants.