[bluedog9]

My girlfriend is a stripper. I say that only half-heartedly because we’ve dated for 18 months and she’s only been to work about 15 times during that time. We met at the club. I’ve tried to support her going back to work when we need money, but every time it tears us apart.

She’s waiting on me to make a big commitment. Not marriage, but a ‘marriage-like’ type of commitment.

She loves the freedom of dancing. If she found something else where she didn’t have to deal with the same people everyday, could work whatever days she wanted, ignore customers that were s, and not feel any stress from management…she’d do it. It does sound alluring, and she’s obviously willing to strip to have that freedom in her life. She doesn’t want to go deal with something, as an artistic type personality, that she doesn’t like….. only to be let down and me not at least TRY to make that commitment and see what happens. I know it shows an amout of laziness and irresponsibility in her personality. But it is a level I'm ready to attempt to deal with... just drives me mad when the result is her stripping, as opposed to missing a paid bill or killing the plants or not cleaning the kitchen.

There was a time I could deal with it as I was learning about who she was. I was obviously skeptical it could ever be serious, but the more I learn, the more special what we have is. She has many, many flaws that in the past I would rule her out as a mate. But we all have flaws, what can we deal with? I’m divorced now and had the ‘perfect’ woman already….. we had flaws with each other I didn’t know about. I’m not willing to change my priority on what is important and what isn’t. My ex-wife was young, innocent, inexperienced…no vices, simple to trust. But she was selfish and immature and not giving and not interested in a complex man with more sensitivity than even she had.

My new girlfriend loves me for every inch of me….or accepts wholeheartedly she can deal with the flaws she does see in me. We are soulmates in so many senses of the word. Sounds cliché but it's how I feel. It's why this is a hard decision for me. I worry I won't find someone else I connect with, on 15 lvls at the same time, as I do her. Worried about finding someone else is a bad reason to be with someone I suppose.

Now I’ve learned more about her and I still have some small skepticism about things. The irreponsibility, the lifestyle (she's actually too much of a homebody - I like to adventure every weekend!) But we’re close enough the dancing bothers me now. It’s overwhelming and intrudes on ever waking second we have.

But without that commitment, she doesn’t want to find something else. And we need the money now so she must work somewhere.

I’m afraid it will destroy us. I guess I’m asking if it is even remotely reasonable to ask her one more time, give her an ultimatum, she must quit if we’re going to survive, even without more of a commitment. Or if I simply need to tell her that I will make a decision. And if I make that commitment, than she must quit if we’re going to survive.

The first option leaves a few of my bridges unburned. I’m sure she doesn’t appreciate that. Of course my argument has always been….if you truly love me, you will get another job and it will remove so much negativity and we can see if I can make that commitment. I don't want to make that commitment just to get you to stop dancing!!

I don't want to feel like I committed to her, made major changes in MY life, because it was all I could do to get her to stop dancing and see how we are at that point.

If she stops before the commitment, it only takes about a day to quit that job and go back to dancing once we’ve broken up. I see her point. But I see mine also.

I’m very unhappy right now. I must do something. I can repsond with more details, just trying to keep this short (fail).

[bluedog9]

Correction: I meant to say I am NOW willing to change my priorities.

Having a perfectly bred woman, proper in every way all of a sudden lost it's luster and dating someone that has 'imperfections' - has allowed me to be myself, have true fun with er, want to be with her all the time no matter what...

What was down is up, what was up is down...

[Fr_Chuck]

OK, did not read all the post,

But in general you don't ask anyone to change, you either accept them they way they are NOW or don't do it at all.

[Gemini54]

This isn't about the stripping, it's about your fear and lack of trust.

I’m afraid it will destroy us. I guess I’m asking if it is even remotely reasonable to ask her one more time, give her an ultimatum, she must quit if we’re going to survive, even without more of a commitment. Or if I simply need to tell her that I will make a decision. And if I make that commitment, than she must quit if we’re going to survive.

Does she give you any real cause for concern? Does her behavior go beyond the professional in the Club? Does she see patrons outside the Club?

If the answer is no to these questions, then you need to spend some time dealing with your own insecurities and ask yourself why you're sabotaging a good relationship with someone that sounds as if they love you for who you are.

I suggest that you deal with your fears before making any rash decisions as you may destroy what potentially sounds like a great relationship.

No, it's not reasonable to give someone an ultimatum. Not when it's based on your own fears and lack of trust. Wouldn't you be better off giving her your love and support?

Relationships are about making compromises, and sometimes that means supporting your partner doing things you might feel slightly uncomfortable with.

[Survivor07]

The first sentence says it all.

Your girlfriend IS a stripper. It's not a job. It's what she wants to be.

You said "we" need the money. What do you do?

Just my opinion, but you either love her for who she is now or you don't. You can't commit to the woman she might be. You fell in love with the stripper.

Asking her to change for you is wrong and her asking for a certain kind of commitment before she quits stripping is... well, I'm a little baffled by that one.

[Ashriel]

I understand where you're coming from, and how the profession she's currently in could bother you, however, you really do need to accept your girlfriend as she is, stripping and all.
It's something I've learned with my current relationship, living your relationship with the thoughts of what "could be" is never smart or healthy.
Bottom line, you either can love and respect and grow with her in her current profession which she enjoys, and accept her 100% for that, or else it's unfair to both of you to continue it.
If it's a great relationship on all other counts, then I would do some serious soul searching if I were you, and just look at all sides of it.
If it's fear and insecurity on your part that's leading to your feelings, then read some books and perhaps talk to a counselor about it, I know it's helped me with various issues in my life!

As far as your girlfriend expecting a big commitment before she'll quit stripping (which is kind of an odd proposition on her part lol), I think you should find the strength to accept her as she is, and eventually, when the time is right and your relationship is in the proper place, make a bigger commitment.
Don't make a commitment simply because you want her to stop stripping, because that's almost leading her on in a way. Like "I'll commit because I want you to stop doing this thing that's bothering me" not "I'll commit because I love you so deeply and want to be with you no matter what."

Just my thoughts.
Best of luck to you :)

[shazamataz]

Some people might see it as a bonus...

The guys at the bars don't get to touch... you do.

My new girlfriend loves me for every inch of me….or accepts wholeheartedly she can deal with the flaws she does see in me.

And that is exactly what you need to do... accept her for who she is and what she does or let her find someone else who is willing to accept it.

I know it must be hard knowing what she does for a living but it is her choice and if you trust her you will know that she wouldn't be getting up to no good while she is at work.

Heck she is probably more trustwothy than a lot of people with office jobs!

[liz28]

Like Survivor, I am confuse to because are you saying it is okay for her to strip when the two of you need money? If so aren't you contradicting yourself.

Also, if the two of you aren't getting married what is all of this about commitment? The two of you are even serious or no and if the two of you are living together wouldn't you say the two of you are serious.

You met her while she was stripping and accept it so all this about her stopping only if you commit to her is game and an excuse to continue stripping. You can't make her stop what she is doing she has to want to stop and you can tell her nor be okay with her stripping when the two of you are strap for money. I guess you like the fast money then.

[bluedog9]

Like Survivor, I am confuse to because are you saying it is okay for her to strip when the two of you need money? If so aren't you contradicting yourself.

Also, if the two of you aren't getting married what is all of this about commitment? The two of you are even serious or no and if the two of you are living together wouldn't you say the two of you are serious.

You met her while she was stripping and accept it so all this about her stopping only if you commit to her is game and an excuse to continue stripping. You can't make her stop what she is doing she has to want to stop and you can tell her nor be okay with her stripping when the two of you are strap for money. I guess you like the fast money then.

First I would like to thank everyone for their comments and general good attitude. It is wholly appreciated. Secondly, sorry for the confusion. And sorry this is so long. I don't expect many to read it all... but it would be helpful if someone did. So far the feedback has been useful.

Inside I'm just screaming that I'm done with this... I've swallowed my pain for too long. I'm simply not built for this. Everyone has their weaknesses and flaws... this is one of mine. Hell, with my ex-wife I didn't even want her to see a male OB/GYN. I understand that's wholly unhealthy and I do have a counselor. But it gives you an idea of the level of discomfort I have in a normal relationship. In some ways I've seen dating this girl as a way to grow and learn what is important. Not that people see her breasts, but the intimacy and connection we have together. I've matured in that way, but now I'm just at my rope's end with it. She could quit today and I would have plenty of 'challenge' ahead of me to simply get OVER the fact that she was a dancer for ten years. Or was promiscuous for a few years in her early 20s. I'm already trying so hard to grow as a person without dealing with it immediately.

I have an 8-5 office job. We maintain separate residences (and rents) but basically live together 6-7 nights a week. If there are no 'one-off' costs, my salary can cover all of our expenses, though it leaves little in the way of money for savings, vacations, etc.

It is when there is an event such as needing a down payment for a new car, the AC needed to be repaired, that we need an extra 500+ a month.

I'm not 'okay' for her to go to work even when we need the money. But she's asked me to let her try to feel like she is contributing financially, when we need the money - she has been an independent woman for a long time and wants to provide value and not merely taken care of. I've told her at times I have thought about getting a second job for a few months (I've got my own debt I'm trying to pay down too), and she is worried that will burn me out, would feel bad that I'm basically working a 2nd job so she never has to go to work.

Of course in my mind, I would rather work an extra 30 hours than have the stress of her going in to work. She thinks it would kill our relationship if I work too much, and doesn't see the extent of the damage it cause for her to be in 'work' mode. Some weeks she doesn't go to work... but for 3 days she had 'planned' to go to work. And emotionally I've got to 'prepare' all day long to try to get on board with it, plan out how I'm going to keep myself busy at night, etc. Then she simply doesn't go and I'm exhausted. If she had a different job I'd be mad that she wasn't helping out with money more, but we can't even have an honest conversation about it because if I tell her I would like her to help out more, it only means she works more, which is more stress for me than even letting my bank account get to pennies before the next payday.

So far I've understood her logic, she's asked me to trust her, and I've done the best I can. It goes up and down. She just wants me to 'suck it up' and let her make a few thousand dollars.

There are times she goes to work, I meet her there at midnight, make her some company when it's slow, and have a good time while she usually sits with someone else and does a couple of dances. This worked for a few months. It built my trust in her to see her dancing, and that while I didn't like it, I felt like she did the very best she could to be professional. Sometimes guys grab and it takes a few seconds to gracefully push them off - you can't be a just because some other whores in the club made him think it was OK to do that - you'll never get paid. Is it easy to sit back and imagine some guy grabbing her, against her will, until she sets him straight? She protects herself the best she can, she's extremely aware and cerebral about it. I respect those things. She makes it about work - she gives her email to customers because if it were up to her, she'd have 3 regular customers and meet them when they email her and that is it.

If it were up to her, she would go to work often enough to 'latch' on to those 3 customers. When one stops coming, you go get another one. No bull. No college guys or pervs looking to get as much as possible. Not fraternizing outside the club. She has 3-4 glasses of wine at work, maybe a shot some nights, but does no other drugs while at work (she loves the weed on the weekends).


I did accept it when I met her. And trust me, I was more than amazed when I realized she honestly did like me. That was some source of trust issues... because I know what she let me do when I was paying her... and she says that she just fell for me, totally threw away her professionalism for me. And as far as I can tell, she is being honest about that.

There was one night a year ago when there was pressure to make money, she felt 'worthless' because she was being taken care of, she drank too much that night, and let a guy grab her too much. She knew I was at the club, knew if I happened to walk around the corner I could see. I don't think it was conscious and she tried to explain the disconnect, etc. So she lost control and was very pissed at herself. It hurt our trust a lot. That was 9 months ago. We've been rebuilding it ever since. She's had to yell at me that she's not a whore and that I need to trust her.


The problem is in the last month my comfort level at even the most basic things that I've lived with off and of for a year as disappeared. Now I seem to get jealous when she is simply sitting on a guys lap. There are some trust issues, but this part is simply about acceptance. In the past I've respected all she's done to make an effort to make me trust her... to the point of even dancing on stage and keeping her top on unless someone comes to tip her.

We got into an enormous fight the other night. I showed up at the club at 1:40. Basically to try and continue building my trust, and if I go up there I don't feel like I'm sitting at home waiting all night - a vulnerability that drives me insane. But it is so late I'm obviously not spying on her, and not de-focusing her from making money. She was angry that I came up, that I couldn't give her one night without me there. And I was very angry back, just all of this built up anger and pain I've been swallowing for a year.

I 'accepted' her as a stripper when I met her. I accepted that this would probably be a short lived fling because I could never survive in a relationship with her, and assumed a lot of things about her and her lifestyle because she was a stripper. I got to know her, got to see how she's attempted to make that a job (though I'm sure there was plenty of wildness and 'losing control' nights when she was in her early 20s even if there aren't now), and I ended up in very deep emotionally.


I've read other forums and I understand it when people say, 'you need to trust her. You need to get over it, etc.' That's often correct and good advice. Of course they rarely help with 'how' to do that. Of course men WANT to trust, WANT to be at peace... but it's not like flipping a switch.

I've never given her an ultimatum. But what it does inside of me, the distance it creates between us... it turns into a relationship that she doesn't want either as our 'connection' starts going away. Issues about whether she wants children or not start becoming HUGE issues. When I've been madly in love, I've been willing to accept that this is the most important thing in my life, and willing to sacrifice some of my dreams to have this kind of relationship. But when we don't share that... what I'm missing out on by being with her starts to seem to matter more.

If she doesn't quit, or I can't make a major change, then it's over either way.

[Survivor07]

A relationship is supposed to add to your life, be enjoyable.

I think you have to weigh out the good vs. the bad here.

You mentioned having children. If that's what you want, consider her life style, the dancing, alcohol and weed on the weekends... I don't see a child fitting in there well.

I read your post and my impression is that this may be a toxic relationship. You are not happy and want too many changes, from her and you. Your last paragraph says it all.

You are losing yourself in this.

[liz28]

You and this girl doesn't see eye to eye. You want different things from her and I don't think you flush your dreams down the toilet. You can't change her but you can change by finding someone that wants the same thing as you.

Her stripping isn't the only problem here and giving her an ulimatum won't resolve your differences.

[bluedog9]

You and this girl doesn't see eye to eye. You want different things from her and I don't think you flush your dreams down the toilet. You can't change her but you can change by finding someone that wants the same thing as you.

Her stripping isn't the only problem here and giving her an ulimatum won't resolve your differences.

Thank you for the feedback.

I think perhaps I've been so willing to try with her because I have already had a failed marriage. Someone that did want all of the same dreams I had, but it increasingly felt like we just went through the motions. The wedding, the honeymoon, the trips overseas... they were fantastic... but I just felt outside myself and wondering why it feels like I'm playing a part.

You smile for wedding photos because you're supposed to... like going through graduation ceremony when you know that you really have another 3 classes before you're done with school. You experience it, but you haven't accomplished the goal.

And my girlfriend, the majority of the time, has made me feel like I could have that same ceremony with her... and feel lost in her, in us, in the celebration of what we've found and made together. That we have a special bond that we've never had, and you can see most people don't have in their lives.

And thus I've dismissed or de-prioritized her flaws or our other incompatibilities. But someone that is more socially acceptable, has no vices, wanted an identical lifestyle... didn't love me enough to care to get to know my friends, hear the stories of my past relationships that made me who I am today, giggle and adore my home videos as a child...

I've just got such treasures that I'm afraid of never finding again... but eating my arms off in jealousy and resentment for 'causing' that jealousy probably won't allow us to continue enjoying those treasures anyway.

[chuff]

Bluedog,

Hopefully I can provide you with some first hadn perspective because I have also dated strippers. I used to be a bartender and there was a strip club down the street and they would come in a lot and invite me to the strip club. The one thing I learned is you can't judge the girl by the name. In other words if she's on stage she's using a name and creating a fantasy for the patrons. Some men might get lost in it, and give them everything like you described about her wanting 3 regulars. My experience was give them nothing in the club and treat them great outside, because everyone has this notion about what a stripper is, as opposed to who they really are. Remember men are visual, women are emotional. Most guys that throw there paychecks away at strippers are not the guy that a girl, especially a stripper want. They see the worst of men, so when a guy comes along who is stable, honest, in control, and able to control himself, they see that as attractive. If you look back at your own relationship, I guarantee you the reason you succeeded for so long was you didn't think you had much of a chance so you didn't care the outcome. It's easy to write a stripper off as some slut when you bomb with them. When you succeed then it's when it hits you, this isn't just a girl up there, she's my girl, who is real with real emotions, problems, successes, and other personality traits. The fantasy is over. Reality is here. Now that your know you have the chance and You have learned the difference, when she's at home. But when she tells you she's going to work you forget it.

The last one I dated for a long time and I won't tell you it didn't mess with my head to wonder because it did. But the irony was, she was one of the smart ones, as many girls get sucked into the drugs, my ex bought a house, a restored camero, and was investing her money. She was making great money but not blowing it away. But your girlfriend sounds silimar (except for the weed, my ex didn't even drink if you can believe that) in that she's got a good head on her shoulders. I think you have to give her some credit... and it's hard to sort of let go and do it, I realize. But she's not looking to abuse the situation, she's looking to help out.

Which does beg my next question though, couldn't she get another job if she wanted to help you out? If she wants to work those hours, bartenders pay great.

As far as you go, I understand your fears, but the most important person in the relationship is you. If your relationship is causing you turmoil then you have to separate for your own emotional health. You say you may not find someone like her again, but she's not bringing complete happiness, it's happiness with a high self esteem price. To me, I don't think she is worth that. But I also don't think you are seeing the woman at home, your seeing the woman at work.

[Gemini54]

I think that Survivor has expressed it very succinctly. You are losing yourself in this.

For someone that has trust issues (I must say, having issues with your ex-wife going to the OB/GYN spun me out a bit), having a girlfriend that is a stripper is the ultimate test.

At some level, you ARE testing yourself. At some level your unconscious understands that trust is a make-or-break issue in your life and has provided you with this huge challenge.

I would like to present a slightly different perspective:

What I believe is that you will always have this issue until you deal with it. Sure, it's easy to ditch this relationship and find another one. Less toxic, less challenging. Or will it be? I suspect that this is your life's 'big issue'. You will find another GF and you will find something in that relationship that will begin this process over again - it will start to eat away at you - slowly at first and then it will become overwhelming - the doubts, the jealousy, the resentment. This seems to be your pattern.

Is this how you want to live? Waiting for your GF, who is only human, to do some small thing that will break your trust? Discarding opportunities for good relationships because your partners can't meet your exacting standards of perfection? Letting yourself down because your insecurities get the better of you?

This is the thing about life's big challenges - they are difficult and sometimes we want to give up because it all gets too much. Don't give up! Go and see your counsellor and get to the bottom of this problem you have, learn how to sense the triggers and switch off the thoughts. Share this with your GF and get her to support you through it. It will take time, but what else do you have but time?

Please think about the possibility that if you don't make an effort to deal with your current problem, it will only come back in another form, in another relationship.

[talaniman]

When I've been madly in love, I've been willing to accept that this is the most important thing in my life,

And I will bet, you think your in love, but not with the person your with, just the idea of it.

and willing to sacrifice some of my dreams to have this kind of relationship.

And what kind of relationship would that be? Sacrifice?? What you mean is they must sacrifice and make the changes you want, and it was probably the same with your ex wife, you wanted her to change also, and that worked out rather well didn't it.

But when we don't share that... what I'm missing out on by being with her starts to seem to matter more.

Your preconceived notions of what a relationship is, has caused you a marriage already, and instead of learning from that, your doing the same thing again with another.

Your not ready for a relationship, so forget the commitment, as you can barely handle your own feeling, let alone those of another.

Its a big red flag when someone says they are willing to sacrifice what they believe for a relationship, as it usually says they have the expectation that their partner has to sacrifice something too, and its always of your choosing, and not hers. Is it control because of your fears and insecurities?? No, its because you really don't know what you want, nor how to get it, or keep it. Sorry to be harsh, but thats what I see by what you wrote.

If she doesn't quit, or I can't make a major change, then it's over either way.

I could have told you that. It was over when you first wrote this post and since there is no working together, it can never work. By the way, I take your reference to major change as her doing the changing so you can be happy, and secure, and in control.

You can't get what you want by making another do what you want, while yo ignore your own issues and attitudes and I feel, JUST FROM WHAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN, you would have the same issues with a nun, as you would a stripper.

You have a lot of work to do to be happy with yourself. I hope you can do that.

[bluedog9]

Bluedog,

Now that your know you have the chance and You have learned the difference, when she's at home. But when she tells you she's going to work you forget it.

Which does beg my next question though, couldn't she get another job if she wanted to help you out? If she wants to work those hours, bartenders pay great.

You say you may not find someone like her again, but she's not bringing complete happiness, it's happiness with a high self esteem price. To me, I don't think she is worth that. But I also don't think you are seeing the woman at home, your seeing the woman at work.

I've been trying to find the vocabulary to describe how I feel when she goes to work these days. Hell, the last 3 times, she's probably given a total of 4 dances. She never cares about making more than $100 or so a night - just enough to help out, as you said.

And she makes more than half of her money usually by just sitting with a guy for 2-3 hours, dancing MAYBE once or twice, and she'll get $50-100 just for being incredible company - she is a fantastic conversationalist and doesn't treat men like wallets - certain men like that.

So in many ways that feels great that she does so much to limit the potential of being 'whorish'. But my self-esteem for lack of a better word, is only getting worse. I used to be very supportive of her on stage - and I used to say, if you could make $100 a night just from tips being on stage, I could support THAT for a very long time. But not even that eats at me... the break in our intimacy of sharing, visually, her nude body with so many others. Last week an old, old friend of hers came into the club. They hang out and have beers and watch movies once every few months. But now that he went in to see her, tipped her on stage but didn't buy a dance (don't think she'd do that for him), it just makes me feel... violated because it is someone she knows. She can't keep him from coming into the club so I can't blame her...

As far as another job; she's worked as a bartender before, her family owned a bar and so she was 'raised' in one. She loves the freedom of her schedule above all things. No manager to tell her what days to work, no having to work with or talk to the same people 2-3 days a week. As a bartender you have to be nice to the customers that hit on you or are rude to you... as a dancer you have the power to never be forced to speak with them (her club would NEVER ask her to sit w/ someone she didn't want to). If you feel tired from dealing with her mom, or was sick, or just didn't feel well... she can choose at the last minute to not go. Again, this is a freedom (easily abused) that most of us never have the choice to address. Those things are big for her... but part of me feels it is a little selfish, but I understand her other hesitation is that there are times we've been on the rocks before, and I think she wants to have a lot of faith in us before she makes a life change and 'sacrifices' for us and has a fixed schedule.

I always understood the allure of that kind of freedom... but the price is my own suffering and our relationship. And for as little as she's pulled in at work dancing... it seems like if she could have 2 nights a week as a bartender, she'd make twice as much money and have my support and happy relationship.

She's aware at how resentful she could be to do that... because of my limitations. She feels she's done EVERYTHING she can to make me feel comfortable and trust her at work. And she has... very little is still a trust issue... it's just down to a discomfort/jealousy/self-esteem/pain issue for even doing the things we both agree are 'ok'.

She sat with a guy a month ago... on his lap at his table... his hands were folded behind his back... he was ultra respectful to her... and I still felt unhappy and 'angry'. It's just not the same as it was the nights where I've felt positive and secure. Maybe it is a downward spiral... she works and I pull back in the relationship... I get more insecure, she gets more insecure, so that it is even worse the next time she works because we're more distant...

I basically lived with her for 4-5 months without her working... and for awhile thought she would never go back. It wasn't a perfect relationship because other issues and stresses came up... but so many negative feelings were gone...

Whatever feelings it creates - self-esteem, insecurity, humiliation, lack of pride in her or myself... they kill our intimacy and special connection - which is the reason we've been together. No matter how badly she wants the other 6.5 days in the week to be about our intimacy and those 8 hours to mean 'nothing'... they just do mean something to me.

[bluedog9]

I think that Survivor has expressed it very succinctly. You are losing yourself in this.

For someone that has trust issues (I must say, having issues with your ex-wife going to the OB/GYN spun me out a bit), having a girlfriend that is a stripper is the ultimate test.

At some level, you ARE testing yourself. At some level your unconscious understands that trust is a make-or-break issue in your life and has provided you with this huge challenge.

I would like to present a slightly different perspective:

What I believe is that you will always have this issue until you deal with it. Sure, it's easy to ditch this relationship and find another one. Less toxic, less challenging. Or will it be? I suspect that this is your life's 'big issue'. You will find another GF and you will find something in that relationship that will begin this process over again - it will start to eat away at you - slowly at first and then it will become overwhelming - the doubts, the jealousy, the resentment. This seems to be your pattern.

Is this how you want to live? Waiting for your GF, who is only human, to do some small thing that will break your trust? Discarding opportunities for good relationships because your partners can't meet your exacting standards of perfection? Letting yourself down because your insecurities get the better of you?

This is the thing about life's big challenges - they are difficult and sometimes we want to give up because it all gets too much. Don't give up! Go and see your counsellor and get to the bottom of this problem you have, learn how to sense the triggers and switch off the thoughts. Share this with your GF and get her to support you through it. It will take time, but what else do you have but time?

Please think about the possibility that if you don't make an effort to deal with your current problem, it will only come back in another form, in another relationship.

Thank you, this is great advice. Some people believe we're here to 'perfect' our souls or whatever... and I agree this is a huge challenge for me. I don't know what in my childhood or personality feels such horror... and no matter how well my extremely aware and smart girlfriend understands those 'demons' in me... it seems like she doesn't give me enough leeway. But I can't blame her, she has flaws that I don't fogive or provide true understanding and acceptance for. She accepts me the way I am FAR more than I do her.

I get brain flashes thinking about her past... moments of intense recoil thinking about her with another guy. Or if she dances at home for me, which is lovely, I can't enjoy it because part of me imagines, well, she did this 100 times for someone else... even if the truth is she can do things for me she'd never do for a customer.

Only with true security when she wasn't dancing and our relationship was at its peak... did I stop having these flashes and I had peace and wasn't living in the past.

Since I originally posted this comment... we've had a huge conversation about the distance in our relationship... and that she can feel my anger and resentment that is stored up from this... and we're in the process of finding out if we have a future. And there doesn't seem to be enough goodwill to ask her to stop dancing... or for me to honestly be 'ok' with it well enough so we can heal to the point where she sees what we have left in our relationship is special enough to make that sacrifice to work somewhere else.

I don't fully understand why it creates feelings of worthlessness inside of me... (everyone gets to see my girlfriend, my undying love, in a t-back... ) I know I've based a lot of my self-value on the acceptance and exclusivity in sharing her body and soul with me. That isn't easy to fix.

And as much as she consciously knows that, the attitude of 'suck it up for 3 months' 'turn your head for 2 months' 'when we're 80 it won't matter at all if I was a stripper' - makes me feel like she doesn't truly get it. That I'm afraid if she keeps doing this for too long... I'll hold the resentment forever.

There was a time I was thinking... there is a huge challenge in just dealing with her being a stripper for 10 years, even if she never worked once while we dated. Previously I would have said I could never even do that. And now here I am.

As you said, life throwing at me all matter of things that have horrified me - she was sexually abused (shocking I know!! ), spent 6 months being quite promiscuous in her early 20s (not something I've EVER dealt with well), and of course danced for 10 years.

Yet since I've met her, she's never given me a single reason to not trust her faithfullness and honesty in all situations. But my belief system about her precarious lifestyle in the past has made it imminently difficult to have trust and security without asking her to sacrifice everything about herself - and she's done that on occaision to prove to me I can trust her. And yet still here I am. And of course she's running out of patience.

[talaniman]

If you can't separate the person from the job, you will never be happy, and that's your problem, not hers. There is no such thing as instant happiness and if your not willing to put the work in, you'll never have it.

This isn't about her stripping, its about your unrealistic expectations.

[bluedog9]

If you can't separate the person from the job, you will never be happy, and thats your problem, not hers. There is no such thing as instant happiness and if your not willing to put the work in, you'll never have it.

This isn't about her stripping, its about your unrealistic expectations.

Unrealistic expectations of... you work 2-3 times a month in a job that, given the current level of our relationship, causes a lot of stress and discomfort for me/us. While I continue to pay 70% of your bills, shouldn't you consider 3-4 times a month at another job for our long term health?

If you like your freedom so much, what part of, "this is killing us and might break us up...leading to you working 15 days a month" gives you more freedom to pursue your other interests and take care of your family (invalid mother)?

I just feel like the vast majority of the people would see that as a fairly simple trade off. I respect her wanting to feel more independent, but an absolute commitment to this job at the expense of our relationship certainly is frustrating. Especially when she's admitted that she's ALWAYS stopped dancing whenever she was in a relationship in the past. It was only because I did as well as I could for so long, and she held out hope I would be able to support her 100% and it not affect us negatively that she kept it in her back pocket.

Perhaps I'm just being selfish. I know it is a huge problem for most dancers. It is not a new problem for her. But there's other ways to not feel so 'taken care of' than something you know is inherently difficult for your partner based on their personal psychology.

For example, there are many women that would abhor and suffer in a relationship if their spouse were to travel 4-5 days a week all year long.

At the end of the day, if I can't be healthy in our current environment, she won't get what she wants out of the relationship either, and we will dissolve or a change has to be made. Therapy might make significant progress... but it's not going to be overnight.

Anyway...

[chuff]

Bluedog,

I may get hanged for this by everyone else, but I don't see what therapy is going to do for you in this situation. She is who she is, and you can't except her for it. Therapy isn't going to change that. Your emotional state is out of whack. You want her, but she causes emotional havoc. Nothing against her, but is she worth what your doing to yourself? A relationship is supposed to benefit two people, and your enjoying certain benefits, but taking an emotional fall to get them. Is it worth the fall?