Is it healthy to have alone time when in a relationship or have your own activities by yourself?

I am relationship for about more than a year now and it is a little toxic. My boyfriend has so much trust issues, but slowly everything is getting better.
Sometimes I just want to enjoy my alone time but I feel a little guilty and feel scared that he might not accept that.
Asked by Daze
Answered
05/13/2022

Daze,

Hi, it is very nice to meet you! You ask an excellent question. If you and I were working together in counseling, I would want to know more about your relationship with your boyfriend. What do you mean when you say that the relationship is a little toxic? His trust issues are his issues. They should not be brought into the relationship or pushed onto you. Because he has trust issues does not mean that you've done anything wrong.

Generally, in relationships, each person has different interests, hobbies they enjoy, activities they enjoy, etc. That is absolutely okay and it is actually a good thing. In addition to being a part of a relationship, you are also an individual person. It is important to have and maintain a sense of personal identity, a sense of self, even if you are in a relationship. Those individual interests should be celebrated by your partner. 

You mention that you sometimes feel guilty for even wanting to go out and do something by yourself and scared about what he might think. You have nothing to feel guilty about or to be scared of anything. Because you want to spend time alone does not mean that you do not love or care for him. Before we become part of a relationship, we are individuals with our own interests and hobbies.

For example, you might love working out and going to the gym. Your boyfriend may hate going to the gym. You should not have to stop doing something you love and are passionate about (going to the gym) just because he does not want to go.

The key is to find a good balance so that you both get your needs met - having sufficient quality time together and also having individual time. Confident, supportive partners will encourage their significant other's interests and hobbies. You are not doing anything wrong by wanting to have individual time to yourself. I would also encourage you to sit down with him and talk about your feelings. Let him know that your individual interests are important to you.

I hope that you have found this to be helpful and I wish you all the best on your journey!