I’m married to a man I deeply love, but there’s a recurring issue in our relationship that I never anticipated: his retroactive jealousy. It’s a fixation on my past relationships, and it often feels like he’s more preoccupied with the men I dated before him than with the life we’re building together.
It started innocently enough, with casual questions about my dating history when we first got to know each other. At the time, I appreciated his curiosity; it felt like he wanted to understand me better. But as our relationship deepened, his questions became more persistent and invasive. He would ask about my exes’ looks, their personalities, even intimate details about those relationships.
Sometimes, these questions came out of nowhere, like during a romantic dinner or a quiet evening at home. I’d feel blindsided, unsure whether to answer or deflect. When I reassured him that the past doesn’t matter and that he’s the one I chose to marry, it only seemed to offer temporary relief. Before long, the comparisons would start again: “Do you think I’m as successful as he was?” or “Did he make you happier?”
It’s exhausting and emotionally draining. I understand that insecurity is a normal part of human nature, but this feels different—like he’s in a constant battle with shadows of my past. I’ve suggested counseling, but he’s hesitant, insisting he’ll “get over it” on his own.
I often wonder: Is this common? Do other couples face this? And how can I help him let go of a past that has no bearing on our future? It’s painful to see someone you love consumed by something that doesn’t even exist anymore.
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