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your relationship? I have personal problems, which I am aware might influence my relationship with my girlfriend. I tend to shut down when I am feeling overwhelmed with stress and right now it happens to be problems with my family. My girlfriend doesn't know why I have been so cranky lately, but I am trying to fix it on my own and not let it get in the way. Is this when it is okay to use your girlfriend for support? I have been very snappy lately, I received a speeding ticket the other day, my girlfriend got a puppy (which I have no clue how to raise), work is stressing me out (I have two jobs), etc.
I am just trying to be the rock in the relationship. She has issues of her own...
This is the situation where I think you can talk to her and get support. Everybody has issues. Everyone. If you shut down she will feel cast out. It brings connection to the relationship to talk about problems.
Obviously you can't expect her to solve your problems but to talk about them is perfectly ok. But you can also talk to others about your issues like your friends so you don't dump everything on her. My main point is don't try to deal with everything on your own.