I'm in a relationship where my partner often compares me to others friends, colleagues, and even their exes. For example, last weekend we were at a friend's housewarming party, and afterward my partner commented, "See how well Neha handles her career and home together you could learn something from her." In the past, they've also said things like, "My ex used to understand me better when I was stressed," or praised a colleague's appearance in front of me. These remarks, even if casual, are really starting to hurt and chip away at my self-esteem. I've told them calmly that these comparisons make me feel undervalued, but they usually laugh it off or say I'm overthinking. I don't want to sound overly sensitive or insecure, but I'm feeling emotionally drained. I also don't want to cause tension or constant fights. How can I set healthy boundaries and make them understand how this is affecting me without turning it into a blame game or sounding needy?

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
The value and worth of a spouse/partner is not known until they spend time away from one another. Being stuck to one another is not love, but being able to give each other space and respecting each other's differences is love.
Take a vacation from each other; this will make you realize your own worth and also will give him a chance to miss you.
Then all these criticisms will stop and he will learn to appreciate you for who you are. It will also teach you to value him for what he he is...
Your marriage just needs a little tweaking and you are good to go...give yourselves a little break from one another and see the magic...

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
When you say criticizes your choices and invades your personal space, they are two different things...
You can't do much when people criticize your choices. If the choice you have made is wise for you, ignore what people say and move on. Choices on food, clothes, etc are so personal...
But if it concerns any important decisions of life, I would suggest that you take a moment and understand why that person is criticizing your choice; is the criticism part of how they show care? While it's very easy to criticize someone who criticizes you, always know the space they come from. Some people do not know how to show care and do it through authority and imposition which of course is never pleasant.
When it comes to invading your personal space, I am unable to imagine what that means in your case as it is too generalized. Anyway, if it feels uncomfortable, draw a boundary and make sure that you do not allow them to violate it. Initially, they will talk of you being very disrespectful, but stay on course and sooner than later they will get used to a newer way of interacting with you.

On whether you are being too sensitive: that's why I found your post very generalized. A few instances could have painted a better picture and also tell you whether your reaction is necessary or is the other person actually prying too much.

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

Ans: It’s clear that you deeply care about your partner and the health of your relationship, but recurring arguments and a lack of expressed love are creating a disconnect. To nurture love and clarity in your communication, it’s essential to create an emotional space where both of you feel safe, valued, and understood—even during disagreements.

When arguments arise, they often escalate because emotions are heightened, and both people feel the need to defend their perspective. To shift this dynamic, start by focusing on emotional regulation in those moments. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that you’re both on the same team, even if you see things differently. This small pause can prevent reactive words or actions that might escalate the conflict further.

Outside of conflicts, consider the daily emotional climate of your relationship. If love isn’t being expressed regularly, your partner may feel insecure or disconnected, which can intensify disagreements. Begin to nurture love by weaving simple but heartfelt expressions of care into your everyday interactions. This might be as simple as saying, “I appreciate you,” giving a warm hug, or acknowledging something they did, however small. These gestures build emotional reserves that make handling tough conversations easier because they remind both of you of the underlying bond.

When it comes to communication, try reframing the way you approach disagreements. Speak from your feelings rather than placing blame. For instance, instead of saying, “You’re not listening to me,” try, “I feel unheard, and it’s making me frustrated.” This subtle but powerful shift fosters understanding rather than defensiveness. Equally important is listening with an open mind. Practice reflecting back what your partner shares to show you’re truly hearing them. For example, “I hear that you’re upset because you feel I didn’t prioritize you—am I understanding that correctly?”

Love is nurtured in the moments between conflicts—through trust, small acts of kindness, and consistent emotional support. Reflect on what makes your partner feel loved and cherished, and intentionally incorporate those actions into your daily life. At the same time, share what you need emotionally so they understand how to nurture you too. This mutual exchange strengthens your connection and creates a deeper sense of partnership.

Finally, consider having a calm, heartfelt conversation about how you both want to handle conflicts and express love moving forward. Creating shared goals for your relationship can bring clarity and purpose, helping you both feel aligned. By approaching your relationship with patience, empathy, and intentional care, you can not only resolve current challenges but also nurture a love that feels steady, secure, and fulfilling.

Ans: Hello sir. This is a common phenomenon these days specially due to the photographs that are shared on social media. They compel people to do comparison and as a result their lives get miserable and unhappy. Don't loose your confidence. One person can not possess all the qualities. You are unique in your own way. You have your own positives which other people might not have. Talk to your partner and tell her not to compare you with anyone. Tell her if you will compare her to anyone then she also might not like. So tell her that life cannot be happy like this. Stop comparing and stay happy.
Take care
Regards
Dr Upneet Kaur
Follo me on: https://www.instagram.com/dr_upneet

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
He's just playing the immature person and passing it off as though you are the problem for that.
A person who has accepted himself fully can never accept anyone else because their job is to see what is wrong and try and fix it. He's doing that you.
What I would say is: Stand your ground by having a straight face, listening and then just letting it be...(hard but it just gives him the satisfaction of throwing it out)...now, before you jump to any conclusions, here is what doing this will give you. Once he complains, he will keep quiet and when there is no reaction from you, eventually he will try harder and then give up...the best way to defeat someone in this kind of an emotional brawl is to actually be SILENT! Hard to do, but it will work...
And you also get to be who you are...Now, when he's going to accept himself etc is a long road ahead but take this one step at a time...

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/