Coming clean to my girlfriend

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My girlfriend and I are both in our early 20's in the US. We have been together for almost 3 years and have been living together for a few months now.



While I've been with other girls before her, I am her first for everything. First kiss, first boyfriend, first everything. This has been a sore point for her and though I don't consider it a big deal, I know that it's something she dwells on. We've had many long conversations about it in which I try to emphasize that I'm not with those people anymore, I'm with her now because I love her now. However, while she may put it out of her mind for a time, I know it's something she always comes back to.



Early in the relationship, maybe two years ago, we had a conversation about my past relationships where she wanted to know who I had been with and what we'd done. Knowing already about her insecurities with my past relationships, I withheld some of what I did. I told her about all the girls, but I specifically told her I only kissed a girl I in fact slept with (this would be a big deal as outside of my girlfriend I'd only slept with two other girls).



I know this was wrong and whatever pain I was trying to shield her from will only worse now when she finds out. It was honestly probably mostly selfish of me to withhold the information anyways. But it's something that's been eating at me all these years.



We just had another conversation about my past the other day, and I was forced to continue the act. I really love this girl and I don't want to continue hiding things from her, even if they happened years and years ago.



How can I come clean about my past and tell her how much actually happened in a way that will minimize both her mistrust of me and her self-consciousness?



(Note: I'm completely open to a frame challenge that argues against telling her at all, but as I'm pretty set on telling her, it would have to be a very strong argument)










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    My girlfriend and I are both in our early 20's in the US. We have been together for almost 3 years and have been living together for a few months now.



    While I've been with other girls before her, I am her first for everything. First kiss, first boyfriend, first everything. This has been a sore point for her and though I don't consider it a big deal, I know that it's something she dwells on. We've had many long conversations about it in which I try to emphasize that I'm not with those people anymore, I'm with her now because I love her now. However, while she may put it out of her mind for a time, I know it's something she always comes back to.



    Early in the relationship, maybe two years ago, we had a conversation about my past relationships where she wanted to know who I had been with and what we'd done. Knowing already about her insecurities with my past relationships, I withheld some of what I did. I told her about all the girls, but I specifically told her I only kissed a girl I in fact slept with (this would be a big deal as outside of my girlfriend I'd only slept with two other girls).



    I know this was wrong and whatever pain I was trying to shield her from will only worse now when she finds out. It was honestly probably mostly selfish of me to withhold the information anyways. But it's something that's been eating at me all these years.



    We just had another conversation about my past the other day, and I was forced to continue the act. I really love this girl and I don't want to continue hiding things from her, even if they happened years and years ago.



    How can I come clean about my past and tell her how much actually happened in a way that will minimize both her mistrust of me and her self-consciousness?



    (Note: I'm completely open to a frame challenge that argues against telling her at all, but as I'm pretty set on telling her, it would have to be a very strong argument)










    share|improve this question









    New contributor




    user22026 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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      up vote
      4
      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      4
      down vote

      favorite











      My girlfriend and I are both in our early 20's in the US. We have been together for almost 3 years and have been living together for a few months now.



      While I've been with other girls before her, I am her first for everything. First kiss, first boyfriend, first everything. This has been a sore point for her and though I don't consider it a big deal, I know that it's something she dwells on. We've had many long conversations about it in which I try to emphasize that I'm not with those people anymore, I'm with her now because I love her now. However, while she may put it out of her mind for a time, I know it's something she always comes back to.



      Early in the relationship, maybe two years ago, we had a conversation about my past relationships where she wanted to know who I had been with and what we'd done. Knowing already about her insecurities with my past relationships, I withheld some of what I did. I told her about all the girls, but I specifically told her I only kissed a girl I in fact slept with (this would be a big deal as outside of my girlfriend I'd only slept with two other girls).



      I know this was wrong and whatever pain I was trying to shield her from will only worse now when she finds out. It was honestly probably mostly selfish of me to withhold the information anyways. But it's something that's been eating at me all these years.



      We just had another conversation about my past the other day, and I was forced to continue the act. I really love this girl and I don't want to continue hiding things from her, even if they happened years and years ago.



      How can I come clean about my past and tell her how much actually happened in a way that will minimize both her mistrust of me and her self-consciousness?



      (Note: I'm completely open to a frame challenge that argues against telling her at all, but as I'm pretty set on telling her, it would have to be a very strong argument)










      share|improve this question









      New contributor




      user22026 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.











      My girlfriend and I are both in our early 20's in the US. We have been together for almost 3 years and have been living together for a few months now.



      While I've been with other girls before her, I am her first for everything. First kiss, first boyfriend, first everything. This has been a sore point for her and though I don't consider it a big deal, I know that it's something she dwells on. We've had many long conversations about it in which I try to emphasize that I'm not with those people anymore, I'm with her now because I love her now. However, while she may put it out of her mind for a time, I know it's something she always comes back to.



      Early in the relationship, maybe two years ago, we had a conversation about my past relationships where she wanted to know who I had been with and what we'd done. Knowing already about her insecurities with my past relationships, I withheld some of what I did. I told her about all the girls, but I specifically told her I only kissed a girl I in fact slept with (this would be a big deal as outside of my girlfriend I'd only slept with two other girls).



      I know this was wrong and whatever pain I was trying to shield her from will only worse now when she finds out. It was honestly probably mostly selfish of me to withhold the information anyways. But it's something that's been eating at me all these years.



      We just had another conversation about my past the other day, and I was forced to continue the act. I really love this girl and I don't want to continue hiding things from her, even if they happened years and years ago.



      How can I come clean about my past and tell her how much actually happened in a way that will minimize both her mistrust of me and her self-consciousness?



      (Note: I'm completely open to a frame challenge that argues against telling her at all, but as I'm pretty set on telling her, it would have to be a very strong argument)







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      edited 1 hour ago





















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          2 Answers
          2






          active

          oldest

          votes

















          up vote
          2
          down vote













          I've been married for over 20 years and have discovered a couple of things.



          • She's always going to find out

          • It's better if you tell her

          • You both have pasts that you have no control over

          A lot of this depends on the strength of your relationship. If it's still fragile, then you've got a whole different issue going on after 2 years. But let's say things are going well.



          I'd suggest picking a time when you both don't have a lot of other things going on. So don't do this at a family gathering, holiday, or important event. Take an evening when you both are calm and not in the middle of some other discussion. Then, lay it out. "There's something I haven't told you. My thought process was this..." and explain WHY you chose to not tell her. Take responsibility for your decision and apologize, and then lay out what you should have told her. I've found that just telling her works better than getting into a long explanation: tell her what you have held back, give a short explanation why, and then apologize for messing up.



          It's important to tell her everything you held back at this discussion. If you tell her more later, she'll question whether there's other stuff you haven't told her. That can be... damaging to your relationship.






          share|improve this answer




















          • And I'm guessing after all that it's just a matter of waiting and letting her be upset with me until she accepts what happened? Any special advice for what I can do while in the doghouse?
            – user22026
            48 mins ago






          • 2




            When you're in the doghouse, don't try too hard to get out of it. Let her be mad, let her process it, and wait for her on the other side. There's nothing you can do to speed up the process and anything you try will just look desperate. the big thing is to show her that it's past and not your current state.
            – baldPrussian
            31 mins ago

















          up vote
          1
          down vote













          Your only mistake was lying about things when asked the first time...



          It may be an unpopular opinion, but you still have a right to privacy in a romantic relationship. Your past is your past, and you shouldn't be coerced into divulging intimate details that you aren't comfortable sharing. It's one thing to get to know someone, it's something else when they're grilling you for information that they'll hold against you later.



          It sounds like these questions are coming from a place of insecurity, which is a red flag on it's own. If she "needs" to know all the intimate details of your previous relationships for any other reason than simply getting to know you better, it's perhaps a sign that she's not really ready for an adult relationship. As you get older, it should probably be expected that your partner has dated other people before you. Thinking less of them, or constantly questioning how you measure up, is a strong indicator of immaturity and self esteem issues.



          Your initial response could have been something more along the lines of:




          I don't kiss and tell.




          Or:




          The past is the past, I'd rather not discuss my failed relationships.




          Or, perhaps ideally, you could have unapologetically laid your past out on the table. If she could accept your past relationships as just more background information about you, then great; if she couldn't it would have been better to move on early.



          But.... That ship has already sailed. So, if you really want to continue the relationship with this person you'll likely need to come clean. Not because she has a right to know any of it, but because you made the mistake of lying about it.



          Your best bet will probably be to focus on apologizing for the lies. Your mistake wasn't the previous relationship, it was lying about it. Like any apology, admit what you did wrong, accept responsibility, and be prepared to accept the consequences.



          Try not to excuse yourself with things like "I wasn't honest because..." Or "I was just trying to protect you" Having a reason for your actions isn't the same as having an excuse. You had reasons, but they're not great reasons, and they're not going to make the lies feel better. And I suspect if we're being honest, you lied to protect yourself as much as you lied to protect her.



          Basically, you screwed up. Now it's time to admit it, apologize, accept that she's going to be hurt and angry, and see whether this current relationship is going to be salvageable.



          If you find that she can't forgive you, returns to the subject to pick at old wounds, it may be better for the both of you to take it as a lesson learned and go your separate ways.






          share|improve this answer




















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            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes








            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes








            up vote
            2
            down vote













            I've been married for over 20 years and have discovered a couple of things.



            • She's always going to find out

            • It's better if you tell her

            • You both have pasts that you have no control over

            A lot of this depends on the strength of your relationship. If it's still fragile, then you've got a whole different issue going on after 2 years. But let's say things are going well.



            I'd suggest picking a time when you both don't have a lot of other things going on. So don't do this at a family gathering, holiday, or important event. Take an evening when you both are calm and not in the middle of some other discussion. Then, lay it out. "There's something I haven't told you. My thought process was this..." and explain WHY you chose to not tell her. Take responsibility for your decision and apologize, and then lay out what you should have told her. I've found that just telling her works better than getting into a long explanation: tell her what you have held back, give a short explanation why, and then apologize for messing up.



            It's important to tell her everything you held back at this discussion. If you tell her more later, she'll question whether there's other stuff you haven't told her. That can be... damaging to your relationship.






            share|improve this answer




















            • And I'm guessing after all that it's just a matter of waiting and letting her be upset with me until she accepts what happened? Any special advice for what I can do while in the doghouse?
              – user22026
              48 mins ago






            • 2




              When you're in the doghouse, don't try too hard to get out of it. Let her be mad, let her process it, and wait for her on the other side. There's nothing you can do to speed up the process and anything you try will just look desperate. the big thing is to show her that it's past and not your current state.
              – baldPrussian
              31 mins ago














            up vote
            2
            down vote













            I've been married for over 20 years and have discovered a couple of things.



            • She's always going to find out

            • It's better if you tell her

            • You both have pasts that you have no control over

            A lot of this depends on the strength of your relationship. If it's still fragile, then you've got a whole different issue going on after 2 years. But let's say things are going well.



            I'd suggest picking a time when you both don't have a lot of other things going on. So don't do this at a family gathering, holiday, or important event. Take an evening when you both are calm and not in the middle of some other discussion. Then, lay it out. "There's something I haven't told you. My thought process was this..." and explain WHY you chose to not tell her. Take responsibility for your decision and apologize, and then lay out what you should have told her. I've found that just telling her works better than getting into a long explanation: tell her what you have held back, give a short explanation why, and then apologize for messing up.



            It's important to tell her everything you held back at this discussion. If you tell her more later, she'll question whether there's other stuff you haven't told her. That can be... damaging to your relationship.






            share|improve this answer




















            • And I'm guessing after all that it's just a matter of waiting and letting her be upset with me until she accepts what happened? Any special advice for what I can do while in the doghouse?
              – user22026
              48 mins ago






            • 2




              When you're in the doghouse, don't try too hard to get out of it. Let her be mad, let her process it, and wait for her on the other side. There's nothing you can do to speed up the process and anything you try will just look desperate. the big thing is to show her that it's past and not your current state.
              – baldPrussian
              31 mins ago












            up vote
            2
            down vote










            up vote
            2
            down vote









            I've been married for over 20 years and have discovered a couple of things.



            • She's always going to find out

            • It's better if you tell her

            • You both have pasts that you have no control over

            A lot of this depends on the strength of your relationship. If it's still fragile, then you've got a whole different issue going on after 2 years. But let's say things are going well.



            I'd suggest picking a time when you both don't have a lot of other things going on. So don't do this at a family gathering, holiday, or important event. Take an evening when you both are calm and not in the middle of some other discussion. Then, lay it out. "There's something I haven't told you. My thought process was this..." and explain WHY you chose to not tell her. Take responsibility for your decision and apologize, and then lay out what you should have told her. I've found that just telling her works better than getting into a long explanation: tell her what you have held back, give a short explanation why, and then apologize for messing up.



            It's important to tell her everything you held back at this discussion. If you tell her more later, she'll question whether there's other stuff you haven't told her. That can be... damaging to your relationship.






            share|improve this answer












            I've been married for over 20 years and have discovered a couple of things.



            • She's always going to find out

            • It's better if you tell her

            • You both have pasts that you have no control over

            A lot of this depends on the strength of your relationship. If it's still fragile, then you've got a whole different issue going on after 2 years. But let's say things are going well.



            I'd suggest picking a time when you both don't have a lot of other things going on. So don't do this at a family gathering, holiday, or important event. Take an evening when you both are calm and not in the middle of some other discussion. Then, lay it out. "There's something I haven't told you. My thought process was this..." and explain WHY you chose to not tell her. Take responsibility for your decision and apologize, and then lay out what you should have told her. I've found that just telling her works better than getting into a long explanation: tell her what you have held back, give a short explanation why, and then apologize for messing up.



            It's important to tell her everything you held back at this discussion. If you tell her more later, she'll question whether there's other stuff you haven't told her. That can be... damaging to your relationship.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 53 mins ago









            baldPrussian

            21.7k115080




            21.7k115080











            • And I'm guessing after all that it's just a matter of waiting and letting her be upset with me until she accepts what happened? Any special advice for what I can do while in the doghouse?
              – user22026
              48 mins ago






            • 2




              When you're in the doghouse, don't try too hard to get out of it. Let her be mad, let her process it, and wait for her on the other side. There's nothing you can do to speed up the process and anything you try will just look desperate. the big thing is to show her that it's past and not your current state.
              – baldPrussian
              31 mins ago
















            • And I'm guessing after all that it's just a matter of waiting and letting her be upset with me until she accepts what happened? Any special advice for what I can do while in the doghouse?
              – user22026
              48 mins ago






            • 2




              When you're in the doghouse, don't try too hard to get out of it. Let her be mad, let her process it, and wait for her on the other side. There's nothing you can do to speed up the process and anything you try will just look desperate. the big thing is to show her that it's past and not your current state.
              – baldPrussian
              31 mins ago















            And I'm guessing after all that it's just a matter of waiting and letting her be upset with me until she accepts what happened? Any special advice for what I can do while in the doghouse?
            – user22026
            48 mins ago




            And I'm guessing after all that it's just a matter of waiting and letting her be upset with me until she accepts what happened? Any special advice for what I can do while in the doghouse?
            – user22026
            48 mins ago




            2




            2




            When you're in the doghouse, don't try too hard to get out of it. Let her be mad, let her process it, and wait for her on the other side. There's nothing you can do to speed up the process and anything you try will just look desperate. the big thing is to show her that it's past and not your current state.
            – baldPrussian
            31 mins ago




            When you're in the doghouse, don't try too hard to get out of it. Let her be mad, let her process it, and wait for her on the other side. There's nothing you can do to speed up the process and anything you try will just look desperate. the big thing is to show her that it's past and not your current state.
            – baldPrussian
            31 mins ago










            up vote
            1
            down vote













            Your only mistake was lying about things when asked the first time...



            It may be an unpopular opinion, but you still have a right to privacy in a romantic relationship. Your past is your past, and you shouldn't be coerced into divulging intimate details that you aren't comfortable sharing. It's one thing to get to know someone, it's something else when they're grilling you for information that they'll hold against you later.



            It sounds like these questions are coming from a place of insecurity, which is a red flag on it's own. If she "needs" to know all the intimate details of your previous relationships for any other reason than simply getting to know you better, it's perhaps a sign that she's not really ready for an adult relationship. As you get older, it should probably be expected that your partner has dated other people before you. Thinking less of them, or constantly questioning how you measure up, is a strong indicator of immaturity and self esteem issues.



            Your initial response could have been something more along the lines of:




            I don't kiss and tell.




            Or:




            The past is the past, I'd rather not discuss my failed relationships.




            Or, perhaps ideally, you could have unapologetically laid your past out on the table. If she could accept your past relationships as just more background information about you, then great; if she couldn't it would have been better to move on early.



            But.... That ship has already sailed. So, if you really want to continue the relationship with this person you'll likely need to come clean. Not because she has a right to know any of it, but because you made the mistake of lying about it.



            Your best bet will probably be to focus on apologizing for the lies. Your mistake wasn't the previous relationship, it was lying about it. Like any apology, admit what you did wrong, accept responsibility, and be prepared to accept the consequences.



            Try not to excuse yourself with things like "I wasn't honest because..." Or "I was just trying to protect you" Having a reason for your actions isn't the same as having an excuse. You had reasons, but they're not great reasons, and they're not going to make the lies feel better. And I suspect if we're being honest, you lied to protect yourself as much as you lied to protect her.



            Basically, you screwed up. Now it's time to admit it, apologize, accept that she's going to be hurt and angry, and see whether this current relationship is going to be salvageable.



            If you find that she can't forgive you, returns to the subject to pick at old wounds, it may be better for the both of you to take it as a lesson learned and go your separate ways.






            share|improve this answer
























              up vote
              1
              down vote













              Your only mistake was lying about things when asked the first time...



              It may be an unpopular opinion, but you still have a right to privacy in a romantic relationship. Your past is your past, and you shouldn't be coerced into divulging intimate details that you aren't comfortable sharing. It's one thing to get to know someone, it's something else when they're grilling you for information that they'll hold against you later.



              It sounds like these questions are coming from a place of insecurity, which is a red flag on it's own. If she "needs" to know all the intimate details of your previous relationships for any other reason than simply getting to know you better, it's perhaps a sign that she's not really ready for an adult relationship. As you get older, it should probably be expected that your partner has dated other people before you. Thinking less of them, or constantly questioning how you measure up, is a strong indicator of immaturity and self esteem issues.



              Your initial response could have been something more along the lines of:




              I don't kiss and tell.




              Or:




              The past is the past, I'd rather not discuss my failed relationships.




              Or, perhaps ideally, you could have unapologetically laid your past out on the table. If she could accept your past relationships as just more background information about you, then great; if she couldn't it would have been better to move on early.



              But.... That ship has already sailed. So, if you really want to continue the relationship with this person you'll likely need to come clean. Not because she has a right to know any of it, but because you made the mistake of lying about it.



              Your best bet will probably be to focus on apologizing for the lies. Your mistake wasn't the previous relationship, it was lying about it. Like any apology, admit what you did wrong, accept responsibility, and be prepared to accept the consequences.



              Try not to excuse yourself with things like "I wasn't honest because..." Or "I was just trying to protect you" Having a reason for your actions isn't the same as having an excuse. You had reasons, but they're not great reasons, and they're not going to make the lies feel better. And I suspect if we're being honest, you lied to protect yourself as much as you lied to protect her.



              Basically, you screwed up. Now it's time to admit it, apologize, accept that she's going to be hurt and angry, and see whether this current relationship is going to be salvageable.



              If you find that she can't forgive you, returns to the subject to pick at old wounds, it may be better for the both of you to take it as a lesson learned and go your separate ways.






              share|improve this answer






















                up vote
                1
                down vote










                up vote
                1
                down vote









                Your only mistake was lying about things when asked the first time...



                It may be an unpopular opinion, but you still have a right to privacy in a romantic relationship. Your past is your past, and you shouldn't be coerced into divulging intimate details that you aren't comfortable sharing. It's one thing to get to know someone, it's something else when they're grilling you for information that they'll hold against you later.



                It sounds like these questions are coming from a place of insecurity, which is a red flag on it's own. If she "needs" to know all the intimate details of your previous relationships for any other reason than simply getting to know you better, it's perhaps a sign that she's not really ready for an adult relationship. As you get older, it should probably be expected that your partner has dated other people before you. Thinking less of them, or constantly questioning how you measure up, is a strong indicator of immaturity and self esteem issues.



                Your initial response could have been something more along the lines of:




                I don't kiss and tell.




                Or:




                The past is the past, I'd rather not discuss my failed relationships.




                Or, perhaps ideally, you could have unapologetically laid your past out on the table. If she could accept your past relationships as just more background information about you, then great; if she couldn't it would have been better to move on early.



                But.... That ship has already sailed. So, if you really want to continue the relationship with this person you'll likely need to come clean. Not because she has a right to know any of it, but because you made the mistake of lying about it.



                Your best bet will probably be to focus on apologizing for the lies. Your mistake wasn't the previous relationship, it was lying about it. Like any apology, admit what you did wrong, accept responsibility, and be prepared to accept the consequences.



                Try not to excuse yourself with things like "I wasn't honest because..." Or "I was just trying to protect you" Having a reason for your actions isn't the same as having an excuse. You had reasons, but they're not great reasons, and they're not going to make the lies feel better. And I suspect if we're being honest, you lied to protect yourself as much as you lied to protect her.



                Basically, you screwed up. Now it's time to admit it, apologize, accept that she's going to be hurt and angry, and see whether this current relationship is going to be salvageable.



                If you find that she can't forgive you, returns to the subject to pick at old wounds, it may be better for the both of you to take it as a lesson learned and go your separate ways.






                share|improve this answer












                Your only mistake was lying about things when asked the first time...



                It may be an unpopular opinion, but you still have a right to privacy in a romantic relationship. Your past is your past, and you shouldn't be coerced into divulging intimate details that you aren't comfortable sharing. It's one thing to get to know someone, it's something else when they're grilling you for information that they'll hold against you later.



                It sounds like these questions are coming from a place of insecurity, which is a red flag on it's own. If she "needs" to know all the intimate details of your previous relationships for any other reason than simply getting to know you better, it's perhaps a sign that she's not really ready for an adult relationship. As you get older, it should probably be expected that your partner has dated other people before you. Thinking less of them, or constantly questioning how you measure up, is a strong indicator of immaturity and self esteem issues.



                Your initial response could have been something more along the lines of:




                I don't kiss and tell.




                Or:




                The past is the past, I'd rather not discuss my failed relationships.




                Or, perhaps ideally, you could have unapologetically laid your past out on the table. If she could accept your past relationships as just more background information about you, then great; if she couldn't it would have been better to move on early.



                But.... That ship has already sailed. So, if you really want to continue the relationship with this person you'll likely need to come clean. Not because she has a right to know any of it, but because you made the mistake of lying about it.



                Your best bet will probably be to focus on apologizing for the lies. Your mistake wasn't the previous relationship, it was lying about it. Like any apology, admit what you did wrong, accept responsibility, and be prepared to accept the consequences.



                Try not to excuse yourself with things like "I wasn't honest because..." Or "I was just trying to protect you" Having a reason for your actions isn't the same as having an excuse. You had reasons, but they're not great reasons, and they're not going to make the lies feel better. And I suspect if we're being honest, you lied to protect yourself as much as you lied to protect her.



                Basically, you screwed up. Now it's time to admit it, apologize, accept that she's going to be hurt and angry, and see whether this current relationship is going to be salvageable.



                If you find that she can't forgive you, returns to the subject to pick at old wounds, it may be better for the both of you to take it as a lesson learned and go your separate ways.







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                answered 32 mins ago









                apaul

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