I’m a 26F and I’ve been with my fiancé (25M) for about a year and a half. We recently ended, or are in the process of ending, our engagement, and I’m struggling deeply with whether I’m making the right decision.
I love him very much. He is emotionally kind, supportive, and genuinely amazing with my 3-year-old daughter. She is very attached to him and sees him as family, which makes this feel even heavier.
The main issue is long-term stability. He has had ongoing difficulty holding a steady job and supporting himself financially. I am the primary provider, and while I don’t expect perfection, I do need a partner who can consistently contribute and be stable. He says he wants to do better and is trying, but I don’t know if I truly believe that this will be sustainable long-term.
What I’m torn between is:
Staying with someone I love who treats me and my child well
Versus leaving because I feel anxious about our future — financially, emotionally, and mentally
I don’t want to make a decision based on guilt, pressure, or fear, especially because a child is involved. At the same time, I don’t want to walk away from someone who genuinely wants to improve.
For those who’ve been in similar situations: how do you know when love isn’t enough, even when the relationship isn’t “bad”?
TL;DR: I (26F) ended or am ending my engagement with my fiancé (25M) of 1.5 years because he struggles with consistent employment and financial stability. He is loving and amazing with my 3-year-old daughter, which makes this decision extremely painful. I’m torn between staying for love and family versus leaving for long-term stability and security.