Caring and supportive partners are a huge help. They look out for you and remind you that you're loved and important. But navigating support for both/all of your needs is a really hard relationship.

For me and my partner, she has good reason to be vigilant with me and can get triggered when she thinks I'm sinking, even if I'm not. Telling her I'm actually fine can feel a lot like gaslighting, and this is tricky.

Plus sometimes she's right and I'm wrong about my own mood, which is just a fun thing about human beings.