I am 21 and my boyfriend is 25, we have been in a relationship for 5 years. We are very committed to each other. But the only problem is he is a very short-tempered guy and I am the complete opposite. He always takes me for granted, and whenever I try to confront him about it he gets angry and says he wants to break up. But after a while he calls me, apologizing and I take him back. We have been pretty much having an on-off relation and lately I have become very depressed due to all this. The only reason I forgive him is because I know that I can’t live without him. But deep down I don’t want to feel this way, I want to be free emotionally and sometimes the depth of my feelings for him really scare me. I would really like to be able to live by myself, without him and be happy. Please help..

First of all, shake the delusion that you cannot live without him. Everyone can live without anyone, life and time teaches us this. If you won’t keep your self-respect than people will always think that you do not have self-respect. They will start taking you for granted. Never give up on this even he apologise, you may give him one more chance after warning him that next time you are not going to take it. Stick to your words if it does it again.