I'm having a bit of a tough time today. My boyfriend finally decided that us having 'agreed to disagree' over politics isn't enough, and he just can't deal with me holding a different opinion. He said he had no wish to change my opinion and that I have every right to disagree, but that he just can't live with it and it's too big a divide.
We've had political disagreements in the past and while I thought we'd always managed to resolve the issue and move on, he's apparently held onto those grievances and stewed over them. Since lockdown started he's had way more free time to spend on social media and has become increasingly hard-line in his beliefs and negative in his outlook. Even pointing out simple facts that contradict leftist narratives has resulted in him ranting at me for 2-3 hours, before finally calming down and apologizing. I'm heartbroken for our relationship and for him - that he's been so thoroughly brainwashed he feels nothing but anger and pessimism, that he's now ashamed of his country, and feels guilty for things he hasn't done.
I feel like I've lost my best friend because of Facebook. This sucks.
[EDIT: Thank you everyone for your very kind replies. You've given me some good food for thought, and helped me feel a little less isolated and adrift. It may take me a little while, but I'll try to reply to you all as I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. Thank you all again!]
[EDIT 2: I'm absolutely overwhelmed with the kindness of all your replies, thank you all so much! It's so refreshing to receive so much support from like-minded people, when I'm usually mired in the constant negativity of living in a deep blue state.]
[EDIT 3: Well, this absolutely blew up over the last few hours. I'm so, so humbled by the warmth and care you've all shown me - this really is the greatest community! Although it hurt to see him take his things and leave this morning, I already feel a little better and lighter, and that's in no small part thanks to all of your comments. I can't reply to each of you individually anymore, but thank you all.]
That truly sucks, sorry to hear that. Won’t waste your time with “you’re better off without him” or anything like that because you probably don’t want to hear that right now and I have no way of knowing if it’s actually true, but I feel your pain. It’s crazy how all the media gaslighting and social media nonsense takes otherwise good, rational people and turns them into something else.
Keep your head up, it will be tough for a while but you will bounce back, and don’t forget that it isn’t your fault. Political disagreements between well-intentioned people should never be relationship ending in an ideal world, unfortunately the world we live in today is definitely less than ideal. In the meantime, lean on your friends and family as much as you can and try to keep yourself busy. That’s the best advice I can offer, wish I could do better.
Thank you so much, you're so right. Even leaving my feelings for him aside, it saddens me to see someone who was so warm and easy-going be turned into a close-minded, angry and bitter person. It really is crazy to see it firsthand.