I typically don’t care about things like hairstyle, makeup or clothes. But my wife has started giving herself a buzz cut and I simply hate it. I told her and she grew it out for a while, but she said longer hair was making her depressed and it needed to be a buzz cut. She said it just looks like her when she sees it. Part of me thinks that’s gender euphoria and she’s just around the corner from realising that she’s trans. I would not be comfortable continuing the relationship in that case. (She has said she feels a-gender but not male).
I’ve tried to tolerate it, but I dislike looking at her now and it’s contributing to me being depressed now. I don’t want these feelings every time I look at my wife.
We’ve generally had a good relationship over about one and a half decades, with two young children. We’re also codependent and own a house together.
It would make things difficult if we separate. I really don’t want to separate just because of a haircut, but I’ve definitely been thinking about it. I just don’t know what to do.
Depression is a major issue that your wife will need to address. The haircut is probably just how it’s physically manifesting.
This is going to be a challenge in your relationship, but get over the hair and focus on your wife’s mental health. Be there to support her and try to get to the root of the depression. That probably means therapy and possibly medication. You’ll probably want to also get couples therapy to help explore new ways that you and your wife can work together and support each other.
You might be having issues feeling attraction because her personality is changing from her depression. It’s not just the hair, that’s just what you’re able to see and pinpoint.
This is your opportunity to step up and take care of your wife when she needs it.