My partner who means the world to me is the only child and has always been very close to his parents. He is a very private person and generally introverted. His dad has been diagnosed with an advanced stage cancer. He has been holding up for 6 months and has been burying himself with work projects and house renovation but has been increasingly distancing himself.. I understand and want to support him as much as I can but he is completely shutting down. Decided to take his parents away but not coping emotionally, feeling hopeless and lonely, shutting down from me and communication. I don’t know what to do.. should I give him some quiet time with his thoughts or somehow try to focus on something else (although not sure it’s possible)? I feel like I’m falling apart myself as seeing him this way breaks my heart and feeling him shutting down and distancing is too difficult.. what is the right balance between letting him grieve and trying to push him to carry on?
