How can I support my long-distance boyfriend when he shuts down emotionally?

I (20F) have been in a long-distance relationship with my boyfriend (24M) for a while now, and while I love him deeply and know he loves me too, we’re going through a tough phase.

Before we got together, he helped me leave a toxic relationship. He was the reason I found happiness again — the one who always showed me love, listened to me for hours, and made me feel safe. Even now, he’s the sweetest, most caring person I know. He does so much for others — always thinking about how they feel, putting their needs before his own. He’s genuinely one of those rare, kind-hearted souls.

But when it comes to himself, he shuts down. Sometimes, he stops communicating and says he needs space. And I get that — we all need space now and then. A day or two, even a week is okay. But sometimes it stretches into months, and it’s incredibly hard. He admits that it’s not okay but says he just can’t talk. Recently, he opened up and said maybe it’s because of the long distance, or that he simply struggles to speak about what he’s going through.

He also hates using his phone, and unfortunately, that’s the only way we can stay connected right now. I know what he’s going through in life — the stress, the pressure — and I never want to add to that. But I’m also hurting in the silence. I feel like I’m constantly waiting for him to come back emotionally, and I don’t know how much longer I can go on like this.

I don’t want to lose him. I know he loves me. I love him too. I just don’t know how to comfort someone who won’t let me in — especially from far away.

Has anyone been through something like this? How do I support him without breaking myself in the process?

Please help me…cus we both talked and don’t want to breakup just cus we are going through a rough patch

Note:- ai generated cus i didn’t know how to put all these things into words but this exactly resonates how i feel and what’s happening

Any advice would truly mean a lot.
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