When Being a Little Isn't Enough Anymore

I’ve been in the nursing field for about ten years now, and it’s not just a job; I genuinely care about my patients. But there’s this other side of me that sometimes feels completely alienated from everything else, when I’m with someone who understands the dynamic between us being an adult playing little boy or girl. It started as a way to cope with stress and feelings of inadequacy, but lately, it seems like more than just a coping mechanism. A few years back, I met a man in his early forties named Jack through a friend who was part of the DDLG scene. We hit it off immediately. He saw something in me that made him want to take care of me, not as a patient but as someone he could nurture and love beyond the typical confines of adult relationships. At first, playing little wasn’t much different from any other consensual role-play activity I had experienced before, except for how deeply it connected with parts of myself I didn't know were there. Jack was kind, patient, and always made sure that every boundary I set was respected. But as time passed, the lines blurred in my mind, between what was play and reality. Now, when we’re not together, I find myself struggling. There are days where nothing seems quite right unless I can immerse myself back into that little space with Jack. It’s like a part of me gets left behind every time he leaves, no matter how much I remind myself it's all pretend. So here comes the confession: I’m worried my needs for this type of play have become more than just what’s comfortable between us. Am I being too needy? Is it normal to feel like an incomplete person outside these sessions? How do you know when something that starts as a game isn’t developing into a dependency? I guess I am looking for some guidance on how to handle this situation without losing the wonderful relationship Jack and I share. I care about him deeply, but also need this part of me taken seriously.