I am new to TRP but I really appreciate a subreddit like this existing.

Guys, I feel like I have a major issue with being weak and because of my weakness I end up in this sort of 'emotional' chain that imprisons my inner man.

I let myself fall too deep with this girl. We dated for a while but I broke it off, long story short we sort of made up however she realized that she needs to be single to work on herself but she wants to keep me around and we even have this friends with benefits thing going on. I want more however, I don't just want her for the sexual pleasure, I want her back in a meaningful relationship. She's just in this mindset though that she wants to be free and independent, she told me that eventually she does want to settle down and marry and she could see herself with me but since she's young she say's she just wants to have fun...

I find myself trying to understand where she is coming from, I am a bit older than her so I know how that age can be (she's 20 and I am 27) but I don't know why I can't help myself but become emotionally attached to a girl like this, why can't I seem to let her go? She clearly doesn't want stability in her life and while the sex is great I know it's taking an emotional toll on me because I want more. I feel as if she has a grasp on me and lost a lot of power over myself. I hate it but yet I keep going back to her. I feel trapped, weak, and controlled.