Negativity sucks, plain and simple. It can't be easy at all dealing with somebody who's makes Eeyore look like an optimist. And the problem with negative Ned's is that you can't change them. They have to want to change on their own. I'm not sure what the right catalyst for that change would be but something dramatic has to happen to make them realize that they are often the very reason that their lives blow more cajones than the entire cast of a Bang Bros play about peanuts.
My suggestion to you would be to first and foremost explain to him that his negative attitude is ruining your relationship. And believe me, it is. One can only deal with negative energy for so long before they succumb to it and roll bounce like Bow Wow. If that isn't enough for him to at the VERY least consider that perhaps he needs to look at things differently than I feel sorry for his mother. Well that's not true, but I take any opportunity to quote the Asians from Menace II Society possible.
If you have a lot of time on your hands and are ready for a battle royale, you could attempt to rebut his negative inklings with positive ones. Every time. Each time he gets down about something, you could come at him with the silver lining or positive attributes that a particular situation holds. Anything to refocus and reframe the conversation away from the realm of undeveloped pictures.
And if that doesn't work, get him the happiest toy on earth, a Tickle Me Elmo, and dare him to maintain his sour disposition. If that doesn't help I suggest getting a new boyfriend.
Thank you for answering! I'm a very optimistic person, so I definitely try to make a positive comment every time he makes a negative one. I do love my boyfriend very much, so I'm going to keep trying for a bit longer. This is the first time I've asked a question on here, and I really appreciate your suggestions! Thanks again!
My boyfriend can get grumpy, fast! For him, it's because he likes to have things well-planned and, when something doesn't work out the way he envisioned, he starts to fall apart and an entire evening can suffer as the result. And, like you, all of my attempts at 'fixing' the problem or trying to make it 'better' become his excuse to get angry with me for not leaving him alone.
Obviously, this isn't an 'all the time thing,' or I'd be out of there, already. But, what I have learned is to do exactly what he wants... I leave him the hell alone. When he gets negative or angry or grumpy, I simply move on with the day/evening. Usually, he sulks for a little bit, then comes over and says he's sorry for being a jerk. Every once in a while, nothing changes his mood, but there's at least one weak spot in every man. It's usually something they want you to do with them that never happens. For my guy, it's video games... if he's really bad, I say, "You know, why don't we play Grand Turismo?" and, voila, problem solved.
Now, it's something that YOU did to make him feel negatively ... good luck.