Boyfriend’s Parents Don’t Like Me – I Ching Hexagram 16 Reading

I’ve been dating my boyfriend for about a year, and things were going really well—until he invited me on a weekend trip with his parents. That’s when everything shifted.

His family is very traditionally American: massive 4th of July celebrations, conservative values, and frequent conversations about immigration. I, by contrast, am French-Irish, raised Catholic in a working-class household in Ireland. Clearly not what they imagined for their son.

Recently, I overheard his parents on speakerphone telling him to “reconsider the caliber of girl he’s dating” and that he “doesn’t need to settle.” I was devastated. My boyfriend didn’t defend me, and he doesn’t know I heard their conversation.

Now I feel anxious about the trip. Should I tell him what I heard? Should I cancel the weekend? Or should I pretend nothing happened and swallow the discomfort?

A random I Ching card was drawn for this question, and the result was Hexagram 16: Yu, also known as Enthusiasm.

Hexagram 16 is made up of Thunder above and Earth below. It represents inner motivation rising up from a grounded base, emotional momentum, and the preparation for meaningful action. In the context of relationships, this hexagram speaks to emotional awakening, timing, and confidence—especially when facing subtle rejection or disapproval.

So what does this mean in your situation?

First, your feelings are completely valid. Hearing such words from your boyfriend’s parents—especially when he didn’t stand up for you—cuts deep. The I Ching acknowledges emotional pain as an important signal. You don’t have to bury it.

However, Yu doesn’t suggest acting impulsively. It invites you to hold that emotion, gather your clarity, and choose a moment of calm strength to speak your truth. If you’re feeling the urge to cancel the weekend or confront him in frustration, pause. You’re not being asked to stay silent, but to wait for the right time.

Hexagram 16 is about momentum with purpose. When you’re ready, tell your boyfriend what you heard and how it made you feel—not to accuse him, but to share the impact of being unacknowledged. Be honest, but grounded.

It’s also important not to assume his silence means agreement. Some people freeze in the moment. Others struggle with family pressure. This could be a turning point for your relationship, and you’ll need information—his reaction, his explanation—to decide what to do next.

If you go on the weekend trip, take it as an opportunity to observe. How does he act around his parents? Does he make space for you or protect you from subtle slights? Yu encourages you to move forward with both emotional awareness and self-respect.

Ultimately, Hexagram 16 reminds you that your worth isn’t defined by anyone’s approval—not your partner’s parents, and not your partner’s silence. What matters now is how you hold yourself. Speak when ready. And trust that enthusiasm, when rooted in dignity, creates the energy for lasting clarity and change.

If you’re facing tension in your relationship or uncertainty about how others perceive you, I Ching offers timeless insight into emotional clarity and personal direction. For similar readings, explore our interpretations of Hexagram 31: Influence – How to Handle Emotional Manipulation, or Hexagram 38: Opposition – What to Do When You Feel Misunderstood. You can also browse our full I Ching Card Library for detailed meanings of each hexagram.