I have been in similar situations and have felt the same way.

I show them stuff and they put me down. I used to share poetry and cooking and other art with my bf's and they did not seem to appreciate them and my self-esteem went down even more. One reason I cannot deal with relationships.

Another thing I have run into very often, esp in online dating, was mixed messages and back and forth behavior toward me. I never knew where I stood with them and I think that was part of their game-playing.

I would feel abused, too, in your situation. I hope you can let him go.

Billi