I totally agree with Confused, he/she (sorry cant tell by post what gender you are, haven't been a member long enough to recognize everyone yet.
anywhoo agree that pen/pencil, paper is a wonderful very therapeutic way of expressing yourself, as Confused has stated you appear introverted, and I tend towards that trend my self, but with many trial and error efforts have slowly broken down that brick wall, and i am slowly but surely emerging from that introverted shell i kept myself in for so long especially late teen early 20s
I will say as a teen writing and journalizing, or just writing complete nonsense if what ever happens to pop in your head, greatly releases a lot of frustration, and in the years to come ( i peg you about my age? 44 ish?), as you look back at your writings, you will see how far you have come, and what you have achieved emotionally and physically. And it really does help you to be more open with your partner, as writing it down first, transfers it finally out of your mind on to paper, then from there it can slowly be transferred from your paper to your partner. Its a starting place, not easy, but worth a shot.
i understand your aspect completely on actions speak much louder than words.
And i myself suffer this myself, and can only truly express myself completely and honestly when i write or type, i I try to say my words to partner or anyone for that matter, I begin to get nervous and stutter, and the palms of my hand get sweaty.
I am currently going through an odd divorce, ad the only way i can communicate effectively with soon to be ex is to email, the feeling is mutual, he is very kind and expressive in his emails to me, and has very uplifting things to say to me, to help me through my day, via email.
So anyway wanted to share my thoughts, an find emailing is a very good beginning point to express your feelings at first, to where you than come to be able to say these in depth things more and more in person as time goes on.
Good luck, and i hope you find that happy medium to communicate with your partner, it take compromise form not just you but your partner as well