What does it mean if someone uses this phrase “I don’t mean to reopen old wounds or anything”?

[Anonymous]

[7Phoenix7]

Sounds like maybe you have some past trauma and they don't want to trigger you by saying something that might remind you of those. I'm not sure though..

[Asker]

Yeah I guess you’re right. Long story short- he was one of my best friends until my boyfriend went through our texts and asked me to cut him off. I reached out recently and he told me he didn’t want to reopen old wounds but doesn’t want to be put in the same position again.

[jahaims]

They want to bring up something they know you are sensitive about because it is relevant

[Asker]

Yeah I guess you’re right. Long story short- he was one of my best friends until my boyfriend went through our texts and asked me to cut him off. I reached out recently and he told me he didn’t want to reopen old wounds but doesn’t want to be put in the same position again.

[jahaims]

What didn't your boyfriend like about the situation?

[Asker]

He thought it was more than a friendship and that it could potentially lead on to something later

[In_Trance]

It means you should have asked for clarification