How do you know when it’s time?

So my boyfriend and I have had our ups and downs in our relationship like any couple. Nothing terrible. However he doesn’t like to talk about feelings or plan for the future and I need those things. We’ve been having the same old conversation for the last few months of me trying to tell him what i wanted and him shutting it down. A few days ago I finally decided enough was enough. I was going to break up with him and he started making all these promises that I’m not sure if he can keep. But he has told me everything I want to hear and needed to hear for me to stay. I asked why it took this long to talk and he said truthfully he doesn’t know and he’s sorry but he promises he’s going to change. Have any of you been in a similar situation and things do change? Or do they always stay the same. Because now I’m even more torn than ever.