Lyric discussion by Sunderwound 

Cover art for love of my troubles lyrics by Secret Handshake, The

Perhaps she reminded him of his childhood, when a young adult still feels dangerous in his own, before he grows up. Maybe he loves her because she made him feel the way that he would like to remember himself. By saying she's nothing, perhaps he's indicating that it's a jealous love, and he's only in it for himself, despite the fact that she is the love of his life.