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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To still love my ex?

43 replies

Stuckkkk · 23/06/2025 12:06

I ended my 17 year relationship last year, it wasn’t working, he did what he pleased and didn’t help with the kids etc. I was sure when I made the decision, however, he met somebody else within a few weeks and I have just been heartbroken ever since, they seem to have such a good life, holidays etc and I’m still just stuck, I have my wonderful kids etc but I can’t move on, if it was
meant to be he wouldn’t have met somebody else and I get that but it’s so hard.

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Stuckkkk · 26/06/2025 15:42

I honestly hate thinking of them together but I am glad I didn’t jump straight into another relationship.

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Stuckkkk · 25/06/2025 10:32

SpryCat · 25/06/2025 09:33

I left my ex after 17 years, he met someone else within weeks, a year later as I was about to move out of emergency accommodation, into my forever home, he ditched gf and asked if we could get back together. I laughed because, after years of putting the children and I last on his list of priorities and being a cunt, he thought I still wanted him!

Edited

have you met somebody new now? Did he contact you at all in the year after the break up or just lived his selfish life?

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SpryCat · 25/06/2025 09:33

I left my ex after 17 years, he met someone else within weeks, a year later as I was about to move out of emergency accommodation, into my forever home, he ditched gf and asked if we could get back together. I laughed because, after years of putting the children and I last on his list of priorities and being a cunt, he thought I still wanted him!

Stuckkkk · 24/06/2025 16:56

CurlyKoalie · 23/06/2025 19:34

Emphasize again from my previous post. Move on.
Think of your ex fondly for the good times you both had and for your wonderful children.
You will have to have some sort of new relationship with him if you are going to share some parenting responsibilities.
Don't torture yourself with what he is doing now. Don't dissect every incident up to your break up.
As long as you are doing that you are not giving yourself permission to move on.

I think that is it, allowing myself to move on and realise not every decision you make is easy. I
made the decision as I felt it was best at the time, which is all we can do.

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CurlyKoalie · 23/06/2025 19:34

Emphasize again from my previous post. Move on.
Think of your ex fondly for the good times you both had and for your wonderful children.
You will have to have some sort of new relationship with him if you are going to share some parenting responsibilities.
Don't torture yourself with what he is doing now. Don't dissect every incident up to your break up.
As long as you are doing that you are not giving yourself permission to move on.

Stuckkkk · 23/06/2025 19:17

InBedBy10 · 23/06/2025 13:25

You may love him but he doesn't love you.

As others have said, he's showing this new girl his best version. Its not real. He'll soon be treating her the way he did you. Stop focusing on them.

I'm 2yrs out of a 20yr relationship for some of the same reasons as you. It's soul destroying being with someone you know deep down doesn't care about you. Took me a long time to get my confidence back. You'll get there and you'll be happier than ever when you do.

Where are you at now? Are you genuinely happier?

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Stuckkkk · 23/06/2025 18:36

EmeraldShamrock000 · 23/06/2025 17:02

You made the correct decision for everyone, given that he moved on so quick too, life is forever changing and it will improve for you, take this time to work on yourself, heal old wounds, treat yourself kindly.

Thank you

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FutureCatMum · 23/06/2025 17:09

@Stuckkkk to have moved on so quickly to get his needs met, like a lot of men (and perhaps some women) do. Probably didn’t care who it was, just that he wasn’t alone. No time taken to reflect on what went wrong in the relationship and take accountability for his actions so it doesn’t happen again. He hopped from one relationship to another. That’s shallow. You deserve better so don’t let him back if this one doesn’t work out.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 23/06/2025 17:02

You made the correct decision for everyone, given that he moved on so quick too, life is forever changing and it will improve for you, take this time to work on yourself, heal old wounds, treat yourself kindly.

Stuckkkk · 23/06/2025 17:00

FutureCatMum · 23/06/2025 16:58

If they knew each other already, she was convenient and it’s another example of his laziness. They’re in the honeymoon period and of course he’s going to show her his best side. There could be anything going on behind closed doors, and if he doesn’t pull his weight she might be realising this too. Or hopefully will soon.
Be thankful it’s over and you don’t have to put up with him any more. It’s really difficult to see an ex move on, but this is no reflection of you. It shows how shallow he is.

Shallow in what way?

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FutureCatMum · 23/06/2025 16:58

If they knew each other already, she was convenient and it’s another example of his laziness. They’re in the honeymoon period and of course he’s going to show her his best side. There could be anything going on behind closed doors, and if he doesn’t pull his weight she might be realising this too. Or hopefully will soon.
Be thankful it’s over and you don’t have to put up with him any more. It’s really difficult to see an ex move on, but this is no reflection of you. It shows how shallow he is.

OldMcDonaldHadABigMac · 23/06/2025 16:24

Stuckkkk · 23/06/2025 14:03

I just feel a bit stupid too, the amount of times he went out with her when we were together and how he told me she wasn’t a patch on me etc as I did question it at times.

Yes but quite a few men will just latch on to the nearest and easiest thing post breakup, (or at anytime really), some of them just dont want to be alone. Perhaps he doesn't think she's a patch on you, but she's just there and he's getting sex.

pinkdelight · 23/06/2025 15:48

Stuckkkk · 23/06/2025 15:30

I read a thread about a woman in my position and she was worried she had lost her looks at 35, spiralled a bit from that.

Ha, well, that's what I meant about focusing your love on yourself, because judging your worth on looks won't help either, although if it helps I'm nearly 50 and still gorgeous! In my head at least, which is where it really counts. You sound switched on and self-aware to know you're spiralling off a random post, that's all it is. Go and do something that makes you feel better - walk, wank, watch a fun show, whatever helps lift your mood and snap you out of the spiral.

SpryCat · 23/06/2025 15:46

Well done for ending a one sided relationship, you have your DC and you are the lucky ones. Your ex will go from woman to woman in life, only after an ego boost and wanting a drinking partner for festivals, he doesn’t do adulting and is allergic to responsibilities. He’s the perpetual 18 year old lad, of course it didn’t work, he is only out for himself and you know damn well you are worth more!
It feels like, right now that you’re alone and he is having fun, in a few years you will look at him and count your blessings as he starts to resemble Shaun Ryder, who partied to excess.

Stuckkkk · 23/06/2025 15:30

pinkdelight · 23/06/2025 15:24

Understandable to have regrets, but still better that you didn't wait another 10 years and brilliant that you've got out now, that can't have been easy. I think that in this period there will be many 'what ifs' swirling and shifting so don't be too hard on yourself or too extreme - that your life is over, that you're still in love etc. The reality is you've taken control of your story and can shape it yourself now. The past is done and has, as you say, given you those wonderful children. Today and tomorrow will bring you new things, so try not to look back and wish things were different. It's all moving in the right direction and you've got this.

I read a thread about a woman in my position and she was worried she had lost her looks at 35, spiralled a bit from that.

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pinkdelight · 23/06/2025 15:24

Stuckkkk · 23/06/2025 15:14

I suppose I wish I would have done this 10 years ago, however I wouldn’t have my wonderful children.

Understandable to have regrets, but still better that you didn't wait another 10 years and brilliant that you've got out now, that can't have been easy. I think that in this period there will be many 'what ifs' swirling and shifting so don't be too hard on yourself or too extreme - that your life is over, that you're still in love etc. The reality is you've taken control of your story and can shape it yourself now. The past is done and has, as you say, given you those wonderful children. Today and tomorrow will bring you new things, so try not to look back and wish things were different. It's all moving in the right direction and you've got this.

Stuckkkk · 23/06/2025 15:14

I suppose I wish I would have done this 10 years ago, however I wouldn’t have my wonderful children.

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pinkdelight · 23/06/2025 14:50

Your life is nowhere near over! You must've been with him from very young if it's 17 years and you're still only mid-30s. Congratulate yourself on getting out when you did and not setting yourself up for a lifetime trapped with the wrong man - which is 100% what he is as you knew when you left him and have been proved right by his actions since. Hang onto that certainty you had and don't get conned by him moving on. He's clearly incapable of being alone, as many pathetic men are, and his new woman will in time very likely be envying your freedom and strength that you got by getting rid of him. Leave them to it and know you've done the right thing. These feelings that you love/are in love with him are your feelings, not based on him in reality, and are about your needs he'd never meet.

Focus your love on yourself and your DC for now and find out who you are without him. It's understandable that having been together for probably half your life, there'll be a period of adjustment, but you're doing the right thing pushing through it rather than what he's doing, jumping straight into another relationship. You've got another 50 years or so to find yourself, find love and have adventures, all of which will be way more fun than 50 years saddled with him!!

Fluffypotatoe123987 · 23/06/2025 14:42

And skiing lessons soon as well

Fluffypotatoe123987 · 23/06/2025 14:41

2nd relationship post divorce is the worst. Remember when dating you are not married as everything you wanted to do with him you give to someone new and over give.

I split 3 years this xmas mid 30s had a 2 year relationship str8 after and my god it killed me off. I like sex and connection but i dont want to be told what to do or even thinking about what they want. So fwb every sunday is great and we text and go out sundays with some fun. Made me realise how men are supposed to treat women. Im also focussing on myself ive tried pole fit ive been to lake garda and drove there and iv booked to go again plus venice shortly with my mum while there dad has kids for the weekend. Spoil yourself

Fluffypotatoe123987 · 23/06/2025 14:37

I know the feeling.

Best thing dont look and dont ask
Download bumble
Get a fwb

Stuckkkk · 23/06/2025 14:20

GoldDuster · 23/06/2025 14:12

it wasn’t working, he did what he pleased and didn’t help with the kids etc.

Your life isn't over. The phase of your life where you're living with a man who doesn't respect you, or behave like he even likes you is over. And that sounds like a good thing to me.

You might feel like you love him, you could feel heartbroken that you're alone and life didn't turn out like you'd envisaged it would. That's different to feeling like you're missing out on a loving healthy relationship with him, because it doesn't sound like you had one.

You will move past this, and in time you'll realise that he was more of a habit than someone you were in love with. You're young, and it's entirely possible that you will now meet someone who will knock your socks off and show you what you've been missing all these years putting up with your ex. Take some time to work out what you want out of a relationship, and what kind of person would provide that for you. You'll get over him, I promise. He's done you a favour.

I will read this over and over

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GoldDuster · 23/06/2025 14:12

it wasn’t working, he did what he pleased and didn’t help with the kids etc.

Your life isn't over. The phase of your life where you're living with a man who doesn't respect you, or behave like he even likes you is over. And that sounds like a good thing to me.

You might feel like you love him, you could feel heartbroken that you're alone and life didn't turn out like you'd envisaged it would. That's different to feeling like you're missing out on a loving healthy relationship with him, because it doesn't sound like you had one.

You will move past this, and in time you'll realise that he was more of a habit than someone you were in love with. You're young, and it's entirely possible that you will now meet someone who will knock your socks off and show you what you've been missing all these years putting up with your ex. Take some time to work out what you want out of a relationship, and what kind of person would provide that for you. You'll get over him, I promise. He's done you a favour.

ThatCyanCat · 23/06/2025 14:09

Stuckkkk · 23/06/2025 14:03

I just feel a bit stupid too, the amount of times he went out with her when we were together and how he told me she wasn’t a patch on me etc as I did question it at times.

He was cheating on you with her, then? Well that's certainly grounds to end it, especially since he was treating you so badly in other ways too.

You're not stupid, you trusted your life partner. He was dishonest and untrue. But you need to take your heart back until you find someone who will treat it like you deserve. I don't think the person you're in love with actually exists.

Stuckkkk · 23/06/2025 14:07

littleburn · 23/06/2025 13:58

OP I know it’s hard now - and will be for some time - but you’ve made the right decision. What would the alternative be? Many more years of you not being supported and being unhappy? You’re in the post-break up phase and it’s tough, but every day you’re moving away from the toxicity of your old relationship and building a new life, even if it doesn’t feel like that right now.

You say he’s met someone else so it’s ’not meant to be’. Were you hoping the shock of break up with him would make him change and step up? Unfortunately you can’t manipulate someone into being a better person, they have to want to do that and put in all the hard work that will involve. Most people will choose what is easy over what is hard. It’s a million times easier for him to move on with someone new than to be accountable for and address his failings as a partner to you. That in no way means his new partner is better or more deserving than you. Nor does it mean he’s had some magical, overnight change of personality and is a better partner to her. It just means she doesn’t know him all that well yet.

I just didn’t expect him to meet somebody else so soon, like I meant nothing and now he is really happy and I am broken.

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