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Is this a red flag or am I the red flag?!

15 replies

Hadenluf · 18/03/2021 22:18

Met a lovely man who I really get on with. When we speak it’s for hours at a time and when we meet it’s great.

I have a history of huge insecurity about being abandoned (continually dealt with in therapy but still struggling with it). Any little thing can set me off in my mind but I rarely communicate it. It means I never know if something is a red flag or if I’m the red flag.

My last relationship started well, only to find out 6 months later that he was EXTREMELY hung up on his ex. Had basically been stalking her the entire time, even taken me to restaurants in the hope he would see her. It’s made me look at every relationship since for signs of similar behaviour as the whole thing took me by surprise.

This new chap is so nice. But I’ve got this insecurity going again over something that sounds ridiculous but feels real to me. We are supposed to me meeting this weekend. We spoke about it on the phone on Monday, discussed that he may stay over both sort of agreed that was the general plan. He then text last night to say looking forward to seeing me sat evening. I said me too. Then today I messaged to ask if he had any food preferences and did he want to stay the night...he read it hours ago and has been online since and not replied. I have this sense that he is either interested in someone else and that’s why he’s online and not bothering to reply or he’s generally not that interested.

I know that you shouldn’t check last online etc etc but it’s there and I have and do. I’m not a stalker, if he closed off that information I wouldn’t try and seek it out, it’s there for the world to see.

Is my feeling right do you think? I want to send a message saying I’m not feeling this anymore and all the best...but that’s classic me throwing in a grenade as soon as I feel vulnerable. Would appreciate any advice.

OP posts:
dancemom · 18/03/2021 22:20

I know what it's like to feel insecure but honestly, just leave it tonight. He may have lost interest, it can happen but he also may be busy / unwell / tired / distracted any other reason.

For tonight, phone down, no more checking and deal with it tomorrow.

Hadenluf · 18/03/2021 22:22

@dancemom thanks, I’m going to go to bed shortly, I just feel so disheartened. I’ve not been full on with him or intense, I’ve let him initiate contact and I’ve been proactive too. I don’t think anything will ever work out.

OP posts:
LaurieSchafferIsAllBitterNow · 18/03/2021 22:33

I'd imagine it's more logistical, you asked and are expecting an answer to the overnight question...has he stayed over before?

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Chocolateicelolly · 18/03/2021 22:50

I think he could have thought he messaged back and not pressed send ? Personally I'd message again maybe Say something like pizza okay Saturday?

Hadenluf · 18/03/2021 22:57

He’s replied saying yes. What’s wrong with me!!!!

OP posts:
Chocolateicelolly · 18/03/2021 23:04

What did you say in your message ?

Midlifephoenix · 18/03/2021 23:09

You have to back off or you will ruin this relationship. Stop second guessing and over analysing. People have lives to lead, and may not be able to instantly respond.
Take things slow and don't invest so much so quick.

AtrociousCircumstance · 18/03/2021 23:16

There’s nothing wrong with you. He left it for hours to reply and you got paranoid.

A new relationship is a fragile thing. Don’t give yourself a hard time.

LabbyNoona · 18/03/2021 23:22

What did you say?

2late2fixate · 18/03/2021 23:25

Talk to yourself like you would a close friend if they came to you with the same issue. What would you tell someone you care about?

Treat yourself like someone you care for and need to look after. Go easy on yourself but be firm and recognise that you need to check in with your paranoia.

Billandben444 · 19/03/2021 06:47

Nobody (except a control freak!) would go looking for a relationship with someone who suffers from paranoia so please try and be relaxed about this one or you will press the self-destruct button and lose him. I know it will be difficult (your ex sounds a real a*se) but there are some decent blokes out there and he could be one of them. Try and rein in your worries and insecurities, relax and take it slowly. Good luck 💐

KimsPonytail · 19/03/2021 07:01

It is possible to turn off the "last online" function on WhatsApp, I did and it's actually helped me stop overthinking things. Appreciate it's not the answer to all your problems but maybe a small step that might help? Flowers

dancemom · 19/03/2021 09:23

Don't beat yourself up @Hadenluf new relationships are hard to relax in particularly if you are the anxious type.

Enjoy your weekend with him and I hope it goes well

steppemum · 19/03/2021 09:28

OP - I often readmessages and can't reply.
So I am in a meeting and a message comes in, I'll just look to see if it is urgent, but I am in a meetign, so can;'t actually stop and write and answer.

I might not get back to it until I have finished work.

Not everyone is as glued to their phone, give him a bit of space to live his life.

Babdoc · 19/03/2021 09:33

He could perhaps be worried about freaking you out by appearing too keen, so waited a while on purpose. Or just had a lot of other things needing dealt with.
Don’t overthink it, OP. Judge by how things are when you are together.

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