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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Massive debilitating crush!!

131 replies

CrushCrazy · 18/11/2016 11:41

Have nc for this as I'm too embarrassed and worried it's identifying... I have a massive, and totally inappropriate, crush on someone I work with and it's driving me crazy. It's been several weeks now, I can't sleep or eat properly, have lost weight (that I can ill afford), am hyper and think about him ALL the time. It is totally inappropriate for many reasons, main ones being that he is married with kids, as am I and that we work together. Before I get flamed I have absolutely no intention of acting on it, ever - I just want to vent (as I can't in RL) and I need advice on what to do to bring me back to normality!!.

Background: I met him at work a few months ago (we have lots of different projects on the go and work with many different people - it's a v large organisation). I just thought he was a lovely guy initially and although not particularly good looking facially I couldn't help but notice he's in hot shape for his age (mid 40s I'd guess - I'm early 40s). Anyway, it brightened my day but nothing more. We had to meet a few more times over the next few months and it was always a pleasure as I found him sparky and fun (and admittedly easy on the eye), but no more than that. Fast forward to one night where we both attended a symposium type event after work. I arrived there and he sought me out and came over and we chatted, stood together for the presentations and then chatted some more afterwards. There was a small amount of alcohol but it ended early so was by no means a boozy affair. Anyway, I really enjoyed the chat, I find myself feeling really animated when I'm around him, we make each other laugh etc. He's also incredibly bright and everyone wants to work with him, which is also v attractive. Anyway, I found myself thinking about him all the way home. I got the impression he fancied me, although he didn't say or do anything remotely inappropriate - I think you can just tell can't you?. Since that night I have been thinking about him non stop, obsessing about him really. I get giddy when I know I have to meet with him, taking extra care over my appearance etc. I almost have to sit on my hands in meetings as I have a massive overwhelming urge to touch him. He looks at me too, though he is a lovely guy and I'm pretty sure would never do anything. Anyway, after reaching one particularly hard deadline a group of us went to the pub. We chatted as a group and nothing inappropriate at all but moving more towards friends talk than work if you see what I mean. He said that he'd noticed another man looking me up and down and said he thought he was a sleazebag (I didn't notice) but, embarrassingly and inappropriately , I was pleased that he'd noticed that as I felt it made him notice me and that men fancy me ifswim. Gaaaaaaaaaaaah.

It's now got to the point where I'm really excited if I've got a legitimate opportunity to email him or meet with him and I feel like a pathetic teenager. I'm a professional, married woman in my 40s!

Anyway I'm rambling on. What I really want to know is how do I stop myself from feeling like this? I must admit I've enjoyed it up to a point as it's made me feel alive and I've enjoyed the daydreaming, but I fear if it carries on I'll make a fool of myself..... To add context I have 2 small children and a busy husband who gives me no attention and pretty much no emotional support. He's a good man but there's no spark at the moment and I often feel he's distant. We hardly ever have sex as we're both tired and our sleeping arrangements are complicated with 2 small children who co sleep. One night recently though I did instigate it (logistically quite difficult for various reasons and also quite unexpected by him I think atm...) as I was so pent up I just needed a shag!!. Is that awful???

Oh god I don't know what to do. I guess I'm unreasonable but I really don't think I can help biology and I never set out to fancy him, it just happened. The tough thing is that I don't think it's just physical, I admire him and think he's a lovely guy too and has lots of the qualities that I feel my husband lacks. Nothing will ever happen, even if my marriage did end (which I hope it won't) as he belongs to someone else and I'd never do that to another woman, so I'm not U in that sense, but my god it needs to stop!! Does this happen to anyone else or am I am a massive hormonal, mid life crisis crazy woman..??!

Help!!!

OP posts:
crushymcnamechange · 18/11/2016 18:52

Hot work guy. Cool as fuck. 30s (I'm 40s). Hugely inappropriate. Tattoos. Kinda smouldering.
Happy sigh.
Just to reiterate not even close to anything happening, just brightens my day. Grin

leaveittothediva · 18/11/2016 19:17

So what your telling us all is that if this guy made a massive play for you, you'd knock him back. Yeah right. Grow up. We all know what he's after. He wants to fuck you. Your not making it very hard for him either. Your married!!. He's married!!. Your husband may very well be selfish and emotionally unavailable. Look in the mirror, so are you, dressing up and making yourself look nice for another man, wanting to touch him, and making out nothing will ever happen, I just fell of my unicorn listening to that. And get you, being snarky with your children and husband because your fantasizing about this man. That can't be helping. Please put some of your energy into your relationship with your husband. You may just be having a classic mid life crisis. It's so cliche.

FairlyConstantNameChanger · 18/11/2016 19:41

I could have written your post a few months ago OP, with a few details changed. I have had a massive work crush for most of this year and actually posted on here under a different name. I too found it taking over my thoughts and snapping at my kids and DH.

I have it (just) under control at the moment, I hope. I gave myself a good shake after getting similar advice that you did (I was flamed on here). I also tried a method where you allow yourself to think of something every so often, then you must stop. E.g. 3 times a day you are allowed to think of this person (with the DIY if you want). It makes it less fobidden but you are not constantly feeding the feelings. I also realised that my sex life within my marriage needed a massive boost and we have been having a lot more sex (can so relate to the needing a shag as so pent up). I have also hugely cut contact.

At the moment I am a few months down the line and have days where I don't think about them at all. So I am gingerly allowing myself to try being a bit better friends with them again. If my feelings worsen I will reduce contact again.

NavyandWhite · 18/11/2016 19:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CrushCrazy · 18/11/2016 19:47

Wow thanks for that constructive post leaveittothediva! How exactly did you come to the conclusion "He wants to fuck you"?, that I'd go for it if he tried, or that I'm not making it hard for him?? Have you actually read any of my posts?? He's given no indication that he wants to fuck me. If he came on strong and tried to that'd be the crush killed stone dead in an instant as he'd be an arsehole.

OP posts:
eyespydreams · 18/11/2016 19:51

Wow, what a hateful, horrible post, diva. Judgemental, talking in cliches much?

OP, definitely see him and communicate with him as little as possible if you are trying to break free from him. But feel free to dress up and look great for YOU any time you like!

You need to resolve things with your H though, before you do something you regret. You are entitled to love and attention from your husband and if he can't or won't give it you are entitled to leave the marriage. You DON'T have to stay for the kids! Anyway, if you don't work things out with him how can you possibly stay with him for next forty years? I say this as someone still v happily with my DH, but whose parents split up when a teen - the five years when their relationship broke down and he ignored her and she had a raging emotional (at least) affair were worse than the split up. The thing they did wrong was ignore me a bit and get engrossed in 'their' new lives quite quickly after they split. So it's more important to make sure you respect and take care of your kids' emotional health whatever is happening rather than declare you'll stay with distant H no matter what.

CrushCrazy · 18/11/2016 19:53

Thank you FairlyConstant and well done for getting your crush in check. For what it's worth I was snapping at my kids before the crush, I think the crush has just made me feel more guilty about it and admittedly a bit more irritable.

OP posts:
ItShouldHaveBeenJingleJess · 18/11/2016 19:56

One thing I will say - as lovely and snuggly as co-sleeping is; it fucks up your sex life.

FairlyConstantNameChanger · 18/11/2016 19:56

TBH it still feels precarious but not as bad as when I was thinking about it all the time and was miserable. Have seriously thought about leaving my job many times. I have had to put a massive amount of effort into prioritising my marriage though. On the plus side it did reawaken my interest in sex which was pretty much dormant before.

CrushCrazy · 18/11/2016 19:59

Thank you eyespy that is food for thought. I've already told him (several times) that I can't go on like this but so far it hasn't helped. I guess it's harder to justify leaving a marriage when there's no catastrophic event, especially when kids are involved. Anyway I have a lot of soul searching to do (re the marriage not the crush!)

OP posts:
CrushCrazy · 18/11/2016 20:02

Same here re the sex FairlyConstant so I guess if I can channel that towards husband and he's up for it that may help improve things overall.

And totally agree that co sleeping kills the sex life ItShpupdveBeen!

OP posts:
Beautifulbabyboy · 18/11/2016 20:05

Right OP, your behaviour is not normal, you are not 16 in the first flush of youth and romance. This is quite simply put your new "anxiety".

Obsessing over something that is not real. It is totally anxiety in a new form, and not even a happier form as supposedly the people you love best you are sacrificing, your poor kids.

Sort out your anxiety once and for all and this obsessive behaviour, which is what it is, will go away. What you are doing is no different to having to turn a light on/off 50 times until you can leave the room.

Dozer · 18/11/2016 20:07

Yes, a big issue here is your marriage, and whether you wish to remain in it.

Suggest avoiding your crush and any boozy nights out, and being ultra professional.

CrushCrazy · 18/11/2016 20:10

Thanks Beautifulbabyboy, I do think there's some truth in what you say. Although I'm not "sacrificing my poor kids". I said I was a bit irritable and had snapped at them - they're still my world and I sacrifice my happiness for them every day! Also how do you stop biology? I agree wholeheartedly that I need to stop obsessing, you're absolutely right about that, and I'm feeding it by doing it, but I don't think it was anxiety that lit the spark in the first place.

OP posts:
derxa · 18/11/2016 20:15

Right OP, your behaviour is not normal It is. Limerence is very common.

CrushCrazy · 18/11/2016 20:16

Thank you derxa

OP posts:
Beautifulbabyboy · 18/11/2016 20:18

You can see someone and think they are fit, nice etc. It is your response that is out of kilter. I say this as some who is an anxiety sufferer (lot better now!) what are you doing are classic signs of anxiety. You are refusing to see that your thoughts are not real. You don't know him. You only know your idea of him, which can be whatever you want it to be. But it is not real!!!!!

Spending all day thinking and dreaming is the same as a person who spends all day obsessing over moles on their body in case they have skin cancer, or an anorexic checking if they have put on weight. You have to see it for what it is.

I am sorry you have anxiety, but the crush is not real. If you have had pnd and anxiety your husband is probably tired. Living with someone who is mentally in another place is hard and draining. The best thing you could for your marriage and children is to be mentally present.

Motherhood is a marathon not a sprint. Get better for your kids. X

ItShouldHaveBeenJingleJess · 18/11/2016 20:19

So only 16 year olds can experience love or attraction? That's a bit depressing....

Beautifulbabyboy · 18/11/2016 20:21

Only 16 year olds can obsess pointlessly for hours because only they are naive enough to think the perfect person they create in their head is the same person stood in front of them.

People aren't perfect - that is the best thing about them. 11 years on and still learning new stuff about my awesome husband, some good some not so good. But still learning.

Whisky2014 · 18/11/2016 20:36

Just imagine if your husband read your OP and how would it make you and him feel. That should be enough

CrushCrazy · 18/11/2016 20:53

Not sure how bothered he'd be tbh Whisky

OP posts:
Beautifulbabyboy · 18/11/2016 20:57

I say again,your poor children. Neither of you are present in the moment - and you are both blaming each other. Wake up. Your life is a not a tv drama.

CrushCrazy · 18/11/2016 21:00

What Beautifulbabyboy? You have no idea about how we look after our children? Massive extrapolation there!!

OP posts:
Beautifulbabyboy · 18/11/2016 21:01

I am sorry if I come across as harsh - but it is watching a car crash take place and the parties involved looking out the window instead of trying to save the car. Hope you repair your marriage and find youself. Flowers

CrushCrazy · 18/11/2016 21:01

Think I'll leave now as the advice seems to be degenerating - but thanks to everyone who posted earlier, I think it's actually helped.

OP posts:
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