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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DH is being selfish - please tell me if I'm BU

275 replies

FlyingTingTing · 26/02/2019 17:05

I'm so miserable right now.
Background info so as not to drip feed:

Been married to DH for 12 years (we're both early 30s.)
He's always been quite inconsistent, e.g. one minute he wants to do something, gets all excited and passionate about it, then the next minute he changes his mind.
We've mostly been happy. He suffers from depression and anxiety and goes through periods of deep, dark depression where he tends to act a bit selfishly , doesn't want to do anything or see anyone, can be quite horrible, says hurtful things like he wished he'd never got married, thinks he'd be happier being single etc Sad

He's cheated on me twice. Once was 10 years ago, the last occasion was 2 years ago. The last time was the worst. The affair lasted 6 weeks and he lied to me constantly during this time. I only found out by accident. My mental health was quite bad (I suffer with anxiety myself) and this almost killed me. I had to be put on strong meds and was under the care of a mental health team.
He was surprised when I said I wanted to forgive him and was somewhat taken aback I think . I made it clear that i wanted to forgive him and make it work but the road back from infidelity is a difficult one ,and I expected him to do certain things (delete her number, never contact her again) which he did.
He swore he would get help, swore he loved me to bits, swore it was a terrible terrible mistake, swore it would never happen again because he couldn't bear to do that to me again. He swore to do whatever it took, for as long as it took.

Fast forward 2 years to now..He's recently been through another selfish, depressive phase (I've tried my best to be really supportive. ) I've tried to ignore his mean comments.

The last few weeks have been hell. He wants to travel alone. Says it's always been something he wants to do, ALONE. Abroad, without me.

I'm not comfortable with it at all. I think it's because of the previous way he's behaved, but if I'm honest then I probably haven't ever been comfortable with it, even before he cheated. I feel like I would miss him too much, and my anxiety would be too much while he's gone, not knowing where he is or who he's with.
Now he has two affairs under his belt, the trust between us is understandably damaged a lot, and this is a huge factor now too.

I am starting to trust him again (or I was.)
I'm trying to leave the affair in the past and move on, but I can't pretend to be ok with something that would make me uncomfortable.

He's really angry with me for not agreeing to what he wants and is accusing me of being controlling and of keeping him "trapped. "
Last week I tried to compromise and said why didn't he book a few days away with his sister? He agreed. Then I asked why doesn't he go away travelling by himself to visit our friend who lives in Italy ? (This would make me feel more comfortable. )
He agreed and I thought we'd reached a compromise.

Today he comes in saying how unhappy he is with life, he shouldn't have got married at such a young age (22) and he's "just going to do it whether I like it or not."
Apparently I'm controlling him by dictating what he does with his life and who he sees. The compromise we reached isn't enough. He wants to go abroad ALONE and he's booking it right now.
He also made it clear he's not happy about my wishes regarding meeting up alone with female friends (This was because of his past infidelity).

I get sworn at every time I try to talk to him about the subject.

AIBU to not want my husband to travelling by himself?
Apparently "other wives let their husband do it" and I need "to let go and deal with my own anxiety issues. "

OP posts:
poglets · 31/03/2019 02:12

Hi OP, you have been through so much with this man. I know you are hurting but he has caused you so much unhappiness. Be strong. Take your time. Don't beg and plead. Find a friend in real life to talk to, or keep writing here. You can do this.

redastherose · 31/03/2019 02:23

Have you told someone that IRL? If not do you have anyone you can call. Nothing worse than not being able to tell someone and keeping it bottled up.

As everyone said on the old thread, you will be much better off once he's gone. He's caused you endless anguish and anxiety and you will probably find your mental health improves massively once in he's no longer around-to screw it up.

timeisnotaline · 31/03/2019 02:24

This is a good move for you op. The rest of your life really will be happier without him.

ShastaBeast · 31/03/2019 02:28

He is doing you a massive favour, embrace it and the wonderful future you can have without him. Uncertainty is scary but it’s also exciting so start thinking of all the positives, what can you do now he’s no longer dragging you down?

SnowyAlpsandPeaks · 31/03/2019 02:29

I don’t want to sound mean- but it’s for the best. Your marriage is doomed. Leave now, you have plenty of time to meet someone new and start a family, with someone who loves and cherishes you.

Happynow001 · 31/03/2019 02:50

OP you need to value yourself a lot more than this. This man cheated on you not once but twice (that you know of) and even he was surprised when you asked to stay!!

He was surprised when I said I wanted to forgive him and was somewhat taken aback I think

He now thinks he has carte blanche to do whatever he wants and calls you controlling and lies and swears at you if you complain. Really what is there in this relationship that you are holding so hard onto?

I hope you get some self respect and kick him to touch. Life can surely be better than this.

justilou1 · 31/03/2019 02:50

Hi OP... I know you’re frightened, but as he doesn’t know what he wants, which is reflected in the way he behaves and treats you, you are going to be a freaking mess until YOU stop allowing it. For your own mental health and your own self esteem you have to make the break clean and final and immediate. You are not a puppet, you are a person. You can’t dangle around indefinitely until he comes to his senses and realizes what he’s been missing. He’s had plenty of opportunities to do so and has told you time and time again that he actually has, and then fucked it all up again. This guy does not respect you, or even especially like you. Get out.

justilou1 · 31/03/2019 02:51

Or better still, pack his bags and tell him not to come back. (Assuming you like living where you are and can afford to stay there without him.)

AcrossthePond55 · 31/03/2019 02:57

I know you don't feel it now, but this is the best thing that could have happened to you. It's the right thing. He wasn't happy and he was making you unhappy.

Let him go. Whatever you do maintain your dignity. You will be glad you did. So no begging, crying, no 'pick me dance'. Find someone in your life to lean on and cry your tears with them. To him, show indifference and dignity. Always, dignity.

DuchessDumbarton · 31/03/2019 03:48

Just chiming in to say Let Him Go.
Your mental health and you, will both be stronger when he's gone.
Don't cling on to him- in time you'll see he's not worth it.
Read "Co-dependent No More" Melody Beatty

Always, dignity

Gruzinkerbell1 · 31/03/2019 03:52

OP it’s really for the best. I know it doesn’t feel like it right now, but in a year from now you’ll look back at how your life used to be a wonder what the fuck you were thinking.

This man is utterly selfish. He will never bring you life long happiness.

Eslteacher06 · 31/03/2019 04:09

It's for the best. I promise you. Otherwise this scenario will play out many times over. He will come back and say he misses you and he's sorry. That's the cycle. But is it worth your mental health?

It's understandable it hurts like hell and it will for a while but it will get easier with time.

k1233 · 31/03/2019 04:53

From your earlier posts, as people mentioned, it seemed he was trying to make you make the decision to leave. Continual unreasonable demands, claims you were controlling him etc

He honestly doesn't sound like a very nice person. But it's still hard to break up.

Mummyoflittledragon · 31/03/2019 05:00

This really is a good thing for you. Get some therapy. Perhaps you weren’t shown what love should be as a child. I wasn’t. I do understand how frightening this is for you. Anything of this nature including friendships ending was extremely traumatic for me as it tapped into my deep seated abandonment issues. I had therapy for over 3 years it was amazing and changed me as a person to someone far more assured of me, who cares about me.

I do agree with others that your anxiety is very likely linked at least in part to this relationship. Do remember to drink and try to eat something to keep your strength up. In time you will emerge happier. Flowers

TheSerenDipitY · 31/03/2019 05:14

god that he is leaving, you will one day get confident and start to understand that you deserve more than hes allowed you to have, love and happiness and stability
so set him free, let him fly in the wind, and once hes out that door lock it, lock it with dead bolts and dont let him back in, after some time of self refection you will know it was the right decision and you will heal, and most likely be very angry at all the time you wasted on him!
go find your happy and know you are worth it and that you deserve it!

12thofnever · 31/03/2019 05:28

It’s easy to be on the outside looking in and say ‘just leave’
But it sounds like this relationship is damaging you both. I know it’s hard, but do you want to be living like this for the rest of your life?
Let him go, say thank you for the good times (if there were any) but it’s time to end things. Set yourself free.
If he changes his mind (sounds possible from past form) then don’t take him back. You need to work on yourself now.
You said you went to stay with your mum before, could you go again for a few days now? Are you close/will she be supportive?

YesimstillwatchingNetflix · 31/03/2019 05:41

This must feel really hard Op, but he sounds like a nightmare. You'll be better off without him.

AgentJohnson · 31/03/2019 05:44

What do I do?

You look for your self respect and stop making excuses for him and for yourself. This is who he is and his ‘inconsistency’. —selfish arsehole behaviour— is part of him. I get wanting to blame his depression but that’s just a way to not accept that this is part of who he is and therefore what he does.

Making someone a priority, who only sees you as an option never ends well.

NotTheFordType · 31/03/2019 05:56

I'm up OP. I'm sorry youre hurting. Its very easy for us all to sit here posting "he's a twat, leave!" But a bit more difficult IRL.

How are you fixed practically? You said you went home to parents before so I'm guessing you don't have kids with him (thankfully!) HOwever if you bought property together you may be entitled to a share even if you're not on the mortgage/deedds.

SequinsDress · 31/03/2019 06:05

LTB. If there are children then my response would he less flippant, but basically the same takeaway.

SequinsDress · 31/03/2019 06:17

Sorry OP, I didn't RTFT!

You will be 100% better off without him, although that doesn't stop it hurting right now. Stay strong and look forward to a future free from him and the worry and hurt he causes you.

Romax · 31/03/2019 06:22

OP

He didn’t think you’d take him back after last time. I suspect he hoped you wouldn’t.

He does not want to be married to you.

This isn’t a big loss, in fact far from it.

Let him go. Divorce him.

Romax · 31/03/2019 06:23

I’m sorry didn’t read full thread

Bibijayne · 31/03/2019 06:59

Does he have bipolar disorder? Has this possibility been looked into?

YANBU by the way.

Bibijayne · 31/03/2019 07:01

Oh gosh OP, sorry didn't RTFT.

You're hurting now. But it sounds like it may be for the best. Has he left the home you have together? Do you have anyone near you you can talk to?