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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

"long" distance relationship breakup

12 replies

heyitwasme · 15/12/2019 18:33

Me and my ex were long distance for a number of months. Not that far away, a commute for me would take about 2 hours because I don't drive, but he can drive here in 1.5 hours.

We are honestly such a good match. I've never been intellectually and physically attracted to someone as much as him. We talk about everything, we read books together, have debates, support each others mental health, the sex is amazing.

He is respectful, kind and generous. He always puts others before himself. He's my perfect man, I shared with him that I imagined myself marrying him and he said the same.

We both went through some stressed 2 months ago. I was graduating and looking for work after being made redundant, he was promoted and moved house, his mother was ill, his brother needed a big loan from him etc. Things changed a bit between us then, I suppose you could say I was self centred as I started being insecure in the relationship because of a few small issues, e.g. listening to friends who told me I should always be my boyfriend's first priority (I know how in real life this isn't sustainable)

So we bickered a bit, nothing big, but the distance seemed to magnify it. Any time we disagreed it could have easily been sorted by seeing each other in the next few days, not the next weekend.

There was about 3 issues that caused disagreements during those 2 months. Eventually he said I was "making him feel guilty" and he said we should break up.

I was devestated, literally heartbroken. I couldn't eat, or do anything other than sleep for a week. He was my best friend and I felt so lonely without talking to him. We spoke a bit in the first month of the split including a six hour phone call and texting ... But it hurt too much so I decided not to initiate contact and the texts dwindled into him texting me about returning my stuff.

My mental health got bad. I started self harming again and I couldn't bear speaking to him so I took ages to reply. Last week we arranged to meet yesterday (Saturday) to exchange things.

I wasn't expecting any of what happened. Although I wholeheartedly love this man so much, I thought it would be awkward as it was two months since the split and little contact. He is also really socially aware/anxious and I thought he was going to be really nervous.

It was just like it was. The physically and intellectual chemistry was there. Talking for hours. Him taking responsibility for the way he broke up with me, saying I didn't do anything wrong.

And then he said that he stayed in bed for two weeks when we split up. That he's cut off from his friends because he can't bear socialising. That he has stepped down from his promotion. He spends alot of time smoking weed or working. And that he missed me more than anything in the world. That it was the most painful thing he has ever let go. He said no one would ever come close to me intellectually, personality wise and looks wise. He said he can't stomach the thought of dating or seeing me date anyone else. He said it was a massive shame, heartbreaking that we broke up, but at the time the distance made it all too much to deal with.

He said that it would kill him to try again and face the same issues we faced with distance. And he just feels anxious.

It broke my heart a little bit more to hear how he has been struggling. I thought he would have been okay since he made the decision. But he said he's never felt so low.

We had a coffee, went onto dinner and spoke about the breakup again. He said he was falling in love with me, but that all the stresses made him so uncertain, and he doesn't know what to do about us - keeping in touch as friends wouldn't work as we love each other, but he can't imagine life without me. He said he doesn't know what to do, he feels depressed and low. He said he can't handle the fact this may be the last time I see him.

Eventually he asked me to stay at his. At his house, he was saying "next time I see you we can do X Y and Z". He was a bit awkward about where he should sleep. He went to set up the couch and maybe stupidly I said "we can sleep in the same bed". We fell asleep cuddling and stuff, kissing. Had sex this morning. He drove me to work, bought me breakfast etc.

He has bought me Xmas and birthday presents which he says he will pass to me next time he sees me, and told me to leave my stuff at his (the whole point of the breakup) so I can collect it when I next see him.

So now I don't know what to do. I am certain he is depressed. And I am certain he does love me, and that the distance was to blame.

So now what?? I am looking for work, would it be weird to suggest moving to his city for work???

We are seeing each other again - but then what?

I know he isn't using me for sex. He isn't that type of man. I believe everything he is saying. Is there any hope for us?

OP posts:
heyitwasme · 15/12/2019 20:19

any insights? Sad

OP posts:
apacketofcrisps · 15/12/2019 20:20

Don’t move until he is committed.

gangsterwrapper · 15/12/2019 20:26

Really if the only issue is the distance, then why not move? Just have the conversation. It can’t hurt.

From what you’ve written, you sound made for each other and the distance is the only real issue? Get your own place and make your own friends there. Life’s too short surely.

minesagin37 · 15/12/2019 20:48

Just move. If your that compatible then surely it's a no brainer.

Waveysnail · 15/12/2019 21:09

Talk to him. Tell him how you feel and ask him to have a think about you.moving to work in his city. Give him time to process your suggestions. I moved 200 miles to live with my bf 17 years ago, been married for 15 years and have lovely life together.

Wattagoose90 · 15/12/2019 21:26

You'll probably always look back and wonder what could've been if you let each other go.

Go wild, look for work near him.

When you meet someone you truly love and makes you that happy, it's definitely worth the gamble.

Sunshine1239 · 15/12/2019 21:31

To be honest this doesn’t sound like a healthy relationship at all

You mentioned self harming etc and with his anxiety and what seems like a massively over the top reaction to ending the relationship I don’t think you are suited at all sorry. I think you’d bring each other down

northernknickers · 15/12/2019 21:58

Seriously? You're not working/have mental health issues and are considering self-harming...he's depressed and smoking weed. Both of you deal with issues by staying in bed for weeks at a time.

I think you both need to step back and take a minute! Counselling might be a start to work on both personal AND relationship issues. Nothing sounds healthy though 🤷‍♀️

heyitwasme · 18/12/2019 17:33

@northernknickers

I do work, just not in an area I should be with the qualifications I have, I just had to take anything to pay the bills for now.

Both of you deal with issues by staying in bed for weeks at a time - yes, a lot of people do this with depression.

OP posts:
Dyrne · 18/12/2019 17:43

I do think you need to take some time and work on your self esteem and ways of feeling validated and valued without this man.

If you see him as the solution to your self harming and other issues then you put yourself in a dangerous position. If you then move away from your other social circles/work to be with only him then you are even more vulnerable.

Dyrne · 18/12/2019 17:58

I also speak from experience with this. I moved to be with DP. At the time it “made sense” - he had a full time job, I was looking just after uni; we’d done a year of long distance and were struggling. If I hadn’t moved we’d have broken up as it just wasn’t sustainable long term.

However - me moving to him has set the tone for the entire rest of our relationship. DP doesn’t compromise, about anything. He wants to live his life his way, and if I want to come along for the ride I will have to be the one making the change - so instead of being married with 2 children; here I am at 31 with no marriage and no children - it has to be done on his timetable. I can only look for jobs within a commutable distance of where we are now; as he flat out will not consider moving jobs.

I moved to be with him 7 years ago. I could have broken up with him, had 2 miserable years alone, met someone, dated for 2 years, married, and had 2 children by now!

I do desperately love my DP but I also am to some extent vulnerable and trapped. It’s worked out for the most part - I have a decent paying job, we have a house etc - but still...

SugarNyx · 18/12/2019 17:59

Take the chance and move. I did and we’ve been married 4 years now with lil boy to boot.

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