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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Was this my fault??

73 replies

ellbell1995 · 22/06/2022 16:44

Brace yourselves for a long one. I need advice on whether this is me or him.

My boyfriend split with me this morning. It was a very hasty decision and told me he was done, and he left me to go to work.

Things the last few months haven’t been great. We had a big drunken bust up 3 months ago where he panicked. In our silly drunk state he left, took some space and 3 days later he decided he wanted to be with me.

Since then, it’s been so hard. I’ve felt since then I’ve found it hard to trust whether or not he will stay.

He’s tried hard to reassure me, and says all the right things, but I’ve felt his energy has been slightly off. He doesn’t say the loving things he used to - unless I do or ask for them. Also:

he used to show show much enthusiasm and says “can do” rather than “yes!” Or no.

he calls me on his lunch but doesn’t talk much and sometimes leaves me while he makes his lunch (his mum even made a comment once saying I was left on the phone)
he doesn’t text me when he’s out anymore and I didn’t know what his plans were, even though we’ve always been big on this sort of communication.

he booked us a holiday, but it took me bringing it up multiple times

But he always reassured me that things are perfect and that I didn’t need to worry. 100% perfect and he’s not going anywhere. Some people tell me I’m being too picky, others say it’s not me.

I moved in with him and his parents last week while we save for a deposit. The last few weeks have been hard but he reassured me this is exactly what he wants and he’s so ready and committed.

Until last night, where I told him I felt everything was off and I was worried. He said he felt tired and drained, like the relationship wasnt good at the moment. He said he is very happy with me, but not when we argue. He said we don’t seem happy when we are together anymore. I got upset, I didn’t want to sleep on it, but he did. It spilled into this morning where he rejected me when we were supposed to go on a bike ride. He then flipped and said he was tired of me, done forever, and left.

It’s so hard because I think we are so good together. He’s lovely and does try his best but his communication is terrible. He had a horrible ex and he now assumes any sort of conflict is an argument.

I think it’s part of the reason why we’ve been arguing so long - he will reassure me, then he won’t actually talk to think about how we can change things, he just goes silent and runs away.

The other day on the train we were running late for a meal. I suggested we call them and tell them, he said no because it’ll be fine, I said I’d call them anyway. I then told him “well it’s a good thing we did call, because they’re saving our table, and they might not let us do walk-ins”. He then got upset, said I was having a go at him on the train and humiliated him. Then just gave me the silent treatment.

I feel like I’m the only one who ever wants to think of a solution.

He also told me to cheer up after I got stressed looking for a lost item, he didn’t just joke about it, then got pissed off because we were “arguing” again.

I feel like I’ve been walking on eggshells since the last breakup. I feel pressure to be the perfect girlfriend, to never talk about how I feel. And if I do he gets defensive, even though he has seemed off. I’m not perfect, I do probably talk about things way too much and I probably am draining and over sensitive. But I really don’t know what to do next.

I have to go over to get my stuff so either way we have to talk tonight.

OP posts:
ChiselandBits · 22/06/2022 16:47

How old are you? I'm assuming fairly young. All sounds way too much like hard work to me. Just bin him and look forwards.

ellbell1995 · 22/06/2022 16:51

26 believe it or not. First serious relationship though

OP posts:
xogossipgirlxo · 22/06/2022 16:51

It just doesn't work for you anymore. Relationship shouldn't feel like hard work all the time. Let it go and that's it. It's not your fault.

BrokenAndAfraid · 22/06/2022 16:53

I don't think you're being unreasonable but I also think life is too short to stay in an unhappy relationship and it doesn't sound like a healthy relational

SeasonFinale · 22/06/2022 16:55

It sounds very much like he realises he has made a mistake asking you to move in. You say yourself you are constantly seeking reassurance and may be draining. I would suggest cut your losses and collect your stuff but no need to rehash it all again. I think he has made how he feels clear.

SummerInSun · 22/06/2022 16:56

It sounds to me like you are driving him bonkers with your constant need for reassurance. By asking for him to be constantly telling you the relationship is ok, you are actually driving him away.

But - why do you feel the need for such constant reassurance? In a good relationship the early effusive signs of affection in the honeymoon period will generally settle into a happy companionable love and trust. That doesn't seem to have happened here. So is it because your expectations are unrealistic and/or you struggle for whatever reason to believe someone loves you and wants to be with you unless they are constantly proving it? Or is it because genuinely he's just not that in to you and you are sensing that? No stranger on the internet can answer that for you. But him saying his last girlfriend was "controlling" seems to me a bit of a red flag - far more likely he has issues with disagreements, etc.

MerryLeg · 22/06/2022 16:57

How long have you been together?

ellbell1995 · 22/06/2022 16:59

One year. Yeah he speaks very negatively about his ex, said she was awful and nagged him a lot. Makes me wonder why

OP posts:
HelpIneedsomebodywontyouplease · 22/06/2022 16:59

He doesn’t say the loving things he used to - unless I do or ask for them
you shouldn’t have to ask for someone to do this.

he booked us a holiday, but it took me bringing it up multiple times
Why didn’t you book it or why keep bringing it it up if he wasn’t too keen?

he doesn’t text me when he’s out anymore and I didn’t know what his plans were
he purposely kept you in the dark.

its not necessarily anyones fault when relationships end but, from some of your above statements, it does appear that he had already checked out of the relationship a fair bit before this morning. Is there actually anything to talk about ? I think I would just collect my things and leave. So sorry Flowers

reallydarkpurpleclematis · 22/06/2022 17:05

It really doesn't sound like it's working, and after only a year in which you've already had a 'break' it's really hard work. I think you should probably move out and see what happens - it might improve, but I suspect it will probably fizzle out. Make sure you keep your deposit savings separate.

mrsbouquett · 22/06/2022 17:07

Yabu to waste anymore time on him

GreenManalishi · 22/06/2022 17:09

I feel pressure to be the perfect girlfriend, to never talk about how I feel. You also say you feel like you're draining and over sensitive. This is not how it's supposed to be. This is not it. You say that this is your first relationship, don't try to make it your only. I would cut your losses and move out with your things and get some distance, because for whatever reason the combination of the two of you is not compatible. His ex has got nothing to do with it. Don't give yourself the headache of buying a house with him, do you both a favour and go along with him and let it be over.

SunshinePie · 22/06/2022 17:11

Run. Run for the hills!

Lou98 · 22/06/2022 17:15

Honestly? It reads to me like after the argument 3 months ago you've been constantly on at him for reassurance that he still wanted to be with you, even though he was still with you. It does sound draining. Phoning him on his lunch break and then complaining he's making his lunch doesn't sound great, neither does the constant communication you say you want. Personally, I would find that all a bit overbearing and it sounds like moving in was the final straw.

That doesn't mean it's your fault though, equally it could be a case of why do you feel the need for reassurance? Why does always feel as though a discussion is an argument?

It sounds like the relationship has just run it's course, it's nobody's fault, these things just happen, you're no longer compatible

Thethreecs · 22/06/2022 17:21

This shouldn't be happening after a year. So much has happened in the year, so much arguing, break up, space, needing reassuring, silent treatment, moving in together planning and saving for deposits......

I think your relationship has run its course. Sometimes one person is more invested than the other. Either way, this should be the fun time in the relationship.

You both may not be compatible, it's no one fault, just your personalities. We can often meet someone and fall totally in love with them, become a bit obsessed and it's not really healthy as it turns toxic.

You're young, you've years ahead of you. Personally if it were me, I would collect my things, plant a smile on my face and take some time on my own to enjoy single life and then try dating again. I know it's easier said then done and you are totally wanting to be with him but in the long run you'll look back and be thankful that you moved on. You will find a relationship were you won't feel the need for constant reassurance, lots of arguments, picking each other up wrong, feeling like every day is hard work, trying to ensure and worrying that he stays interested in you. A good relationship has its ups and downs but it's more happy and enjoyable and lots of looking forward to and planning things together and just enjoying each other and not so much stress and worry.

SandyWedges · 22/06/2022 17:27

It's not your fault. It's just one of those things. You'll heal.

SandyWedges · 22/06/2022 17:28

ellbell1995 · 22/06/2022 16:59

One year. Yeah he speaks very negatively about his ex, said she was awful and nagged him a lot. Makes me wonder why

A year is still getting to know you time.

MachineBee · 22/06/2022 17:35

I realise this hard, but relationships shouldn’t be this hard. Pick up your stuff, don’t try to have ‘a conversation’ with him, if you see them thank his parents for letting you stay there and walk away, head held high.

Lick your wounds, pick yourself up and get on with your life. You will be fine.

SnackSizeRaisin · 22/06/2022 17:39

I think you know the answer, he isn't 100%. If you want to give it a last go then take all the pressure off and see what happens. You can't make a relationship work by repeatedly hassling someone though. So there no point asking for reassurance. You can tell by his actions anyway

ImpartialMongoose · 22/06/2022 17:44

I feel pressure to be the perfect girlfriend, to never talk about how I feel

It sounds as if you are mismatched. You want to air your grievances, he would rather the issues went unchallenged. That in itself may not spell disaster if you could both work toward a middle ground but for the fact that you feel as if you make one wrong comment and he'll abandon you. That is really not going to work long term, as you obviously need more security in a relationship than that. You're really young, you have plenty of time to find a person that suits you better.

FriendlyPineapple · 22/06/2022 17:48

You can't really think you're good together! You've already broken up once and he doesn't seem all that interested in spending time with you. He doesn't love you. I'm sorry.

TryThisItHelps · 22/06/2022 17:49

He didn’t have a horrible ex. She wasn’t a wicked witch, he was probably frustrating her too.

walk away with the certainty that he would never have brought you happiness.

SnackSizeRaisin · 22/06/2022 18:09

Never trust anyone who tells you horror stories about the ex. Relationship problems are never down to just one person and it is not the case that he was good at communicating before but has lost the ability because his ex nagged him.

PassThePringles · 22/06/2022 18:27

My ex was similar to yours. Ofcourse you'd mention something if it doesn't feel right. You're meant to feel secure and confident in your relationship. Especially when it's been so good then something just isn't the same. In all honesty, it sounds like he'd checked out after the argument. Your gut instinct was right, you knew he wasn't happy yet he kept telling you things were fine! Let him go. He doesn't sound mature enough or have the emotional intelligence to talk about things that are important to you. If he was open and honest with you the first time you asked, you'd never need to bring it up again so if his ex was a nag and you always need reassuring (fair enough) then I'm going to say it's him that's the issue. You're probably in love with a version of him that he isn't/isn't anymore. You're worth more than what he was offering you, head held high and start fresh.

knittingaddict · 22/06/2022 18:35

This sounds very familiar. Have you posted about this before?

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