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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:
OnaBegonia · 22/06/2022 18:40

I'm sorry but you sound exhausting with he expectations and analysing

Whatonearth07957 · 22/06/2022 18:42

He got scared to be alone. Got you back but devalued you with these petty arguments. It's not you, it's him. Move on quick smartish. He was doing a slow fade and you felt it, responded asking for reassurance he then held against you. It's shit. Head high now lovely, move on and don't let him hoover you back, he'll probably try.

picklemewalnuts · 22/06/2022 18:45

He's happy as long as you are 100% cheerful and don't ask for anything from him. As soon as you want more- to discuss plans together, to go on holiday, to have a two sided conversation- then he's out.

Throckmorton · 22/06/2022 18:51

I know it's horrible to have this happen, but there is nothing for you to discuss with him - he has ended the relationship; its over. The best thing you can do is keep yourself busy with other things and move on. Do not try to stay friends/in touch with him as that just makes things harder to deal with.

Hollywolly1 · 22/06/2022 18:55

I think its no ones fault really,just seems the relationship ran its course

ellbell1995 · 22/06/2022 21:46

I feel sick and devastated.

I went there today as I needed some things. He was so cold. I explained to him that I’m sorry for my part, that I can be overanalytical and nit picky but I want to work on it. But where we’ve hit a wall was our communication - and some relationships take compromise to work.

He wasn’t having it. He said he was sorry, he made up his mind and he’s not happy anymore.

I asked if he loved me and he said “I care about you, but it’s faded”.
I asked why he told me to move in, he said “I thought we’d break up if you didn’t, and I wanted it to work”.
He said he hasn’t been happy for months. Said he didn’t know why he booked a holiday.

Bearing in mind 2 days ago he said “I’m desperately in love with you and so desperate for things to work out” lol

It left frostily. Said he didn’t wanna see me again. I was upset, ready to leave and he said “seeya”. Didn’t wanna know. Didn’t check I got home ok. Managed to transfer me some money he owed me though…

OP posts:
ellbell1995 · 22/06/2022 21:46

I’m in floods of tears and feel like it’s my fault

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 22/06/2022 21:52

He did you a favour, op. It shouldn't be this hard, and you need to figure out why you need so much validation. Let him go and move on.

GreenManalishi · 22/06/2022 22:02

The first time you get dumped is an absolute bitch but you will live, I promise. At some point in the future you will realise that you can't remember his surname, and only the barest details of his face, and that he did you a favour x

ellbell1995 · 22/06/2022 22:16

Thank you 💐

OP posts:
Kellykukoo · 22/06/2022 22:22

When it's the right person nothing feels like such hard work. He's done you both a favour.

FlissyPaps · 22/06/2022 22:28

I’m in floods of tears and feel like it’s my fault

It’s not your fault OP❤

You just don’t sound compatible. You both obviously have very different boundaries and different needs. & that’s nobodies fault. So please don’t blame yourself.

Bearing in mind 2 days ago he said “I’m desperately in love with you and so desperate for things to work out” lol

If he was desperately in love with you he would not be finishing with you and making you move out. For him to be so hot and cold with you, and giving mixed messages shows that he doesn’t know what he what’s. It’s probably for the best not be in a relationship.

If he comes crawling back - don’t let him! Spend some time with your close friends and do things that make you feel good to heal. It will be hard. But you will feel better in time. Xx

HayfeverSniff · 22/06/2022 22:31

You shouldn't be having disagreements to this level in a happy, functional relationship, let alone only 1 year together.

I think it's time you both took a serious break (not just 3 days) and stay non contact for a few weeks. Use the time to catch up with friends, get your own spark back and then when you've had some serious thinking time, that's when you can call and discuss if there is a future in the relationship.

Don't wait until you've bought the house and spent another 5 years together before you realise you aren't good together. You have time on your side to find someone new if that's what comes out as the best option.

If it was me I wouldn't have taken them back after they left the first time, but I'm quite head strong about this sort of thing in relationships. I can't make you take my stance but please do consider a bit of a break so you can get yourself in the right headspace as a single person before reconsidering this relationship. How many times will he walk out/kick you out in the future before you do draw a line under it and move on? It's important you know your self worth before continuing with him.

Scarydinosaurs · 22/06/2022 22:32

It’s nothing to do with fault or blame - you just weren’t a good match.

It hurts now, but it will hurt less tomorrow, and then the next day, and then the next day.

spend time on yourself - this is a chance for you to focus on you.

Strawberriesaregreat · 22/06/2022 22:44

You can't have carried on with him saying everythings an argument if its a discussion. That's controlling as you'd be watching everything you said. Even though you were staying at his parents, a big move like that towards a commitment should've been exciting. He may have done you a huge favour. If your instinct has been telling you things werent right then its probably true. Its not your fault. It takes two to make a relationship. I know you're hurting now but breakups are hard even if you're 100% sure its right then it still hurts. It'll get better. Meet up with friends and get out there again.

WishILivedInThrushGreen · 22/06/2022 22:55

It's not your fault OP.

But you're not really compatible. You both have a different approach to relationships.
That you've already had a break, in your first year, is a red flag in itself.

You moved in with him and his parents too quickly.

I'm really sorry OP.

Watchkeys · 22/06/2022 23:13

What on earth do you think you did wrong?

worriedaboutmoney2022 · 22/06/2022 23:18

ellbell1995 · 22/06/2022 16:51

26 believe it or not. First serious relationship though

Omg 😳
That's way too much drama and I don't think he's that invested in the relationship from what you say. I would be dumping I'm afraid

FitFat · 22/06/2022 23:26

I wonder if he was emotionally unavailable and made you feel nervy.

ManateeFair · 22/06/2022 23:31

It’s so hard because I think we are so good together.

You’re absolutely not good together. Everything you’ve said in your post suggests that you aren’t right for each other. You’re fundamentally incompatible and neither of you is happy.

You have only been together a year and already you’re having issues like this?! That’s not normal in a long term relationship.

I think perhaps because this is your first serious relationship, you don’t really have anything to compare it too and you think these issues are just hiccups. They are not. They’re signs that the relationship has run its course. You need to end it.

ellbell1995 · 23/06/2022 04:15

I think we started off so well and my insecurities got the better of me. It got to the point I was getting upset about his every move and things he wasn’t doing perfectly. But his communication was really bad
in just heartbroken

OP posts:
Tinkity · 23/06/2022 04:29

We had a big drunken bust up 3 months ago where he panicked.

What exactly happened OP?

It seems you’re shouldering a lot of the blame so maybe talking though things might help you see another perspective.

Ragwort · 23/06/2022 04:36

I know it hurts now but you will look back on this and learn from the experience... focus on yourself and not wanting a partner 'to make you happy'.

And it was a seriously bad idea to move in with his DPs ...what were you all thinking? I have an adult DS and no way would I be encouraging him to move a GF in.

notgreatthanks · 23/06/2022 04:38

From what you say it sounds like he's not putting much into the relationship and you are struggling with that. It could be he's not that invested or it could be his personality. Either way it doesn't sound healthy for you,

TheGirlOnTheDragon · 23/06/2022 04:45

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.

While in general I agree that slagging of exs is a red flag, this comment is awful. Some people are victims or domestic violence or other horrible abusive behaviour and it is absolutely not their fault and potential new partners should not be wary of them jusz because they mention that their ex happened to be a horrible person. Some people genuinely have horrible exs and no, it isn't always partly their fault.

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