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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Christmas marriage splitting up - need advice

153 replies

SamanthaParty · 14/12/2022 11:57

I need a good shake.

Me and my husband have been living seperate lives for over 1 year. I will make dinner and he will usually grumble something, take his dinner and eat in another room. Anything I ask, his response is "dunno, what do you think/what to do", I usually snap at this now, because I cant believe a grown man has no opinion, on anything.

He is a good man, he does mean well, but it isnt enough. He says he doesnt know what to talk to me about as I put up "barriers", I dont. I sometimes find his chat very boring or very specific, i.e. "how was work" .. once I answer, he doesnt ask anything else and goes to another room. He said he feels low mood at the moment but that doesnt cover the last year or so. I do find him a bit grumpy and I have always begged for communication. For example, if I ever go away for work, or for a girls weekend etc, it's always me who contacts him to find out how he is, how the dog is doing, because I won't hear anything, it would ne nice to know I am missed sometimes. Sometimes when I return from these places he has asked where I have been as he has forgotten, that hurts.

I spoke to him about all of this, albeit days before anniversairy, and he was so stand off ish. He says he doesnt feeel loved by me, as we havent had sex since March (it was Oct before that), and that we dont kiss or cuddle. However, I cant sleep with him, as my needs are not being met. I want to feel loved, that he is interested, that he loves me. I need something.

Even when I kiss or cuddle him he thinks it will lead to sex so I stopped doing those things, sad I know.

When we are out, I an envious when I see other couples laughing and joking, being touchy feely, we used to have that, years ago.

We have went to counselling and he said he finds me unadventorous - which I started arguing about as I am not. He doesnt understand the efforts I have put in to our relationship - I done a huge road trip on the back of his motorbike for his big birthday a few years back (my suggestion, I was utterly terrified, but I thought it would be nice to do), I booked up white water rafting for another birthday, and I nearly drowned!! his first reaction was to laugh when I was crying as he thought I was over exaggerating, he apologised soon after but still. In the past we have been rock climbing, surfing etc. so I foudn that comment uncalled for. He asked said he wants more intimacy and that if we had sex "it would all be okay", no it wouldnt be.

We decided to split after counselling but then decided against this and try some date nights, they were awkward. NO conversation, very formal feeling, just weird. We then decided to split up, and have agreed to go to solicitors after Christmas. We spoke on Monday, and he said he has felt happier without me but he is very hurt as all he wants is me. I agree, I feel happier alone too, albeit lonely, but a bit happier. He then asked what I wanted to do, as he didnt want to break up but feels this has run its course. He said if we were to get back to normal he needs imtimacy, I said we have to meet in the middle as my needs need to be met too. He said he didnt know what to do as he has tried everything. I told him I wanted communication, to feel he is interested. Since Monday, I have texted him to see if he is okay, asked if he wanted a lift to his works party, and its like to trying to get blood from a stone.

My work accidentially called him last week as I hadnt turned up for work and had a meeting - but I was stuck in really bad weather. He never mentioned this to me, and didnt even contact me to check I was alright. He said "if something had happened, the police would have told me" - that hurt, and he cant understand why that hurts. He says he is depressed but has recently stopped going to counselling and refuses to look for a new job, as apparently, this makes him very stressed.

What to do, its such a shit time of year :(

For context, I am 31, he is 33, been together 12 years, married for 6. No kids.

I dont want to start over again, I am terrified of the finance aspect, that I wont ever met anyone and that I will be judged for a failed marriage this young.

OP posts:
AriettyHomily · 14/12/2022 11:58

Do it now, I'm ten years further along than you with two kids and regret not making the decision pre-kids.

panko · 14/12/2022 12:00

I dont want to start over again, I am terrified of the finance aspect, that I wont ever met anyone and that I will be judged for a failed marriage this young no one will judge you.

Fuuuuuckit · 14/12/2022 12:03

Bloody hell op, I'm also 10 years pdt this point and in an amazing relationship with an incredible man who really does worship me (and likewise).

You're 30,still very young and have a lifetime of love, friendship and companionship ahead of you. Your relationship is dead and unrevivable.

The finances issues are scary but you can overcome them, and you will be so much happier in every aspect of your life.

WalkingOnTheCracks · 14/12/2022 12:04

It’s done. It’s not a failure, it’s an ending.

Both of you will be happier if you let it go, mourn and then move on.

EndlessRain1 · 14/12/2022 12:05

Leave. You are young and have time to find what you want with someone else.

Beamur · 14/12/2022 12:06

Tough isn't it. This is the relationship you thought would be the one and you obviously still care about each other, but it sounds as if you have grown apart.
A relationship needs to work on various levels to be fulfilling and happy, it doesn't look like yours is doing this, despite your efforts to communicate.
No one will judge you for a failed marriage, I'm not sure that 12 years counts as failure though - that's many years where presumably you were both happier.
You are definitely young enough to start over.

underneaththeash · 14/12/2022 12:07

You just got married a bit young that's all.

It really sounds as if it's just run it's course. You'll meet someone else.

SamanthaParty · 14/12/2022 12:09

Something thinks I am being unreasonable, what would you do, because I dont know anymore :(

OP posts:
skippy67 · 14/12/2022 12:11

Leave, It won't get better.

SofiaSoFar · 14/12/2022 12:14

I wouldn't worry about the AIBU score board, OP.

As others have said, you've grown apart and are clearly not happy, so why even think about dragging it out any longer than necessary?

Putting a positive on it, you're still young, you don't yet have kids, you're in a great position to be able to walk away from this and find happiness again.

No one is going to judge you for that. It's not like you've run off with someone else abandoning a doting husband.

Free yourself. Flowers

FruHagen · 14/12/2022 12:24

Great you don't have kids.

Now is your chance. You'll meet someone else and be much happier.

Time to split Flowers

SamanthaParty · 14/12/2022 12:29

I texted him asking if we were okay - and he said yes he isnt angry at me, why - I said because it feels likehe doesnt want to speak to me. He said he does but was busy yesterday. I feel like this is always the story. He said he is hurt that we are in limbo but all I am asking for is to feel he is interested in me - to recieve a text asking how I am, that he misses me, anything but all I have is nothing

OP posts:
Sellorkeep · 14/12/2022 12:45

Read your reasons for not separating. Are those reasons to stay?
A relationship is allowed to run its course and end. And it’s ok (and normal) for you both to be sad as you used to have something good.

dolorsit · 14/12/2022 12:45

You are no longer compatible as a couple.

You have articulated your needs but he is either unable or unwilling to make changes.

Please don't waste emotional energy trying to work out what he is really feeling or really means. Do you think he is doing the same for you?

I know it's hard and scary but please put yourself first. There's no shame, you got together relatively young and for some reason you have drifted apart. These things happen.

ChangedmynameagainforChristmas · 14/12/2022 12:47

You are only 31 for goodness' sake ! Reading your post I thought you were in your forties until you said.
You have outgrown one another. There is nothing wrong with either of you. You just need to call it a day and part as friends not enemies.
I think you need to live a little and have fun before you do this again. You are only young for a while and then its a long road to the cemetery😀

catandcoffee · 14/12/2022 12:50

OP reading your thread I thought your ages would be about 50+ .

You've outgrown him..move on with your life. Don't worry about other people's opinions.

RealBecca · 14/12/2022 12:51

No kids I'd 100% start over.

I'm not saying you should be coerced into sex but neither of you are prepared to (or cant) meet the others needs.

Lemons1571 · 14/12/2022 12:51

ChangedmynameagainforChristmas · 14/12/2022 12:47

You are only 31 for goodness' sake ! Reading your post I thought you were in your forties until you said.
You have outgrown one another. There is nothing wrong with either of you. You just need to call it a day and part as friends not enemies.
I think you need to live a little and have fun before you do this again. You are only young for a while and then its a long road to the cemetery😀

I don’t have anything useful to add apart from feel the fear (of splitting) and do it anyway. You’re going round in circles over analysing someone that is not that invested in you.
I love the Cemetary saying though. So true.

Lockheart · 14/12/2022 12:52

I am sorry OP but you're just not compatible. It sounds like you both still care for each other very much, but staying together will only bring both of you misery. There are fundamental mismatches here which are unlikely to be resolved through counselling, although it is good that you've tried.

You are only 31, many women haven't even been engaged by that age. It's not a failure. Sometimes things don't work out and it's fucking hard, but it's not a failure.

Calmdown14 · 14/12/2022 12:54

Christ I expected you to be on your 50s. When I saw your age I thought please just leave him.

You still have plenty of years to meet someone else.

Honestly you will feel relief when you stop trying to please him or be what he wants. Have some time to just be you.

Better to have six tough months doing the splitting part in terms of finances etc than to live the rest of your life miserable.

itsthefinalcountdown1 · 14/12/2022 12:54

I was reading this assuming you were both 50s/60s, stuck in a rut. 😞

Purplechicken207 · 14/12/2022 12:56

I divorced in my 20s, now happily married with kids, late 30s. Yes i was scared, but my life is worth spending happy, or at least not miserably chasing something which isnt working. Anyone who judges you isn't worth your time or consideration!

Just speak to a solicitor and get the ball rolling. Stop talking to him unless you literally have to (such as house repair, anything urgebt or vital etc). It just hurts you. Stop asking how he is, how you are. You aren't getting the response you want and keeping on asking is poking a wound which already hurts. He doesn't want to talk, so don't. Trust me, the more you try, the more likely you end up sour and resenting each other. Let the solicitors handle it.

Treacletoots · 14/12/2022 12:58

It's run its course OP. Be thankful you don't have kids, are still young enough to start all over again and find someone who genuinely makes you happy.

I divorced my exH at 32 and met current DH at 35. Life is fantastic and 10 years on we are still very happy.

There really is nothing to be scared of, apart from continuing to live a life like this. You only get one life. Make this one a good one.

Treacletoots · 14/12/2022 13:00

Also nobody gives a fuck if you get divorced. Like nobody.

PinkArt · 14/12/2022 13:01

We then decided to split up, and have agreed to go to solicitors after Christmas
This sounds like it's absolutely the best thing for both us you - it sounds like you are both utterly done. But what you have to do now is act on that. Don't message him to ask how he is or if he needs a lift. You have agreed to split so he is for all intents and purposes now your ex husband and you need to start transitioning into that new phase. Start thinking of him more like a housemate than a husband.

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