Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel let down by friends

106 replies

Octonautstotherescue · 08/12/2024 09:15

DH left. He was violent so it was a relief. Now on own and very lonely. When friends aware it started off with texts of how awful and hope you’re ok but this it has turned to silence. Am I being unreasonable to have wanted more support? They all knew him - wondering if they are actually taking his side.

OP posts:
Notmanyleftnow · 08/12/2024 10:22

HardlyLikely · 08/12/2024 09:54

It’s not demanding. It’s communicating your needs clearly to close friends who love you but are clearly not understanding what you need from them at the moment. People are different. Personally I prefer being left alone to lick my wounds, but I appreciate not everyone does. You have an idea what you’d do if a friend were in your position, but that might not be what she would want at all.

Yes, this.
I wouldn't want people turning up, and would find too many messages stressful.

Well done for leaving, OP. I hope you find a way to communicate with your old friends or else to make new ones, going forward.

pizzaHeart · 08/12/2024 10:29

I think it’s a bit unclear what you expect from your friends and what they do differently now from before.
Do you expect them to invite you for coffee/ walk/ night out as they did before and stopped now or do you expect them to invite you for a chat/ coffee/ night out now when you are in a difficult situation but they haven’t done this before?
Do you expect them to turn out at yours as they did before or do you expect them to turn out at yours now but they never done it before?
There is a big difference between two scenarios.
I’m not saying that your friends are right but it’s difficult to say if they are wrong or not without knowing what they’ve done.

Ohnobackagain · 08/12/2024 10:29

@Octonautstotherescue is there one or a couple of the group you’re closer to? Why not just message and suggest coffee (out or at yours) to one of them initially? To be honest, they may be wondering whether to ask you or to wait for you to get in touch. They may just have thought you’re fine because he’s gone and really not understood. Just give it a try and see what reaction you get.

louisianachild · 08/12/2024 10:30

I think there are two types of people - those who rush in at any sign of crisis to help, and those who feel that the other person may need space. Your friends are probably the latter.

I would reach out and indicate that you would appreciate more direct support.

Santalikespies · 08/12/2024 10:31

Op you have been through a lot and now you’re sounding bitter and projecting your upset towards your friends. I agree you should take the lead and invite them to meet you, as their lives haven’t changed , they’re just carrying on with life. Your life has changed and just need to reach out more. Don’t be a dick that they’re just carrying on with life. It’s not intentional not reaching out more.

ZaZathecat · 08/12/2024 10:33

Is your ex friends with them? Would he have got in first and told them his version of what happened (possibly casting you as a 'psycho')?

Topee · 08/12/2024 10:33

Octonautstotherescue · 08/12/2024 10:14

Ah so I’m some kind of miss havisham?

Not at all. When I said “come to her”, I meant emotionally.

Octonautstotherescue · 08/12/2024 10:37

Ok so this has been in part useful in part interesting. The consensus seems to be I’m expecting too much these days from friends as everyone is super busy. Maybe I should get with the picture and just accept this. Also I need to drag my sorry ass out there and be as appealing as possible to “new” people but also whilst remembering never to “off load”Also do all this whilst recovering (in secret mind) from a traumatic violent relationship (which by the way he got away with). I should do this through counselling (in private) and not seek help from anyone least it inconveniences.

OP posts:
IrritableVowel · 08/12/2024 10:41

No, that's not what PP have said at all.

Nobody here is denying you had a horrific time with your ex.

But you sound angry at the world and that you have to maybe make the first step to meet up with your friends.

Nobody has blamed you for anything, just suggested that it's not unreasonable for you to be the person to initiate contact.

nothingcomestonothing · 08/12/2024 10:42

You're not listening OP.

You're angry and sad, totally understandable. But your friends have got their own lives, that's reality, and they don't know what you want or need unless you communicate it to them.

No one is telling you to 'be as appealing as possible', but to be clear to your friends what you want from them instead of expecting them to guess, and to seek extra support from people who have been in a similar boat so you can get useful support in that way too. But you're hearing any post that doesn't 100% agree your friends are dicks, or that suggests anything, as a criticism of you.

MintTwirl · 08/12/2024 10:42

That isn’t what people have been saying at all OP. I’m sorry if that is what you have taken from peoples responses. People are advising you to message these people and to access support groups.

MintTwirl · 08/12/2024 10:44

I would also be interested to know the timeline. Has it been 2 days, two months, 2 years?

cheezncrackers · 08/12/2024 10:44

You have to reach out OP. People's lives are busy with DC, parents, work, preparing for Christmas, their own health and fitness, etc. If you have gone silent they may assume you're not up for company. Call or text your friends. Ask if they're free to meet. Or just have a chat and keep them in the loop. Everyone has a full life, but if they are true friends they'll make time for you.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 08/12/2024 10:47

HardlyLikely · 08/12/2024 09:43

Yes, you often need to be explicit about what you need from others.

This is exactly it. You need to let them know what they can do for you, otherwise they won't know. I wouldn't keep on asking a friend if they were okay - many people hate to be pitied. But if they said "Actually could you mind the kids on Sunday so I can get the presents done" or "Can we go out and drink mulled wine and I can complain about my ex for an hour without you looking bored or telling me I have to be careful not to get bitter" I would say yes like a shot.

SaagAloopa · 08/12/2024 10:48

They might think you want space?

Dishwashersaurous · 08/12/2024 10:56

Oh op you've been through such a horrible difficult situation and you've done amazing. You clearly want your friends to anticipate and know what you want.

What people are saying is that almost everyone is not very good at knowing what other people want. You may be really good at it but most people aren't.

Therefore you just need to tell your friends what you want. A message of hey can we do a walk and coffee this weekend as I really need someone to talk to.

It probably feels like another mountain to set out your needs, and you've probably never done it.

But you do need to say what you want people to do

JingleB · 08/12/2024 11:04

If you react to your friends like you’re reacting to people here, then they are pulling back in self defence.

You have been through trauma, and it can help enormously to contact charities that have experience helping people process that. You GP surgery may be able to signpost you to support in your area, and a self referral to IAPT might be a good idea.

Your friends don’t know what you need. You aren’t receptive to telling them - if fact, you seem pretty hostile about it. They aren’t mind readers and they don’t know what best will support you.

They are also living their lives full of their own stuff at the most manic time of year with all the pressures everyone experiences. It doesn’t mean they don’t care but it might mean they haven’t got a lot of headspace to think about what your needs are. You will not be the only person they care about who is going through a difficult time.

Some people are fair weather friends. Some people are spooked by trauma and shy away or look like deer in headlights and don’t know how to react. Some are just assholes.

But mostly people want to be decent. Reach out, let them know you want to go for a coffee or a browse at the Christmas market or something. “I am fed up. Fancy going to Gladiators 2 for a cocktail and hunky blokes beating the crap out of each other?”

Don’t write off all your friends because they are there for you in the way you need right now. Trust that they like you and you like them, and move on from that position, not one of resentment and distrust.

CandyCane457 · 08/12/2024 11:07

Do you not really spend time with your friends generally? As in, even before your partner left? They’re your friends of 20 years but when did you all actually hang out together?

Calciferloveseggs · 08/12/2024 11:09

Hi, I would also add that it really does depend in how this has come about. My best friend for many years had an abusive partner, she came to me for 'advice' & sympathy every time he hit her. I listened & empathised for years. However, there is only so long as a friend, that you can keep saying the same thing before it becomes frustrating to watch/ be involved with. She left & went back time & time again. It made no sense to me as they had no ties, but maybe that just makes me an awful person. The drama & ignoring all advice, was very tiring. When she finally made 'the break' I didn't know this was going to finally be it, or just another back & forth, so my sympathy was prob muted by that point.

Wordau · 08/12/2024 11:10

Sorry but they're shit friends. Good friends would reach out. Come and see you, call you, check in on you. They'd make time for you.

For almost all my friends I'm a tier 2 friend. They wouldn't go on holiday with me, wouldn't insist on doing something for my birthday - I'm just not one of their closest friends. Wouldn't suggest a full day out just me and them. It's hard but I try to appreciate that they are still good friends, and put lots of effort in.

How close were you before all this happened?

OnlyinBlackandWhite · 08/12/2024 11:19

These good friends did reach out initially. Presumably they have also reached out many times in the 20 years, as you did to them, otherwise you would not still be friends.

It's harsh, but it is true that in the first few weeks, people make a huge effort after divorce, bereavement, leaving a relationships, but then their own lives go on. Remember, if you are in middle-age, the chances that they don't have adult children with huge life issues, parents who have chronic ill health, cancer, their own bereavements, cost-of-living stress is probably nil. Most of my friends have one quite large life problem right now, so whilst they can rally in a crisis, they aren't going to be able to keep that up.

You do sound angry at them, but your expectation of them popping over is probably unrealistic, more realistic is dropping them a message, asking if they'd like to get together soon, or setting up a social meet. They might also have things to off-load or want to get out more or have some fun, it is unlikely they are sitting at home having just a wonderful time without you- this is a narrative you have told yourself, but it's unlikely to be true.

It is also the case that you can't have all your eggs in one basket. That doesn't mean you have to rush out and make new friends, but it does mean that now you have got out of this horrendous relationship, you will have a lot more time and energy on your hands and it may take a while to know what to do with it- therapy is good, and then after that it depends whether you want to work, do more socializing, travel, study, or meet up with friends, new and old. It is hard work building a new life, I've had to do it myself after my husband's death- it includes my old friends but also new opportunities, or reconnecting with friends who might have fallen by the wayside a bit. It's hard though, and I do get what you are saying, you are feeling tired and exhausted and need a hand up in life. So, take the time to be very kind to yourself right now, just drop a few messages to your friends if you feel like it, send a couple of Christmas cards, attend a carol service and over time, that new life will start to become more visible as you go towards it.

IrritableVowel · 08/12/2024 11:24

Wordau · 08/12/2024 11:10

Sorry but they're shit friends. Good friends would reach out. Come and see you, call you, check in on you. They'd make time for you.

For almost all my friends I'm a tier 2 friend. They wouldn't go on holiday with me, wouldn't insist on doing something for my birthday - I'm just not one of their closest friends. Wouldn't suggest a full day out just me and them. It's hard but I try to appreciate that they are still good friends, and put lots of effort in.

How close were you before all this happened?

But OP says they did reach out to her. She hasn't said how long ago her ex left. Or how she responded to her friends.

It could be they are shit friends
It could also be they still care about how OP is doing, but if (e.g) she hasn't been in touch either, they are giving her space.

OP sounds very hurt, and she has been through a lot, but if she isn't willing to at least reach out, she might be cutting herself off from her friends out of something akin to stubbornness

Poppins2016 · 08/12/2024 11:25

How close would you say you are to these friends in general? Have you learnt on them/have they been there for you in the past?

I wonder whether it's a case of people thinking that you probably have closer friends who are there for you and that they should keep their beaks out... (obviously understand this might not apply if it's mutually clear that you're close... in which case it's disappointing)

fluffyblanky · 08/12/2024 11:27

I think you need to go to them and say you are feeling lonely at times and want to have some time with them. Is this different behaviour from them compared to before you left him? How often would you meet up then?

RandomMess · 08/12/2024 11:31

They are likely oblivious that you want company and friendship and are just getting on with their lives.

They wrongly assume because he's gone you are now ok and "better than ever" rather than struggling.

I would and invite them to a specific meet up and take it from there.

If they don't even make the effort then it shows them up as utterly lacking humans tbh.