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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I’m heartbroken. I really hate oxytocin.

245 replies

purpletrainline · 03/03/2025 19:48

I’m absolutely heartbroken. Lots and lots of heart ache.

I just need to vent.

I’m mid 40’s and boyfriend is 50. We met at Christmas on bumble. Got on so well and saw each other lots. Lots of dates. We video called each other most nights. Every morning ‘good morning’ and a ‘night night’ at the end. He wanted me to meet his parents and so I did. They are going elderly but so lovely. He wanted me to meet his children aged 16 and 18 and I did. My children stay with me every alternate week. His children stays with him 100-% of the time.
We were smitten. I stayed over at his home twice on a weekend and he stayed over at my home once in the last two months.
The catch is that we live a 100 miles apart- opposite sides of London! I work in London and he occasionally works in London.

I nearly didn’t go on the first date because of that. I also screenshotted a google map with the two towns in the very first chats . At the first date we had a great time and a lot of chemistry. But I said to him that I thought the elephant in the room was the distance. He reassured me that we will find a routine, that it will work out, that he can work from anywhere and that from Sept he probably won’t have any children in the house. One is off to uni and the other going to college away from home. The younger one since decided to do A levels at their current school.

We also kissed a lot and couldn’t really keep our hands off. Sex was amazing. This past weekend he came to my home the first time. And I guess, it’s not until you get in the car and drive that distance that you realise how far it is.

Friday was great but Saturday when we woke up something was off. I couldn’t put me finger on it. He was more distanced and didn’t cuddle me like he always did. He said he didn’t sleep well and so I thought it was that. We got up and went to the gym- he loves the gym. Then went out and had breakfast in the high street. Back home and took a quick shower. Then went to the cinema and saw the new B J film. He didn’t touch me at all. I thought it was odd. Very unlike him.

We then went back home. He had a conversation with me in the kitchen. Out of the blue. But at soon as he started it made complete sense why was so withdrawn. He said that another 10 days or so will go by and we won’t see each other. Various work commitments, two funerals, him going on a trip, his child having a sports tournament, my children being with me. And that we were both so busy and that he didn’t have time.

And he then told me that I should have a think how all of this can work because he can’t see how it can work. He said it was so difficult to see each other in person. But the way he said it to me, it clearly sounded like he already had a think. I felt upset and pushed away.

He then left and said he would let me know when he got home, like he always did. But he never did. Usually I would get messages mid drive too. But none.

Later he sent me a short message that he was home, took his dogs for a walk and took his mum to the pub. Just a cold message. Gone were the kisses at the end.

I didn’t sleep at all. I felt so sad. It all happened so quickly. Gone was the good night xxx message from him. And the next morning.
I’m devastated. It went completely cold so quickly. It’s unbelievable.

I’m really not happy with oxytocin. Women’s bodies are designed differently. Whether I want it or not, my brain is absolutely flooded with oxytocin after sex and especially after orgasm. That’s the attachment hormone, the bonding hormone, emotional connection, trust, sense of security, love and cuddle hormone. It’s the same hormone that is released right after a woman gives birth.

When someone hasn’t actually earned a space in your heart just yet, oxytocin makes it feel that way. *

Whereas a man’s body is flooded with dopamine, which is the same hormone rush after using a drug. Simpler pleasure. It can go a much longer time without any real connection. Men can sometimes can be driven a lot more by lust and attraction, rather than bonding. Liking and wanting. All thanks to dopamine. My hormones are different.

I feel a little bit used. His sex drive is really high.

i’m just upset and feel a mess, had a proper sob the last couple of days.

I had such an amazing two months with him. I just cannot believe it’s over.

I sent him another message today. “I’m thinking of you loads. Been rather painful but I’m ok. Are you ok?”

He responded “Glad you are ok. I am doing ok, thanks for asking. I know it’s painful.”

I feel like I’m being pushed through a laminator and that all the butterflies and kisses and daily video calls, and good night/ good morning messages, the time spent together, the dog walks the cuddles and intimacy. All of it is being squeezed out of me and I don’t like it one bit.
And I just miss him.

Even though I feel so sad and heartbroken, I should leave him I peace?
Because Sunday I thought about him all day and knew he was at a sports tournament with his 16 year old all afternoon, and by the end of all that I sent him a quick message asking if he was back home.

Hr just briefly replied.
“Yes just sorting washing.”

So cold and distanced. No more kisses.
Today at work I sent him a message, saying “I’m thinking of you loads. Been rather painful but I’m ok. Are you ok?”

I replied, “Glad you are ok. I am doing ok, thanks for asking. I know its painful.”

I miss him so much but he is pulling away more and more? What do do with myself?

I know it was just a short relationship. You can hardly call it a relationship. Two months. I wish we had a selfie but we don’t. An intense fling? But I’m so sad.

OP posts:
malificent7 · 03/03/2025 19:52

Awww that sounds hard. Tbh I think you shpuld stop all communication. You can do better than him...

Teanbiscuits33 · 03/03/2025 19:53

It all moved quite quickly, didn’t it? You only met at Christmas and it sounded very intense. That’s a massive red flag. Sounds like he absolutely love bombed you for the validation and is now bored of it. I know it hurts. Best not to rush into things like that. You barely know each other.

purpletrainline · 03/03/2025 19:55

Thank you. This is helping. I need to hear all of this.

OP posts:
hereismydog · 03/03/2025 19:56

OP, you’ve known him two months. It’s all a bit too much, too soon. Lovebombing and smothering is rarely a sign of a lasting relationship. I know it hurts, but I’d cut this one loose, you’ll barely remember him by this Christmas.

DrummingMousWife · 03/03/2025 19:56

Call it a day. It sounds like it’s the initial butterfly stage he likes, and when you start talking relationship he loses interest. If he wanted it to work, it would have.

AnnaMagnani · 03/03/2025 19:57

He honestly sounds like a massive shit.

If he wanted to make it work, he could. Or he could just not contact women who live 100 miles away.

But going in strong then sulking is poor behaviour.

Continuing to chat to you is even worse.

OP block and move on.

NotTheDebtDoctorWithTheHungryScalpel · 03/03/2025 19:59

I've met a hundred of that type of man, future faking and love bombing, and then they get bored just as quickly and move onto the next high.

The good news is you're open to a relationship and love so you'll find a great guy and settle down when you're ready while this guy will still be off doing his lovebombing in 3 month stints until he runs out of options eventually.

FeatherFace · 03/03/2025 19:59

There's a lot of hand wringing here (understandably!) but honestly, it's all a bit intense for a couple of months isn't it?

Don't send him any further messages. Pick yourself up and block his number now

Summerhillsquare · 03/03/2025 19:59

Well one could be cynical and say he did what he needed to do to get you in to bed. Or he's impulsive and romantic and not a deep thinker. Either way back right off and reclaim your dignity. You can't change other people's behavious, only your own.

purpletrainline · 03/03/2025 19:59

Thank you. This is helping.

Teanbiscuits33, Please educate me. Why is an intense relationship that lasted 2 months a massive red flag?

OP posts:
NotTheDebtDoctorWithTheHungryScalpel · 03/03/2025 20:00

Oh and I would definitely block because he will fizzle out contact and then pop back up in 6-12 months again when he's bored. They always do.

Lostworlds · 03/03/2025 20:01

I think it all moved very quickly for 2 months time.
You can’t help how you feel but neither can he. If he doesn’t want to make it work then there’s no point wasting your time wanting it to work.

I would stop contacting him. He’s made it clear that he doesn’t feel the same anymore. It’s rubbish what’s happened but better to happen a couple months in than a year down the line.

Have a day where you feel low, cry over it and then try move past this. Don’t message him again, focus your mind on other things. You were living without him and he was only in your life a short time, it was fun but you want someone who makes an effort for you, not the other way around!

SlightlyJaded · 03/03/2025 20:01

It's tough - but at least you understand that it's the chemicals you are missing.

The high we get from being in a new relationship is hard to beat, but you can have that again. Honestly, you sound sensible so try to apply that to the next few weeks. Realistically - you both have kids so it was going to be hard to manage that distance, and for him at least, it didn't work. And you don't know him THAT well - so again - it's the chemicals, not the relationship, you are missing. Hold that thought and let him go.

Accept the flat/low/slump feeling will last for a few weeks - it's the price we pay for the high - but also know that it's not permanent. You don't need his scraps of meaningless texts. You've got this.

Amanitacae · 03/03/2025 20:02

You need to stop texting him. You are craving the tiny boosts of dopamine you when he replies - its scraps though, and its prolonging the agony. Sorry OP. Breakups suck.

BlueSkies1981 · 03/03/2025 20:03

Kind of could have written this myself- apart from me being with the guy a year and him being very local. All of the above and then after a week of him being very cold he ended it by text. And within days had blocked me on most social media. There is some context I’m not going to share but we promised me the earth and five months later I am heartbroken. Tbh as I’ve said to my friends it’s not him ending it but the way he did that’s so hurtful. Walk away with your head held high x

purpletrainline · 03/03/2025 20:04

NotTheDebtDoctorWithTheHungryScalpel · 03/03/2025 20:00

Oh and I would definitely block because he will fizzle out contact and then pop back up in 6-12 months again when he's bored. They always do.

This is interesting…. the fact that he will dazzle out (whilst I keep checking my phone), and then pop up 6-12 months later and mess with my mind!!!

OP posts:
Teanbiscuits33 · 03/03/2025 20:05

purpletrainline · 03/03/2025 19:59

Thank you. This is helping.

Teanbiscuits33, Please educate me. Why is an intense relationship that lasted 2 months a massive red flag?

Because it’s not normal for someone to be that intense so very early on. You don’t know each other. True love develops over time when you both know each other. Someone who love bombs either has ulterior motives and will end up controlling, or they are avoidant and are love bombing in the hope to get you attached to them to stroke their own ego. Then they get bored when all the excitement wears off and move on.

It’s never about you, it’s about them and meeting their needs. They can’t love a healthy way. And you pining after him just lets him know that you care about him and he has you exactly where he wants you should he decide he wants to continue messing with your head. Block him.

2025willbemytime · 03/03/2025 20:06

You have two choices.

Rip the plaster off. Either tell him this isn't working so goodbye or ghost him.

Carry on as you are right now and feel even worse when you realise he's doing the slow fade.

purpletrainline · 03/03/2025 20:07

Teanbiscuits33 · 03/03/2025 20:05

Because it’s not normal for someone to be that intense so very early on. You don’t know each other. True love develops over time when you both know each other. Someone who love bombs either has ulterior motives and will end up controlling, or they are avoidant and are love bombing in the hope to get you attached to them to stroke their own ego. Then they get bored when all the excitement wears off and move on.

It’s never about you, it’s about them and meeting their needs. They can’t love a healthy way. And you pining after him just lets him know that you care about him and he has you exactly where he wants you should he decide he wants to continue messing with your head. Block him.

Thank you.
genius

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 03/03/2025 20:08

purpletrainline · 03/03/2025 20:04

This is interesting…. the fact that he will dazzle out (whilst I keep checking my phone), and then pop up 6-12 months later and mess with my mind!!!

He can only mess with your mind if you let him. You haven't known him long. Just block him, move on and perhaps tread more slowly in your next relationship.

purpletrainline · 03/03/2025 20:08

If I block him now, will he get a notification? Or will his texts just not deliver? And if or when he tries to call, it won’t ring?

OP posts:
PeppyLemonPombear · 03/03/2025 20:09

2025willbemytime · 03/03/2025 20:06

You have two choices.

Rip the plaster off. Either tell him this isn't working so goodbye or ghost him.

Carry on as you are right now and feel even worse when you realise he's doing the slow fade.

The slow fade, I remember it well.

Much better to rip that plaster off in my experience. No good will come from hanging on.

LetGoLetThem1234 · 03/03/2025 20:11

purpletrainline · 03/03/2025 20:08

If I block him now, will he get a notification? Or will his texts just not deliver? And if or when he tries to call, it won’t ring?

Why should you care?

NotTheDebtDoctorWithTheHungryScalpel · 03/03/2025 20:11

purpletrainline · 03/03/2025 20:08

If I block him now, will he get a notification? Or will his texts just not deliver? And if or when he tries to call, it won’t ring?

He won't get notified, the text just won't deliver. You can see if he's tried to call in your call log, but your phone won't ring.

Remember to block on social media and WhatsApp too.

OldChairMan · 03/03/2025 20:11

He wanted me to meet his children aged 16 and 18 and I did.

That was a massive red flag. He should have been more level-headed and protective of his children's stability, not involving them in his dating life.

Exactly how long had you known him at this point?