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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 But at soon as he started it made complete sense why was so withdrawn.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:
Zoec1975 · 04/03/2025 23:16

Some men are all for you and interested,then someone else comes along and they are no longer interested.maybe that is what is going on here.i would just block him now and move on.

Ilovecleaning · 04/03/2025 23:56

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.

I agree. And OP should stop messaging him.

CameltoeParkerBowles · 05/03/2025 09:11

Startinganew32 · 03/03/2025 20:11

Well it’s less about love hormones and more about the fact that your boyfriend is and always was a twat. Lots of red flags such as introducing his kids when you’d been together a matter of weeks. Insisting it would work out long distance and then changing his mind when it got a tiny bit difficult. He sounds like a total knob, he probably didn’t come off the dating site when you were seeing each other and chances are he’s found someone more convenient now so he is binning you off. Stop texting him that you miss him and how painful it is. Block him and move on and if he contacts you, tell him to go fuck himself.

I'm glad someone said this. It's not your hormones that are at fault, it's the fact that he was all over you, and then, because he gets bored easily, has moved on, citing the distance as the reason (the distance that he already knew about and didn't faze him before). I guess the only lesson you can take from this is not to go all-in straight away, and keep a lot in reserve. Easy to say, of course....

SnoopysHoose · 05/03/2025 10:31

Why is the man always to blame? reading OPs posts is a bit scary, she's incredibly full on and tbf a bit deluded, he's probably picked up on this and decided to end it.

SouthernTip · 05/03/2025 11:40

SnoopysHoose · 05/03/2025 10:31

Why is the man always to blame? reading OPs posts is a bit scary, she's incredibly full on and tbf a bit deluded, he's probably picked up on this and decided to end it.

Awful on here isn’t it. Loads of ‘red flags’ about the OP, but let’s blame the man.

This OP needs to take responsibility, this man didn’t develop this ‘relationship’ on his own!

Isthiswhatmenthink · 05/03/2025 12:01

Oof. This is intense.

Not sure why he’s a ‘little shit’ for stopping you being able to track his every move. You’re not dating and when you were, it was only for a few weeks. 😬

Hernameisdeborah · 05/03/2025 14:04

CameltoeParkerBowles · 05/03/2025 09:11

I'm glad someone said this. It's not your hormones that are at fault, it's the fact that he was all over you, and then, because he gets bored easily, has moved on, citing the distance as the reason (the distance that he already knew about and didn't faze him before). I guess the only lesson you can take from this is not to go all-in straight away, and keep a lot in reserve. Easy to say, of course....

Perhaps the reason wasn't boredom. It could just be that he was happy at first and willing to continue the relationship, but as the dates went on, he realised it wasn't going to work and wasn't as intensely into the 'relationship' as the OP was. It sounds to me also as if he tried to let the OP down gently by citing distance as the reason. I don't think it sounds like he's done much wrong and I'm not sure why he's a "little shit" for not sharing his location any more.

SuddenFrisson · 05/03/2025 14:54

Hernameisdeborah · 05/03/2025 14:04

Perhaps the reason wasn't boredom. It could just be that he was happy at first and willing to continue the relationship, but as the dates went on, he realised it wasn't going to work and wasn't as intensely into the 'relationship' as the OP was. It sounds to me also as if he tried to let the OP down gently by citing distance as the reason. I don't think it sounds like he's done much wrong and I'm not sure why he's a "little shit" for not sharing his location any more.

I think that’s fair. I mean, I get that it’s brutal to be on the receiving end, but we’ve probably all been in a situation where we’ve been becoming aware that the other person is more into the relationship than we are. Add that to distance, which wouldn’t be an issue if both people were intensely into one another, and a child who is now not leaving home, and I think that’s what was going on.

FeetLikeFlippers · 05/03/2025 15:25

I’m sorry OP but the only way you’ll get over him is by going cold turkey and having no contact whatsoever. I have a tendency to get attached too quickly as well (damn those pesky hormones!) so I know how easy it is to get drawn back in even when your head is telling you not to. Just remember you deserve better xx

FinbarS · 05/03/2025 15:40

Bumble - The favoured choice of the love bomber.

Sit and wait for the messages and then move into action.

Furryfeline · 05/03/2025 19:59

Block, move on and don't fall for him breadcrumbingbyou to get sex again when he's bored. And play it cool with your next relationship, take it steady. If you do have sex be prepared for the fact that some arseholes men will consider job done and move on. This twat is indeed one of them.

Catpuss66 · 05/03/2025 20:00

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?

Called love bombing.

purpletrainline · 05/03/2025 20:26

Dandelionsarefree · 04/03/2025 19:39

Hi OP.
I am following you since yesterday and I saw
you got great advice so no need to add more of the same . I only wanted to say well done :)
I think you are doing great. I also think you deserve an intelligent, sensitive man, same as you.
I loved you opening post, your writting style is beautiful. You can describe feelings in a beautiful and insightful way.

Well done OP. You got this x

Thank you. I really appreciate your kind words. I think for me, the thing that was so terrible was that he was quite withdrawn when we watched a movie at the cinema on Saturday. Also Saturday morning. Something was off. I couldn’t put my finger on it. And in hindsight, he probably thought about it all day long, and he was kind of prepared by 3pm in what we was going to say to me. But I wasn’t. It was just a quick 5 minute max conversation in the kitchen, that we won’t see each other for the rest 10 days at least, that March is busy for us both, he kept looking at his calendar, and that I should have a think how it can work because he can’t. I was caught off guard. And then the very sudden cold messages later the evening, and then absolutely nothing. Such a sudden and quick nose dive down. Complete contrast to the daily calls and video calls every night.

I’m an expat and from where I’m from, we are much more direct about feelings. We talk about things much more upfront. And I didn’t think that I would have to ‘guess’ like this and sort of just ‘get’ the message by Sunday afternoon? The idea is ghosting is just strange to me.

I’m feeling better. No more tears but I’m still upset.

There are some really hurtful comments on here, which I’m going to choose to ignore. Lots of fantastic advice too. This is a public forum after all. There is no AI here. I copied and pasted bits of advice to my Notes app where I write.

I posted a flurry of posts Tuesday morning on the train. And I was just really shocked how quickly he moved on. We only added each other on the map for when we met up in London and it was much easier to find each other on the busy streets. There is nothing funny about that. When I saw that he disappeared from my app, I was worried that he blocked me first. Because I was still really in disbelief that he could move on so quick?? Just really hard to fathom.

I’ve been reading about the no contact rule and it all makes sense. There is a lot of good advice about it online. I’m still quite sad. I just miss him and the conversation we had and I’m disappointed the way things ended, so abruptly. Probably not that they ended but the way they ended wasn’t nice at all.

The good thing is that I see that women are incredibly upset at first in the no contact rule, but then seem to move on quickly. Whereas men enjoy their initial freedom but then struggle a lot longer to move on. And often come back, mostly for selfish reasons.

For anyone wondering why did he let me meet his parents. It wasn’t a proper planned meet. They were on their way with a trip with their dogs to an appointment the following morning, and they were there for 2 hours. But I agree, it was a complete non event for him. And it shouldn’t be. Meeting family is a big deal.

OP posts:
Laura95167 · 05/03/2025 20:45

purpletrainline · 05/03/2025 20:26

Thank you. I really appreciate your kind words. I think for me, the thing that was so terrible was that he was quite withdrawn when we watched a movie at the cinema on Saturday. Also Saturday morning. Something was off. I couldn’t put my finger on it. And in hindsight, he probably thought about it all day long, and he was kind of prepared by 3pm in what we was going to say to me. But I wasn’t. It was just a quick 5 minute max conversation in the kitchen, that we won’t see each other for the rest 10 days at least, that March is busy for us both, he kept looking at his calendar, and that I should have a think how it can work because he can’t. I was caught off guard. And then the very sudden cold messages later the evening, and then absolutely nothing. Such a sudden and quick nose dive down. Complete contrast to the daily calls and video calls every night.

I’m an expat and from where I’m from, we are much more direct about feelings. We talk about things much more upfront. And I didn’t think that I would have to ‘guess’ like this and sort of just ‘get’ the message by Sunday afternoon? The idea is ghosting is just strange to me.

I’m feeling better. No more tears but I’m still upset.

There are some really hurtful comments on here, which I’m going to choose to ignore. Lots of fantastic advice too. This is a public forum after all. There is no AI here. I copied and pasted bits of advice to my Notes app where I write.

I posted a flurry of posts Tuesday morning on the train. And I was just really shocked how quickly he moved on. We only added each other on the map for when we met up in London and it was much easier to find each other on the busy streets. There is nothing funny about that. When I saw that he disappeared from my app, I was worried that he blocked me first. Because I was still really in disbelief that he could move on so quick?? Just really hard to fathom.

I’ve been reading about the no contact rule and it all makes sense. There is a lot of good advice about it online. I’m still quite sad. I just miss him and the conversation we had and I’m disappointed the way things ended, so abruptly. Probably not that they ended but the way they ended wasn’t nice at all.

The good thing is that I see that women are incredibly upset at first in the no contact rule, but then seem to move on quickly. Whereas men enjoy their initial freedom but then struggle a lot longer to move on. And often come back, mostly for selfish reasons.

For anyone wondering why did he let me meet his parents. It wasn’t a proper planned meet. They were on their way with a trip with their dogs to an appointment the following morning, and they were there for 2 hours. But I agree, it was a complete non event for him. And it shouldn’t be. Meeting family is a big deal.

Just make sure during no contact you focus on you. Yes, he may come back but you want to avoid waiting. You defo don't deserve an emotional merry go round.

Good luck x

Lyannaa · 05/03/2025 20:52

Isthiswhatmenthink · 05/03/2025 12:01

Oof. This is intense.

Not sure why he’s a ‘little shit’ for stopping you being able to track his every move. You’re not dating and when you were, it was only for a few weeks. 😬

Easy for you to say when you weren't the one who was on the end of his daily phone calls, texts and video calls.

Narcissists insert themselves into your life and keep on and on reminding you that they are there so that when they suddenly disappear it really hurts.

LBFseBrom · 05/03/2025 21:01

You sound a lot better now, purpletrain, and the recovery will continue.

I'm sure he did care for you but when it came down to it, the distance was just too much.

You will both have learned from this experience.

Good luck next time and there will a next time but hopefully not in too much of a rush. x

Dandelionsarefree · 05/03/2025 22:34

purpletrainline · 05/03/2025 20:26

Thank you. I really appreciate your kind words. I think for me, the thing that was so terrible was that he was quite withdrawn when we watched a movie at the cinema on Saturday. Also Saturday morning. Something was off. I couldn’t put my finger on it. And in hindsight, he probably thought about it all day long, and he was kind of prepared by 3pm in what we was going to say to me. But I wasn’t. It was just a quick 5 minute max conversation in the kitchen, that we won’t see each other for the rest 10 days at least, that March is busy for us both, he kept looking at his calendar, and that I should have a think how it can work because he can’t. I was caught off guard. And then the very sudden cold messages later the evening, and then absolutely nothing. Such a sudden and quick nose dive down. Complete contrast to the daily calls and video calls every night.

I’m an expat and from where I’m from, we are much more direct about feelings. We talk about things much more upfront. And I didn’t think that I would have to ‘guess’ like this and sort of just ‘get’ the message by Sunday afternoon? The idea is ghosting is just strange to me.

I’m feeling better. No more tears but I’m still upset.

There are some really hurtful comments on here, which I’m going to choose to ignore. Lots of fantastic advice too. This is a public forum after all. There is no AI here. I copied and pasted bits of advice to my Notes app where I write.

I posted a flurry of posts Tuesday morning on the train. And I was just really shocked how quickly he moved on. We only added each other on the map for when we met up in London and it was much easier to find each other on the busy streets. There is nothing funny about that. When I saw that he disappeared from my app, I was worried that he blocked me first. Because I was still really in disbelief that he could move on so quick?? Just really hard to fathom.

I’ve been reading about the no contact rule and it all makes sense. There is a lot of good advice about it online. I’m still quite sad. I just miss him and the conversation we had and I’m disappointed the way things ended, so abruptly. Probably not that they ended but the way they ended wasn’t nice at all.

The good thing is that I see that women are incredibly upset at first in the no contact rule, but then seem to move on quickly. Whereas men enjoy their initial freedom but then struggle a lot longer to move on. And often come back, mostly for selfish reasons.

For anyone wondering why did he let me meet his parents. It wasn’t a proper planned meet. They were on their way with a trip with their dogs to an appointment the following morning, and they were there for 2 hours. But I agree, it was a complete non event for him. And it shouldn’t be. Meeting family is a big deal.

Your post didn't sound AI to me at all :) Because when I read it, it made me go back to a very similar situation a long time ago, before I had my children or even met my husband.
I had very similar relationship to the one you described, all very intense from the start, someone who seemed perfect, moving things along pretty quickly, all like in a fairytale...to all of a sudden in a particular day, turned completly cold, withdrawn. And you have no idea what happened o why it happened, its so so quick. He had a very similar talk with me. And just like that, he was gone.

It was very painful, exactly as you described, but as time went by I did moved on...and guess what he did? He tried to come back a few months after that. And he was not happy to know i didnt want to see him again!

So people like that act by impulse. They want the novelty, move onto the next person, and they don't hesitate to come back to you if they get bored with whoever they are.

So good riddance! It's him, not you OP x

Buzzingabout · 05/03/2025 23:08

Painful to get over this. Lesson learned slow it down next time. Sounds as if he has someone else closer. May have been continuing to text others on dating sites. However seems to have cooled when seeing your place. Is it bigger than his? Or did he think you were richer or poorer or are you a bit messy and untidy compared to him? If the latter and he is a bit ocd then it could be that. Do you have smelly pets for example??!!! It seems to have cooled after he visited your place. Do not mean to offend. I am messy and untidy!

Hairyesterdaygonetoday · 05/03/2025 23:54

I feel for you, OP. He sounds like a man I went out with many years ago, who lovebombed me for 6 weeks and then went cold. Not a long-distance relationship, but I think it’s the same behaviour as your man. In which case the 100 miles may be irrelevant, and he’d have done the same thing for, supposedly, a different reason.

Suddenly he found fault with everything I did, while claiming that I was rejecting him. I adored him and was distraught trying to convince him I wasn’t deliberately offending him.

That was long before I’d ever heard of lovebombing or gaslighting.

After I gave up on him, I heard from friends that he had a history of treating women that way. I was living abroad, so I think he spotted that I was vulnerable— though tbh I have no idea whether he played out that scenario deliberately, time and again, or was just too self-centred to see he was causing the problem.

Despite being abusively rude to me after I’d sadly left him, he phoned me a few weeks later chatting as if nothing had happened. I just said I was too busy to talk or see him.

I hope you soon meet someone better xx

CameltoeParkerBowles · 06/03/2025 08:33

Hernameisdeborah · 05/03/2025 14:04

Perhaps the reason wasn't boredom. It could just be that he was happy at first and willing to continue the relationship, but as the dates went on, he realised it wasn't going to work and wasn't as intensely into the 'relationship' as the OP was. It sounds to me also as if he tried to let the OP down gently by citing distance as the reason. I don't think it sounds like he's done much wrong and I'm not sure why he's a "little shit" for not sharing his location any more.

No, of course. No-one would continue to share their location with someone with whom they're no longer in a relationship.

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