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AIBU?

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 But at soon as he started it made complete sense why was so withdrawn.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:
CandidRaven · 04/03/2025 12:36

Stop messaging him, it sounds like he only messages you when you're the one to make the first move and that isn't someone who is interested in you sadly, I can guarantee if you stop messaging him you will hear nothing from him, sounds like it's a none starter of a relationship and you're better off moving on

Tatemoderndrawyourown · 04/03/2025 13:12

OP, how many relationships have you been in?

2025willbemytime · 04/03/2025 13:16

purpletrainline · 04/03/2025 08:10

Writing things down is processing for me. Yes, I am an over-thinker like someone said on here.
And apologies if you are bored with my stories. Please scroll on if that’s the case.

And someone else made a comment about AI. There really is no AI. It’s me, journaling, blogging (private) and writing down thoughts.

Overthinking sounds negative when actually it is a positive as you're processing things so they can be let go.

SnoopysHoose · 04/03/2025 14:24

@ClearFruit
I don't think OP wants to listen to those saying she is being way OTT and dramatic, she wants her outrage validated over this very short fling with a random man, you'd think she's coming out of a 25 yr marriage the way she's carrying on.

TwoRobins · 04/03/2025 15:25

aCatCalledFawkes · 04/03/2025 08:39

Would it not be really unhealthy for you to keep sharing your locations? I do feel for you and I'm guessing the fact you were following each other maybe meant that you still felt close to each other or that you hadn't fallen out permanently but in reality there is no need for this. It's a bit of an overstep tbh.

He's actually done the decent thing here and isn't stalking you.

Edited

Why would he NOT stop sharing his location with you?

Anyway, on the plus side, sounds like the oxytocin has finally dissipated.

ClearFruit · 04/03/2025 15:29

SnoopysHoose · 04/03/2025 14:24

@ClearFruit
I don't think OP wants to listen to those saying she is being way OTT and dramatic, she wants her outrage validated over this very short fling with a random man, you'd think she's coming out of a 25 yr marriage the way she's carrying on.

Lucky escape for him, by the sounds of it.

HelpMeUnpickThis · 04/03/2025 16:07

@Hortus do you speak to people like this in real life? What a sanctimonious, empathy-lacking response.

You can make the points you made without being mean.

Lyannaa · 04/03/2025 16:10

HelpMeUnpickThis · 04/03/2025 16:07

@Hortus do you speak to people like this in real life? What a sanctimonious, empathy-lacking response.

You can make the points you made without being mean.

Mumsnet is now a place for people to put the boot in because they are lacking something. Sad really...

Op, you don't want to be sharing your location with him or anything else. Otherwise he'll stay in your head.

Honestly, as the weeks go by you will feel better but not if you ever let him back into your headspace (or bed).

TwoRobins · 04/03/2025 16:15

OP, I honestly think that in a few weeks or so at the most, this episode will have lost its intensity, and you'll feel light and optimistic again.

StarkleLittleTwink · 04/03/2025 18:10

Shut him off now. Be gentle on yourself for a while and then start looking for someone who ticks ALL the boxes. Someone I know had exactly the same thing happen to her. The bloke was never around when he should have been and I think he was probably married and playing away. Two months later he dumped her by text. There are arseholes out there who do this on dating sites.

OldChairMan · 04/03/2025 18:11

Lyannaa · 03/03/2025 20:42

It's reasonable for the op to think he was serious if he introduced his children to her.

Let's not be blaming people for taking someone on face value.

After five weeks? That just suggests he’s careless about even his own children’s emotions, not that he’s “serious” about a woman he just met.

Laura95167 · 04/03/2025 18:12

I think he perhaps love bombed you for the sex.

I think you have 2 choices. 1. Let this go, be kind to yourself time and distance will heal this. You're far enough away you can get the distance

  1. Be straight, say to him you both knew distance was difficult but you've missed him and can you meet up X? If he's wishy washy you need to ask straight up how he feels is it over?

Because you risk being breadcrumbed and love bombed.

My mam wouldn't say if he loves you you'll feel it if he doesn't you'll feel confused

sierramiller · 04/03/2025 18:15

Sorry but i think he used you for sex and a bit of fun

He sounds awful

Actually men do this a lot. It happened to me loads of times when i was single

Forget him and move on

MustWeDoThis · 04/03/2025 18:16

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! Get your head out of the clouds - You are not a virginal, teenage girl. This man has love bombed you, used you, manipulated you into thinking he wantes a relationship so he could be the one to end it instead of you ending it, like you mentioned at the start! He has exerted his control.

A massive fantasy built up in your head of this ideal partner who didn't actually exist. He is a c*nt....an old one at that.

Go and have some mindless sex on a girly night out. You deserve to be happy and to have fun without some toddler of a man attaching himself to you.

Ineke · 04/03/2025 18:58

I would not text or communicate in any way with him at all. He is not worth your time.

Bunny65 · 04/03/2025 19:01

Stop making contact, it will just make you feel worse and won't help at all. Yes oxytocin is a nightmare but in time it will fade. Your only hope is to ignore him, but if he does get in touch again you will hopefully not be so interested by then and will have a clearer head.

Nikki75 · 04/03/2025 19:10

Big hugs to you... the pain will ease in time you won't always feel like this.
Stop all contact with him try and fill your time with other interests . Xx

EasternStandard · 04/03/2025 19:12

Hope you're feeling a bit better.

He sounds problematic anyway given he introduced you to his teenage dc so quickly.

SantoriniSunrise · 04/03/2025 19:19

I also find it odd he introduced you to his elderly parents so quickly.

Why did he need to do that?

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

Carryingcarrying · 04/03/2025 20:36

SuddenFrisson · 04/03/2025 07:31

Or he changed his mind when he properly understood the distance, when he was looking at a particularly busy period, and when his child changed their mind about doing A-levels away from home? I don’t think there’s any point in demonising him on the off chance it makes the OP feel better. Yes, he should obviously have communicated better.

Yes I agree with you on reflection, especially after more of the posts OP has been writing . I wasn’t necessarily demonising him- but I think she should move on , he doesn’t want a relationship with her which Is clear so she needs to move on and give him less headspace.

Carryingcarrying · 04/03/2025 20:38

KitsyWitsy · 04/03/2025 08:33

All those bullet points definitely look like AI and extremely unhinged.

I assumed similar- like she’d copied and pasted every message into chat go to summarise but no one would do that so yeah it must be AI and not a real post! Especially with the location sharing stuff

Hortus · 04/03/2025 20:51

HelpMeUnpickThis · 04/03/2025 16:07

@Hortus do you speak to people like this in real life? What a sanctimonious, empathy-lacking response.

You can make the points you made without being mean.

I would do if necessary. I'd certainly do so if someone I knew was behaving like this after having a boyfriend for a few weeks. But fortunately all my friends and family, including my adult children when they were teenagers, have never reacted so disproportionately to such a minor life event. Be upset for a day or 2, fine, but this self-indulgent obsessive navel-gazing is ridiculous.

Lyannaa · 04/03/2025 21:30

After five weeks? That just suggests he’s careless about even his own children’s emotions, not that he’s “serious” about a woman he just met.

Oh of course. But until you have the benefit of hindsight you might trick yourself into thinking that he just likes you so much he knows you should meet his kids early.

Bigbobalady · 04/03/2025 21:52

Oh OP 😭 my heart goes out to you! You sound exactly like me, I always fall for someone hard and fast! Trust me, I’ve shared many similar experiences… this man is 100% NOT worth your time! Block him and move on, he sounds very flakey! Let go of anything that is not working as you will need to make room in your life for someone better and worthy of your affection… he’s already out there… you just haven’t met him yet! Don’t settle for second best, you deserve to happy and loved 🩷

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