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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Should I leave for an ex?

40 replies

Inloveorinlust · 03/04/2025 15:44

I am in contact with my ex, let’s call him Mario, a few times a year.

We meet up and have lunch/go for a walk for a few hours. DP is aware.

We were together about 6 years ago for a few months. The sex was incredible, we both really fancy each other, have similar interests and values and had the best time. He saw a long term future, as did I.

At the time I was under the coercive control of an ex partner, Dave, who didn’t like me being in a new relationship. I felt duty-bound to try again with him. So I broke up with Mario.

I deeply regretted breaking up with Mario and when I was single again I contacted him. However, he was in a new relationship at this point and had been deeply hurt by our breakup, so concentrated on his new relationship.

Some time after this he contacted me to say he was single and the recent relationship was a big mistake.
However, I was living with my now DP, Bob, and said that I needed to concentrate on this relationship as I felt I couldn’t keep lurching from one relationship to another.

The relationship with Bob is very good in that we have a nice house, he looks after me financially and is very kind and generous and always goes out of his way to do small things to make me feel appreciated.

However, he’s not really interested in sex. Our sex life has diminished from not much in the first place, to almost nothing and it’s not passionate or exciting when we do it.
I’ve told him many times I’m unhappy with the lack of sex, but I also appreciate he shouldn’t do it if he doesn’t want to. However, I feel very lacking in that area.

Mario has made it clear he wants us to be together and regrets not taking his chance years ago.

Should I risk my comfortable life with a kind man for what could be a disaster, or a passionate happy ever after?

Mario and I are like teenagers together - butterflies, getting lost in each other’s eyes, I feel like my legs could go when I’m with him.

I’m 40’s with limited earning capacity and would have an extremely poor quality of life alone.

OP posts:
LillylollyAndy · 03/04/2025 15:46

Ok go on then

LaurieFairyCake · 03/04/2025 15:51

I’m more interested in why you’re in your 40’s and can’t support yourself? Are you sick ?
Youve made it sound as if you’re only with BOB for the money - poor Bob 🤷‍♀️

Are you hoping that Super Mario will support you? What’s his financial status?

toomuchfaff · 03/04/2025 15:51

If anything you should split up with Bob because he deserves better.

outerspacepotato · 03/04/2025 15:55

So is Mario going to support you?

Bob might be getting a lucky break here.

motelhotel · 03/04/2025 15:57

Poor Bob hope he finds someone really nice !

Shatteredallthetimelately · 03/04/2025 16:09

You seem to spend your time considering what your ex's think...

If Mario had of wanted to rekindle the relationship despite being deeply upset by the break up, surely he'd have left his DP of the time.

So all has changed and he's now single again and forgotten how deeply hurt he was.
Maybe Mario is now at a loose end and you can help him fill a gap.
Maybe it'll work as long as the sex stays good.

Bob really does deserve better.

OldCottageGreenhouse · 03/04/2025 16:12

LaurieFairyCake · 03/04/2025 15:51

I’m more interested in why you’re in your 40’s and can’t support yourself? Are you sick ?
Youve made it sound as if you’re only with BOB for the money - poor Bob 🤷‍♀️

Are you hoping that Super Mario will support you? What’s his financial status?

Video Games Nintendo GIF by GIPHY Gaming

Super Mario! 🤣👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

DoYouReally · 03/04/2025 16:18

So your trying to decide between money or sex.

You might hope Mario hasn't lost his spark in the bedroom or will do so in future die to age or illness or you'll be back to Bob again for the ££££!

Quitelikeit · 03/04/2025 17:05

What will you do when Mario gets old age ED 😂😂

You could just have an affair with Mario?

I mean you are already having an emotional affair!

ChickenBananas · 03/04/2025 21:15

Poor old bob.

EG94 · 03/04/2025 21:20

Wonder how long until Luigi catches your eye

eyesoncctv · 03/04/2025 21:34

Genuine question, of ALL the fake names you could have chosen - why Mario??

savethatkitty · 03/04/2025 21:42

Do it. Have the affair. You know you want to. You're probably going to do it anyway despite what anyone here says!

savuni27 · 03/04/2025 21:58

The grass isn’t always greener!! Whilst sex is important, Bob sounds like he has some wonderful qualities. What will keep you happy and fulfilled in your old age when maybe sex isn’t as much of a priority but kindness is?

Whilst only you know what you actually want to do - it isn’t ok to hurt Bob in order to get your needs met and whether you want to hear it or not, your current behaviour would probably be very upsetting for Bob if he found out.

AnneLovesGilbert · 03/04/2025 22:05

Why not ask Bob if he’ll keep paying for your lifestyle while you have sex with Mario? Win win.

Whatthewhatwhatwhat · 03/04/2025 22:05

This feeling of being swept away by Mario – even if you got together, it wouldn’t last for ever. That being said, you don’t sound very happy in your relationship.

Is this a pattern in your life – of always wanting what you don’t have? If so, have a think about it. Is this a self-destructive urge? Relationships aren’t exciting for ever. That’s life.

TheCountofMountingCrispBags · 03/04/2025 22:06

Methinks you have already decided and are looking for validation

ThinWomansBrain · 03/04/2025 22:13

Why not think about a career change?
Working in the sex industry you'd get lots of sex and earn money to support yourself.
Bob could find someone that actually likes and appreciates him.

CaptainFuture · 03/04/2025 22:16

Should I risk my comfortable life with a kind man for what could be a disaster, or a passionate happy ever after?
So not a shit given about your poor DP? Leave him and let him find someone who values him, who's not settling for a 'comfortable' life.

CaptainFuture · 03/04/2025 22:21

@Inloveorinlust would you be happy with your dp saying..
-well darling, you don't actually excited me or give me pleasure, I'm only with you for the comfortable lifestyle.. tell you what, my ex who I have great sexual chemistry with, am going to hang out with her LOTS!! Intimate lunches, walks, chats....you're down with that yea?!

Flamingoknees · 03/04/2025 22:25

Set Bob free.

Inloveorinlust · 03/04/2025 22:26

@Whatthewhatwhatwhat yes, it’s a pattern I follow.
Almost all my previous relationships I’ve cheated with someone unsuitable.

I don’t know why I’m always chasing the next thing rather than focusing on the now.
It’s a form of self-destruction in a way.

OP posts:
BallerinaRadio · 03/04/2025 22:28

eyesoncctv · 03/04/2025 21:34

Genuine question, of ALL the fake names you could have chosen - why Mario??

She clearly wants her pipes sorting

CaptainFuture · 03/04/2025 22:29

Inloveorinlust · 03/04/2025 22:26

@Whatthewhatwhatwhat yes, it’s a pattern I follow.
Almost all my previous relationships I’ve cheated with someone unsuitable.

I don’t know why I’m always chasing the next thing rather than focusing on the now.
It’s a form of self-destruction in a way.

Yay. Girl power 🤨 absolutely grim. But of course you doing that will be poor you... you shagging about will be the fault of men, but a guy fucking about on all his relationships is a abusive dick.

AnotherNaCha · 03/04/2025 22:30

Can I have Bob’s number please?

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