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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

BF didn’t text me happy new year..

185 replies

mixednuts7 · 01/01/2026 04:45

Will try to keep this short. Been with a guy for 16/17 months.. going really well, we are very close emotionally normally, in love, shared lots with each other. Physical side of relationship is incredible, both in our 40s, divorced with kids. We are safe spaces for each other. We see each other every other weekend and a couple times throughout the week, always at least once, and always text constantly throughout the day.

He’s been having a few mental health issues lately that I’ve been very supportive with, going to his place more rather than he comes to me etc as he struggles at times with anxiety. We couldn’t be together on nye as he was going out locally with friends (I was invited) but I had my kids at home. He was let down by his mates re evening arrangements and was upset earlier in the evening, understandably so, so I talked with him about it to be supportive. He has avoidant tendencies so tends to shut down a bit when he feels like he’s struggling, so I offered help/chat and company, but he said no and that he was just going to bed. I was alone at my house with the kids, who were floating about, but online gaming with friends so I was feeling lonely too; it’s been a rough year for the three of us since divorcing my abusive ex. I asked to ring him but he declined saying his head wasn’t in the right space and that he’d prob just go to bed.

Later in the evening BF texts me to say he’s going out afterall. I texted to say I’d like to speak to him before the new year hit to say hi but he said it was too loud at the venue. Ok fine. I wasn’t going to ask him to call yet again though, or else it looked like I was being needy. I was feeling lonely though and struggling with it a little. Anyway.. midnight came. No text, no call, nothing. Until 3am when I got a message just saying “HNY. Sorry. “

I’ve been upset. Feels like I’m just an afterthought, when our relationship has always been close. We’ve both been badly hurt by narc cheating exes and align on so many values and morals. Yes he struggles with anxiety and hates speaking on the phone, always has. But it takes nothing to send a text.

A male friend said he was just busy anmd drinking with mates and that it probably slipped his mind and that I shouldn’t react strongly. His wife said sod that, he should have texted and I need to reevaluate.

What are your guys opinions? What would you do? Big deal or not a big deal?

I’m upset and dont want to speak to him tomorrow morning. I have written a text reply telling him why I feel gutted but haven’t sent it yet. Aibu?

OP posts:
BoredZelda · 01/01/2026 11:17

mixednuts7 · 01/01/2026 07:17

Thanks. This is one of the few messages on this thread who seem to get the situation. It wasn’t about the text, it was more about him knowing I was struggling for once and doing nothing to reach out. It wasn’t a teenage drama. The stuff I’ve helped him through this year has certainly not been lightweight and the shit I came through to get out of my marriage certainly doesn’t make me fragile. But agree I maybe need to reassess my role in the relationship.

If it wasn’t about the text, why make your post all about the text?

Anyahyacinth · 01/01/2026 11:18

So much unkindness on this thread. To want to be thought of at NYE is a perfectly reasonable wish. It’s not a big ask to be considered by someone you have been close too.

I felt the 3am text was strange. The smart thing would be to absorb the message about where you are placed in his priorities …make great plans for yourself and save your kindness for you 🌅

mixednuts7 · 01/01/2026 11:19

BoredZelda · 01/01/2026 11:17

If it wasn’t about the text, why make your post all about the text?

Yeah I texted it when I was feeling too emotional and it came across about the wrong thing. My real Q/issue was probably not one for the AIBU boards and wasn’t really about nye. I think the lack of nye was just the trigger in something that’s probably been building and bottling up for a while.

OP posts:
LarryUnderwood · 01/01/2026 11:19

OP, kindly I would suggest you evaluate what you get from this relationship. A lot of women who escape abusive relationships seem to fall quickly into dating someone 'nice', who actually isn't that great and doesn't bring much to the table. Is your BF actually a great partner who will work with you to make both your lives better, or is he just nicer than your ex husband because he's not abusive? Think hard about what bar you want to set for yourself and your kids.

Duckswaddle · 01/01/2026 11:20

Honestly I couldn’t deal with such an intense coaching relationship with someone in their 40s. You’ve been through a lot too - concentrate on yourself and your children. He’s not your problem to fix

Lemondessert · 01/01/2026 11:20

This isn’t about the message is it. It’s about his needs coming before yours. I wonder why you had to ask him if you could call? I would have just rang. He wasn’t showing you care when you needed it but it seems you are expected to show him.

EdithBond · 01/01/2026 11:22

mixednuts7 · 01/01/2026 07:17

Thanks. This is one of the few messages on this thread who seem to get the situation. It wasn’t about the text, it was more about him knowing I was struggling for once and doing nothing to reach out. It wasn’t a teenage drama. The stuff I’ve helped him through this year has certainly not been lightweight and the shit I came through to get out of my marriage certainly doesn’t make me fragile. But agree I maybe need to reassess my role in the relationship.

I totally get it, OP.

I think it helps to view it as you would a friendship. If you’d given a lot of support to a friend throughout the year, despite your own problems, and they knew you were feeling lonely on NYE, a thoughtful friend would message or call.

Kindly (I’m a lone parent who spent NYE alone), it sounds like you should invest more in friendships for mutual support and less in this fella who’s clearly struggling himself and isn’t particularly thinking of you.

Focussing on friends for mutual support takes pressure off romantic relationships. And means the stakes are lower if you decide to end the relationship.

MissDoubleU · 01/01/2026 11:23

He outs himself first. Thats the bottom line. When he’s sad he needs you to exhaust yourself putting everything into fixing him - when he has a better option, like going out with friends, you become an afterthought. If he can’t be arsed then he gets to say he’s having a hard time and needs to be alone and you have to respect that because of his MH. But your MH isn’t a consideration.

Leave this one in 2025. Stop begging for crumbs when you’re busy slaving over meat and gravy for him.

shhblackbag · 01/01/2026 11:27

Ponoka7 · 01/01/2026 10:47

Relationships aren't supposed to be group therapy. Neither of you are in a place were you should be in intense relationships. Work on yourself and find ways to have fun. Don't be anyone's trauma dumping ground.

Agree. Start this year as you mean to go on.

Anywherebuthere · 01/01/2026 11:27

You sound quite immature and needy for someone in their 40s.

No one has to message on the dot. I've only just replied to some of my messages this morning as I was busy and tired before. Its just another day/year.

It would be silly to read anything into it.

mixednuts7 · 01/01/2026 11:28

Anywherebuthere · 01/01/2026 11:27

You sound quite immature and needy for someone in their 40s.

No one has to message on the dot. I've only just replied to some of my messages this morning as I was busy and tired before. Its just another day/year.

It would be silly to read anything into it.

If you read the rest of the posts you’ll see it wasn’t actually about the text.

OP posts:
mixednuts7 · 01/01/2026 11:30

EdithBond · 01/01/2026 11:22

I totally get it, OP.

I think it helps to view it as you would a friendship. If you’d given a lot of support to a friend throughout the year, despite your own problems, and they knew you were feeling lonely on NYE, a thoughtful friend would message or call.

Kindly (I’m a lone parent who spent NYE alone), it sounds like you should invest more in friendships for mutual support and less in this fella who’s clearly struggling himself and isn’t particularly thinking of you.

Focussing on friends for mutual support takes pressure off romantic relationships. And means the stakes are lower if you decide to end the relationship.

I think this approach needs to become my 2026 resolution. Thanks for understanding where I was coming from

OP posts:
crumbssonmyface · 01/01/2026 11:30

OP - the comments on this thread are insane. It’s not too much to ask for a new years text from your partner. Not sure why people are saying it’s needy and too much. Absolutely low effort

mondaytosunday · 01/01/2026 11:32

Wouldn’t bother me at all. He was out hopefully enjoying himself. Let it go - insisting he text you and being so upset he didn’t seems a bit clingy and immature for someone in their 40s!

Tinsles · 01/01/2026 11:33

OP, you are just out of a brutal relationship and are now emotionally caught up with a man with mental health problems.
You are giving and he is taking.

This is not a good relationship for you.
You need to be focused on yourself and your children.
Getting yourself strong on your own and healing.
Not providing emotional support for another man.

Quitelikeit · 01/01/2026 11:41

It is absolutely ok to feel let down by him!

Guess what though men can be so selfish and especially some people who struggle with MH issues - they can’t see past themselves and their own wants/needs!

In your shoes I would let him know that you feel let down by his thoughtless behaviour!

It’s important you do this to establish boundaries going forward

Mama1028 · 01/01/2026 11:43

Anywherebuthere · 01/01/2026 11:27

You sound quite immature and needy for someone in their 40s.

No one has to message on the dot. I've only just replied to some of my messages this morning as I was busy and tired before. Its just another day/year.

It would be silly to read anything into it.

That is a bit nasty. Have you read the whole thread? Did it make you feel good making such a mean comment?

mixednuts7 · 01/01/2026 11:44

Quitelikeit · 01/01/2026 11:41

It is absolutely ok to feel let down by him!

Guess what though men can be so selfish and especially some people who struggle with MH issues - they can’t see past themselves and their own wants/needs!

In your shoes I would let him know that you feel let down by his thoughtless behaviour!

It’s important you do this to establish boundaries going forward

Thank you. I think my biggest thing of my marriage was that I quickly learned how dangerous it could be to set boundaries, so I conditioned myself just to get on with things for the sake of peace. I’ve done a heck of a lot of work on this over the last 2-3 years but clearly still more needed!

OP posts:
AnneLovesGilbert · 01/01/2026 11:49

There’s so much therapy speak in your posts, everything is triggering and avoidant and narc. It’s covering up the obvious issue, in non-therapy twaddle, that he’s selfish and not as into you as you are into him.

Call it what it is without all the unnecessary wording and you feel your boyfriend has other priorities and it’s hurt your feelings.

That’s rubbish for you and best addressed by dumping him and making sure if you decide to date again you find a fully formed adult who’s dealt with his issues before meeting someone and you relate to each other as equals for fun, laugher, companionship etc.

It honestly isn’t meant to be this complicated and difficult.

MrsDoubtingMyself · 01/01/2026 11:50

mixednuts7 · 01/01/2026 11:19

Yeah I texted it when I was feeling too emotional and it came across about the wrong thing. My real Q/issue was probably not one for the AIBU boards and wasn’t really about nye. I think the lack of nye was just the trigger in something that’s probably been building and bottling up for a while.

Exactly right! We often focus on a small thing because sometimes the bigger problem can be difficult to express

TwistedWonder · 01/01/2026 11:53

mixednuts7 · 01/01/2026 11:44

Thank you. I think my biggest thing of my marriage was that I quickly learned how dangerous it could be to set boundaries, so I conditioned myself just to get on with things for the sake of peace. I’ve done a heck of a lot of work on this over the last 2-3 years but clearly still more needed!

Its absolutely not dangerous to set boundaries, it’s essential for any relationship.

You should never just accept poor behaviour just to keep the peace - once you do that, you’re prioritising everyone else above yourself.

Alwaysalert · 01/01/2026 11:56

PollyPlumPeach · 01/01/2026 08:37

You are being childish, and as other posters have said, you sound like a teenager rather than a woman in her 40s

Nast comment, OP did not ask if she was "childish". Totally unnecessary - you feeling better now mean girl?

RampantIvy · 01/01/2026 11:58

Anywherebuthere · 01/01/2026 11:27

You sound quite immature and needy for someone in their 40s.

No one has to message on the dot. I've only just replied to some of my messages this morning as I was busy and tired before. Its just another day/year.

It would be silly to read anything into it.

And you sound mean and spiteful. @mixednuts7 posted on here for support. There was no need for this Hmm

InMyOodie · 01/01/2026 11:59

I wouldn't be bothered over a NY text or not but you don't seem to be getting a lot out of the relationship.

Sometimes I suspect a few men use poor mental health as a get out of jail free card for poor behaviour or always putting themselves first.

swingingbytheseat · 01/01/2026 11:59

I wouldn’t worry about it, NYE isn’t a big deal to many people