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Divorce/separation

Here you'll find divorce help and support from other Mners. For legal advice, you may find Advice Now guides useful.

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A new thread for those struggling with separation

990 replies

harlemriver · 28/06/2023 09:03

I wanted to start a new thread for those of us who are struggling to come to terms with separation/divorce, and to separate this from my personal thread (which was getting a bit outing)

maybe we can share stories and struggles here - paging @pinkrabbits39 @helpots @camedowntothewire @cakeoverexercise @couldihavethatinenglishplease @implodedlife

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6
supiciousminds · 12/12/2023 12:22

Thanks for the warm welcome. Does anyone have any tips how to manage the physical drain of separation/divorce?
I feel like I can't catch a break, trying to look after DC, demanding job and Christmas. I've also discovered DH is back with OW and talking about going away with her for Christmas. I just feel in shock with how much my life has changed Confused

Itisallgoingtobeok · 12/12/2023 16:07

Hello everyone. How is everyone doing? I'm struggling through. My health has taken a nose dive and I have discovered my blood pressure is sky high. Not that surprising I suppose. I am coming up to a year now and H is still worming his way into my life with texts saying hello and wishing me good night. He has no respect for my boundaries at all.

Everyone sounds as though they are having a rough ride up to Christmas, again not that surprising given what we are all going through.

I have hope that 2024 will be better for all of us.

Hugs to all.

HappyasLarrynot · 12/12/2023 19:48

@Itisallgoingtobeok can you block him on text? Just block him and then when you feel you are up to messages you can unblock x

Itisallgoingtobeok · 12/12/2023 20:58

I have tried that, but when I do he turns up at my house because he hasn't heard from me. He is extremely controlling and I'm trying to get through the divorce as smoothly as I can. Once that is done I will probably need to take out an injunction...

HappyasLarrynot · 12/12/2023 23:22

Struggling tonight. I’m packing up the twat’s stuff and he is out shagging her. Taxi receipt showed where he is. He has no fcuking cares in the world and I am left packing his stuff and shoving it in the garage because I can’t stand to see it. They won’t last and I know that but him going to her house and not a hotel is a bit too much tonight. I don’t want him back, I don’t want to see him ever again, but he has left a trail of destruction yet I am sobbing. Why do they do this??

cakeoverexercise · 12/12/2023 23:45

@HappyasLarrynot I'm so sorry. What an absolute arsehole. The injustice of it is so infuriating, and what's worse is there's nowhere for your anger to go because you know he doesn't care. I feel your pain. I too am left with packing up exH's things, for slightly different reasons, but I understand the depth of frustration and anger it makes you feel. Just bide your time and know that you ARE much better off without him and WILL be much happier in the future. Big hugs x

Itisallgoingtobeok · 13/12/2023 09:26

@HappyasLarrynot - I'm really sorry you are going through this. He's really putting you through the wringer. I don't have much advice but keep going, things will get better each step forward you take.

The insomnia has hit me now, every night about 1am I wake and that's it for the rest of the night. I'm getting through a lot of podcasts. Has anyone used the Calm app to help?

Hugs to all.

HappyasLarrynot · 14/12/2023 00:48

@cakeoverexercise you couldn’t make it up! Had a friend get in touch to let me know he’d announced our split on social media …. conveniently omitting the cheating part 😂

HappyasLarrynot · 14/12/2023 00:49

@Itisallgoingtobeok have you tried brown noise? A friend recommended it and it really works for me.

cakeoverexercise · 14/12/2023 07:39

@HappyasLarrynot That is a very low blow. I'm so sorry he's treating you with such little respect and humiliating you publicly like that. 😡That's the kind of thing that makes all my vows to 'be the bigger person' etc disappear. I hope karma gives it back to him in spades. Stay strong and don't let it get to you. Big hugs x

Itisallgoingtobeok · 16/12/2023 12:28

HappyasLarrynot · 14/12/2023 00:49

@Itisallgoingtobeok have you tried brown noise? A friend recommended it and it really works for me.

That's. Great idea, I will try tonight. I'm very low today. I've been crying for hours and now have a terrible headache. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
Hugs to all.

HappyasLarrynot · 16/12/2023 17:28

@Itisallgoingtobeok oh no! Anything in particular that’s triggered you?

Itisallgoingtobeok · 16/12/2023 18:26

HappyasLarrynot · 16/12/2023 17:28

@Itisallgoingtobeok oh no! Anything in particular that’s triggered you?

@HappyasLarrynot - This time of year is the anniversary of the first attack on me by H. I thought I would be OK, but as clearly I'm not. I just keep replaying it in my head. I was so frightened, but it was also the point that I knew I had to leave. I suspect I am going to struggle on and off until the Christmas period is over. It is just a constant reminder of what happened.

GBM123 · 17/12/2023 18:36

Hello, this is the first time posting on this group.

last weekend my husband starting crying whilst watching the television, said he didn’t feel fulfilled with his life. It panicked me and I was really upset, so the next day (Monday which was also our 2 year wedding anniversary, been together for 11 years since I was 17) I left work early as I was so upset thinking he didn’t want to be with me. I told him and he reassured me that wasn’t the case and that he loves me and wants to spend the rest of our lives together. He didn’t leave work early himself and then proceeded to go to football after work, which I think was insensitive given how upset I was and that it was our anniversary.

fast forward to Friday night and I pick him up from his works Christmas party at midnight, he gets in the car and says he’s kissed his work colleague. I said get out the car and left him there. He was crying and apologising. I have him on find my friends and saw he got in a taxi and was on his was home, then midway the taxi turned around and went to the hotel the woman he works with was staying at. He claims nothing happened he just needed somewhere to stay as he couldn’t focus and was in a state, I believe him as he has been overly honest about everything else so surely there’s no reason to lie?

he said he thinks he has feelings this woman and that they had been speaking at work and had development emotional feelings for one another and talked about what life would be like if they both were not in a relationship. He said on Monday (our anniversary) he tried to squash it, but clearly not as he then kissed her at the party.

he has a history of mental health which is due to his line of work, and this isn’t the first time something like this has happened. He cheated on me when I was 19, and thought he had feelings for another woman at work a few years ago.

I told him the relationship is over but it’s so hard. To be honest he just keeps saying he doesn’t know what he wants and he’s a dark troubled person that can’t promise it won’t happen again because he doesn’t know what made him do it in the first place. He said he could grovel and try to work on things but that I deserve better and he can’t put me through this again. Although I know I should be strong and that realistically the relationship is done, I’m gutted he won’t fight for me.

he’s very up and down, one minute wants to work on things, the next he doesn’t know what he wants.

he’s all I’ve ever known and we’ve grown up together, I’m heartbroken.

we had a very happy relationship which he also admits, so I don’t know what is wrong with him, why is it not enough?

I can’t see a light at the end of the tunnel, how can I get through this?

i should add we don’t have children, we’ve had fertility issues for the last 2 years since we’ve been married, which makes things harder.

I don’t feel like I have the strength to deal with what’s to come, I don’t want to start over again, I just want a normal happy relationship, is that too much to ask.

sorry for the long post

Didsomeonesaydogs · 17/12/2023 18:40

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

GBM123 · 17/12/2023 18:46

Thank you I will do.

Didsomeonesaydogs · 17/12/2023 18:47

@GBM123 I’m so sorry I thought I was on another thread. Please ignore my previous comment

HappyasLarrynot · 17/12/2023 21:59

@Itisallgoingtobeok oh I’m so sorry - I don’t have any wise words except to just go with whatever emotions come your way. I don’t know if you have access to any counselling? Take each day, hour, minute as it comes. You’re welcome to DM me if that would help x

Iamnotapotato · 19/12/2023 22:37

I’m feeling really sad today. We’ve been nesting for the last few months in the family home but today he’s finally moved into his new house. All his things have gone now so his wardrobe and drawers are empty and I just feel so sad & teary. The worst thing (for me anyway) is that the only thing he’s left is the photo of me that used to sit on his bedside table.

It’s been two years since he told me he didn’t love me anymore but I so wanted to make it work but he obviously didn’t. We were happy once and I still can’t believe we’re no longer together.

i’d like to skip to the part where it doesn’t hurt please. I know that now he’s moved out properly I can start to heal and move on but I really wish I didn’t have to.

HappyasLarrynot · 19/12/2023 23:00

@Iamnotapotato sending a huge hug. I cleared out my ex’s stuff last week and it’s only been a month since I found out what he was up to so I really do feel for you.
I also get the bit about it wanting to stop hurting - you just want a fast forward button to the end of the hurting bit and to knowing it gets better. And it will, one day at a time. It won’t feel like it and I’m only 3 weeks in to him having gone to stay with his brother, but it is easier. We are selling the family home but I’ve still bought some new bedding and moved some furniture around so it’s not quite the same as when he was here.
But in the meantime it’s horrible and difficult to find anything good or nice about it all. But small steps, go with your grief and hurt and anger and the better bits really will get bigger and longer x

Iamnotapotato · 20/12/2023 11:23

Thank you @HappyasLarrynot I thought I was doing ok but I just feel really emotional at the moment. It doesn’t feel like my life if that makes sense. I know it’ll get better but good grief it’s blooming awful right now.

HappyasLarrynot · 20/12/2023 17:11

I get you about it not feeling like your life - I keep saying that as well. Sending a hug x

Itisallgoingtobeok · 20/12/2023 17:30

HappyasLarrynot · 17/12/2023 21:59

@Itisallgoingtobeok oh I’m so sorry - I don’t have any wise words except to just go with whatever emotions come your way. I don’t know if you have access to any counselling? Take each day, hour, minute as it comes. You’re welcome to DM me if that would help x

@HappyasLarrynot I am having counselling, but it is slow progress. I know it will get better in time, but like someone else earlier in the thread says, I wish I could fast forward to when I am feeling better.

I am overwhelmed by anger for what he did, but also overwhelmed by a future that just looks empty and lonely. I have lovely friends, but I miss having that loving relationship, sharing a home with someone that you love. I know leaving was right, but it doesn't make it hurt any the less. After what he did I don't see how I will ever manage to have an intimate relationship with anyone again.

Sorry, I have rambled on. How are you doing?

Hugs to all.

Ginerous · 20/12/2023 18:11

@Itisallgoingtobeok i feel the same. I have good friends and family but I miss being in a relationship and having a partner. I worry about the future too, I don’t want to be single forever but can’t imagine dating, especially after the horror stories I read here. This time of year is definitely hard.

Iamnotapotato · 20/12/2023 18:56

@Itisallgoingtobeok & @Ginerous I feel exactly the same. I miss being part of a couple and having someone to chat with after the kids have gone to bed. But the thought of dating, starting anew is terrifying and not something I’m in a rush to do.