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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.

Separated, now what.

7 replies

KarateSchnitzel · 01/02/2024 15:16

Been with DH 14 years, married for 5. Relationship has always been volatile. Things have gotten progressively worse which resulted in me asking him to leave and he's now staying at his DMs. I've basically gone NC for the last few weeks other than important issues to sort bills etc.

I've told him I'm happy to sit down and discuss moving forwards at some point but I'm not sure what the future holds. I basically need time to get my head straight and work out what I want.

So not to drip feed, DH is very difficult to deal with. He has anger issues, can be quite controlling, manipulative and verging on emotionally abusive.

We have no DCs together and our own DCs are now late teens. They're aware of what is going on and we are managing it well, both seeing them separately to maintain relationships.

I'm not sure what I want going forward. Life at home is so much more relaxed. My anxiety levels are better, I'm more productive and I'm generally happier. I do miss him but not enough to have DH move back in.

That being said, I'm not sure I'm ready to call it a day. We have previously discussed counselling and I'm willing to try with an open mind that the outcome could go either way. DH isn't pressuring me to talk, he's been good about giving me space.

I feel like everything is hanging over me waiting on a decision. So my question is, should I arrange to meet up with him to basically tell him my thoughts on how I feel? Maybe suggest going to counselling. Or do I leave it for a bit longer to see how i feel later down the line?

A part of me just wants to call it quits completely but then the other part feels like our relationship deserves a bit more work. We get on great when we're doing OK, but the lows are just soul destroying.

He's been gone nearly three weeks now BTW.

Thanks, sorry if that was long.

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 01/02/2024 16:08

Controlling, manipulative and emotionally abusive aren’t great points for being a husband. Sounds like you’re better off without him.

KarateSchnitzel · 01/02/2024 16:11

Thanks for responding. No I certainly agree. I think his issues stem from his own insecurities and he has said he will get therapy for this. So I wonder if I should meet him for chat and see if he has actually made any progress with this during the time we have been apart.

OP posts:
MinervatheGreat · 01/02/2024 16:14

Deep breaths and take your time.
What's the rush?
Why is it always women that seek out solutions/counselling et al?

Give yourself permission to hang fire. He’s not going anywhere and given time you might quite enjoy the peace.

Finally, leopards don’t change their spots. Believe me, this I know from bitter experience.

KarateSchnitzel · 01/02/2024 16:39

Thanks for your input, that's really helpful. I suppose there is no rush. DH is being accommodating with space etc. He said he's ready to talk when I am so I'm probably just worrying because the ball is in my court. Think I'll take a bit more time to see how things are at home without him.

OP posts:
averythinline · 01/02/2024 17:09

3 weeks is no time at all after a 14yr relationship maybe mentally give yourself a review point at 2 months unless there is a specific need to do sooner?? If not longer...

Iamnotawinp · 01/02/2024 17:11

Has he said what he wants? Does he want to stay together or do you feel it is all at your instigation?

Perhaps you should both have private therapy. You to help you unpick what you want, him perhaps to see if he can deal with his own insecurities which you imply are the cause of his difficult behaviour.

You say he is living at his DMs. If you think he is happy to continue to do this for a while, then yes you don’t have to rush things. However he could easily get fed up and either want to return or decide to make it permanent and want to finance his own place.

I had a similar husband and I know I just don’t want to be with him anymore, or even see him.

Can you envisage having a relationship with him where you don’t live together anymore. This is a situation many people find works for them.

You say you have been three weeks no contact. I think you should meet up even if you say you just want to check in with him. This may be your opportunity to find out what his views are. You are not beholden to give him a decision yet, but he may have something to say that affects your decision.

KarateSchnitzel · 01/02/2024 18:25

All these responses are really helpful, thanks all.

He definitely wants to stay together. I suppose the rush to make a decision comes from the fact he's staying at his DMs and its not an ideal situation for him. I think if I was to end things completely he would begin making plans to get his own place so I feel bad he's kind of waiting on me. Although he isn't putting any pressure on me at all.

I'm thinking you might be right. Maybe meet up, tell him beforehand it's just a check in and no decisions have been made and see how I feel after seeing and speaking to him.

I do see myself staying married to him but its got to be different than before. My mental health can't cope with how things have been so I need to see that we have a plan to work at the relationship rather than just falling back into bad habits.

I'm not sure he would be happy living apart for long term. But I haven't spoken to him about it so I don't really know.

Therapy individually is a good idea too.

OP posts:
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