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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.

Reassurance needed...leaving this week

39 replies

trailblazer42 · 21/10/2024 09:57

I'm not after advice as much as supportive reassurance as I'm leaving my husband this Friday and I'm terrified/excited/sad/happy/having feeling moments of calm/sheer panic.

I've posted situation details before, but 'nutshell' is that I fell out of loving my husband a while ago, and realistically we've never had the 'right' level of emotional intimacy and trust, a lot of our connection was based on a shared interest, and then children etc. We got together when I was 18 and he was 24, were engaged within weeks and bought a house and moved in together six months later. I'm now 42 and we have two children (nearly 16 and 18). So he's all I've ever known in relation to adult relationships.

He's always been one for sulking and what can only be described as tantrums. This came to a head in February when we fell out over decoration of my daughter's bedroom and he stormed out one night, then when he came back he refused to talk to me and my daughter for a month, just shutting himself away in the bedroom. I moved to sleeping downstairs to the lounge at this point and have stayed there.

After a month I was going away for the weekend for work and I wrote him a letter saying that I wanted us to separate. When I got back he was massively full of remorse etc and said he could change. He was so cut up I relented (he took week off work, didn't eat etc), but things didn't really improve between us and it all came to a head in July. We had arguments and discussions and I told him I didn't love him and that I wanted a divorce. The kids were aware of this (not my doing...) and he went back to sitting on the stairs crying, not eating, not talking etc. But we were due to go on a big family holiday shortly after this and I ended up caving and agreeing to give it another go. We went away and it was a bit stressful but the holiday was enjoyable.

However, I knew this wasn't sustainable and I did want to leave, but his arguments and the things that he has said, done and messaged me the previous two times have just made me feel so guilty and I've been so consious of falling back into just agreeing to stay that I decided I needed to physically move out. So I've got an Airbnb from tomorrow for two months and I am going on Friday. He doesn't know so it will be a shock, but I've timed it so it is half term and he will have the week off (he's a teacher) and have spoken with the children (daughter coming with me but will be with dad half the week, son can be flexible).

I have no plan for after the rental comes to an end so may well be moving back home but I just feel like I need to get over the actual leaving part first before I can make new plans. Am I completely insane to be doing this?! I have been in weekly counselling since April and am trying to get my head around this all but as it gets closer I am just doubting myself.

OP posts:
fasaglo · 21/10/2024 13:23

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

40andtryingtoimprove · 21/10/2024 14:38

Maybe you could phrase it as “having some time to yourself to think”

so you stay in the air bnb for 2 months while deciding what you want.

i think it’s kinder to tell him that, and also for you it gets you out, which I think might me what you really want but are finding it difficult.

PizzaByTheSlice · 21/10/2024 14:40

I don't think you're being insane at all. Because of the ages of your children - you can go and get a AirBnb by yourself and if they chose to come with you - then great. One of them is an adult so you don't need anyone's consent. And the 16 year old - she can decide. Dad doesn't get to 'keep' her i'm afraid - she can stay with who she wants.

What would be insane is pretending there is any hope in this relationship & expecting your kids to live in this enviroment any longer - with grown adult men crying on the stairs, refusing to eat, and sulking for weeks at a time.

Go live in your Airbnb - make sure the kids know how welcome they are there and that they musn't feel guilty either way - they want to stay in the family home with dad - fine, they want to come with you for a bit - fine. They are welcome and wanted by both of you.

And then while you're in the Airbnb - talk to a solicitor and get yourself free.

42 is no age. You have so much fun and freedom ahead x

PizzaByTheSlice · 21/10/2024 14:41

and to be honest - all your worry and concern should be about the kids and making sure they know mum and dad are both there for them no matter what.

the posters above worrying about what is 'kind' for your H. was it kind to sulk for a month and leave you on the sofa? was it kind to emotionally blackmail you?

he is only concerned for you when his comfortable little life is about to uprooted. he was not concerned until you told him you wanted to leave.

KiwiLondoner · 21/10/2024 14:49

Well done! I think you need to be honest - explain you have an Air B&B booked for a few months for yourself and the children, while you sort through finances and decide on living arrangements. Don't give false hope where there is none. Explain that you'll leave it a month for you to decide what you both want and then a month to organise the details - I.e whoever is moving out to find somewhere to live.

You're not insane, you're brave and brilliant and while you will wobble, you know in your heart of hearts that it's the right thing. I suggest you write a list on your phone of all your reasons, which you can read and remind yourself of when you're feeling sad/ tempted/ unsteady xx

40andtryingtoimprove · 21/10/2024 15:11

I think you will feel a big relief once you are in the air bnb. I did something similar in my past marriage. X

trailblazer42 · 21/10/2024 16:05

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

She's coming with me as she consents to it. Unfortunately her relationship with her father is incredibly difficult as he also ignored her for a month, and she was the only one at home when he stormed out and left. She's seeing a counselor now too. She will be free to go back to the house when she wants but I believe she is old enough to make her own decision on this - I'm certainly not taking her away from him.

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Questionsandheartache · 21/10/2024 16:10

I'm on your other thread too. You've done all you can, and this is the best outcome. No opportunity for you to be talked out of it. Time for him to process however he sees fit over half term. You children have the chance to see you making difficult decisions and working through, and they can maintain relationships with both parents.

Keep going with the counselling and supporting your daughter. Do not make your husband's wellbeing your concern, he can access support for himself.

You can do this, and it will get better.

Questionsandheartache · 22/10/2024 21:37

@trailblazer42 how have you been feeling today?
I'm really struggling, with thinking that I'm throwing everything away on a whim. I know that's not really true, but I feel like I'm causing so much upheaval for everyone, that will have an everlasting effect.

trailblazer42 · 22/10/2024 22:53

I got the keys for my Airbnb and went shopping and filled the cupboards with food and bought candles! Is absolutely gorgeous (think beautiful lake view, beautifully decorated).

I still have to hold out until Friday but I realise now that it was the anticipation and waiting that has been really tough. Letting myself in, knowing I have this place I can come to has been calming.

I’ve had no space to myself since February…my bedroom has been the lounge floor and every day I’ve gathered up my duvet and pillow and stuffed them down the side of a cupboard and propped my mattress up. Every night I’ve got them out once everyone has gone to bed. If I needed a nap during the day (I do love a power nap!) I’ve curled up on the bathroom floor because I didn’t feel like I could use my old bedroom. I’ve hidden them in the garage when we had visitors so nobody found out.

To open up my temporary home and know it is my space was amazing.

OP posts:
trailblazer42 · 22/10/2024 22:54

Questionsandheartache · 22/10/2024 21:37

@trailblazer42 how have you been feeling today?
I'm really struggling, with thinking that I'm throwing everything away on a whim. I know that's not really true, but I feel like I'm causing so much upheaval for everyone, that will have an everlasting effect.

This is what I’ve been working through with my counsellor. I still struggle with it but I’m getting better.

OP posts:
Questionsandheartache · 23/10/2024 07:14

@trailblazer42 I love how you're making the Air bnb a good place for you, it sounds lovely. I'm sorry you've had no bedroom for so long.

trailblazer42 · 25/10/2024 19:39

Well I did it! Currently sitting in my new little home with a glass of wine, a couple of candles all cosied up in new pjs.

I thought I was going to be a real emotional wreck today (especially as was in A&E with daughter until 2am (all fine now)!) but I am feeling incredibly relieved.

I know some people will massively disagree with it but I wrote and left my husband a letter explaining where I’m at. I’m a writer and it’s my comfort zone and there is no way I could have expressed myself to the extent I wanted to verbally.

His reaction has been to tell me I’m wrong about everything I said (impressive given it was all about my feelings).

I know there are going to be plenty of tough times to come but first milestone passed!

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SauviGone · 25/10/2024 19:47

Enjoy your evening, I love a new pj’s night!

I’d be tempted to leave any messages from your ex unread and any calls unanswered for a few days, while you take some time to clear your head properly.

Questionsandheartache · 25/10/2024 19:51

Well done! You've done it, I hope you are able to relax, sorry your daughter was in A&E.

We have our first house viewing tomorrow. I'm not particularly optimistic at this point. But at some point, I hope to be able to sit in new pj's and toast the future too!

BlessThisMess · 25/10/2024 20:24

I vividly remember my first night in my rented house after I left DH and that was 3.5 years ago. I'm sure I won't ever forget that huge sense of relief and peace and relaxation. Enjoy, OP, you've done the right thing.

Fishergirl · 25/10/2024 22:27

Well done OP! Enjoy that feeling!
I can't wait until I can do the same.

trailblazer42 · 26/10/2024 11:14

SauviGone · 25/10/2024 19:47

Enjoy your evening, I love a new pj’s night!

I’d be tempted to leave any messages from your ex unread and any calls unanswered for a few days, while you take some time to clear your head properly.

He only messaged twice initially and nothing since. Unfortunately that extends to not even messaging my daughter to see how she is, or speaking to her when she called into the house to get her bike for her paper round this morning. Biting my lip to not say something to him but I specifically put in my letter to put the kids first.

Unfortunately he’s reverted to his default position and has obviously spent his time changing passwords and removing me from everything to do with the family. Took him 30mins to remove me from the family Apple account and the Amazon Prime account. I still had access to Spotify when I went to bed and when I woke up that had gone.

It’s so petty it’s laughable. At this rate though he might file for divorce and save me a few quid!

OP posts:
Questionsandheartache · 31/10/2024 17:56

@trailblazer42 how's it going now? I hope you and your daughter are doing OK.

trailblazer42 · 02/11/2024 18:43

I’m doing ok but husband has switched from angry to pleading. I’m getting daily poems, stories, email letters and messages from him. It’s tough. I feel so bad about doing this to him but so angry that he will not listen to me. This is the message I received today. I’m not responding to anything at the moment. Not acknowledging anything other than practical arrangements.

“I’m not asking you to accept being unhappy.
^^
I don’t expect you to accept 2nd best, or worse.
^^
I’m asking you to recognise that we have come close to what we both want, and now that we’ve been open about our needs we can now achieve the final steps to perfection. Despite all this I am very excited for our future together.
^^
But we need to work at it, not quit.
^^
I guarantee I’m a dead cert. I will show you a million reasons to love me, starting with compassion, unswerving love for you, and being there through everything.
^^
I do NOT think you’re always wrong, I suspect you usually never are, but on this you couldn’t be more wrong.
^^
Please give us a chance to succeed anew. I am entirely broken without you and you are my passion.”

OP posts:
PizzaByTheSlice · 02/11/2024 20:23

Compassion? He is only promising compassion when it benefits him. He was content that you were sleeping on the sofa for 8 months!! That his wonderful wife he loves so much was sleeping in the lounge while he slept in the bed. And now compassion? His love and compassion is only evident when he's set to lose out.

Pls don't feel bad.

SDmdzMn · 02/11/2024 20:35

The message he sent is laughable. Sorry OP. But yes he didn't bat an eye lid while you napped on the bathroom floor !?

Questionsandheartache · 02/11/2024 22:13

He is deluded, arrogant or both. Keep strong and I think you're right not to respond. He'll likely try this and then anything else he can think of, but you can do this.

lovemetomybones · 02/11/2024 22:39

Deeds not words.... his actions are telling you everything you need to know.

trailblazer42 · 03/11/2024 08:36

Thanks all…it’s good to get another perspective because when you’re on your own and getting things like this it’s hard!

It is laughable, makes me angry then sad…a lot of our issues have been about us not sharing our emotions and he says we can. I did, completely opened up to him about how I’m feeling and why I can’t stay. Then I’m told I’m wrong because he doesn’t agree. He actually said in one message that I can’t be sad and hurting that our marriage is over if I’m doing this.

OP posts: