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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Is this a middle aged crisis crush!!

9 replies

happyandmuddled · 12/05/2011 22:14

I'm new to mumsnet but have been following over many months.
Any words of wisdom would be appreciated!!
I have been married for nearly 20years. We met young, married young and have manged to create a happy, loving family despite precious little money!! That said my husband isn't the easiest of people, can be v. self-centred and has neglected me emotionally in the past. But he is also a totally decent, honourable man and I still love him after all these years.
I never thought I would feel the way I do about anyone else though. A (not too close friend) of my husband has made it v clear of his attraction to me. I feel exactly the same way but he is married with four children. I never thought I would be the type of person to fall so strongly but I have. I think about him all the time-we have an incredible connection. I know everyone says it but I have never felt it before.
Feel I am in danger of making a complete idiot of myself, hurt lots of people that i love. So. I know nothing will happen. Why am I so sad about this then?

OP posts:
zikes · 12/05/2011 22:34

Well, this guy is not a very nice man really tho', is he? He's supposedly a mate of your dh and he's married with a family, yet he's coming on to you?

What you're feeling is most likely lust/infatuation. I'd avoid his company for a start.

FabbyChic · 12/05/2011 22:38

You feel this way because something is missing at home, if you were totally happy you would not give this chap a second thought.

You are flattered and it has made you feel alive again because at home it is the same old same old, same old man to sleep with, same old face to wake up to.

It could have been anybody, this man is not special to you, it is because you are lacking in something.

Don't mess with someone who is married, and don't mess whilst you are married. If you want to see if the grass is greener, get your house in order first and be free to test the waters elsewhere, it causes too much heartache all around and to others when you mess with someone whilst married or whom is married.

happyandmuddled · 12/05/2011 22:47

Thank you. You are both quite right. Something is lacking and has been for some time but not silly enough to hurt lots of people for something like this. I have been blinded by his charm to me. All flattery, very seductive of course but not the sign of a decent bloke.

OP posts:
WhenwillIfeelnormal · 12/05/2011 23:16

It's possible that this wouldn't have happened if you were totally happy in your marriage, but a mistake that a lot of people make is to assume that this never happens even when someone is basically happy and content with their lot. Unfortunately, you see, it does - and much more often than people think, until it happens to them or someone they know. More often than not, affairs happen not because of something "lacking" in a marriage - they happen simply because the partner beckoning is new and the feelings they are evoking about yourself represent a new, or long- forgotten experience.

Hence, what is a simple crush gets blown out of proportion, history gets re-written and the feelings for the object of the crush exaggerated, to epic proportions. People in mid-life especially are often extraordinarily romantic and incautious, all for a crush that will pass if there is some perspective - not to mention integrity and honesty.

The rush you are experiencing at the moment is not I suspect to do with any real feelings for the man himself. It is because of how he has made you feel about you.

It often helps in these situations to try to stand back and empathise with the other people in the two triangles. How would you feel if your H was telling this man's wife, what her husband is telling you? How would you feel if you were this man's wife? Might she say like you, that her H has been emotionally unavailable and under-invested in their relationship? I expect he is right now, just as I bet you have detached somewhat from your H since this man declared his hand.

It is understandable that this man has made you feel sexy, desirable and valuable after all this time. That's pretty intoxicating stuff and very addictive. But you need to see this situation with absolute clarity, because if you both act on these feelings, you could be unleashing a world of pain for lots of unsuspecting people, not to mention the many children involved and ultimately, yourselves.

To be tempted in this situation is human and understandable, just as it would be for your H in a similar situation. But try to step back and see just what you are risking. See too, what you can learn from this experience about you. If it has taught you that you need to feel differently about yourself, then consider happier and more ethical ways of getting that need met. Try to revitalise your marriage. Talk with more honesty than you ever have before about what you need from your H and try to gain esteem from other areas of your life too.

But don't automatically assume that your feelings for this OM must be strong, or that this would never have happened if you were truly happy and loved your husband, because this might be more about you, than your marriage and almost certainly - the other man.

onethatgotaway · 13/05/2011 13:10

Hi happy, sorry you are feeling so sad at the moment. But please take my advice when I say, do not take things any further with this man because it will create more misery and despair than you ever imagined. It isn't worth it, I can tell you that from my own personal experience of being in your shoes.

Please, please just walk away while you can with your integrity and morals intact before you cause irrepairable harm to your marriage. You need to stand back and take a long hard look at your life and why you are feeling so unhappy within your marriage. Try to work out what you want from your future and whether you see yourself staying with your h. It may just be a bad patch you are going through and you need to try to revitalize things with your h. You say you love him still, but if you get involved with this OM it will totally consume your world and cloud your judgement. You are not thinking straight at the moment, try to imagine what would happen if your h found out and how hurt he and your dc would feel.

The feelings you get from the attentions of the OM make you feel happier than you have for years, believe me, I know. But it will be short-lived and the only place to go after such a high is crashing back down to earth. The low is unbearable pain and heartbreak that you never in a million years saw coming. Do yourself a favour and avoid this OM at all costs. Big hugs.

FlappyBaps · 13/05/2011 13:33

Brilliant post, WWIFN.

janinlondon · 13/05/2011 14:01

Channel the good stuff you are feeling about yourself into your own marriage. If you feel more desirable and confident it may lead to an improved situation at home.

happyandmuddled · 13/05/2011 16:23

Am sitting here in tears reading such caring and perceptive posts. Thank you, I really appreciate it. It's becoming clear to me the problem isn't my husband or family- it's me. I have a real sense of time rushing by, kids needing me less, frustration at work and a feeling of what now? However my self-esteem is never going to be improved by causing so much hurt. The euphoric rush may be bloody good but it's not worth that. I know my husband would never speak to a woman the way the OM has spoken to me and thank god for that. I am going to take a long hard look at my life! Middle age ---argh!!

OP posts:
Smum99 · 13/05/2011 18:22

excellent post by WWIFN, clarity on a difficult and reasonably common situation. T

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