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Relationships

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

Please help, very tearful, boyfriend says he wants space

34 replies

tryingtogrow · 16/06/2012 21:08

I've been with my boyfriend for a few months. He did all the chasing at the start (I wasn't too keen on him to begin with) but I gave him a chance and grew to really like him - love him, even.

We've had some ups and downs along the way:

I was in an abusive relationship previously (one where I was emotionally abused, raped, stalked and blackmailed) and I am having difficulty trusting him. I always suspect he's going to do something to take advantage of me. We had a huge fight one evening where he said I had embarrassed him as I had been loud after drinking. I drunkenly told him to f*ck off out of my house - I knew it was wrong, apologised profusely and found a therapist to get the therapy I very much need (for myself rather than 'us') BF doesn't believe in therapy though, so I feel my efforts are being trampled on anyway.

He also doesn't like it when I disagree with him on subjects (we work in the same profession, we are smart people, of course we will disagree). He believes I'm being deliberately contrary just to wind him up (funnily enough he said that one of the things that annoyed him about his ex was that she agreed with him too much!)

We were once at a restaurant on holiday and I asked him if he could turn his chair to face me and talk as he was facing the sun and I said it was impolite to just be sat there topping up his tan. From this he hasn't been able to let it drop - apparently I'm 'vindictive and spiteful'. When I call him up on his behaviour (like flirting with a colleague of ours all evening, prompting me to walk off) he says I'm just doing a 'tit for tat' thing.

We had some space from one another and I saw him this week. I thought things were ok, but in the back of my mind, my gut was telling me something wasn't right. I asked what was wrong and he said he doesn't know whether he can move on from me telling him to f-off. He said he wanted space, well no, he actually said he can't stand to be around me at the moment.

So that's that. He dropped me off at my house, he's now at his friend's house watching the football, I'm devastated, my mum is coming to stay with me.

I know I'm worthy of love and affection and I can't believe I have gone from the man who fell in love with me and wrote me poetry to someone who almost hates me. I feel like I've done it all myself.

The worst thing is that a friend of mine who I have known for years secretly liked me and was asking friends if they thought a long-distance relationship would work (we live almost 4 hours apart) but in the same week that he came down to see me to tell me of his feelings - I had got into a relationship with this other guy.

Does anyone have any words of wisdom or advice? Can relationships really survive space, or is he just putting off the inevitable?

OP posts:
tryingtogrow · 16/06/2012 23:06

I suspect that might also be the case, Annie :(

OP posts:
HellonHeels · 16/06/2012 23:08

He doesn't sound like a decent man to me. A relationship should make you feel good, not have you questioning yourself, feeling that you have to modify your behaviour and feeling unhappy.

Can you leave off relationships for a bit, get your therapy going and spend time doing things for you that make you happy? You deserve so much more than being miserable over a relationship.

tryingtogrow · 16/06/2012 23:14

HellonHeels: the sad thing is I wouldn't know what a healthy relationship is really like. With this guy, when things were good they were really good, but as you said, at the moment I'm questioning everything.

I'm too shattered to even think about what I'm doing, but yes, I'm going to continue with the therapy and think about my values and hobbies. I don't want to be miserable over this, it's just a matter of putting it into action with the right support

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NarkedRaspberry · 16/06/2012 23:49

I know you say you've waited 'so long', but you say you've been with him a few months and sometime after that you started therapy. Give that time and put all your energy into it. You do deserve a relationship. A good relationship where you feel secure and supported. When you've worked through things and feel stronger, you'll be in a much better position to find a decent bloke and enjoy being in a relationship with him.

tryingtogrow · 16/06/2012 23:56

Ultimately it's very difficult to accept but deep down I know you're right. I'm just having trouble facing up to it. I'm off to bed now anyway, thank you for all your help, it has helped to calm me down and see things from a different perspective.

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Krumbum · 17/06/2012 00:06

This is so early in the relationship for big rows, seems like you arnt suited. It's difficult but I think you should end it, he is being very selfish and nasty. Speak to him about how you feel but if he won't listen then it's best to move on. Could your mum stat with you for a bit longer of you did split up?

Springforward · 17/06/2012 00:17

It really shouldn't be hard work so early on. Walk away.

sternface · 17/06/2012 00:20

Sorry, but when I see the lines "flirting with a colleague of ours all evening" and "he said he wanted space" in an original post, I reach only one conclusion.

He's found someone else or has designs on her, doesn't want to admit it and has dredged up a few sticks to beat you with by way of explanation.

I mentioned this aspect of relationships on another thread the other day, but I'm intrigued that you didn't like him very much at first, but found yourself persuaded by his like of you to give him a chance. One of the things you perhaps need to work on is to trust your initial instincts more and don't ever feel that just because someone likes you very much, you must learn to like him back.

I'd have a decent break from relationships for a while and next time, only date people whom you like too. It would be a real growth area if you accepted that some people will like you and you won't feel the same way - and that's okay.

tryingtogrow · 20/06/2012 08:18

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to give you all an update.

I ended it. :)

The situation became intolerable for me, I couldn't concentrate on anything, including my work. I felt like I was being slowly tortured and for what? He doesn't give two figs about me, my wellbeing and yet I was letting him dictate our relationship.

After talking to my friends and telling them of how he was treating me, the chorus was the same as you ("He's a fucking prick. You deserve better").

I tried ending it in person but over a text he said that nothing had changed much and was watching the football. I'm glad I ranked so highly in his mind. So that was that.

After I made the decision, I felt so relieved and it was partly because I took control of the situation. I had no idea how stressful this was making me. I've taken the rest of the week off work and I'm spending time with my friends who love and care for me. I'm still gutted; I really loved him but he didn't, and once I come to accept that, I'll get angry. He just wants a docile little yes woman and I'm sure I've already been replaced.

Thank you for all the support you gave me on Saturday, I was in pieces but your messages were of great comfort.

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