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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

just started dating again, how do I deal with my insecurities?

19 replies

lulubellaboozle · 19/10/2012 21:22

to cut a very long story short ..... separated since June 2012, husband, stepfather to my two kids was having an affair, denied it until I found the text messages! lived with me for 2 months before moving out and continued his affair during that time. Has been arrested for assaulting me, and has been extremely controlling in his behaviour, I literally felt like I was going mad at times. No idea where he is living now and rarely responds to calls or text concerning our home or financial matters (more controlling behaviour).

I joined a dating website, met a couple of nice guys but no one special, was really enjoying myself. I have now met a really lovely guy, who is very keen, says and does the right things, have spent hours on the phone to him, 5 dates including an amazing weekend away.

and here's the but ....... I never ever in my life been an insecure person in relationships, but maybe understandbly given my recent past I find myself analyzing everything he says and does, looking for signs that he has changed his mind, doesn't mean what he says and I am so fearful of being hurt. He knows my past and is understanding, but I need to find a way to accept that not all men are the same.

I guess it's early days, but I didn't plan to meet someone so quickly that I like so much.... it's just happened and I don't want to spoil it by being so needy.

OP posts:
Alambil · 19/10/2012 21:25

Why not look at doing the Freedom Programme? It'll help you figure out what went on and learn the real signs

flatbellyfellaInablackcape · 19/10/2012 21:31

Just enjoy his company & don't put yourself down with insecurities. Give it time & things will become clearer as to his intensions, good luck & best wishes.

lulubellaboozle · 19/10/2012 21:41

thank you, that's what all my friends say, but every time there is a lull in text messages or a delay in replying I start to wind myself up. I have also twice in the 5 weeks I have known in, lost the plot (drink induced) and told him to forget it. He has handled it really well, but frankly if I was him, I would be thinking "nutter" or maybe "nutter with issues" and it really is I feel so vulnerable, because I like him and don't want to get hurt.

OP posts:
janelikesjam · 19/10/2012 22:01

Well, maybe you could be gently honest with him? And say you are really enjoying things, didn't expect to meet someone you liked so soon, but because of your recent past, need to take things a little slowly from your point of view, and leave it at that. Hopefully he will understand and you can both do just that, and it will mean less pressure on both sides? Rome wasn't built in a day and 5 dates is really just the very beginning, as you are both still finding out about each other.

janelikesjam · 19/10/2012 22:02

But (speaking from experience) I know new "dating" can be emotionally a roller coaster - especially when our egos as well as our insecurities are involved - its important to try and stay centred!

maleview70 · 19/10/2012 22:03

After what you have been through maybe dating again so
Soon wasn't a good idea.

OneMoreGo · 19/10/2012 22:07

I would agree with maleview, and really strongly recommend a good year or so off dating to reboot your twat radar. Dating should be enjoyable, and it just can't be if you are still left fraught by a previous partner. You need to take some time for you - and do consider the Freedom Programme.

HissyByName · 19/10/2012 22:14

You are frightened. That's OK and to be expected.

You are however placing FAR too much investment into what someone else thinks of YOU.

What and who matters here IS you, but YOUR happiness.

You survived a dysfunctional relationship by trying to be something someone else demanded of you, to appease, to soothe, to be approved of.

Well, look what happened? the guy you looked up to turned out to be wholly imperfect, he is a cheat, a liar and a manipulator. He is NOT the kind of person you thought he would be, he let you and your family down.

NONE of what HE did is caused by you, it was his choice.

A decent person wouldn't have done that to you, or to anyone.

Perhaps you do need to spend more time just recovering, finding out who you really are and getting to know and to like yourself again, allowing yourself to grieve the death of your marriage, the death of hope.

BUT... please put this new relationship into perspective. This man is not your H, he is a new bloke, and one you know for a few months. He can't hurt you like your H did. And even if he DID do something that was a dealbreaker for you, you CAN end it yourself and go on with your life. You could carry on confident in the knowledge that if it doesn't work with this bloke, it will work with another. Why? because there is NOTHING wrong with you!

I have been on a bit of a dating journey following a 10 year abusive relationship. To begin with I was shaking just at the idea of a phone call, or a coffee. I met a couple of guys for a coffee, for dinner, and went out with another for about a month.

With each of them I learned more and more about myself and understood that I could control what happened to me in relationships. I realised I had a choice. I exercised that choice and the last chap mentioned above I ended it with him because he was not right at all and manipulative. When I ended that relationship I realised that I had seen the signs, i called them correctly and I did what I had to do. I drew my boundaries, I communicated them, they were overstepped and I had to end it.

That act gave me a feeling of immense power in my own life. i was proud of myself that day! :) I knew that whatever or whoever came my way, that I could handle it.

My theory is that the men we meet after longterm/difficult/significant relationships are Transition Men. We learn from them, but they are not the ones we end up with.

Each Transition man is better than the previous one; once we have learned enough with that man, we move on to the next, one step closer to our Forever Man.

I've been dating the kindest, most adorable, lovely man for the last 6m. He genuinely is the nicest man I have ever known. :) No red flags, no awkward stuff, just relaxed acceptance with a healthy dose of fancying the pants off each other! Grin I did have a couple of wobbles at the beginning, but I realised that these were wobbles from the past, not from him. I took a deep breath, and told myself not to panic and to wait and see what happened.

The sky never fell in.

hmmmmreally · 19/10/2012 22:53

You know, it really does amaze me that after coming out of a relatinship that so many people are ready to date so soon. I mean, come on, they really are not, what is wrong with taking some time out, and enjoying getting to be a single person again. I don't understand the whole concept of having to be with somene quite so soon.

OhWesternWind · 19/10/2012 23:05

I waited eighteen months before I started dating and that was only just long enough! Op, why not take some time for yourself to grieve, heal, grow stronger and reassess your needs and boundaries and feel happy and complete in yourself?

HissyByName · 19/10/2012 23:46

Hmmmreally, i agree.

I didnt start even thinking about dating until a year after ex left, and after doing the freedom programme, group and one to one counselling.

That time was spent putting me back together, and it was the kindest thing i could have done for myself.

People are so scared about being on their own, but there's so much good in allowing ourselves to think and heal.

lulubellaboozle · 20/10/2012 15:59

thank you everyone for your comments and perspective, I thought I was ready to date, but maybe not ...... but you have made me realise I am worrying about what HE thinks of ME (repeating pattern or what) and the important thing for ME is what I feel and think.

OP posts:
Opentooffers · 20/10/2012 23:15

I too think a break does you good after a significant ending has occurred. Otherwise you can end up looking to someone else to give you self-esteem when really it's better to develop that on your own first. Then you'll value yourself enough to know what crap you won't stand for - there is a lot of crap on the web.
Tbh, if someone texted me crap things when drunk these days, I would end it, may seem hypocritical after doing just that myself in the past. In my case it was a symptom of knowing that something was not right with things and having the guts to do something constructive about it when sober, I did get the gumption a short while later. These days, if I felt that way when drunk or sober I would take it as a sign they were not for me before embarrassing myself that far.

Opentooffers · 20/10/2012 23:24

The other thing is trust your instincts when not happy about things such as communication tailing off for some reason. You don't have to be confrontational about it, just allow yourself to realise if it's good enough for your needs and move on. I've tried a few things longer than I should of even though my instincts proved to be spot on, 'just in case I was wrong', turns out I was right every time, so I'm quite that my 'twat radar' is finely tuned.

Wecanfixit · 21/10/2012 08:22

Hissbyname wow I loved your post it was such an insight and a BIG help thank you I have had some thing similar experience happen in my life at the moment but am not as far ahead of you in the recovery process but your words have really made me realise this is what I have and still been going through I have met a couple of chaps via the dating site all okay nice guy but each on felt better than the last as i was like you distrusting and nervous , now I want to contact the first guy that i blew out because could not face even a coffee date , but he was so nice i keep thinking about him , so think it is time to go for it ! many thanks again.

HissyByName · 21/10/2012 10:45

wecanfixit, no. Leave him be. He has taught you what you needed to be taught.

You weren't meant to meet him. I'm not a woo person at all, but there are plans our life has for us, and whenever we ignore our instincts, we come acropper. Move forward, never back.

What lies ahead of you is better, as you feel better about yourself. The 2 go hand in hand. You don't see your full beauty/strength/capability. Others do. We do. Only when YOU can start to see it, do you attract 'like' kinds.

When you are vulnerable, those with agendas seek you out. When you have the confidence in yourself, it's like a power shield, they know to stay well clear.

To everyone in similar situations:
Do the Freedom Prog, if you haven't already, if you're still not sure, DO IT AGAIN! Repeat whatever section you need to.

Get counselling, proper therapy, go to BACP (I think) for subsidised counsellors, go to groups, post on here, ask questions, give advice, you will learn so much through trying to help others. If you can.

Never give up on YOU.

Wecanfixit · 08/12/2012 12:33

Hissbyname, you were right I did not contact the guy I thought about it and realised it was not the right thing to do and have hopefully learnt from it , but a HUGE thankyou for your wise words I have come off the dating site and am exploring and meeting new friends mainly woman but all good and developing new interests, I am happy being single again and realise I need to take more time to let what happened in the past heal and leave the whole relationship thing alone, will consider doing the Freedom programme and just am loving my life at the moment single is better!, so Merry Christmas sorry not to answer sooner.

MusicForTheMasses · 08/12/2012 15:31

I hear you, I'm in a very similar situation, found out about my STBXH having an affair at the start of June, survived because of Mumsnet. I am dating again but I do feel ready in an emaotional sense. I do however have the insecurity of a teenager and find myself, like you, reading FAR too much into text replies etc. It's early days though and we're not seeing too much of each other because of other priorities (my kids being one). I like him, but if it all ends tomorrow I won't be devastated, I'll just find someone else lol. It's nice to have a bit of excitement, we deserve it!

Wecanfixit · 08/12/2012 17:17

MusicForTheMasses, Great to hear you have moved on hope it goes well thanks for your post reassuring to hear how you are doing and your positive thoughts on the relationship so far , and your priorities were always like mine kids come first sounds like you are taking it easy but enjoying it gives me hope!, have a Merry Christmas look to hear how you are doing in the New Year!

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