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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

Ive dumped my emotionally abusive OH but the anger's still there..!

22 replies

lifeisasongworthsinging · 24/09/2013 20:08

Hi all. Im pretty sure Ive done the right thing. Hope its ok to give a bit of background!

My OH was one of those men everybody likes..really pleasant and polite, softly spoken, always willing to help someone out. Good looking as well, which I guess also helped. Behind all that however, I think Id describe him as passive aggressive. I feel happy that I found the courage to get rid, but sad for what could have been, I suppose. His family play passive aggressive games with each other, think it stems from his dad. He has no close friends at all, which I found strange. A 9 year old child from a previous relationship who he barely sees, as the mother plays the 'now you can see her, now you cant' game. He has 3 other grown up children, 2 he gets on with well but the eldest wont speak to him and wont say why, although I think its because of his dad critisising my ex OH to her. He does varied longterm temp jobs, but shortly after he starts theres always an issue whereby, people in the workplace just dont like him. They send him to coventry. I feel this is because he 'cant be told'. I cant imagine anybody training him, especially a woman. He once told me a female work colleague shouted at him that she couldnt help or train him as he interrupted with questions so frequently, she couldnt think. That sums him up, as he is averse to listening to anybody.

Im angry as I feel I was a scapegoat for all the issues around him he wouldnt deal with. Examples of his behaviour to me:

I work Sundays - when staying at my home he'd get up very early & put the tv on in bedroom. News blaring out, Im woken up 2 hours earlier than planned, so very tired for work

Always telling me about his good (female) friends who were a listening ear, and with 1 of them her daughter had said to her 'oh he's so nice, I wish you were with a man like him mum'

If we were out at a function he'd complain if a man so much as looked at me, yet its fine for his female friends to be all over him (theyre mostly FB friends by the way..he does know them from previous years but linked up with them again via FB

Was very criticial of a good friend of mine, until I told him in no uncertain terms to stop. She's very good looking and popular and that seemed to annoy him. Her relationship broke down recently and I felt he was judgmental

Knows my teens well and gets on with them - but with his grown up children it was 'well we dont always get on well so Im not sure if you should meet them'. His middle daughter sounds lovely and always wanted to meet me, which somehow never happened as he wouldnt arrange. Ive met his son once.

We shared finances helped each other, but he earns more than me. If he helped me financially (I always paid him back, that was our arrangement) he'd mention it frequently. He redecorated my kitchen and bathroom, but then acted like he begrudged doing it, and I was using him; which I dont understand as he offered to do it, I didnt ask at all.

My daughter left for Uni this Saturday so Im a bit thoughtful..he came with me to move her stuff. By the evening when we'd returned he'd got into a mood, wanting to argue for hours so I couldnt get any sleep before getting up (over early due to him blaring tv) on Sunday. I also had work Monday, & on Sunday night he again wanted to talk, which turned to an argument, which of course led to tiredness Monday. I thought, its the last straw and I dumped him on Monday. Since then he's been calling and texting but Ive decided to disengage

My problem is, staying disengaged. I do miss him. But am sick of his games..been together 4 years were supposed to get engaged, move in together etc, none of which happened as I feel, he caused so many petty arguments it was always 1 step forward 2 steps backward.

Another trait I noticed is, he always begrudges good things that happen to his friends, or my friends. I cant bear that. He just isnt happy for anybody and cant seem to understand his insular behaviour will leave him lonely. Theres nobody around him as it is. But, he wont listen. The texts he is sending by the way, are also passive aggressive

'oh well youve already made up your mind theres nothing I can do'

'oh well Im sure the man you want is out there somewhere, youll find him'

To me, all designed to let me know he's not going to fight to get me back, but wants to send silly text messages. He called today sounding angry, I calmly told him Id no wish to speak to him, and put the phone down

Sorry this is so long. Ive not put down all the things he did as Id be writing forever. I feel like relationship was a slow drip drip of things calculated to make me feel frustrated and unhappy, as if the relationship wasnt progressing. Id say he made me feel less than a woman.

Im not a person who cant stand up for myself, thankfully. But am finding this hard. Anger is keeping me going at present but I dont want to feel angry. Just remembered something else..he developed a habit of telling me I looked terrible and knackered in the mornings. Just the thing to make a woman feel confident! I didnt buy into that..but was annoyed as it was so transparent, another thing to bring me down.

Please give me the strength to stay disengaged from this man! I call him the smiling assassin..a man who can look and seem so pleasant, its important to him that everybody likes him..but as soon as we are alone, he switches. Just received another text from him 'are we in a relationship or not'. Ive already said no, yet he keeps on...

OP posts:
Anniegetyourgun · 24/09/2013 20:20

Well of course you looked knackered in the mornings! He made sure you were knackered! "Terrible" is a matter of opinion though, and even if it were true a caring partner wouldn't have said it. I agree, he sounds passive aggressive in the extreme. Some suggested responses:

T: 'oh well youve already made up your mind theres nothing I can do'
A: That's right, I have.
T:'oh well Im sure the man you want is out there somewhere, youll find him'
A: [nothing at all, it's too silly to dignify with a response]
T:'oh well Im sure the man you want is out there somewhere, youll find him'
A: Fuck the fuck off to the far side of fuck, fuckface, and when you get there, fucking fuck off some more. [because "no" is obviously not clear enough]

And then switch your phone off.

Anniegetyourgun · 24/09/2013 20:21

bah, third text was of course supposed to be 'are we in a relationship or not'. C&P fail.

ifuckedupagain · 24/09/2013 20:24

Typical EA man. Some shared traits with xdh. I had a lot of anger towards him and was with him a lot longer than you were with this guy.

You have done the right thing; you sound incompatible in many ways and he clearly wasn't making you happy. Don't expect the anger to go overnight; it will in time.

As for are you in a relationship or not, the answer is of course 'no'. Eventually he will get the message.

Good luck in your new life, without this millstone.

Hissy · 24/09/2013 20:42

I always found 'My life is no longer any of your business' most effective.

Just don't talk to him, don't reply to anything, in fact, change your number!

lifeisasongworthsinging · 24/09/2013 22:00

Thanks all for the replies, theyre helpful in strengthening my resolve. Its so hard at the moment. I veer between not wanting to hear from him at all, but then looking out for his texts. Its as if I get a feeling of satisfaction from seeing them, although I dont answer. Also feel as if I miss him in some ways - but Im adamant I wont go back to him. What he'd like is for me to be the one to ask him to come back. He is so arrogant that way. Im going to use some of your suggestions when I feel the need, and when I get to the stage of a great big fuck off, thatll be that.

I hate the fact that he's wormed his way into being friends with some of my friends (its extremely important to him that women look up to him as the nice attractive man) and I know his gameplan already. He wont tell them we're finished, but will drop big hints and then make it seem Im the bad one. I suppose I cant worry about that. Im glad Ive done the right thing..these predatory men who land on women to make them feel like shit are just cowards too afraid to deal with their own issues.

His ex girlfriend - the one who has a 9 yr old daughter for him - cheated on him and was also very offensive to him, shouting swearing etc before finally chucking him out publicly, to go off with a guy she'd been having an affair with. Yet, he wouldnt say boo to her..all his passive aggression is taken out on me. I hope he goes back to her, they deserve each other - both friendless people without empathy. I discovered they got together via an affair. He'd been in a 17 year relationship with her best friend, before that. Lovely people. Guess Ive had a lovely escape..even if everyone thinks the sun shines out of his azz at least I know, it definetely doesnt. Im bracing myself for his anger, thatll come next..Hissy Im specifically going to take your advice and also change my numbers.

OP posts:
lifeisasongworthsinging · 24/09/2013 22:00

oops, I meant a lucky escape! Although a lovely escape is also fitting, I suppose..

OP posts:
Hissy · 25/09/2013 07:25

How long ago did you dump him love? Is this a very recent thing?

If so, you really will be on a rollercoaster for a while, but have faith, even the scariest ride comes to a stop in the end!

You're not alone chuck, plenty of us who have made this journey to keep you company and reassure you that everything you go through is normal, and can be overcome.

I promise you that it will be OK, just stay focussed!

lifeisasongworthsinging · 25/09/2013 07:50

Hi Hissy - very recent, I'm on day 3 now.

Woke up feeling like crap this morning, saw a text from him re. a mutual friend's birthday party on 12th 0ct. He's going, and I'm not. He only knew her via me but what's galling is, lots of people there know me/us as a couple, and he's doing this on purpose to 'out' the fact we're no longer together.

I'm resolved to change my number today so he can no longer text me, and to do something nice for myself on the party night

Thanks for advice and yes, I do believe it'll get easier. I'm better off without this idiot. Wish the pain, sadness, anger would disappear right now tho!

Onwards & upwards..I'm determined to get there...

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 25/09/2013 07:56

I personally think the reason that emotionally abusive relationships are so hard to detach from is that there's no 'big thing' that ends it. The manipulation of your behaviour and thought processes becomes so entrenched that it's perfectly capable of carrying on well after everyone's packed up and left. You've spent many years accommodating this man, keeping him happy, listening to his sob-stories, making allowances (childhood etc) for the many faults that you are now realising are just faults and believing that, if you could just find the key to unlock 'Mr Nice Guy' all the time... can you see how dealing with someone like this takes over your whole life? You sound like a strong, intelligent woman and if women with that kind of personality have a failing, it's that they don't give up easily... when others would have walked away, you kept trying. It's a tough habit to set aside.

The only way to get shot mentally IME is to go fully no contact and divert all your energies on something else absorbing. He'll be in your thoughts for the rest of your life, sadly, but he won't be able to manipulate you if you don't communicate.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 25/09/2013 07:59

BTW... I would tell the mutual friend party-thrower and other people a version of what's happened before he shows up and gives them another one-sided sob-story.

ScarletWomanoftheVillage · 25/09/2013 08:09

Best of luck, you sound insightful and determined.

Can you just tell your good friends he's a knob?

lifeisasongworthsinging · 25/09/2013 08:54

CogitoErgoSometimes youve got it so right, down to a T..years spent listening to him blame everybody else for his issues, his sob stories etc. He is never ever wrong, its everybody else.

& now, whilst Im typing Ive received a text from him..Good morning, wishing you a peaceful day

I do try not to remember the good times when he was Mr Romantic...this man courted me for months whilst I dithered whether to get with him or not..wish I hadnt, now! Him on my mind for the rest of my life is a horrible thought, but yes if he cant manipulate me I will certainly be better off.

Im trying not to be a horrible person, as he is, but I sit here and think..as a man he has no male friends whatsoever. Nobody close to him. A circle of adoring female friends via FB but thats not real life, is it? He's craving the 'Mr Nice Guy' adulation. He has an appalling relationship with his family, who all play horrid passive aggressive games with each other. I wouldnt want his life if you paid me. Its sad for him that he doesnt realise, if everyone draws away from you and you cant maintain friendships and relationships then thats a huge red flag.

ScarletWomanoftheVillage thank you, I can be very determined when I put my mind to it. Im sooo tempted to tell my good friends what he's like but I suppose my pride wont let me at the moment. Some friendships can be a funny thing, cant they? This friend who's having the party is a lovely lady, but she really does gossip. Wont she just love to see him turn up there without me, and busily find out all the sordid details..I dont really trust her not to go back to him and reveal all Ive said. I will think about it, though. As said, she is my friend really he only got to know her via me - but, they do talk separately.

Ive deleted this morning's text and will keep busy today. My daughter left home for Uni on Saturday and Ive got that adjustment to contend with..my eldest flying the nest. Of course he knew I felt a little down about that so he turned the screw. Im going to see her later today and cant wait :)

Its done me the world of good speaking on here, tho...thank you..onwards I go..

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 25/09/2013 09:03

Change your mobile number. These 'I'm still here', 'notice me', 'love me' messages will not allow you to move on. It's mild stalking.

ScarletWomanoftheVillage · 25/09/2013 09:05

I wouldn't let pride get in the way at all. Your friends won't judge you. With the gossipy one, perhaps it would be better to get in there first with something reasonable sounding, "things were going badly and I realised I wasn't being treated well, so I've ended it and am feeling relieved not to be subjected to his nonsense any more"

ScarletWomanoftheVillage · 25/09/2013 09:05

If it gets back to him, so what?

CogitoErgoSometimes · 25/09/2013 09:06

BTW... use the gossip. Be the 'Princess Di' here (obviously don't get into a fast car with a drunk etc :) ) and use the gossip to put around edited highlights of why you've kicked him out. 'Sordid details' you don't give, you just have to gently hint at ... 'you've no idea what he's been up to'.... 'I can't tell you the half of it'.... 'he's really not the man I thought he was'.... and leave it tantalisingly vague so that they can make up their own crimes. He's been screwing with your head for years and I think he deserves the same treatment.

ScarletWomanoftheVillage · 25/09/2013 09:06

I have an empty nest too, so thoroughly sympathise with that letting go you've just had to do. You'll feel better once you've seen her again. Flowers

ScarletWomanoftheVillage · 25/09/2013 09:07

Yy, to what Cogito says- use the gossip mongers!

lifeisasongworthsinging · 27/09/2013 17:43

The gossipmonger was surprisingly understanding Smile so, thanks for the good idea. I had to pluck up the courage to call her & actually say aloud what had happened, but Im so glad I did. Also a phone call from a friend which lasted 5 hours!! who I discovered during convo had been through similar - worse than mine actually I was gobsmacked, I didnt even know - also helped. Emotional but laughs in between. Im actually frightened now tho, re. the number of women whove been through emotional abuse. I used to read and hear about it and say 'wow, Id never ever put up with that'..famous last words. You live & learn.

Ive cut off phone contact so have had emails and letters from him but no matter what, Im not going back. I do feel I still love him in some ways, but I guess in reality Im not going to die without him am I. Signed up for gym & am looking into other things I wanted to do, but now realise I didnt as Ive felt so worn down for past couple of years

ScarletWoman thank you...I went to see my DD yesterday & I do feel a little better itr was a lovely visit. Her liveliness always cheers me up Smile

OP posts:
Hissy · 28/09/2013 15:05

Deeeeeeep down it's registered that perhaps he was a total wanker caught out thinking that you were dumb enough to just keep taking it.

Your decision to end it has shocked him. After all that time and effort he's taken to mold you into the metaphorical punchbag, and you've blown him out of the water.

So he's hoovering now, trying to recoup what he had. Otherwise he'll have to do it all again.

For some of these men, it's fear of rejection oddly enough, for others it's a need to control and be the centre of the universe!

KouignAmann · 28/09/2013 15:29

Be prepared for him to go on a charm offensive with your friends. He will try to get them to think you must be crazy to give up on such a kind and charming man who thinks the world of you.

My EA XH held dinner parties and cooked for my friends and their husbands after I left, and sent flowers to one friend when she invited me to dinner. I just alluded darkly to mind games and said I didn't want to talk about him. He gave up when it became clear nobody really cared! Also he met someone else really quickly which was fantastic and took his mind off me.

Just keep quiet, avoid communicating so he doesn't get any reward or feedback on how he is affecting you, and it will pass. You are doing the right thing!

Hissy · 28/09/2013 15:56

Meant to say OP, that I was a basket case after my Ex had gone. 3 days in was a complete blur!

Couldn't talk to a soul for a week or so. Felt monumentally idiotic to have lost so much time to someone so small.

You're stronger than me I think!

Be kind to yourself love, keep talking and keep reminding yourself why you left. Yes it hurts, but adrenaline dies down and we cam wobble sometimes.

It's all normal! You'll be fine! Promise!

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