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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

Finding it so hard to move on after husband has left....

999 replies

Hobbitwife001 · 11/12/2014 23:34

My husband of 27 years left two months ago to have a relationship with a woman I considered to be a friend, and I just can't seem to get over the pain of his betrayal.
It fills my every waking moment and I sometimes dream about it as well, that's when I get to sleep that is. I can't stand to feel this way and have started having counselling to,try and fix myself, I just feel damaged by his lies and deceit and can't find my way back to my old self. Please help lovely mumsnetters x

OP posts:
greenberet · 16/01/2015 08:58

hello all

im still hanging on just about - thank you all so much for your continued words of support - i have read that the sharing of difficult experiences with others that truly get it can form strong bonds- I am so grateful knowing I can come on here any time and there is someone here. You lot are really helping me and i hope I can offer some hope at times too.

something that really humbled me at the weekend was talking to a lady on my course who's son has lost both his legs mid 20s and how she was having to deal with the fallout of that - I suddenly thought perhaps what I am going through is not so big after all!

whyme & downunder - I wonder whether the extent of the "evil" behaviour reflects the level of guilt they feel and somehow if they focus on our so called behaviour it takes the heat of themselves and sort of justifies their behaviour right from day one- its really just avoiding - why i guess your dh as a police officer must be having a huge battle with himself and at a time when you are having to deal with a very difficult time too - are you ok?

strong - you are right - I have been told i need to put myself first for a bit.
I have lightened some of the load and need to get my head back in a good place - im starting today with having my hair done!

drifting - I'm sure your weekend away will do you the world of good - I'm sorry you have the need to be on here too but it is so good that there are some "decent" men around who know how to feel and are not afraid of their emotions - the world needs more like you - I need to get this through to my DS have you got any advice how I can get him to talk - he is mid teens.

hobbitt & whk - you know what i think!

izzie- i luv you Grin - it comes straight from the heart with you - i can feel your pain when you feel it - you make me laugh - you give me strength and support and your sons will be great too - my DD is 13 - can we matchmake? lol

KOKO xx

greenberet · 16/01/2015 09:18

iwas thank you for your flowers - it has actually made me quite emotional that someone I have no idea who you are has done this and is thinking about me - despite being in the middle of it yourself - and perhaps being in a slightly worse position as you come into contact with OW. All your feelings are justified - there is nothing you have done or could do that will make the slightest bit of difference - this is quite hard to get your head round - i know that. I was told to expect nothing from my DH yesterday and this is where I need to get my head - and do you know what popped into my head the thought that next time I come face to face with him I will be thinking I didn't want any of this. But I know this is the path I have to take - -and I was also told yesterday that I will love again - i Know I will get through this as everyone has said so may as well believe this too!

drifting2015 · 16/01/2015 09:21

Green - Hi just quick look before I go off for the weekend, I really don't know how to get your son to speak about this, I wish I could, my son will not he is 24, NC with Mum since before Xmas.

I hope a previous lurker might help ?

I am a decent man , I know that , my family, friends, neighbours, all have said it, I know that I did nothing wrong ( to cause the separation ) , I was squeaky clean , no affair, so like us all ( I think ) when STBXW upped & left I was literally hit with a brick , or as my divorced neighbour says, rug from your feet. At my lowest point, I try to remember it, I am not wrong, I didn't get a hint there was a problem until she left & hasn't come back, she has said she never will.

A nice fat envelope from solicitor has just arrived ! I will open it next week, it is not spoiling my weekend with family.

Hobbit / Iwas / Izzie - keep the chin up, I do know how hard it is, 7 weeks ago I was planning Xmas. Why ?

One step forward & two back somedays. We will get through to the end I am lagging behind you people, however I am certain if I look over my shoulder I am not last in this sorry race.

Hope to post over the weekend from my sisters lair ! xx.

Hobbitwife001 · 16/01/2015 09:35

Great posts Green, you sound much more positive, have at him girl!
I know what you mean about feeling humbled, a young mum with a very poorly young child came into where I work yesterday, and was crying telling me about his battle to survive, and I just thought, why am I worrying about my situation when others are dealing with so much worse beyond their control.
We are struggling at the moment, but it will improve, and at least we have a light at the end of the tunnel, ( a long dark scary tunnel, maybe, ), but it's just a horrible process, and we aren't the first, and certainly won't be the last, to have to deal with faithless, untrustworthy husbands and fathers.
In time we will probably be much happier without them, I know I am starting to appreciate that fact. Much love to all , hobbit x

OP posts:
WellWhoKnew · 16/01/2015 10:59

At risk of sounding a bit harsh (after all, I don't want to be mean) but when the depressions start - if they haven't already, is that period is so tough that comparing yourself to others actually worsens the depression.

For me there were days when I just couldn't face anything - not even the washing up, the laundry, getting to the shops - simple tasks that really aren't a challenge seemed insurmountable [to my mind]. So if you're struggling like that, you end up feeling really hopeless, helpless and useless. So if you're looking at other people's horrendous experiences (and they are) then you may find yourself beating yourself up even more for not 'coping as well as you think you should' and as further evidence of being hopeless/helpless/useless, which spirals you either further downwards. It is a horrific cycle. I've broken it now but it took time

Expect to feel terrible, and if you don't for five minutes, good. As Mrs Sanity Checker said to me, next week, when you come back, come back and tell me how many times you've managed the washing up this week. We'll use that as the measure of progress. Aim for one chore a day, if you don't meet it, so be it. It took the immense pressure off that I had built up in my head and all I had to achieve was 'one chore a day', later that became two...(and I have a clean house these days, yey!).

(It's not a race, drifting, nor a competition - you'll heal in your own time, when you're ready too. Don't push on too quickly because this is a marathon, not a sprint - you don't want to hit a wall further down the line)

greenberet · 16/01/2015 14:08

well i was in that place about 16 years ago so know first hand about those sort of days - I have been on ADs more or less since. Part of the reason I never actually questioned my DH behaviour before all this was because I would internalise everything and question myself.

As soon as this all kicked off last year the first thing I did was visit my GP and my ADs have been increasing as the stress and anxiety have increased. I have expected to find myself on the floor unable to get up several times now but somehow I keep getting up but i put this down to the yoga I do and a recent interest in mindfulness which is a new approach to dealing with depression. If anyone feels they are unable to "get up" or can't face things please talk to your GP. I have gone to mine asking him am I going mad as I havent been able to make sense of it all and each time he has ressured me that I am not mad but am dealing with an extremely difficult time. He has told me I expect too much of myself and I think we can all be our own worst critic expecting to be coping or handling this better than we are.

So I second what well has said - everyone needs to go easy on themselves - this is a major traumatic event

greenberet · 16/01/2015 14:47

i was just in the middle of the above post when I have been informed that my DH is still carrying on with his entitled life whilst I am having to work out if I can afford to continue seeing my counsellor this month with what else I need to pay for. I have asked him for more money but he has ignored these requests. I dont know whether he has spent the money or how much but this feels malicious to me - look at what im doing and at the same time I'll rub your nose in it. I am on the floor again - my DD has already questioned how he can afford to stay in a hotel for 2 nights when we cant. I am raging I want to vent at him but cant due to the threat of harrassment - I was going to PM on here but then thought why should i ? My reaction is perfectly reasonable to one where I feel I am being shafted financially. I have done nothing wrong. This feeling I have now this is what I have had all the way through the marriage and my answer was to take more ADs - i now know that this is emotional and financial abuse - if anyone wants to question my mental health all they need to do is read the posts when I have had no interaction with him and then read the posts afterwards. If he wants to use my posts on here against me - thats his choice and his decision. Just 10 mins before this I had been talking to my breast care nurse about whether I need to stay in overnight. I am not superhuman I can only deal with so much and this is testing me to the limit!

Izzie595 · 16/01/2015 15:09

I'm not in a good place at all, in fact I'm not sure when I have felt worse. Things have been building over the last few weeks.

There was an occasion when he changed the address on something, which sent me into panic mode, and I lost a night's sleep because of it. He did it in retaliation of something I did, but it was a sledgehammer cracking a nut. There was something else recent to that that also had exactly the same effect.

Then I saw him last weekend and it screwed me up emotionally.

Then one of the cars has finally to be changed as now uneconomical to do advisory work on it after mot. Long story but both cars been subject to much discussion both pre and post split. Last weekend we talked cars and he wanted to go through finances to work out how changing both cars, how much we should spend on them, would affect financial options post split. Ironically, same time as the buggered car was having mot.

So I've now been told to look for a replacement car. I have been given fuck all info about cost! I have loads of questions about how the car purchase will figure in the settlement, knowing that the other car also needs changing. Pissed off that, bearing in mind I had been pushing for an answe re car for years, I'm now being told to sort out, yet am financially blinded as to how it fits into the new scheme. Pissed off wondering if he will wait till after settlement to get a better car than me, because actually I was only going to have a runner as the next car because I was the wife! Pissed off and wondering whether to claim back my own car, which he drives, and say you go sort it, it's your car that's buggered.....then being stuffed with driving a manual car again, when I now insist on automatic. And actually not knowing which of 3 cars to choose, because I'm not sure what I realistically need, although it know what I want.

Meantime I've been stressing about the financial settlement, juggling the figures, swinging between npbest and worst case scenarios. Facing the probably inevitable sale of our holiday home, which is more of an emotional wrench than the main home. Having flashbacks to all the times there, knowing I will never go back to that area again. Worrying that he may take it in settlement and she and her family will use it. Wondering if I can engineer a sale of it so he can't get it. Thinking that the sale of it will ultimately be a direct loss to the kids ultimate inheritance, because if the mortgage had run to completion we would have a property to show for it, rather than just being used to clear the mortgage on it and the mortgage on the main house. A hugely emotional time re the holiday home.

Been totally unproductive at home, and it's messy again. Making me feel worse.

Then had an issue at work today, and not sure if it will escalate. It's a second job, piss poor money, done at the end of the day of my main job at the same place. The second job is the one that creates all the issues and paperwork, I have had countless issues over the years and no support. I feel I've reached the end of the line with it and seriously want to resign it now. I spend more on smoking than I earn for that job. Going onto e cigs properly, cutting out smoking, resigning that job, would be a net gain......unless of course I cut out the smoking, went onto e cigs and kept the job! But, on the resignation route, I can't see it would affect spousal maintenance, so why not just resign. It's like people on benefits who see no financial advantage to working. I think that job is the same. And as I see it, my life is different now, so my aims and plans for the future are changing.

And I struggled to cope in work today, due to all of the above, so went home mid morning in tears.

Exchanged some texts with him, he initially seemed most concerned, but it's just ticking a box really, probably doesn't want me to resign. Last text he replied to I had said this is all a surreal nightmare and I wasn't going to deal with any of it, cars, settlement etc, so he could do solicitors, whatever, but I wasn't going to deal anyway. I had visions of the bailiffs finally evicting me after forced house sale! Or meeting a sticky end in a car that's potentially dangerous to drive. My texts then got darker, and clearly he was too busy to deal with those. As you do when your ex wife feels there is no point to living anymore......anyway, that would reap life insurance payouts, whoopee!

I've been filling someone in with the marital split story, brief summary start to finish. It should never have happened, and it is a tragic story really.

I have so much grief, stress within me, I'm overwhelmed.

Green, I cried when I saw your message to me, I wish you were here with me now.

I've been reading some of my old posts. I hardly recognise myself at the moment. My head says all this will pass. But right now I don't believe it.

I have posted all this so that one day I can read it back, and realise that' I really did sink that low and it all worked out in the end. I bloody well hope so

Izzie595 · 16/01/2015 15:17

Green , I have just read your recent post. I feel so humbled because I don't have the financial abuse. My situation is bad enough, but a lot of it is my reaction to things, rather than downright abuse.

I'm so sorry, my love. And yes, you post if you want. Speaking the truth is never libellous. He's a fucking coward threatening harassment. Basically he just doesn't want to hear the truth. And if you're reading this, me green, you are a prize cunt. Feel free to sue me, you have to find me first.

Izzie595 · 16/01/2015 15:17

Mr Green, not me green

strong123 · 16/01/2015 16:56

Green - sorry but I don't have any wise words for you as we have not even started talking about finances. I think I need to see a lawyer soon as we have not discussed it at all - I am lucky in that I work full time and can support myself and the DC. I think my twat still thinks that everything will be forgiven and that he can just move back home.

Izzie - a couple of months ago, I sent him texts saying I couldn't cope etc and he didn't even bother to reply. I know it is hard but he won't give you the response that you need. The only person he cares about is himself - he is the most important person in the world. Sorry to hear about your stresses at work - I don't know about you, but the simplest things going wrong nowadays can make me terribly upset.

I am trying to not react to his attempts to wind me up today - someone said to me, he always seems to do things on Thursday or Friday as if it is a deliberate attempt to spoil another weekend for me. Everything was fine until about 1hr ago when he updated his profile picture on a website to 7 bottles of Grey Goose vodka - nothing wrong with that apart from the fact that they were lined up on her kitchen windowsill. Do you know what it is another example of him not giving a damn about my feelings or the hurt that he may cause. Counting to ten once again...it seems to be my favourite pastime at the moment. Mustn't react to it - as that is obviously what he wants...

greenberet · 16/01/2015 18:20

izzie - im sending you the biggest hug, Flowers, Cake and Brew and Wine for later I can -
you have been a tremendous support to me over the last few days and you are going through this complete shit yourself - i think it does all build up -we all have lives that have to continue - we are all picking up the slack that our DHs have caused by buggering off - we are tyring to keep it together for ourselves for our kids trying to keep on top of the usual house stuff with added things that we previously would not have to deal with and all the time our DHs seem to be oblivious to the destruction they have left behind.

My house has never been such a mess - I am "behind" with everything that I would normally be on top off but actually, really, none of it matters - one day it will get back to being tidy if that's how I chose to spend my time.

izzie just write today off - have a bath , catch upon Broadchurch if your sons are around get a hug - hopefully tomorrow you may feel a bit better but if you dont that's ok too

what innerstrength said about a soldier returning from battle - that is probably so true - my course day Sunday was all about stress & anxiety (could really have done with doing this a few years earlier) and the treatment for phobias is based on helping the american soldiers after the vietnam war - one day the soldiers enter a village and they are friendly - the next day the village is in conflict with snipers in the woods - they never know where they're at - and anyone with a phobia knows how frightening this can be even if they know it is irrational - this is where we are - except the village is our DH - no warning, no consistency with behaviour - we expect them to "friendly" but they are the "snipers". and it is ongoing each and every day - so yes the recovery is long and slow without the support the soldiers would get after their return.

and Izzie you are still making me laugh Grin because you are quite right with the bit about needing to find your first. keep going.XX

greenberet · 16/01/2015 18:22

strong - i get you with the windups - anyone else wouldn't bat an eyelid but its the message behind it that counts - if anyone watched that cyberbully film last night the effects can be devastating and thats what I feel I am being subject too at the moment

WellWhoKnew · 16/01/2015 18:55

Izzie it will pass - it really will but the middle bit is really shocking - when you spill milk and go into full on meltdown? When a lightbulb goes 'pop' and you presume the house is going to fall down next? When you just rage (in a voice you've never even knew you had) "I can't do this".

Give up the job you hate, and think about, if you can, getting a week or two off work to just 'fall apart for a couple of weeks'. Remember there are no housework police...

Then start with the 'just one thing' approach...it is merely putting one foot in front of the other, very tenderly, very slowly and stop being so darn hard on yourself.

As for cars - I hadn't driven for over a decade when STBXH left. I am pretty proficient now...I recommend you get your car back (screw the settlement - a car is essential), get an hour's driving lesson booked (if you can), then drive and drive and drive, with the radio on full blast, and sing! Total therapy. Note: when the irritating warbler called Sam Smith starts screeching "Stay With Me" (which has tormented me since it came out about two weeks after he left and seems to be every second song on the radio) I re-wrote the lyrics for him, so when it comes on now, I sing 'Fuck Snowey Whitey'! Conquering my 'fear' of driving has given me a huge sense of accomplishment - all mine, nothing to do with him. I'd recommend you tackle something like that as it really does help your self-esteem. . Good luck.

greenberet · 16/01/2015 19:01

well - great words as usaul - i now get the full sentiment behind your "Dear" post :-)

strong123 · 16/01/2015 19:52

I feel like I am over-reacting to everything sometimes - but I know, Green, that you would understand. It is very hard not to read more than there is into a situation when the trust has been completely broken. And at the end of the day, if he had any respect for me at all, then he would stop and think before he did things like this.

greenberet · 16/01/2015 19:58

strong - somehow we need to get it that none of this is about us but when you are not completely selfish to the core your brain doesn't work like this - you are always thinking about how your interactions have an impact on other people - something I believe narcisstic people are completely incapable of - it is always about "ME"

greenberet · 16/01/2015 20:09

talking of songs well i was out the other day and the following songs came on in thiws order Bob Marley - could you be loved, Paloma Faith only love can hurt like this and Gotye - Somebody that I used to know and the lyrics all so powerful especially gotye.

Izzie595 · 16/01/2015 20:39

Hi all, will post in full later. Intending to have a mega early night. Doubt it will happen but the thought is there.

I'm still sitting in my coat, having been home since 11.45, always an indication it's not been the best of days!

Starting to feel a bit better, in the sense that I almost believe myself when I say that this is just a phase.

WWK thank you for the words, esp re the shock of the middle bit. I like the word "middle", that cheered me up a bit. The end comes after the middle.
But yes, a shock indeed. Is this the brick wall to which Drifing's friend referred? Bloody hope so.

Hobbit, thanks for PM, will reply later

Green, you do make me laugh. You know what, I think I hate your twunt more than I hate anyone. I would happily smash his face in. Very tempting to post my address, so he could come after me for being unpleasant. There's nothing like a bit of anger to make you feel invincible Grin I have remembered what WWK said about perceived threats. I said I would happily smash his face in. WOULD, not WILL, Mr Green, and if you are of a nervous disposition please bear in mind that I'm 5ft, slim and don't do any sport, boxing, karate etc. I am also not a reptile, so I could not smash your face and eat you. Try using your spare time to show some fucking respect for your wife instead of trying to play the victim.

I am tempted to pass on various messages to my ex to get his own fucking car sorted!

Oh, it's good therapy being on here, isn't it? At least if you're not in an angry mood with your own ex, there are plenty of other taunts to slag offGrin

Izzie595 · 16/01/2015 20:55

Green, how does DD feel about a 19 yr old sports fanatic who communicates and dresses well. Deal breaker in a relationship is communication issues, apparently. I wonder why??

Wedding costs can be kept down as his father and the mental patient aka partner, won't be coming. Same as for the christening etc.....

I look forward to meeting the bride's father Grin

greenberet · 16/01/2015 21:30

izzie - think I quite like the sound of him myself - Grin

Izzie595 · 16/01/2015 22:21

Green, if you mean my son, well a rebound with a younger man is a tonic. If you mean the brides father, I would give him a very wide berth.....Grin

Izzie595 · 16/01/2015 22:50

So much for my early night. But spoke to him and got some resolution on the car(s) issue, so I don't feel it's all landed in my lap anymore. He's also in no hurry for financial settlement, which suits me. It seems he isn't going to invest into the mental home, so it looks like there is no rush to do anything there. The patient likes her dingy hovel in the downmarket area, the garden is her pride and joy apparently as I already knew, so I can't see them moving. He seems quite happy to leave everything as it is for now. Good cooperation on the financial front. I realise I am very lucky in that respect, and a bit of an exception on this thread.

greenberet · 17/01/2015 10:11

izzie so good to hear you've had a bit of progress - use the lull to build your reserves up!

I have just been reading something I wrote 6 months ago for my solicitor "my story" & it was like a slap in the face!

this is how our relationship started

"things happened very quickly - i replaced his girlfriend on a holiday that was booked with his family- so quickly infact that I needed to go to the passport office to get a passport"

knowing what I now know - this is such a huge red flag - characteristic abusive/narcisstic behaviour! and nothing at all to do with me - it just shows how he is!

Izzie595 · 17/01/2015 10:28

Green, absolutely, it is his behaviour, his characteristic, and no reflection on you. In my case, my story, it was his stuff within him etc that caused the marriage to end, so I don't have a sense of rejection. Or, without analysing too deeply, if I DO, then it's minimal. The oft used phrase "it's all about him" is so true in so many cases.

Obviously I'm not perfect, no really I'm not Grin and I played my part. But the unravelling of the issues, I could deal with but he couldn't. Therefore, final verdict, would have been salvageable if it weren't for his personality.

Whatever else your feelings, don't feel any less of a person because he left.

Yes I'm feeling more on the up. Going to get painting gear on shortly. Had an exchange with him this morning about cars, finances, taking time to consider everything. We are of the same mind. I feel happy knowing nothing will change for quite some time. I'm therefore left with a lot less going through my mind. I'm now focussing on continuing with the decorating, family, me etc. Chewing over options about what car to get, economy, practicality etc, but letting that process happen as I'm doing other things.