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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

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At rock bottom- 2 years thrown away on a text

428 replies

yestocarrots · 11/12/2016 22:05

Just hoping for a bit of a hand hold. Sorry this is so long. I'm feeling very bleak right now and have no one to talk to. Please, someone, sanity check me. I am reeling from a turn of events that has put me into a depression worse than any I've experienced in a while.

My ex partner was an army guy. We lived quite separate lives because he was posted the other side of the country to my city, but we saw each other most weekends. He has known my dd since she was tiny (she's now 2). Been a dad to her in every way, it was like we were a family. We argued quite a lot always about the same things- he didn't communicate much at all during the week, often would only text, and would get angry and belligerent if I expressed a wish for this to change. I wasn't perfect- I had bad PND and would get very emotional in conflicts which seemed to frustrate him. I was working full time in a demanding job and running a home and being a single parent and I know I took shit out on him. But I also loved him deeply. Showed it in any ways I could. Keeping the house lovely for when he came, making plans for days out and little holidays, putting on Xmas for him including a stocking and a sack of gifts, sending him packages, kept myself available for him basically every weekend and never asked for more than just more contact in the week (which frankly he never made the effort to change.) Earlier this year he was posted abroad at very short notice. I was devastated and scared but we both mutually agreed we would not let it break us. Both of us were in bits the day he left.
Then it all fell apart. While he was away I got so used to us not being able to communicate at all, I just sort of shut down. But my eating disorder and depression came back with a vengeance. My periods stopped entirely and I nearly lost my job through stress. I found it impossible coping with work, health and my toddler, I missed my best friend and partner so much. I sent him packages but it was all I could do. I had bought him special notepaper to write to me and he never did, when I asked him to once he snapped and ridiculed me as he thought it was such a trivial thing for me to want. When I finally confessed I wasn't coping and didn't know how to deal, told him my health was deteriorating and I just needed to know a rough time of when he would be back, or needed some more support (I don't really have any IRL and I didn't get support from the army as we weren't married.) he was furious when I said all this. Accused me of breaking up with him, saying I had no empathy for the stressful situation he was in, was so angry it shocked and hurt me to the core. It was like the more upset I was the more angry he was. After a week or so of this I suggested we go on a break til he got back as the miscommunication seemed tto be so damaging (I now deeply regret this as feel it was selfish but literally at the time I couldn't stand this anger coming from him and the fact that in fact he had no empathy for me.)
Within a month he had a date to return to the UK. I asked how/when I could come and meet him off the plane at the base. He never got round to letting me know- he was too busy apparently. He didn't let me know he was back in the UK til he had been there almost a week. He then asked on the Wednesday if I was free on the Friday to meet and talk. I had a work commitment I couldn't get out of and said I couldn't, but asked how he was and how the journey was. His response- "Are you serious?! All that bullshit about priorities and you won't meet me. Bye then". I immediately replied asking why we couldn't do the weekend instead. He simply replied "don't bother contacting me again." All by text. I couldn't believe it. I still can't believe he did that. A month later he still hadnt come to his sense. I was missing him terribly but so hurt from his text I hadn't contacted him. Finally got up the courage and texted him. He responded so furiously and verbally abusively and yet we ended up sleeping together twice, him telling me one minute that I had hurt him so much and was a shit person with no empathy, then next that he loved me and was sorry i suffered so much when he was away. I was so confused about how he twisted it into me having done something unforgivable by not being able to see him when he decided I should. After 2 weeks of hell he texted me to tel me he would be no worse off if he ever saw me again. I've been bereft all over again. Calling him in tears- sometimes he answers and is reassuring, sometimes he won't answer but sends angry texts. Texting him how much I love and miss him, how sorry I am for what I did and begging him to see me. He has stopped responding altogether. I just don't know what to do. My dd calls him daddy- he said in a year it would be like he had never existed to her. I miss him so much, I can't bear how this has played out. I feel racked with guilt. I just want him to understand why I shut him out. I'm still having tests for my lack of periods, I'm still suffering terribly with my bulimia but he just accuses me of having no empathy and making his life hell. I feel so guilty I want to just hurt myself.

Sorry- I know it was long. I just need someone to tell me I didn't deserve this. He slept with me and told me he loved me just 2 weeks ago. I just want to curl up and cry. 2 years meant nothing to him in the end.

OP posts:
Grittlelayrabbit · 15/12/2016 17:04

Ive done this too. I simply couldnt accept that he was the utter callous git that all his behaviour pointed to. It didnt join up in my head so i couldnt see it and couldnt let go of what i thought we could be. Thankfully it passes.

yestocarrots · 15/12/2016 18:41

Thing is I don't know if I've always been a doormat and he has always been this guy or if he has just fallen out of love and I drove him to that. Guilt again. Evenings are so hard. I need to believe that the liar/angry/controlling him is the real him. for reasons from my past I feel very responsible for other people's behaviour and very conscious of my role in things.

OP posts:
lasttimeround · 15/12/2016 18:53

Move on. The guy you thought you were seeing didn't exist. This guy is in reality an arse and you're life will get better without him in it. You put your life on pause expecting something to happen that wasn't on the cards. He's mean and unreliable

Lucked · 15/12/2016 18:53

It is the real him. A decent guy would have broken up with you properly.

Now be the grown up and break up with him properly, part of that is letting him move on. Be prepared with him wanting to mess with your head and heart, really the best course of action would be no contact.

KnowOneNose · 15/12/2016 18:55

I really, really, really, really, really hope you've cancelled the meet up and blocked him.

everythingis · 15/12/2016 18:56

Op every minute you waste being sad about this twit is another minute you are denying yourself happiness

pklme · 15/12/2016 18:57

Do me a favour Carrots, go out tomorrow, somewhere he can't find you. Stand him up. Block him on your phone. Visit a friend who will help you stay strong, go and see your mum. Hold your head up high and make an active choice to stay away from the lying, cheating, bullying, controlling knob that he is.

Sorry, got a bit carried away on your behalf there. Blush

redexpat · 15/12/2016 19:40

Have you blocked his number yet? When you do this you will be in control of the relationship for the first time.

yestocarrots · 15/12/2016 20:20

I haven't blocked him. I hate the thought that I will never see or speak to him again even if that's still the case if he's unblocked it just makes me feel panicked to instigate it. I loved him so much. It still feels like a bad dream. I have known him for 8 years. It's so stupid but I feel like I can't block him. When he has blocked me in the past I felt so so devastated. Absolutely panicked. I don't know why.

OP posts:
vonny81 · 15/12/2016 20:28

Op I know how you feel, I want to dream out and make him just be back to the nice person I thought he was, cuddle and kiss me and say itsall gonna be alright, but you need to snap out of it, the longer you keep it up the better. No spying on Facebook what'sapp etc. Block the bastard you aren't available to him any more!!!

KnowOneNose · 15/12/2016 20:33

OP, I have never said this to anyone online before as I think it's rude and not appropriate (sorry) but I think you should consider professional help. It's like you are trying to deliberately sabotage yourself.

Do you have anyone in real life who can help you see sense?

Im suprised no one has accused you of being a troll as it's as though you are trying to do the very opposite of what EVERY SINGLE other poster on this thread is saying. It almost sounds unbelievable as you seem so irrational. I understand why you are feeling so upset but not the fact you actually still want to contact him.

BumDNC · 15/12/2016 20:34

But you are keeping yourself in this bubble of sick and panic by keeping the lines open. Every time your phone goes you are a wreck. You will NOT feel half as awful if you take away that element.

It's almost like self abuse this, keeping yourself perched on this thin wire of high emotion

nothing will get better until you take some control over your own life. You are a fully grown adult and need to take some responsibility for the step of moving forward. He can't give it to you and nor can we. You have to do it

BumDNC · 15/12/2016 20:36

It will also get to the point where people give up helping you because you aren't doing anything to help yourself as it comes over you aren't listening. I don't want to see that happen to you but that is what ends up happening

yestocarrots · 15/12/2016 20:47

I'm sorry. Please don't think I am ignoring the advice. This thread has been a life saver for me. I know I must sound so irrational and erratic but it's the only place I can get all this down and how I feel is so confusing and I feel like it has opened up even more issues for me about how I could have been so oblivious of reality for so long. I know my self esteem is fucked and that stems from before this guy. The support is very very much needed. If anyone is thinking of troll hunting just don't even bother.

OP posts:
PaulDacresConscience · 15/12/2016 20:55

HorridHenry - I told you to fuck off because you'd posted something that came across really badly towards the OP. There was nothing more to it than that.

That said, your last post I agree with 100%.

PaulDacresConscience · 15/12/2016 20:56

Carrots love, nobody is judging you. This man has properly messed with your head and it takes time to disengage and clear your mind from all the bullshit. You'll get there, but just remember in this case it's not you it's him! Flowers

KnowOneNose · 15/12/2016 20:59

I underand why you are upset, I understand why you are confused and I understand why your emotions are all over the place but I CANT understand why you phoned him, why you arranged to meet him and why you won't block his number and delete all his contact details. It's really reckless and self destructive not too. You are torturing yourself when you are not in a position to deal with it.

You have to put your own mental health first. You need to be healthy for your DD.

BumDNC · 15/12/2016 21:00

No I don't think you are, I just so badly want you to grab hold of what you can control now - which is contact - and then focus on working through all your feelings. While you still have the channel open you aren't going to move very far forward because there is always the risk one call or text will put you 10 steps back

KnowOneNose · 15/12/2016 21:03

BTW I believe the mixed and confused feeling you experiencing are completely normal when you have been in such an abusive disfunctional relationship. I wouldn't be suprised if you feel like this for a while however in the mean time you really need to dig deep and force yourself to BE SENSIBLE and block the bastard.

yestocarrots · 15/12/2016 21:04

I guess it does feel like torturing myself objectively but I am finding it so hard to make that final break. He messed with me so much when he came back. He left and threatened to leave so many times before and I wanted it to work so much despite everything that happened to the extent that I cut off from my support network really (my mum and sister) after the hotel room thing. Then he went away, I started to try and survive on my own then he came back and it was like he hated me. And then he was in my house again and having sex with me and telling me everything I wanted to hear and promising the future and then it was all gone again and now he's like a whole other person. It is enough to make me feel exhausted and like I am going mad. I am rethinking everything. 2 years and more. I'm even worried that his next gf will get the lovely side of him forever as though I just wasn't good enough for him. Not to mention I feel unattractive I gained weight when with him as I turned to binge eating and bulimia; I also cut my hair and stopped wearing much makeup or making an effort with clothes as it seemed like it didn't make a difference and I was so hit by PND for ages. Now I don't recognise myself j feel like I have no strength alone and worse of all no judgement.

OP posts:
BumDNC · 15/12/2016 21:09

So why leave the door open for this to happen again? Close the door immediately

Allalonenow · 15/12/2016 21:15

carrots We can all see how much he has damaged you, and we all want you come out of this dark place, and be the bright successful happy woman we know you can be.

Think about talking to your GP in the New Year and getting some help for your general health. Try to eat, even if only snacks like cheese on toast or an omelette, and drink plenty of water.

Lots of us have been where you are now, we know how much it all hurts, how you think the pain will never stop.... But it does, it really does.

You will come through this. Thanks

KnowOneNose · 15/12/2016 21:18

Even if don't want to why don't you just block him and delete his contact details anyway. That way you will protect yourself from any rash decisions.

Then, perhaps you should contact someone who is trained to help people in your situation. I don't know about other posters but I'm not 'qualified' or 'trained' to give advice. I think maybe I'm saying the wrong things.

How about calling somewhere like this MAGGIES RESOURCE or Woman's Aid.

vonny81 · 15/12/2016 21:18

I totally understand what you are saying. I think we are quite similar carrots. After everything my baby's dad has done to me, I long for him to walk through the door and cuddle n kisse, say everything I want to hear. But the thing is, you will learn eventually when you get to a point. They will never ever change, under any circumstances, having a baby, being ill, any emotional blackmail or guilt will wear out and it will happen again. If it's meant to be it will happen. You need to get your head around the fact it's over, he clearly doesn't want you. Why do you want someone that doesn't want you back?

Nanny0gg · 15/12/2016 21:22

If you don't block him now and deal with the feelings you will have to deal with them in the future, he will not come back and treat you well. So get it over and start moving on now.

You are torturing yourself needlessly.