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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

How do I start to move forward?

3 replies

RockBottomandFallingFurther · 10/06/2017 11:32

I have reached rock bottom.

A bit of background - married a long time and have 2 grown up DCs who are my pride and joy. The last 5 years have been really difficult with a constant string of things going wrong that put a strain on our marriage.
3 years ago H had an emotional affair, which we managed to recover from, or so I thought. Then a year or so later he went on to have a full blown affair with a colleague, moved in with her etc etc.
I started seeing someone new fairly soon after, which I realise was probably too soon, but he was lovely and we had a nice relationship. But all the while I missed my H and started to try to bring us back together and over the last year we (or more accurately, I) worked towards it. I invested a huge amount of emotional and mental energy, positive thinking and soul searching to keep our marriage vows alive. I really thought we could do it. We had had such a fantastic, perfect marriage for many, many years that I was confident we could get back on track. He said he saw the error of his ways and wanted to make a go of things too.

So fast forward to this week. He finally moved his things back in and agreed to give it a try. He left OW, who he still lived with but not in a romantic way. He described it as being a lodger, child minder, general odd job man around the house and I do believe that. But after just a few days of being together, the first row happened. I told him I can't do it. He left.

What I found in the old light of day was a complete shock though. The reality is, I think we love each other because we have a long history but we are not 'in love' with with each other. I realise that he is not the man I fell in love with all those years ago. Too much has happened for us to go back to that glorious time.

I feel such a fool. A complete mug. I read back what I have just written and can see how ridiculous it all looks, what a complete bastard he has been, what a fool I have been. Why on earth would I consider a relationship with a man who had 2 affairs? What on earth was i thinking?

So now I feel utterly numb. Utterly exhausted. I need to start divorce proceedings and get control back of my life. I just don't know where to start or how to start.

Please be gentle with me. I know I've been a fool. I know he's been a complete bastard. Practical wisdom is what I need right now please.

OP posts:
Mum4Fergus · 10/06/2017 11:37

In all honesty I'd suggest doing nothing for a while...stop the roundabout and get off for a bit, spend some time with yourself, with your kids, with friends...find yourself and gather your energy...then start to think about your next steps Flowers

something2say · 10/06/2017 11:40

Aww you haven't been a fool. It seems it was a necessary step on the path. Sometimes you just can't go from together to over in a heartbeat.

Cut yourself some slack for this weekend only. Take a few days to chill out. Go out in the lovely sun and think. Chill out, watch to, eat well. You'll be alright. You got through the first time he left, living alone, right! You can do it again.

When the time comes, I'd get a journal and start working out where your future lies. You are free now.....what would you like to do? And factor grief in, as it will probably come. Work through the loss, cry and grieve. But run the two at the same time and look to overturn mostly to the thinking about the future xxxxx

RockBottomandFallingFurther · 11/06/2017 10:07

Thank you for your advice ladies.
I'm trying to think positively but it's difficult with such a knot in my stomach.

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