Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

Do I send one final message to formally end it or just leave things now?

54 replies

JesusTapdancingChrist · 21/08/2017 08:44

Have been in a bit of an on/off relationship for the past few years. Genuine feelings there but also genuine issues. He is a woeful communicator for one, shuts down/storms off rather than talk about stuff. He was also starting to get a bit lazy, no thoughtful gestures, we never went away for as much as a night, he never texts me when he had his DC, he was getting a bit selfish in bed (sex has always been fantastic before). And this is when we only see each other once or twice a week so should still be fun.

I told him a few weeks ago that I wasn't happy with how things were, instead of our relationship moving forwards it was starting to feel stagnant and a bit pointless. He said he was surprised but let's find a way to "move forwards together".

Since then, nothing. I've had a manic few weeks with family visiting, my DC have been busy and I became extremely unwell for a week. Didn't hear a peep from him. I know this goes both ways but tbh I was expecting him to make some sort of effort so wasn't keen on texting him first (as a I have always done in the past) Not game-playing, just no energy left to try. I'm feeling loads better now and am quite happy spending my child free time on my own. Have sorted my garden, joined a gym and am generally quite content.

As I said, not a peep from him. This has happened before. The combination of his poor communication skills and male pride make him unable to extend the olive branch. Last time it happened I cracked and got in touch and he leapt at the chance to meet up/reconcile. This time I just cannot be arsed. I'm in my mid 30's, he's in his 40's. I just do not have time or energy for this nonsense anymore.

I've deleted his number from my phone. A small part of me is tempted to send one last text along the lines of 'Just to make it clear, I'm done now. Your complete inability to communicate like an adult is not something I'm willing to put up with anymore.' and then blocking him. This isn't me trying to engage him btw, more a way of drawing a line under the whole thing and not spending the next few weeks semi-wondering if he'll message me.

Text or just leave things as they are?

OP posts:
reflexfaith · 21/10/2017 11:07

You're just not that into each other

MollyWantsACracker · 21/10/2017 14:17

Hi JTC
Can I just say I think you are amazing and you have inspired me.
I’ve really let myself slide since my breakup and have been drinking too much, not taking care of myself (working out/eating well) and I am a mess. I haven’t broken contact (no point, it won’t bring him back) but I wobble all the time.
Your posts have reminded me that it really is time to work harder to shift the focus away from the sadness and heart break and onto actively working to make myself better
Thank you

Hermonie2016 · 21/10/2017 14:51

I really think you have dodged a bullet..my stbxh displayed poor communication early on and we never really solved issues.He was however keen (because I validated him and was successful which reflected well on him) so I ignored red flags.

Of course once I no longer validated him the true character came out and the poor communication became abusive.

Just reading your description rang so many bell for me.I didn't have the knowledge so ploughed on.
Well done you, if he's 40s and hasn't learnt to deal with relationships he never will.In his mind you are the issue and there is no point trying to get him to think differently.

Try not to communicate, silence will have more impact.

JesusTapdancingChrist · 21/10/2017 19:24

@Hermonie2016 I think you're right. I'm not sure we could ever have transitioned our relationship into a 'proper' one. I'm ready for a full on partnership now and I couldn't live with someone who was so poor at talking. Sorry your ex was such a twat Flowers

@MollyWantsACracker - thank you so so much. That means a lot. I'm sorry you're going through a similarly shit time but know that if I can do it, you can too. I feel like I'm fully in control of my life now and my tolerance for time wasters/cocklodgers is nonexistent. I will only be with actual emotionally functional grownups from this point on and won't compromise an inch on that. It's all quite liberating really Grin.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread