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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

Why am I never good enough to be relationship material?

90 replies

christmaslog · 18/12/2017 18:02

I just had to end things with a man I was seeing for a few months because he was losing interest and played the classic 'I don't want a relationship card'.

Every time I try dating and I meet someone I like it follows a similar pattern. Meet, they want to date for a few months, then it ends with me wanting more and them not. I'd say in the last few years, this has happened to me maybe 10+ times.

I can't transition from dating to relationship and I don't understand why.

The latest guy I thought I did it all right. Held out 8 dates for sex, didn't seem to keen, kept expectations low, yet still it's failed.

I don't know what's wrong with me and how to change.

Other people I know meet someone, they both like each other then seem confident it will end up a relationship and it does.

I can never have this because I just know it will go wrong - and it does!

What am I doing so wrong? Btw I'm 29.

OP posts:
WhatALoadOfOldBollocks · 23/12/2017 18:12

OP, I'll give you a slightly different perspective. IMO a good place to start is making sure you know exactly what you want. I mean, honestly know. Sounds obvious, but I think so many of us get caught up in the whole fairytale of date-relationship-cohabit-marriage-babies-happy ever after, that we don't stop to consider if that's really what we want. I know I did, but at mid 20s I had an epiphany and realised I didn't want children. That took a lot of pressure off to find "Mr Right" straight away. Then a few years later I realised that I really wasn't bothered about marriage. Again, another pressure off. Then I lived with someone and found it so crap compared to living alone that I then decided I didn't want to cohabit again. Another pressure off. After years of short term relationships with the odd one or 2 slightly longer ones, it finally dawned on me that I didn't actually want what I'd been seeking! I've now decided that I'm actually happier either being single, or being in relationships of only a few months duration. And that is OK despite not being the "fairlytale".

AlbaSelkie · 25/12/2017 15:58

Freedom!

Seline18 · 20/09/2018 21:28

I have the exact same issue as christmaslog, the difference is Im a young looking 50. Intelligent, attractive, lots of hobbies, good circle of friends, a career, life of my own and am financially and emotionally independent. At one stage guys I dated told me much later on that they thought I wasnt interested so now I'm open and honest. I don't play games, Im not into constant messaging or calls. Im always the "inbetween girl", the "gapfiller" before they settle down. Im not desperately seeking someone, I have my own life and am quite happy in it and with myself. I've dated but I havent had a true relationship for 10 years. I've heard it all "he'll turn up when you least expect it", the "right man is just around the next corner", when "you're not looking you'll find him". I've watched friends split up, meet up, split up and go through the whole relationship cycle. I would love to know why.

Bellendejour · 21/09/2018 09:39

Just wondered how you are meeting these guys OP? I have a friend who is around your age OP and she’s having a nightmare with OLD. None of the guys seem to know what they want, start off keen but then panic, blow hot and cold, eventually end it once she’s pushed them for a ‘where is this going’ answer. Mostly I think it’s the guys (baggage, immaturity etc) but I do think part of her problem is having a very definite ‘type’ that would naturally be very popular, so I worry that these guys have too many options while OLD.

I think that can be a problem with OLD generally because there are always new people popping up and distracting people and making them think the grass is greener.
I did OLD on and off for about 8 years and during that time my two most serious relationships were both with people I met in real life. I did have one fairly serious relationship with a guy I met online, but with hindsight, he was just a really nice good on paper guy who I needed after dating quite a few twatty guys. My current bf who I’m having a baby with I met IRL. Do you have much scope for that? You mentioned doing running, so are you in a running club etc? What about work?

Re therapy being expensive, it’s never cheap but google low cost counsellors in your area.

I wouldn’t worry too much about last chances, you’ve got loads of time. I was 40 when I got together with my bf.

sunshine789 · 21/09/2018 11:07

I've had similar issue few years ago. Absolutely the same story each time: first all good, few months later - gone. And it was like that for years until I reviewed what I'm actually doing and how I behave.

Its very brief what you described here, but already from that its clear that you are a bit "lost" (cant find better word).

You are saying that you want relations, but at the same time you keep expectation low... I'm not sure what do you mean here exactly, but if you expect low, you will get low and you wont be able to rise the bar higher later.

You also say that you dont have what to offer to a man. What do you think they need? Its very important to understand as you will be attracting types of men accordingly.

Also you need to find out from very beginning if a guy wants relations, wants to have a family, get married and so on. Not with you of course , but he will tell you that he doesnt want to have kids ever and you want, you have nothing to do together.

Sonjing · 21/09/2018 12:16

I've had similar issue few years ago. Absolutely the same story each time: first all good, few months later - gone. And it was like that for years until I reviewed what I'm actually doing and how I behave.

Sunshine can you please share what you understood/ changed of your behaviour to turn things around?

I have experienced this a few times and I'd be really interested in hearing other people's experiences.

Haireverywhere · 21/09/2018 12:20

Seems like until the last guy, you've been dating incompatible men maybe? And this one just didn't happen to transition?

MinaPaws · 21/09/2018 12:22

My guess is that they instinctively sense you want 'a relationship' rather than to be with them. Which may seem unfair. Maybe you do really like them individually. But anyone who seems keen to get on with the next stage of a relationship rather than enjoy being with someone can seem a bit off-putting, as though their partner is a project not a person.
Honestly, I think the best thing to do is to work on yourself so you are truly happy in your own skin, doing what you do, living your happy life. Then when someone comes along, they want to be part of that happy life, not the one to plug the hole in an empty life.

Sonjing · 21/09/2018 12:28

Honestly, I think the best thing to do is to work on yourself so you are truly happy in your own skin, doing what you do, living your happy life. Then when someone comes along, they want to be part of that happy life, not the one to plug the hole in an empty life.

While I can see that many women can benefit from this advice, I know plenty of women who have been single for a while and have their lives together, great career, friends, hobbies and yada yada.

You can be as happy and fulfilled as you possibly can and make sure you don't over-invest too early on, but if you meet a man who ultimately is confused/ blowing hot and cold/ flaky/ uncommittal, then you still end up on your own.

AsleepAllDay · 21/09/2018 12:55

Everyone is relationship material (or at least 99% of the world)

You said you don't feel settled/content in yourself and that's probably leading you to men who are in the same pickle - they've got something missing in the same way that you're feeling unsettled in your own life...

Work on what's inside and like people have said, attachment styles.

I have the exact same problem as you OP - I'm young, get male interest and can line up dates, good career, chat etc but I'm not sticking with the right men

I had a happy relationship this year they deteriorated in the similar but not same way - were together but forced apart by distance and he has gone off into the sunset

See this as an opportunity to reset. Keep what's good in your life and work on what needs it, to make you feel whole and worthy.

Then you'll be able to filter out the also rans, date for pleasure and hopefully meet men whose lives are in line with yours :)

hellsbellsmelons · 21/09/2018 13:51

I can never have this because I just know it will go wrong - and it does!
This is one of your problems.
It's doomed before it even starts because you EXPECT it to fail.
It's a self fulfilling prophecy!
Just chill.
Enjoy things for what they are.
If they develop then great and if not then so what!?
Just take it one date at a time.
Don't play games.
Be you.

Bellendejour · 21/09/2018 13:56

Also I definitely don’t think you did anything wrong with your last guy. He sounds like he was only half it it for lots of reasons. Hopefully there won’t be a next time but if you did find someone you were seeing scrolling through tinder you should tell them to jog on! You sound like a great catch so don’t put up with this kind of treatment.

MinaPaws · 21/09/2018 14:15

You can be as happy and fulfilled as you possibly can and make sure you don't over-invest too early on, but if you meet a man who ultimately is confused/ blowing hot and cold/ flaky/ uncommittal, then you still end up on your own.

Is that really true, @Sonjing ? That particular relationship may not work out, but it's not a pattern or a prophecy for singledom for the rest of your life.

If you meet a succession of flaky men, not just one, then you need to work out why they attract you.

sunshine789 · 21/09/2018 16:58

@Sonjing Yes, sure! That will be too long to write as it was a lot of inner work, so I'll try to explain the basic.

I was kind of easy going, casual, not demanding, comfortable girl. I was attracting reasonable men, but as result - relations were the same as I was and was treated accordingly.

For starters you need clearly understand what you want. I wanted serious relations, which in some time will lead to marriage, family, kids.

Next - what kind of man you want. I wanted successful (means with good job/business and so on or at least man with good potential), smart, funny, strong, healthy, etc. man. Thats very important as believe me you dont want to end up having 2 jobs to pay debts of your alcoholic, who will tell you to go back to work in 3 weeks after you will deliver him a baby (true story for some women).

Where to find that man? Not at your home on the sofa its for sure. So I started actively going to gym, some courses/classes, travel, going out to nice places only and online (found there veeeery good guys. and lost them Confused ). My issue also was that I was having 1 date and after was sticking to that guy until it will be ended. I changed that - I had few dates a week with different men (nothing intimate, just dinner or coffee and no doubledating. You find the one you really like, cancel all the other dates). First date is a foundation for your relations. You make it as kind of interview to see if there can be future, no need to wait like "will see" or expect that things will change. So after filtering men according to what kind of men I wanted, I was asking mainly about his plans, values and expectations (e.g. doesnt want kids - good bye, doesnt want family - good bye, have no financial plan - good bye, he is 35 and didnt find himself yet - good bye, wants to move to India for 3 years to find his dzen - good bye, and so on. And many women might not agree, but wants to split the bill - good bye).

Next how you position yourself. However modern we are, men are still hunters and as more difficult to get you, more they afraid to loose you. So I'm not calling first, I'm not asking out, I'm not answering messages/calls at late evening/night, I'm not free on weekends, if we agree to have a call around 4pm, I wont answer if he calls at 5pm, if he is late for date more than 10 min without serious reason Im leaving. And like that until we will get serious.

Very important one - what men want/need? I was thinking about it a lot. So its not your education level, job, money you earn, exceptional beauty, not cooking, washing and cleaning. Ive seen some girls, who are ugly, short, work as waitresses and fantastic men are around them, who care about them, respect, love like crazy and can get the moon for them just to make them happy. So the conclusion: men dont love women for what women love men, men love how they feel themselves next to particular woman. OP was saying that she doesnt know what to offer to a man. What I was offering was "Look, I have this education, career, I'm so attractive and sexy, and independent, but I'm also very nice, I'll do everything for you and also everything instead of you because I'm very smart and know better". It was not always all together usually. Anyway, what man wants is to feel like a man, like a hero. He is "fighting" all day and when he is seeing you he wants to relax and get appreciation. Also he needs support and motivation.
For example (I will be exaggerating, but the idea will be clear):

  • he brings flowers, very often as I heard the reaction is "beh, thanks. not needed"; he went to work, earned money, went to flower shop, chose flowers, spent money on them (instead of beer for himself) and brought to you, reaction should be "omg!omg!omg! what a beautiful flowers!i'm so happy!blahblah"; if you wont give him proper reaction, next time he will bring you nothing, next time you will split the bill, and next time he will go to that one who will be shining bright from those daisies.
  • he is coming back from work and says "i got promotion", and you says "hehh, I got 2 promotions" or "ah ok"; he says "i signed awesome contract" and you "pfff i was signing such contracts in kindergarten". you have to "omg! im so proud of you! you are the best man in world!"
  • he is coming back and says that he lost his business, you say "you are so smart, strong, blabla, you will fix it, i believe in you" (never ever ever offer money, be guarantor or involve yourself. and dont ever say "i knew it" or "you looser")

So you have to be inspiration and source of energy.

Also very important one and why some men leave - they get bored. You need to be "full" - have some interests which will give you drive. They shouldnt match with his, but when you talk about what you like to do and doing good, lets say you fry incredible pancakes, he should get hungry while you are talking. And nobody likes that kind of thing: "what are you doing?" - "nothing, just thinking about you"; you are not doing that ever, you are trying to make new smoothie or watching your favorite ballet.

All that is not a guarantee of success, there are exceptions, but such mindset will help you easier break up with asshole if will get involved.
It worked for me and it worked for many of my friends.

Seline18 · 23/09/2018 21:08

Lots of different responses here, thanks for the input. Still confusing subject. I have hobbies, a full life, let guys do things for me and appreciate, absolutely not needy or high maintenance. Even if I can do something myself I sometimes pretend I cant. If I like someone I cant date other people it just not in me. I've lost out to guys previously and much later been told by them that they didnt think I was into them so I've changed my behaviour. Someone recently told me that I want to get married and they cant give me that. Whats laughable is nothing could be further from the truth and I have no idea where that came from. I've never mentioned marriage, never gazed at engagement rings, cooed over weddings, nothing. in fact I've never even mentioned relationships so Im clueless. I dont even like going to weddings as a guest. Baffled unless in some crazy man world he meant I want to get married and you dont! TBH we never reached the stage where we would of had those conversations so it seems he has jumped to a lot of assumptions about me in his own head.

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