Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

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

Did I overreact during this argument? Perspectives please?

115 replies

AnnaStudy · 15/03/2018 17:58

Hi,
My boyfriend is 26, I'm 22, been together 2 and a half years and we've argued (kind of) the past few days. We havent argued in a while before this.
Anyway, he's stressed because he doesn't know what he wants in his life, and isn't sure whether he wants to move away, he's not happy with his low paying job and it's getting him down and stressed that he still lives at home with his mum and dad. I don't mind this, I love him either way and it's realistic that we couldn't afford a house right now. I'm starting my nursing degree in September.
Anyways, we were planning on going on holiday and this was something I was looking forward to after completing my studies. Anyways, I text him 2 days ago about the holiday and ideas about where to go at 12pm (we wanted to book it by the end of this week about and we've both been so excited), he didn't reply. So at 8pm, I text him asking if everything was okay and he just said "yeah" so I said "what you been doing? Xxx" (I don't need to know where he is 24/7 but he hasn't ignored me like that in so long) and he said "sorting stuff out" so I said "oh okay! Nearly finished my work!" And he said "cool", so I rung him and asked if everything was okay, and he was really annoyed and he said not to ask him again because he's stressed. So I said "what's wrong?" He snapped and said "it's none of my business" so I told him not to speak to me like that but signal was bad so we had to hang up.
Anyway I sent him a text the next day saying "have a lovely day! Shall I pop round later?" And he said "yeah sure!"
I text about 6 asking what times best and he said he's tired but it's up to me. And he picked me up 20 minutes later.
When I got to his house, he didn't seem his usual lovey self. He was just on his phone with his back to me. So after a while I piped up and said how rubbish it's making me feel. That I feel rubbish with how he spoke to me last night and now he's got his back to me. This resulted in a tit for tat argument. He said I was up myself and that I can't handle that he didn't text me back quick enough and that he's tired and got a lot going on. So I said how I'm getting tired of his moods and I don't know what to say to him anymore, and I'm getting tired of him ignoring me everytime there's confrontation. I always get teary whenever we argue, it's the way my body deals with stress (I really hate it), and he started saying how I started this so why am I crying.
Anyway we made up, hugged and went to sleep. The next day, we were okay but then I said "shall we look at holidays then??" And he said "I dont feel like going on holiday, I dont feel happy enough to go", I once again started getting teary saying how Im scared his mood is going to get away in our relationship. He said that he can't believe I'm thinking about myself and this holiday and that I'm crying because I can't go on holiday. He also said he feels he cant tell me anything without me getting defensive. I said that I'm obviously going to be disappointed when we've been planning this holiday for ages and I've been looking forward to it. I was crying again so I got up and said I'm going home for a couple of hours because his moods are getting me down and I need to cool off but I'll be fine in and couple of hours.
He said maybe we should go a week without seeing each other. (He does this a lot whenever we argue he gives me the silent treatment for about 5 days). He said he needs to sort himself out and I can focus on my studies.
I'm more of a let's sort it out asap person,so I said a week is a bit much. But he was persistent.
Anyways, I was sat at home and I didnt like how we left things. So I rung him and said it's making me uncomfortable that we have and time set before we can see each other. He said it's for the best and I said everything is always on your terms. Whenever we argue, it's always you who decides when we can and can't see each other. And he said that's not true. And we hung up.
I then acted a bit psychotic (I admit) and thought "he always leaves me lingering, I'm just going to drive to his and sort it" so I did. I text saying "I'm outside, are you in?". No response so I went home and asked him to call me. Which he did, and I told him how sad this was all making me, how him being bored of life since January is getting me down and Im just really sad.
He said to just calm down. I asked if I could just come down to his to talk for an hour and he said no because he wanted to do stuff. I was crying so much (I look back and cringe), and so I said "how can you say no when I always drive straight to yours whenever you say your upset and need to talk to me", and he said "that's different because this thing your worrying about now isn't a big deal. You've made this situation about me and you so you can sit and think about how you caused this. Not me. I wasn't in a mood with you but you've turned this into a big thing". And then he said something like "I need to start thinking about myself but we can see each other next week and have a nice day together". I said okay.

I sent him a text at 11pm just saying sorry and that I hope he has a good day tomorrow and that I love him.
He hasn't got back to me and it's now 6pm :( I haven't text anymore or tried to ring him. I feel calmer now since I think yesterday I was just panicked since he's done it so much before that it makes me anxious when we argue. And I know he won't text me for about 4 days now because he's done it before :(
I'm scared I've put him off with how needy I was but I was just worried and this is our first argument in ages so it's not as if it's regular :(
We were just so happy last week and saw each other practically every day and he was practically begging me to come round. Now he can't even be bothered to get in touch with me

OP posts:
NoFuckingRoomOnMyBroom · 16/03/2018 17:12

He sounds awful-he's getting off on your desperation to be with him. He makes you feel like shit, won't speak to you for a week yet you're texting him to say sorry when you haven't done anything wrong & telling him you love him??
Life is far too short for bell ends like the one you're lumbered with at the moment. Ditch him & move on-he will always be in a 'dead end job' & up & down, this is how the relationship will always be-horrible.

WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 16/03/2018 17:23

Yes, I 100% agree with PrizeOik. You may not mean to be emotionally abusive, OP, but you are being.

I think this line is particularly important:
Trying to force him to act in a way that soothes your emotions IS abusive.

Onecutefox · 16/03/2018 18:33

OP, you're not abusive but he is with his egotistical behaviour. You don't need this selfish person in your life. Also you're both are very young. Maybe it's all too much for him. Let him sort out his life. You also need to see more men and choose the one who adores you and isn't selfish.

HeckyPeck · 16/03/2018 21:00

You're not being abusive OP. You're reacting to his abuse.

Cornishclio · 16/03/2018 21:14

You got together with this man when you were very young and you still sound a bit immature and suffocating. He is going through a tough time too and does not seem to know where his life is going. You are in completely different places. You know where your next step is. You are going to start a nursing degree and are thinking about having fun and holidays as you should at your age. He is the wrong side of 25 in a low paid dead end job, living with his parents and does not know what he wants out of life. My advice is give him space, go out with your friends and get on with life. Otherwise this will be the pattern of your future. He will be constantly up and down, you will beg him to come back to him, rinse and repeat. Misery for both of you.

MrsDesireeCarthorse · 16/03/2018 21:53

Fuck's sake, he sounds like complete knob but you sound so bloody needy. Next time he says he wants some time alone or whatever, just fuck him off and stop the texts and crying. You sound far too clingy and he sounds like he gets off on it Tell him where to go.

MrsDesireeCarthorse · 16/03/2018 22:04

I've just always been an emotional and sensitive person

Nothing you have said here suggests you are remotely sensitive to anyone but yourself.

HeckyPeck · 16/03/2018 22:22

He didn't "ask for some alone time" he banned op from contacting him for a week because she'd annoyed him. He's been using this tactic for 2 years on her. It's no wonder she would react that way.

WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 16/03/2018 22:26

He didn't "ask for some alone time" he banned op from contacting him for a week because she'd annoyed him.

HeckyPeck Incorrect. OP says:

He said maybe we should go a week without seeing each other. He said he needs to sort himself out and I can focus on my studies.

OP refused to allow him time and persistantly harassesed him; that and the manner in which she did so is emotional abuse.

AnnaStudy · 16/03/2018 22:35

Well he just phoned me then and he's said he only wants to see me once a week from now on whilst he "finds himself" because he feels we've spent too much time together the past few week. I just said, that's fine, I didn't know what else to say because according to some posts I've been controlling and emotionally abusive by pressurising him to see me.
He also said he doesn't like how I like to plan things, just as 'When are you free next?' and that it's controlling, so I asked if he was actually happy with me (just nicely, I didn't argue) and he said I Know he's not happy with life and once again I'm turning the situation on me. So I said I'm just wondering, and he said 'of course i'm happy with you'.
I'm a bit lost tbh. He's always getting his way and I don't know how to react to him. I can't exactly say "no you have to see me at least three times a week" because then I wouldn't be respecting his time. I don't know what to do, I love him but he's just become so down and it was just literally Sunday we were both so happy :'(

OP posts:
Ohyesiam · 16/03/2018 22:37

You are not emotionally abusive, but this relationship brings out the worst in you because you keep being rejected. Tbh that would bring out the worst in anyone .
Op, this is not what a relationship is meant to be like. When you find someone compatible it feels easy, fun and connected. You don’t need this drama, you don’t need someone making rules you have to follow, which fill you with anxiety. you need someone who looks at you and appreciates and accepts all that they see.

WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 16/03/2018 22:39

You need to separate, OP. This is a toxic relationship that isn’t doing either of you any good.

You need to be single and work on your emotions so you don’t do this to any future partners, and he needs space to work on his mental health.

theeyeofthestormchaser · 16/03/2018 22:44

My 14yo and her boyfriend are more mature than you two.

AnnaStudy · 16/03/2018 22:46

I'm sorry WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue but when you say "so you don't do this to future partners", I don't do this as a regular occurrence, I was sick of being ignored as he always reacts like this after an argument. Im not emotionally abusive as usually I just let him sulk.
I don't want to be one of those "stepford wives" which is what I feel like right now.

I'm not emotionally abusive, I was trying to fix my relationship and made a mistake by being too irrational, panic is normal at first but I've calmed down now. I acted nice on the phone with him and just agreed because I'm exhausted and confused

OP posts:
Livinglifepeachy · 16/03/2018 22:48

He needs some man the fuck up pills and get his act together. I don't think he has any issues other than the fact that your his little cushion he can chuck around. Run op run fast and far x

SmallBlondeMama · 16/03/2018 22:50

Honestly, I know you care about him but he is just going to bring you down!! Call up a girlfriend and go on holiday with her instead. Then when you get back focus on your studies and go out on wknds and have some fun. You can do so much better!!! There is a whole world of amazing guys out there, don't settle for a dud!

WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 16/03/2018 23:01

OP, you started crying because he wasn’t sure if he wanted to go on holiday. You are not in control of your emotions and you need to be in order to be a fully functioning adult that can cope with life.

HeckyPeck · 17/03/2018 08:18

You're not emotionally abusive OP. Some people just like to stick the boot in on here for whatever reason.

He's not a nice man and he ian the treating you well. He's not telling you you an only see him once a week. It's a punishment for you getting upset and not doing what he says. He wants you to go back to doing what he says so he doesn't have to deal with any conflict. He can probably tell you're starting to see what he's like so he's trying to get you back to the compliant person you have been.

Do you want to spend your life with someone that you have to constantly tread on eggshells around? That's no way to live.

Djnoun · 17/03/2018 09:10

Oh, this sounds rotten for you, OP.

I can see why his behaviour is making you feel insecure. And then you're on a knife edge, because your insecurity has been nurtured by this repetition that now if you express all the feelings you've got bubbling up, you're almost certain to go too far in creating another dramatic atmosphere.

If you really feel like you no longer what to say to him to be 'right', I really think it's you who needs a bit of time away from him to see what you really want out of a relationship.

And I know it doesn't feel like it now, but you'll feel much more emotionally secure without someone guilt tripping you about wanting your basic need for comfort to be fulfilled.

SendintheArdwolves · 17/03/2018 10:08

Stop focusing on what he wants and think about what you want.

Is this relationship acceptable to you? Is this how you want to be treated?

I think you should call time and break up with him. He is basically begging you to do that anyway - he is treating you cruelly and now wants you to agree that you will only see each other once a week.

He wants the relationship to be over, but he lacks the balls to do it himself, and probably (rightly) surmises that if he broke up with you, you would totally flip out, cry, beg, refuse to leave, drive round to see him, badger him for reasons, promise to change, etc. So he's trying to treat you so badly that you decide to break up with him.

Whocansay · 17/03/2018 10:11

Don't waste your time on this guy. He's telling you he isn't that into you. He only wants to see you once a week so he can use you for a shag and fuck off again! This is not a relationship. After 2 1/2 years, it should all be fun and enjoying each other's company.

You really need to value yourself more. Ditch this guy and let him 'find himself'. You might 'find yourself' too. Find yourself a lot happier with someone that doesn't treat you like shit.

seventh · 17/03/2018 10:19

You're 22, OP.

You should be having fun.

Your DP is entitled to be miserable or be any way he wants, but jeez .... you don't have to be dragged through it too.

Get rid. Have some fun. Enjoy life.

Rosielily · 17/03/2018 13:50
  • You're 22, OP.

You should be having fun.*

Couldn't agree more with what @seventh said earlier. My oldest daughter is your age, having all the fun in the world as well as studying at University.

Can I ask @AnnaStudy, what is it you actually love about this specimen?

AnnaStudy · 17/03/2018 13:56

Thanks once again everybody, this is really helping me not go so crazy haha! Anyway he's agreed to meet up with me later, I told him over phone today that I'm not happy and this relationship is making me anxious and panicky.
He replied "well it's up to you what happens",
So he didn't really sound that bothered,
He said I can come round later (whether he sticks to this we'll have to wait and see) but atm hes putting no effort in.
In all honestly, I wouldn't mind going once or twice a week seeing each other if it was natural but the fact he's put a maximum time we can see each other feels like a lot of pressure and I don't think it's normal.
It's time to start thinking about what I want but it's hard

OP posts:
Bexter801 · 17/03/2018 13:59

What is it that you want?( you said its time to talk about what you want)