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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

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:
AnnaStudy · 17/03/2018 14:02

Rosielily
This is a question I get asked a lot haha, but there's just something about him I adore. He gives me great advice, when he's happy he's so funny and lively, he offers to help me with my driving, we have plenty of deep discussions and sometimes he's so loving towards me like wanting constant hugs and kisses and telling me to never leave him.
But then there's this other side to him,
He's dumped me 3 times in the past few years because like always he "needs to find himself" and that I'm too much for him (I've never dumped him), he won't speak to me for days, and it's like a never ending cycle.
Yesterday he was making jokes about how he'd like to be free and a single man then claimed he was "joking", and it's all just got me down and like I said, he's done this alot. And I end up feeling crazy and like I'm going psychotic because I don't understand these mood swings :(

OP posts:
AnnaStudy · 17/03/2018 14:05

Bexter801

I don't want a relationship full of time constraints or like I'm walking on egg shells. I don't want to always be told "you're making this all about you when you can see I'm unhappy", or "you're acting controlling" when I say how I feel.
I want to be able to just ring him and ask if he's up for doing something tonight and for him to be like "yes" or "no", not thinking "am I bugging him or am I acting too controlling if I ask to see him tonight?"
I want to be able to freely bring out my problems and not feel like my relationship is ending every time we argue because he thinks arguments arent normal,

I just want us to be able to sort our confrontations out and move on

OP posts:
Tenroundswithmiketyson · 17/03/2018 14:07

My DH and I did this dance in our 20s, over 20 years ago.

Mistakes I made were taking it personally and panicking.

If he is going to break up with you, chasing him is a sure fire way to make it happen.

Don't ask me why but when young men get depressed they like to be alone. Women like to talk. They do get better at not doing this and we get better at not panicking . It's a maturity thing.

I'd say if he wants to be alone let him be. Book your holiday with afr iend and have a good night out.

If he is having doubts not a lot you can do but on the plus side you won't be having this shit.

When he decides to call, say you are concerned he is depressed and may need a doctor

Bexter801 · 17/03/2018 14:08

Then tell him this....as it sounds very much like it's all about what he wants. Fair enough he needs 'to find himself',but doesn't need to hurt anyone in the process.

Djnoun · 17/03/2018 14:10

Unfortunately, the one thing you can't do is to make him care about you more.

The fact that you said he is 'sometimes' loving says it all.

I know he's making you temporarily happy, at times. But this relationship is chipping away at your self esteem.

You need to get out while you're still emotionally healthy enough to date someone else. If you carry on like this, you'll be too nervous in another relationship to act naturally because you'll have been trained out of it.

BiologyMatters · 17/03/2018 14:12

He's emotionally abusing you. I hope one day you'll see he doesn't love you and leave him. Do you treat people you love the way he's treating you? You're so young. Get rid of this loser and be happy.

19lottie82 · 17/03/2018 14:21

You're 22, OP.

You should be having fun.

This ^^

OP, you deserve to be treated better than this.

He only wants to see you once a week? Fuck that. He’s supposed to be is a long term relationship, not booking you in for a weekly slot.

Maybe he is depressed? I’ve suffered from depression myself but I’m a great believer of the “you need to help yourself before anyone else can help you” attitude. Don’t let him drag you down with him. It may sound harsh, but you’re not his saviour.

My advice would be, take a step back from this man. I’m not saying dump him right now and never speak to him again. But don’t devote all your energy to him. You’re about to start uni, take the chance to make some new friends and enjoy yourself - you have your whole life in front of you!

Crispbutty · 17/03/2018 14:29

I’m sorry but he’s a coward who wants out of the relationship but hasn’t got the balls to say it. He’s behaving like this in the hope that you finish with him.

The relationship is over and dead in the water. You need to walk away.

19lottie82 · 17/03/2018 14:33

He wants to be in a relationship with him only when it suits him.

19lottie82 · 17/03/2018 14:33

Relationship with you (not him!)

trojanpony · 17/03/2018 15:37

Your life sounds miserable and he sounds like he doesn’t treat you very nicely.

You are young and should be happy and having fun. He sounds like he’s emotionally manipulate and controlling.
This is NOT what a normal relationship looks or sounds like.

Rosielily · 17/03/2018 16:42

@AnnaStudy walk away. You're young, vibrant and articulate. You have all your life ahead of you to find happiness with friends, both male and female. Very possibly (highly likely) you will meet the man who will make you happy, will love you, and become your life partner. You could even remain single, but still happy and fulfilled with the path your life takes. Remember, finding a partner should not be a life goal, this is why some people end up settling for a lot less than they should. You certainly deserve an awful lot better than this creature is offering. I said earlier that my daughter is 22, the same age as you. I'd be heartbroken if I saw her going through what you are now. I cannot emphasise enough what @seventh said: you should be out having fun.

lolaflores · 17/03/2018 16:46

If you don't know any different, then go and find out some different. Life and love is not like this.
Many others will testify to that and if you settle for this now, your life, all your achievements will be tainted by his sulking, "depression" and no other end of shite.
Your life is yours to enjoy. do not impede yourself in the name of love.

MigsandTiggs · 17/03/2018 16:56

He sounds depressed and unhappy with his job, his life etc. He is trying to cope, so listen to him and give him space. Perhaps a relationship isn't the best thing for either of you right now. A holiday and the associated financial pressure is not what he needs while he is trying to cope with his issues.
From your side, I would say that he does not sound like ideal BF material. Move on.

Sashkin · 17/03/2018 17:07

I had this relationship when I was 18 (probably lots of young women had). I twisted myself into knots trying to be inoffensive - he was pretty judgmental so I rarely expressed any opinions in case they were the wrong opinions. I put up with behaviour that would usually have been insta-dumps. I have no idea why, I’d had plenty of short term relationships and been quite happy to dump them when they didn’t work out, but this guy got under my skin. It ended up making me act like a crazy bunny boiler - trying to “accidentally” run into him (in Salisbury when I lived in Brighton!). Lots of other stuff.

He did eventually dump me, and it was like a weight had lifted. No more killing myself trying to please him. No more psycho behaviour either - he was the one making me behave like that, it was nothing intrinsic to me. I had a few more “normal” short term relationships after him, then met DH two years later.

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