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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

Giving up on relationship with casual man

44 replies

Muddledupagainandagain · 26/04/2018 17:28

I’ve been “seeing” someone for nearly six months who I think the world of. He has always left me unsure of where I stand, being keen one minute and distant the next. He has admitted this is deliberate. I’ve not met his friends or family and am not part of his everyday life despite asking for this to change. I’m aware that I’ve allowed myself to inadvertently become a booty call and ego boost, albeit one that he cares about and keeps in touch with regularly. He’s told me he isn’t looking for a relationship currently. This is code for not wanting a relationship with me, I know, rather than not wanting a relationship with anyone. We get on well, I enjoy his company and I want to be able move on from wanting him as a partner and maybe becoming friends rather than cutting him dead.

I’ve hung around and given him the space he has wanted. Whenever I withdraw emotionally from him, he then puts lots of effort in and I respond thinking maybe he has changed. But he never does. I know I’m incapable of blocking him, it just left me more obsessed. But I have three weeks of not seeing him as he is off travelling with friends and I know that I will get the odd text but nothing meaningful. I want to use the time to build my confidence back up, to look after myself better and to really think through what I want from my life. It has become almost a habit to sit and think about him/a possible relationship and I’m struggling to break this. I’m starting to take him down off the pedestal I’ve put him on but it isn’t easy and I find myself thinking back to when I first met him and how he swept me off my feet.

Any tips for mentally breaking that mental and emotional link with someone would be appreciated. I don’t want him gone for good without me first talking to him about my wants and feelings but right now, I’m so wrapped up in him, it’s difficult to get any clarity.

OP posts:
littlepill · 26/04/2018 17:34

I have been in this exact situation and the best thing is to cut your losses and move on. Cut all ties. If you feel like explaining, fine, but block and move on. I did NC for months and months and mistakenly became receptive when he got back in touch. Nightmare! Car-and-mouse.

It is hard and you need to be determined. Pull up the help of your friends, keep busy, have nice things lined up. Don’t cave.

There are plenty of men out there. Find one who treats you as an equal!

littlepill · 26/04/2018 17:35

Cat and mouse, not car!!

Best of luck Flowers

Adora10 · 26/04/2018 17:35

Jesus Christ, how many more posts about horrible men today!

OP, sorry but you need to tell him where to go; he is using you for sex but you are allowing it; I really don't have any other advice because unfortunately there are men out there who will just take what they want; I am sad you feel so worthless you are allowing another person to do this to you.

How can you think the world of someone that thinks so little of you, sorry I just don't get it.

WeepingButterfli · 26/04/2018 17:55

OP what has the relationship been like? Did he say he was looking for something casual from the start? Does he have dc or problems with ex wife etc that may explain something?

Muddledupagainandagain · 26/04/2018 17:55

I’ve allowed the situation to happen because I hoped it would lead to more. I also really fancy him and genuinely enjoy my time with him. But I’m now starting to feel used and don’t want things to continue in the same way. I want to get to a stage where I feel strong enough to state what I want and be confident enough to walk away without becoming a complete headache over him.

OP posts:
Muddledupagainandagain · 26/04/2018 17:58

He has been cheated on by two significant exes, he now almost expects things to go wrong. He has been a player in the past. He stated at the start he wanted a relationship but his actions never tallied with what he said. He’s only recently owned up to wanting me around but not wanting a relationship for now.

OP posts:
HollowTalk · 26/04/2018 17:58

You know what? Talking to him won't get you anywhere. You are addicted to him and he is really, really bad for you.

You need to treat this as though it was alcohol or heroin addiction and go cold turkey. Block, delete, ignore. Never answer your phone to him - think of it as the drug dealer calling you. Try not to be alone when you're feeling vulnerable.

Plan things for the future that don't involve him. Treat yourself very gently - maybe look up what happens in rehab and take some of those things on board. Swimming and running are really good for emptying your mind. Try to meet friends as often as you can, but tell them to not let you talk about him for more than five minutes.

Most of all, you need counselling. This man is as bad for you as someone who hits his partner. Have a look at the Freedom Programme online.

I know it's hard, but it's the only thing to do. Talking to him will simply drag you back into his thrall. Talking to him would be like shooting up with heroin just one more time.

HollowTalk · 26/04/2018 18:00

Just a thought, do you know anyone who has a really lovely husband? Can you imagine that person treating you like that?

I wonder what happened to you as a child that you're accepting such shit now.

Adora10 · 26/04/2018 18:02

Oh that old chestnut, I've been hurt in the past that's why I'm now a cunt, no, he's just not that into you OP and is not a nice person.

WeepingButterfli · 26/04/2018 18:03

So he doesn't have dc or work away or have any extenuating circumstances that make him too busy to commit? (I'm not saying those would justify, just wondered if there were any barriers...). Tbh OP if he lives locally, has time and opportunity to build a relationship but hasn't then I guess he's told you what you need to know. Have you done online dating? Could be an opportunity to meet better men and take your mind off him. Sorry things are so rubbish Flowers

meowimacat · 26/04/2018 18:03

I could have written this!!! 5 months of this and a week ago I had enough and blocked him. Since I've gone NC he's gone into panic mode that his usual ego boost has finally given up on him, so I'm getting the 'why did you block me' messages - to the one account I hadn't blocked him from. I'm ignoring him.

At the end of the day, you deserve better and you know it!!! Every time you go back to him (and trust me I know how hard it is not to), he gets his ego boost and drops you. He is a user. I know you're kidding yourself with the friendship thing. That could take place when you have ZERO feelings for him. But the problem with these guys, and I know with my guy is that even if I had a new boyfriend, that wouldn't stop him flirting with me and trying his luck. That is the true person this guy is.

If you got together 6 months ago it was probably around Winter time right? The perfect time these idiots feel a bit lonely and want a companion for the colder months, with darker nights when they've got nothing better to do. Now Summer's here and he's off with his friends on holiday for weeks - do you expect him to be faithful to you while away? Do you think he is now? Because he's not. If he won't commit to you, regardless of what he says, it's because he wants to keep his options open.

Just remember it's NOTHING to do with us. These guys are emotionally unavailable. Read this, and please for the love of God realise you are being USED. It's horrible and awful to admit. These guys aren't all bad, why would we fall for them? But please try and stop now, and come join us on the NC thread.

postmalesyndrome.com/is-he-emotionally-unavailable-15-signs-your-guy-is-emotionally-bankrupt/

Adora10 · 26/04/2018 18:03

Actually that is not true, he's been pretty up front about what he wants and it ends in sex.

meowimacat · 26/04/2018 18:06

Also I'm guessing you just have his word that his exes cheated. Wouldn't be surprised if he was no angel either, or if he was the one who actually did. Don't believe everything he says!!

Muddledupagainandagain · 26/04/2018 18:07

You are right, this is totally an addiction. He’s never far from my mind. I find myself looking at photos and re reading messages (thousands over six months, this is how he mainly communicates with me rather than ringing or FaceTiming). I even find myself daydreaming about how I’d want things to go, meeting his family and children etc and what I’d say. All a total waste of my time.

I withdrew emotionally before and deleted a photo a day from my phone. He then came back full on with his time and attention and I got hooked again.

OP posts:
Muddledupagainandagain · 26/04/2018 18:08

He does have a busy life with lots of hobbies, a professional job and three children who he is involved with. But he makes time for the things he wants to make time for which says it all.

OP posts:
Adora10 · 26/04/2018 18:10

Sounds like you have far too much time on your hands OP.

As for getting hooked in again, you are allowing it, you have free will. You are going to have to go NC or else this will just carry on.

Muddledupagainandagain · 26/04/2018 18:20

Unfortunately I have very little free time due to work and being a single parent. But the time I do have for myself once my daughter is in bed gets taken up by him. He’s either messaging me or he’s out doing his own thing and I’m sat thinking about him and dwelling on it all. Things I used to enjoy such as films and reading are impossible to focus on although I’m determined this will change these next few weeks. I hate that he’s constantly in my head. If I’m shopping for myself, I find myself buying something imagining wearing it with him. I need to stop the obsessing, the contact will be minimal until late may when he is home from his holiday.

OP posts:
M0RVEN · 26/04/2018 18:26

Excellent advice from Hollow Talk

meowimacat · 26/04/2018 18:27

The truth with all of this is that he is filling a void in your life, and now it's become an obsession and the only thing that you feel can make you happy. He fills the evenings with a bit of comfort, as you're a single parent and they can be lonely and sad - trust me, I am one too. I had weekends and evenings where me and my guy would chat too. But he is textbook emotionally unavailable - only communicating by messages is a big red flag, sadly that's what mine was like too.

I've even been there with the buying outfits just for him. Some I never wore for him because he'd cancel on me last minute. But again it's filling another void, a distraction from life having these guys there. It gives us something to do - buy something to look nice for them.

He has complete control and you have none. He'll message you if he feels like it, or he's out doing goodness knows what and you're sat thinking about him.

Sounds like you're going to refuse to block him and go NC. But I promise you, it's the only way. You'll reach a point where you will like I have. For your own self worth, please start looking into practising self love.

The fact you are going on about minimal contact until he is back - I feel so sad for you - you're just going to be waiting around for this loser to come home and then hope he'll be back with you. Do you see you are waiting for someone who doesn't actually want you and doesn't care and is off on his holidays? Honestly hun, I'm not trying to be harsh, I'm going through the same but try and take some distance to see how much he is using you!!!

Mousefunky · 26/04/2018 18:29

I was in an abusive relationship I found impossible to leave so I understand how manipulative guys like this can be and how difficult they make it to leave.

You need to block and delete his number and all social media profiles. If you think you will be tempted to unblock and ‘spy’ on his social media then delete yours for a while until you move on. Also delete any sign of him from your life- photos, messages, any gift he has given you if any. Then you simply need to occupy your mind with something else. It won’t be easy but him leaving the country for a few weeks is a blessing in disguise as he isn’t nearby to visit so the temptation in that sense has been removed.

You need to remember, however harsh this may sound, that you are simply a duck buddy to him. He doesn’t care about you or love you and he never will. He is selfish and manipulative and you deserve better. He will also undoubtedly be fucking other women at the same time, I don’t doubt he will when he’s on holiday... stop giving him the satisfaction of your time.

HollowTalk · 26/04/2018 18:36

Have you ever thought of writing a book? Once you get into it you are so immersed in another life that you won't give this twat a second thought.

Your evenings are your danger time, then. You need something to focus on in that time to prevent you talking to him. And you really do need to stop - you can't reduce it, control it or take it or leave it. You are hooked on him and need to plan your therapeutic route away from him.

something2say · 26/04/2018 18:50

For me, the thing is this.

If he were genuinely interested, he would chase you and have you in his every day life from day one. He has not, and that says it all.

I know it's hard but try not to waste time, and don't bother asking him about it as he will give you a load of toss which will confuse you.

At the end of the day, I've never had a man be that into me and not chase me down. The ones that did not,guess what? Not that bothered.

OR?......fuck ups. How much time have you got to waste sorting his head out? When there is a better man wondering where you are?

littlepill · 26/04/2018 19:16

Agree with Holliw about the book
idea, or you could take an online course to study in the evenings, or do some Ebaying. Anything to keep yourself busy! It won’t be long before you won’t even remember. I was shocked by how easy it was!

Muddledupagainandagain · 26/04/2018 19:47

Thank you all, such good advice and I really appreciate it. I know in my heart he won’t ever offer me something serious but I struggle to accept it.

OP posts:
couchtospecialk · 26/04/2018 19:50

Muddledup - I can't improve on wany of this advice here (in fact in similar situation myself I think)... but I do think it sounds like you know what you need to do. He's obviously not worthy of you. Best of luck xxx