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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

I feel I’m in a non-relationship, but maybe this is as good as it gets – should I stay or should I go

28 replies

Convoy2000 · 16/07/2018 22:26

Sorry this is so long.

I’m 49. I’ve been with my partner for 8 years. We are not married. Sadly no children.
Here’s some facts – without any emotion.
Finances: We earn approximately the same amount. He owns his own house outright (mortgage paid). He has slept in his house for over 5 years. We both travel for work (2-3 nights per week) but he is based at my house when not away for work. I’m doing OK with my own mortgage – still have about 7 -8 years left which is fine. I pay all the bills in my house I do not have any financial contribution from him. I’ve suggested that we have a pool of money for shared expenses like phone/internet/sky/electricity and so on, but he has not been willing to do this. I also buy the majority of the shared items e.g. cleaning stuff etc.
Sex – no sex for the last 5 years. He has no intest, but he does like porn. But I’m not & have never been a looker, but hopefully I’m not repulsive, am fairly fit/slim, and look OK for my age. Buy no way can I compete with porn stars.

Here are some things that are annoying – but mainly because its on top of everything else:

Meanness – at times he can be mean. A petty example I know, is on around last valentines day, he tripped up in the bedroom first thing in the morning (I was in a very deep sleep) so I woke up to him groaning ahh I fell, I banged my foot etc – but he seemed OK and went out to work. He was furios that I hadn’t woken earlier to be more sympathetic & as punishment said well no valentines present for you (even thought I had got him one). Now it is 0% about the present, and 100% about the mindset that bothers me.
Messy – he is definitely messy, little help is given in the house, I’m beyond sick of picking up dirty plates, washing etc. however by itself this would not really be a showstopper.
When we got together he said he wanted children, but sadly (not his fault) nature didn’t play along. When I tried to get fertility treatment he wouldn’t support this – and the hospital we were refused to refused to see me without my partner. (that’s another story)
He has no interest in going out – ever.

Here is some good stuff:
Nice to have company in the house.
We will go on holiday & we have a nice holiday once a year.
We do have a laugh/banter & I'm fond of him.

Now here’s how I feel – no logic at all:

I feel incredibly sad to think that this is it, no more sex, ever, if I say with him,
I feel a bit sad to think that after all this time we can’t make a commitment to each other - but perhaps that is just as well.
I feel taken advantage of finically.
I’m frustrated with myself that I can’t drum up the courage to leave.
I’m afraid that my expectations are way to high & this is as good as it gets.

I wonder if I should put up and shut up – or make a break – and if I do who the hell would want a non-pretty 49 year old. Maybe I am being completely unrealistic and this is as good as it gets.

OP posts:
C0untDucku1a · 16/07/2018 22:28

Fucking hell op i was on line four and thought god just leave him. What a selfish twat he is!

Matutinal · 16/07/2018 22:29

OP, you could have better and more genuinely loving and supportive company at home by getting a dog. You're worth more than this.

myotherbagisgucci · 16/07/2018 22:34

Well he sounds like a proper dick and you seem like you deserve a lot better! 👞 🚪 👋🏼

meowimacat · 16/07/2018 22:34

You are settling.

You are letting life slip you by and staying in a sexless 'relationship' that's not even a proper relationship.

I spent 4 years out of 8 with my ex in a sexless relationship. It was awful. I remember settling and thinking this is it. I have since left him, and whilst I am single at the moment I have experienced the best sex of my life since being with him. I am now excited to see where life will take me. I can't wait to find someone who wants to be in a proper relationship with me - sex and all. You are currently settling for mediocre, you need to really look at why you are doing that. Do you feel that's the best you can do?
If he is into porn stars then clearly he has a sex drive and is just settling too. Cut each other free and move on. Life is way too short.

EmpressWeaponisedClitoris · 16/07/2018 22:35

Leave.

The thought that finally made me get out, at 40, was "This is the only life I've got & look what I'm doing with it."

Once I was out I flew. So can you. Don't settle.

Bubbles050 · 16/07/2018 22:35

Better to be miserable on your own than miserable in this.

scatterolight · 16/07/2018 22:40

OP I am not an LTB type and would normally say make the best of a bad situation as the grass is hardly ever greener. HOWEVER I do not see what you're getting out of this at all. You need to end it. The weird spite over the Valentines present is a perfect vignette of how bad this is. You don't even have to "leave him" as you live separate lives already. Just tell him not to come over any more.

You honestly could do better than this. Being on your own is better than this! I promise once you've done it you will feel a weight lifted from your shoulders.

AppleKatie · 16/07/2018 23:17

Leave. Even if you don’t find someone else you’d be better off (and there’s no reason why you wouldn’t anyway)!

HollowTalk · 16/07/2018 23:20

Leave. Fuck me, OP, he didn't get you a Valentine's present because he stubbed his toe? And he's a tight bastard anyway, so that punishment for you Hmm was a treat for him.

Come on, there's no need for settle for this level of man. My blood is boiling at him staying at yours but refusing to contribute. There are few things worse than a tight partner.

Ugh. Get rid and start again.

flamingnoravera · 17/07/2018 09:01

He's nothing but a nasty cocklodger. Get rid of him. You will be be happy again and you'll look back and wonder why you put up with him for ax long as you did.
Take the first step. Tell him to leave.
Good luck.

CrabappleBiscuit · 17/07/2018 09:04

I think you would be better off with a dog. Then you might meet someone lovely while you are dog walking. Companionship, get a dog.

Butterymuffin · 17/07/2018 09:12

Was that meant to be that he has not slept at his house for five years? But he won't contribute to the running costs of your house where he spends all his time? Sorry but you're just a convenience to him and I am sure you deserve better.

sonjadog · 17/07/2018 09:18

He doesn't have much going for him, does he?

datingdisaster41 · 17/07/2018 09:19

Bloody Nora! This post has bought tears to my eyes and I don't think that's ever happened before on here! I feel so sad for you. So what if you're "not much of a looker"? There's more to you than trying to compete with a bloody model. It sounds to me like your expectations have gradually been managed and reduced over the years whilst allowing this scrounging knob to rule the roost. Gain back your independence and enjoy life again. God, I think you'd be SO much better off without him. And what a skinflint he is - he's behaving like a child who can't pay his way. Get rid! (And look after yourself, I bet you're fab) xxxxx

Babdoc · 17/07/2018 09:27

I’m struggling to find any reason for NOT leaving him, OP!
Honestly, even living alone for the rest of your life would be nicer than this non relationship. I’ve been widowed for 26 years, and I can honestly say I feel happier in my empty house than you sound with your ghastly partner.
With him out of the way, you would be free to develop friendships, hobbies and interests, to meet possible new partners or just have a series of wild flings to revitalise your sex life. There is a whole world out there, OP - don’t settle for a small miserable corner of it!

PlaymobilPirate · 17/07/2018 09:29

You've got no relationship really op. I'd say tell him you need a think and that he needs to stay at his own place for a fortnight to allow you to do so.

Convoy2000 · 17/07/2018 09:35

Thanks everyone for your answers...and kind words of encouragement.

Buttermuffin I did indeed mean to say "not slept at his house" :)

The dog idea gave me laugh, and it's true the last time I walked a friends dog I was gobsmacked at the number of people who chatted! Not sure my cats would be impressed - ahh if only you could walk the cats I'd be in business;)

He's not a bad guy, I'm very fond of him, but it's just that for whatever reason he can't do too many parts of the stuff that I'd like with a partner. No one item is a deal breaker, but there are just too many items he can't do.

Got to brace myself to make a a change, it's true life is too short.
thanks all.

OP posts:
hellsbellsmelons · 17/07/2018 09:55

You know what to do.
I'm the same age as you and happily single.
My house is tidy.
I love my own company.
I read a lot.
I have no-one to answer to.
If I want to watch TV, I can watch what ever I want.
I can go out with family and friends and not worry about a single thing.
I have the whole bed to myself.
I go out on dates.
I've had a few short term flings.
I'm busy nearly every weekend.
I have a hobby I enjoy.
I'm honestly loving life.

I never thought I'd say that.
But I'm much happier single that just 'settling' for any man.
Yes, I've had to dump a few along the way.
But that's just how it goes.

Get rid. This guy really is a waste of space.

TorchesTorches · 17/07/2018 09:59

His meanness is awful. His contentempt for your (untidiness, vindictiveness over valentines day) is awful. The sex bit shows that you are not in a partnership, but that you are his housemaid, not only for free, but you pay for the pleasure. Fuck that.

pinkdelight · 17/07/2018 09:59

"No one item is a deal breaker"

Loads of them are dealbreakers. No sex for five years and the meanness for a start. I'm sorry but he does sound truly awful. A friend can give you better banter and companionship. You do not need this relationship. You have a lot of years left and I bet your idea of yourself as 'not a looker' hasn't been helped by his porn fixation/lack of physical affection - I bet you have way more going for you than you feel right now. Get rid of him and see how much better life can get.

Summersnake · 17/07/2018 10:09

What happened in your life ,for your self esteem to be so low,that you think this is in anyway normal or acceptable...use the money you are wasting supporting him to see a counsellor.end things sharpish ,your new life is just round the corner

Aussiebean · 17/07/2018 12:02

Reasons to stay In this relationship-

It’s nice to have company and you are fond of him!!!

Agree with those who say get a dog.

Timetowalk · 17/07/2018 12:03

I read your non relationship description and you are not alone!
I have been in a non relationship for 4 years. I knew him for 10 years prior to that and he has lived in my house for the past 3. Never had a physical relationship, so no sex, no emotion, no nothing. I do the day to day stuff and get no thanks for it. He is a nice chap but what he really wants is someone to replace his ageing mother and it has had a terrible effect on me and I have never been so deflated and don't sleep for endlessly pondering my options.
My advice to you would be to get out as its never going to get any better and you are able to financially support yourself so you don't need to stay with him.
I wish I could take my own advice but my circumstances are different and I'm very much stuck with it, but you are not so do it now, you won't regret it.

Convoy2000 · 17/07/2018 13:29

Thanks Timetowalk - it's nice to know I'm not the only person to get into this sort of stuff. Fingers crossed for you that life gets better.

OP posts:
Maelstrop · 17/07/2018 14:13

He’s stayed at yours for 5 years and never paid towards bills? Are you crazy?!

Is this how you want to live out the rest of your life? A nice holiday once a year? Bloody hell!