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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 does he still have a hold over me???

10 replies

123herthing · 05/09/2018 17:20

Okay this might be a long one.

I met my ExP when i was 16 and really thought i was in love.... we were together 7 years. but now looking back in hindsight the relationship was a joke. was completly one sided, all on his terms, he would pick me up and drop me when suited, would only ever call when he wanted sex or company. dont get me wrong he was never mean, nasty, cruel, we always had a laugh and i was always besotted by him and he would whisper reassurances in my ears in bed but never would "fully commit" (even though back then i would have fought anyone to the death that said otherwise) he would go on lads wekeends away and i wouldnt hear from him, nights out and all i would do is sit at home and be jelous that he wasnt out with me.

Even speaking about it makes me angry at how long i stuck around catering to his every need when its clear now he never gave a fuck about me. lol but aat 16 years old i was nieve, blindsighted, rose tinted glasses, whatever! i honestly thought i loved him, he said jump i said how high, i would have done anything for him. he never treated me special or went on dates. -- like i said a joke. a joke that lasted 7 years

It all finished one day out the blue he said he had met someone and that was it. done finito. Like i never exsisted. at 23 i was obviously devestated. i felt cheated that i had missed out on 7 years of my life and it took me a long time to get over it as i questioned myself, was i not good enough, was it me? am i not pretty enugh etc etc.

anyway fast forward 4 years, i done a lot of growing up and settled down and met someone who for the first time in my life really loved me. we have been together 4 years, have a house together, both have good careers and are due to get married. he adores me in every way, makes me feel special, makes me feel loved and has built up all those walls that the ex brought down. He made me realise all the things my ex should have been doing all those years ago. i am totally in love with him in every way and am generally happy with my life and havent thought about the ex in years

HOWEVER recently i seen through mutual friend on Facebook that the ex got married - to the girl he "left" me for and i felt phyically sick. i cant explain it. It was a burning jealous rage feeling. why? I have no idea. i honestly couldnt sleep after it and then i felt horribly guilty at feeling like this.

ive had several dreams about the ex nothing in particular, just that hes present in them. then i wake up and look at my life and i feel so horrible that i am jealous that a peice of shit ex from my childhood. I How can he STILLl has this hold over me?

can anyone relate? or am i losing it?

OP posts:
SarahJop22 · 05/09/2018 18:03

Don't put too much emphasis on this. I think you're over-thinking it.

I have seen (on FB) that exes have got married/settled down and felt pangs of jealousy but I think to a certain extent, it's natural. You were once a big part of their lives and them yours. Seeing that someone else has taken that place is hard to get your head round.

It will pass. It's just a shock to the system. You're happy now and hopefully that won't change. You don't need him and life will go on without him. He hasn't bothered you for a long time and won't again in the future.

It's just a process. You'll get your head round it and move on.

SarahJop22 · 05/09/2018 18:07

Oh and I often have dreams about exes. I get up, have my coffee and forget about it. I also have dreams about pets I had in my childhood and old school teachers. They mean nothing. They are just remnants from the past.

lowtide · 05/09/2018 18:09

You are not losing it. It’s perfectly normal.
You were better than him and deserve better than him and you’ve got it!
But we all have that feeling of “why wasn’t I good enough” it rears it’s ugly head every now and again even if we are happier.

mooncuplanding · 05/09/2018 18:13

Because you are letting it?

Creeper8 · 05/09/2018 18:23

If you have a partner then I do think its weird feeling this way, I could get it if your were single.

SarahJop22 · 05/09/2018 18:34

It's not weird at all. We can't help the way we feel. She has no reason to doubt herself or feel guilty.

He has entered her subconscious which is why she is having dreams about him. She feels jealousy because she''s human and once cared about him deeply.

Personally, I think people who do not experience this (in a relationship or not) are weird. Emotions don't just vanish from your psyche (unless you're a psychopath).

mummmy2017 · 05/09/2018 18:41

It's more to do with your old self and self worth.
Keep reminding yourself, that what you were leads to who you are now..

Just go get a hug from your other half, and enjoy what you have...

Lifeisabeach09 · 05/09/2018 20:49

It sounds like you have a lot of resentment and bitterness given his treatment of you. I'm not sure about the need for closure (works for some) but I highly doubt you got it with this guy and maybe you needed it.

Added to which you are angry with yourself for putting up with his shit for so long and with him giving to someone else what he didn't give to you in spite of the love and dedication you gave him.

Understandable and it will pass with time.

Have you spoken about how he treated you with anyone (besides us). It might help.

And even though you are in a new relationship and love your new partner, it doesn't eradicate the emotions (baggage?) we carry over from our pasts.

Don't be hard on yourself.

mrskbabymama · 05/09/2018 21:37

Thank you every one

I'm glad you can see where I'm coming from. I've not seen or thought about the ex in years so just feel icky over it all esp as it was over 7 years ago. And ad be lying if I said I didn't have some resentment over the past lol I have spoken with partner about it in the past as it took me a while when we first met to settle in and trust him to realise that not all guys were like the ex. (I've only ever been in the toxic relationship with the ex and now with my current partner)

I think I just need to pull myself together n forget about it coz the more I feel bad for feeling annoyed the more I think about it. Its a vicious circle Haha

Thank you

123herthing · 05/09/2018 21:47

* Not sure why that came up my old user name lol

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