Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

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

Do I let him go? Do I fight?

24 replies

Hannahpops89 · 11/10/2018 11:41

Hi,

So my story is this, ill start from the beginning. In 2017 when I was 27 I was diagnosed with cervical cancer – It was caught early and I managed to be free of it without chemo which I cant express how thankful I am for, as have lost a few family members to cancer and know first hand its consequences. But that is not the purpose of this story. I mention this because it had an effect on not only me, but my relationship. My relationship was very strong – best of friends – still are friends and both of us have remained amicable. We own a house together, wanted to one day have babies together etc etc.

The problems started just after I was given the all clear (about 6 months ago). I suppose I went through something like a midlife crisis – I started applying to jobs that sounded exciting all over the place, and generally just questioned a lot about my life. Which led to my partner going back to live with his mum (she lives 5 mins up the road) - We had agreed to do this just to inject a bit of spark and to re-ignite our relationship a bit and things had gotten stale, along with me generally questioning everything, being our relationship included. We thought by doing this we could make the time we spend together valuable.

We still met up about once-twice per week in this time, whether just to go for food or because we run a scout group together (along with 2 other people) which obviously takes up at least one evening a week. This continued for about 4 months during which no major decisions were made. During this time I settled back into my job and have reached a level of contentment, not questioning things so much. Then when scout term ended we didn’t see each other for about 3 weeks. I missed him. 2 weeks into which he text me saying he still wants to make this work and still loves me. About a week later I thought, f*k it, what am I doing and text him saying to come home, that I miss him and that we really need to do this basically. I knew that like the job, this was a temporary f*k up and that actually he, and everything we had, is what I want.

The problem was I then got no response for about a further week – hed been away sailing. He is big into sailing doing lots of racing etc – of which I have often gone with him to fill in for crew as although I wouldn’t call it a major passion of mine, its something I enjoy. Turns out on this one particular sailing trip in france he met someone else who was also big into sailing. But also French and pretty etc. how can this have happened – what is with life and timing sometimes.

He has now decided he doesn’t think he loves me anymore to and wants to persue this new long distance relationship (she lives in France, him here in Cornwall). I have experience heart break before – but nothing on this level. We are still in contact and despite meeting up with her, he says he hasn’t written me off. So I suppose my question is this – can anyone relate? This is about a month ago now and im very proud of myself for remaining chill and amicable (at least in his company) and we can still talk. Would you just let this go? Im sure now that life loves throwing curveballs at me. At the end of the day if I have to I will let him go, if that’s what makes him happy, because I love him. Even though that’s a f**g hard thing to do. I just feel like old love, just cant compete with the new sparkly kind..

Please be nice. I, nor the world, find nasty comments helpful.

p.s I know this website is aimed at parents, and though I don’t yet have kids I hope to at some point. Please forgive me.

OP posts:
FiveStoryFire · 11/10/2018 11:45

Let him go. It's the only way. If he wants to be with you, he'll come back. But move on with your own life in the meantime.
Sorry you've had such a rough time.

Hannahpops89 · 11/10/2018 11:45

I would like to add - been together for 5 years.

OP posts:
Butterfly44 · 11/10/2018 11:48

Let him go. You are worth more than being a back up and just in case! 💐

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 11/10/2018 11:52

Let him go. Who knows if this would have happened anyway? I mean, even without your health scare he could have gone on this trip and this woman would have been there... you'll never know.

You have been true to yourself all the way through this process, and it's a shame that it hasn't had a happy ending. But now is the time to keep being true to yourself, hold on to your self-esteem and let him go.

I am sorry, I know it hurts. But who knows what's around the corner for you? Maybe your six month ago self was your true self?? Maybe it's time to dust off the CV again....

Twentyseventrombones · 11/10/2018 11:53

Whatever you want to achieve her, the strategy is the same.

If you want to try to "win him back", the only way to do that is to leave him alone, not pester him, focus on yourself, try to move on, get busy, get down the gym, get happy and healthy with a full busy life.

If you want to cut your losses and move on, the only way to do that is to leave him alone, not pester him, focus on yourself, try to move on, get busy, get down the gym, get happy and healthy with a full busy life.

You can't "fight" in any other way if the position is as you say:

He has now decided he doesn’t think he loves me anymore to and wants to persue this new long distance relationship

Think about it this way - if you really want a Kit Kat and that what you are craving and really interested in, if someone comes to you and says "here have this apple. It's great. It's red and shiney. it's really juicey. It's better than the Kit Kat. You know how much you like apples. You've been eating apples regularly for years". You aren't going to stop wanting the Kit Kat no matter how great the apple is.

In other words, if someone is focussed on something (here a new woman), you can't persuade them out of it.

Even if you hope you get back together, I would go total no contact for at least 30 days and focus on yourself so that if/when you reconnect, what he reconnects with is a better shinier happier healthier version of you.

With any luck you will have moved on and found someone who really wants YOU and you won't give a toss about him.

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 11/10/2018 11:53

PS if you hang around here, you're allowed to swear. In fact, some would say it's positively encouraged Wink

Twentyseventrombones · 11/10/2018 11:53

*Whatever you want to achieve HERE - not her!

Trinity66 · 11/10/2018 11:56

Let him go. You are worth more than being a back up and just in case!

to be fair to the OPs ex, it sounds like he was the one being made feel he wasn't important to her, he moved on and now she's upset about it?

I understand you went through a terrible time being sick and all but I can't blame the guy for moving on either.

hellsbellsmelons · 11/10/2018 12:02

and despite meeting up with her, he says he hasn’t written me off
Oh well how noble of him.
GEEEE Thanks!!!??? NOT!
Tell him to get to fuck.
He's having his cake and eating it.
Hedging his bets.
Not OK!!!
You are his fall back girl.
His back up plan.
Never ever be an option!

Get out there and have some fun.
You know how short life can be so stop waiting around for any crumbs this loser might throw your way and get out there and grab life by the scruff of the neck.
Date, go out, have fun.

Then when he comes grovelling back you can, with great satisfaction, tell him to fuck-off!!!!

Notonthestairs · 11/10/2018 12:13

The one bit of advice I would give my twenty something self would be never chase a relationship (boyfriend or friend). It won't change the outcome. People need to want to be with you. Focus on your own needs and ambitions.

He may come back - he may not - or you might decide it was habit holding you together - whatever happens you need to be looking after yourself.

OliviaStabler · 11/10/2018 12:40

Let him go.

It is understandable for you to have acted like you did after your cancer scare. You questioned everything including if you wanted to be with him. From his point of view that must have really hurt and maybe he took that time to ask himself the same question. You have been calling all the shots and assumed he would be there for you when you were ready from the sound of it? Sounds like he had already moved on.

I'd walk away and concentrate on yourself.

Good luck.

Hopoindown31 · 11/10/2018 19:27

I agree with a few of the PP that in your crisis after your cancer you have pushed him away and he has decided to cut his losses I'm afraid. I can't really blame either of you for your reactions. Him saying he hasn't written you off sounds like a misguided attempt to let you down gently.

Consider this a great opportunity to focus on yourself.

BlessYourCottonSocks · 11/10/2018 19:32

I think I would gracefully bow out of the relationship. I would tell him you are sorry to hear that he's met someone else, but wish him well - and then I'd cut all contact with him. For now at least.

Sorry you've had such a rough time - but I agree with others that this could be the best time to discover yourself. It does sound like the relationship had become more of a friendship than a passion - and you may meet someone absolutely wonderful in the future.

Gemini69 · 11/10/2018 19:40

Drop kick him far away.... and keep your dignity in tact Flowers

eddielizzard · 11/10/2018 19:43

he hasn’t written me off. oh jolly good. Thank fuck for that.

Essentially either he wants to be with you or he doesn't. Staying with you out of obligation isn't going to work long term, so there's no fight for him to be had. You'll just lose confidence.

Best thing to do is say: good luck with this girl, I wish you all the best, but staying friends is no good for me. And then have a proper break from him for a while. That'll give you a chance to get over him.

Sparkly love can't compete. But you don't want to be hanging around in the wings. That's a crap way to live. Really. Carpe diem, as you have been doing.

butterfly56 · 11/10/2018 19:56

Don't wait around for him OP.
You've been through enough already.
Don't do the 'pick me dance' it will just eat away at your self esteem and make you feel even more heartbroken.
Put yourself first Flowers

Johnnyfinland · 11/10/2018 20:00

To be fair it sounds like you did get cold feet over the relationship which you’re perfectly entitled to do, but agree with the PPs who say you can’t blame him for moving on. It isn’t fair to tell someone you’re not sure then expect them to wait around for you indefinitely

SoleBizzz · 11/10/2018 20:06

hellsbellsmelons nailed it!

Move on and don't be his friend.

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 11/10/2018 20:12

What hellsbells said with knobs on.

lifebegins50 · 11/10/2018 20:14

27 is such a perfect age to start again.

I think if you chase him you will regret it, perhaps in a few years you will see that this is for the best.

Life oftens throws your curveballs when you are on the wrong path..try to think of this as painful but necessary to get to where you should be.

AnotherDayAnotherDollarRight · 11/10/2018 20:32

In a relationship you need to have faith that you can rely on your partner. He no longer has that, because when times were tough you ditched him. Why would he take you back? He's a young man, he has his whole life ahead of him. Why woud he settle for someone he knows doesn't value him?

I think the French girl is irrelevant. If it wasn't her it would be someone else. He wants to move on, to find that special someone he can rely on.

Best thing you can do is chalk this one up to experience, and be a little more careful how you treat people going forward.

MaeveDidIt · 11/10/2018 20:39

Let him go.

Please do not do the pick me dance.

Have dignity at all times

If he wants to come back he will.

But you Must get on with your Life.

The sun will shine again.

Good luck OP

Hopoindown31 · 11/10/2018 22:31

I think a few people on here are trying to shift the blame on to the OP's boyfriend which isn't really very helpful. At the end of the day she cooled off the relationship for pretty much 6 months and he stuck around waiting and giving her space for much of that which is very decent and caring. He's obviously eventually run out of patience and checked out and I think that demonising him for probably a throw away comment during what was obvious a difficult time isn't fair.

OP I think you need to chalk this down to experience, realise and accept that you needed that time for you alone, that this represents an opportunity for you and try and be happy for this man who you cared for that he also has a chance at a new start.

Hannahpops89 · 12/10/2018 09:33

Wow thanks for all your replies guys - you haven't let me down. Really thanks for taking the time.

And yes I pretty much agree with you all - I appreciate the fact there are many unbiased responses (and some that, I will admit, give me a little motivation which is quite nice right now). There are always two sides to a story and I know I pushed him away and I fully accept that perhaps that is why he moved on.

And yes I am also coming to terms with everything and yes I think im gonna go for it and say I don't want to be friends. Hes not a bad person and neither am I and I think we both know this and perhaps this is why we have remained amicable. But there is a limit to everything.

Im in a strong mood today so I know I can do this.

Thank you again all :).

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page