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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

Trouble moving on from narcissist ex

3 replies

LavenderSprinkles · 03/12/2018 09:42

Hi,

Will try to keep this brief. I was with my narcissist ex for c. 5 years. We broke up suddenly, with him asking me to leave our house we shared together. We'd had an up and down toxic relationship and enough was enough so I moved out and found somewhere else to live. We then continued an off/on again relationship for approximately another 9 months where of course, all our problems continued to exist and culminated in constant arguments where he ranted at me for not putting him first. During one of our 'on' again moments, I realised he'd deleted me from all social media (he said it was hard seeing me happy), so I decided enough was enough and blocked him from everything. NC helped massively.

Roll on 6 months, and I still see him sometimes (only because we sometimes end up on the same train in to London). As it's drawing nearer to Christmas I am finding it incredibly hard and I'm not sure if it's because it's Christmas, and the first one I'm spending single, or because I think he's met someone else. His recent messages keep telling me how amazing he's doing, and how busy he is and it really really hurts. He never asks how I am, and for some reason this still massively bothers me. I had been doing well in a) not contacting him and b) focusing on myself but I can feel myself having obsessive thoughts and I just want it to STOP.

My main thoughts are why was I never good enough for him and I bet he's treating his new girlfriend (or date or whatever) really well, and why did it not work for us? And yet, I know our relationship was toxic and I know that I am better off without him (deep down I know this anyway). Has anyone ever felt in the same boat?

I think a lot of this is to do with me thinking my life would be in a different place right now (i thought we'd be engaged with children) and maybe that's why it's hard. Just looking to see if anyone's been in a similar boat and can give me any tips on how to feel better. Am still single (has been about 6 months since we finally broke up).

OP posts:
Paininthestain · 03/12/2018 10:11

Really the only way you’re going to move on from this is total no contact.
Get an earlier train. Or move train carriages
You need to physically walk away from him if he’s around you.

There is no easy way to move on. But you’ve seen him for who he is. And he’s not giving anything to your life.

Greenplums · 03/12/2018 10:23

I'm in exactly the same boat - 2 months after splitting up. It's difficult, but getting much, much better.

Being with him has shattered your self-esteem. You are questioning about whether you are/were good enough but the truth of the matter is that whoever he dates he will (eventually) treat exactly the same. It's him, not you.

I have found writing a list of the (negative) things my ex did very helpful and cathartic. I have two sections: one section is a list of his negative traits, the other section is a list of actual terrible things that he did.

There is somebody much better out there for you. Keep on keeping on and don't give up hope! The feelings you are experiencing right now WILL diminish.

noego · 03/12/2018 12:14

@LavenderSprinkles

My main thoughts are why was I never good enough for him and I bet he's treating his new girlfriend (or date or whatever) really well, and why did it not work for us?

This is normal for an abused person. They want to know and so gravitate towards the abuser. They want to prove to them
and to themselves that they are lovable. In truth you are lovable and you do not need an abuser to confirm that. He is showing typical narcissistic traits by projecting on to the world that everything is fine and hunky-dory. It is part of the make up so people are drawn towards them and then they can treat them like shit. In truth he is mentally unstable.
There is only one course of action for an abused person in this scenario. Go NC, run for the hills and burn your bridges behind you as you go.
Good luck Flowers

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