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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

Am I over thinking this? How to cope with relationship anxiety...

10 replies

Kitkat02 · 22/12/2018 20:48

Sorry this will be long:

I reconnected with an old flame from my teenage years four months ago. A brief history : He had a huge crush on me that started when he was 20 and I was 18. It never went past a very intense 2year friendship, bar a few kisses bcos of the awful situation I was in. We lost touch bcos his brother asked me to let him go - move on with his life bcos the situation I was in was only complicating his life, and would have caused trouble for him if we had gotten together (religion/community /abusive partner) and he knew his brother wouldn’t take a step back. I did so reluctantly, but knowing it was for his sake the only option ...

Fast forward 12 years I bumped into his cousin, we caught up and unbeknown to me she passed my number onto him. He called that same day, and it was as if those years had never happened. We met up within two weeks, and unlike last time I jumped right in with him.

On one hand its been the best few months of life, he’s open , loving, let’s me know exactly how he feels , and where I stand in his life. However he works very long hours, and has joint custody of his two dd, lives over an hour away so our time together is limited as I have a ds too with a complicated custody arrangement.

Now what I’m struggling with is days like today where we haven’t had contact since Thursday night.
Friday he had the dds, and today was working all day , this isn’t uncommon, but my reaction to it each time is really concerning me.
It’s as if I start to doubt the relationship, his intentions, and over think anything he might have said recently for signs he’s pulling away.

I called twice three hours apart, then texted once . (He has told me previously never to think I’m calling too much, he will answer if he can) He didn’t respond but Saturday is his busiest day so again not unusual, nor is his lack of response when work is like that. He explained it to me when we first started talking again that once he’s in work mode he’s blinded to the outside world. He’s very ambitious, and building up a business which I do when I’m not freaking out find very attractive.

I know it’s not normal, this is my first relationship since I finally left my ex 5years ago. I’ve had treatment for ptsd due to that relationship, but I thought I was ready, and I don’t want to lose him again or push him away?
I hide this struggle from him, yet everytime we have a few days or even less sometimes like this I tear myself apart.

I question whether to txt or call again, and there is a part of me that just wants to run away from this , cut all contact so then I won’t feel like this , but I know that’s fear talking.

Please , please , please does anyone have any tips for dealing with this? It’s ruining what should be an extremely happy time. I’ve contacted my GP but being the holidays I’ve no chance of an appointment till the New Year.

OP posts:
Equalityumber · 23/12/2018 06:47

So on Fridays and Saturdays he’s basically uncontactable? I’m not sure that’s fair given he’s happy for you to reach out to him and he not giving the same back.

How is he the rest of the time, do you feel valued and that things are moving in the right direction? I would definitely stop calling him as much and let him come to you.

Kitkat02 · 23/12/2018 10:18

Thank you for responding. Saturdays usually yes , not always Fridays just when work ties him down.

I do feel valued yes, he’s lovely to me , but he has said he worries about getting too attached to me. I know that stems from his own insecurities from the last time we were close, but I try to reassure him how happy I am and how much I appreciate him.

I still haven’t heard from him, and it’s driving me crazy which I know is irrational. I haven’t tried to contact him, and I won’t , I just feel so miserable and I can’t focus on anything else.

I just wonder if I’m as ready for a relationship as I thought I was

OP posts:
Middleageddreamer · 23/12/2018 10:43

He told you to contact him whenever you like and he will always get back to you. Then he doesnt get back to you for over 2 days. Well, he isnt doing what he said he would. Try not to read into his mind. Instead think about his actions and whether or not they are ok for you. This is about you now, not him.
Has he told you his intentions? The fact is he hasnt got back to you, and he has told you he is worried he will get too attached to you. Listen to that. Its not your job to fix his insecurities. Try not to put him on a pedestal beyond his actions.
Ive massively learned lessons from MN. Im mindful to peoples actions and i listen to what people tell me about themselves. Its made life a lot easier. I am currently in a fwb with a man who told me he doesnt want a relationship. Yesteryear i would have ignored that and carried on as if we were in a relationship. Getting anxious if he didnt text or call every day, anxious about seeing him etc. Now i take him at his word. I see him when it suits me. I text when it suits and dont expect a reply. He doesn't want a relationship. Full stop. I know that. Im so much calmer as a result.
Hope that helps a bit.

crimsonlake · 23/12/2018 10:51

To be honest this does sound like a long time to wait without getting any kind of response from him, How long does it take to send a text, seconds. I would advise to reply to him at the rate he responds to you and I have to ask are you sure he is actually separated from his partner?

Kitkat02 · 23/12/2018 10:55

It does help thank you. His actions have been consistent with what he’s told me up until this weekend.
Usually he would have got back by now, I know he’s slammed at work , like most places Xmas is extremely busy, but I really hate the lack of any kind of contact .

His insecurities only appeared after we got more serious, for example I told him I loved him, and he would say “are you sure” or he will fish to see if I’m interested in anyone else, or say what if you meet someone closer. He is so confident in day to day life I never expected that from him. I’m more wear my heart on my sleeve, he isn’t so when he does open up I know to take it seriously, and try to respect that.

So do I just not call him? Wait for him to contact me?

OP posts:
Kitkat02 · 23/12/2018 10:56

Deffo divorced, she has a new dh and family.

OP posts:
Equalityumber · 23/12/2018 18:13

Definitely wait for him to reach out to you.

I know it seems obvious but getting too hung up on a new relationship isn’t healthy. Are there any hobbies or meet ups with friends/ family you can throw yourself into?

Skang · 23/12/2018 18:21

The work thing is nonsense. There would be nothing to stop him texting while he's eating or when he goes to bed.

Kitkat02 · 23/12/2018 19:24

Thanks both, yh lots of family stuff planned the next few days so I will be leaving my phone alone . And, your right it takes 10secs to send a message , so I think this is deffo his own issues.

OP posts:
Skang · 25/12/2018 23:05

Did you hear from him?

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