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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

Separated 4 months. Now met someone I really like. Is it too soon?

16 replies

cloudbusting42 · 15/02/2019 19:22

Clusterfuck hit me at the end of September when STBXH gave me the script and announced out of the blue that he no longer loved me. Together 14 years. Shock of my life. He moved out early November.
Cue me falling off my perch for a while. I was carried through by an army of friends, family, colleagues, and neighbours. I had some good psychotherapy. We’re now co-parenting our DD6, heading into division of assets, and I guess will start divorce proceedings before long.

Anyhow, in a fit of curiosity (with a touch of good-for-the-goose when I saw ex on OLD), I signed up to Bumble and went on a coffee date late January. It went very well, and has turned into several brilliant subsequent dates. At first I was adamant I didn’t want a boyfriend and at best saw it as a fun distraction. But over the weeks, feelings have deepened on both sides and now it looks and feels like a lovely new and exclusive relationship.

Because this wasn’t in my plans, I’m worrying I haven’t given myself time to heal. My friends are warning much the same thing. I had wanted to be a single for a while, to please myself and try some new things. But if someone great comes along, what am I going to do? Maybe I can still do those new things while having a relationship. It feels good. Life is short. Things can change in an instant. I don’t feel vulnerable. I can be totally honest with this guy. We both have kids half the time so see each other around parenting.

Should I go with it? Any experiences of short gaps after an out of the blue separation?

OP posts:
pococops · 15/02/2019 19:30

Definitely go for it. Those opportunities don't come along too often. Enjoy it, see how it goes. There is no rule book, it works for some Flowers

Senseiwu · 15/02/2019 19:47

Just beware that it's not a rebound. Can you enjoy it but keep a little distance and keep your wits about you? I fell hard for someone 3 months after my separation but after a while I could see that he wasn't suited to me and my lifestyle at all and I'd basically just filled the emotional void my exh had left. Felt awful breaking it off and he was very upset.

ItsInTheSpoon · 15/02/2019 19:49

You’re very lucky! Just go with it and enjoy yourself, obviously keeping your wits about you x

MumsyJ · 15/02/2019 20:05

OP please enjoy it. Sometimes we take breaks to find ourselves and eventually the right person comes along, sometimes it takes less time than anticipated.

Go with it, your exH isn't worth grieving for!Smile

PikaPikaTink · 15/02/2019 22:35

Just go for it. If it doesn't work out you'll split up and you know you can live through a break up.

mayathebeealldaylong · 15/02/2019 22:40

It depends on what person you are, can you just date or do you fall hard because if it's the later and it doesn't work out your be worse off and may spiral again.

cloudbusting42 · 17/02/2019 21:43

thanks for the advice and enthusiasm, all. definitely got my wits about me, and am determined not to fall into cosy coupledom too quickly. more of the dating and adventure and less of the at-home dinners and tv. I want to experience all the great things about being single , and curious about whether those things can be done with this lovely man I've found.

OP posts:
Myheartbelongsto · 18/02/2019 01:59

Go for it op. I met my boyfriend 6 weeks after I left my husband. He is the best person I've ever met.

You've had a shit time, you deserve this!

SleepWarrior · 18/02/2019 02:06

It can definitely work, just keep taking the time to reflect on how you are feeling about it all (and no pretending to yourself, you have to be really honest!). And take it slow.

Does he have a similar relationship history to you? That can be a big thing - if he's not had a serious relationship like your 14 year marriage he may not quite get the enormity of what you have just come out of. Doesn't need to be a deal-breaker but can be different enough of a perspective to need careful handling - often easier if you both have had similar.

Have fun Smile

NotTheFordType · 18/02/2019 06:29

You came out of a 14yr relationship and you were so broken that you needed support from friends, and 4 months later you're planning to head back down the rabbit hole?

No. Just stop.

cloudbusting42 · 24/06/2019 21:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cloudbusting42 · 24/06/2019 21:38

dammit. posted on wrong thread, I'm an idiot. Confused

OP posts:
userxx · 24/06/2019 21:48

Did it work out op?

cloudbusting42 · 24/06/2019 22:09

So far so good!

We’re heading for 6 months together now and we’re very happy. I'm enjoying the dating, trying new things, the thrill of a new person’s story, the hot sex, and the relative simplicity of it all. After the end of my marriage I now feel very clear-sighted about how I want to do things, what I'm looking for, and what I'll no longer accept (e.g. am emotionally unavailable partner). We seem to be highly compatible on several levels. No plans to intro kids for the foreseeable.

We're seeing each other one night in the week and every other weekend. The circumstances (parenting) mean we’re taking things slowly, and although it's been angsty at times, I’ve enjoyed the slow burn. I’m loving having my own space, interspersed with mega-excitement and joy when we can spend time together.

OP posts:
Frownette · 24/06/2019 22:12

Cloudbusting, getting your threads muddled up! Grin

Nice update about boyfriend

userxx · 24/06/2019 22:19

Bloody brilliant 👍. I spent years grieving the loss of my relationship. Massive waste of time. Life is for the living, we are a long time dead.

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