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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

Tired of my relationship, and feeling guilty because of it

14 replies

Okas · 18/04/2019 16:57

It's gonna be a long post. Just want to vent or think out loud. Just to get it out of my system.

I've lived with my boyfriend nearly a year, been together a year prior. I feel like I'm not capable of being in relationship but I find it difficult to break up also. I've actually done it a few months ago but he persuaded me to continue the relationship.

On the one hand, I feel guilty of leaving him. Because his life is empty. Just his work and me. And he lives in my apartment, uses my old computer, uses his work phone. Etc. This is basically also the reason I cannot cope being with him. He has no drive, no friends, no hobbies. He won't leave the home without me. He will if I ask him some alone time but I need it once or twice per week for an hour or two at least so it would be unfair to just throw him out if he has no hobby or friends. And while at home, he always has something to say. Not a minute of silence. Only if I specifically ask for quiet time, but it is so uncomfortable and unnatural to me to constantly ask for silence. I can't deal with this constant contact. I do not get the opportunity to think about my own stuff and I get so tired of being alert all the time.

We have talked about my need for alone time several times and tried some solutions but we fall back to the old routine. I have to constantly ask for it which is uncomfortable so I do not ask most of the time. He does not show any initiative to offer me what I need although he has promised he would. It also bothers me that he is also rather undriven and procrastinating. He has so much knowledge about everything and he communicates so well with other people, but he just does not use his knowledge and skills. Always talks about what could be, but does nothing. Whether it's changing job or building a DIY shelf at home.

He has several times said he would like to learn more stuff from his father, but he never does. His parents live an hour away, it's not far at all. He could take a weekend or even just a day from weekend and visit his father. But no, "weekend is the only time we can properly spend time together" according to him (I have my hobby group twice per week which for him equals no time spent together during the work week). For me, a weekend or a day per month apart would be so good under current circumstances.

He finally decided to sign up for a hobby after we decided to try again after break up. So he could give me regular alone time. It should have started in April as they told him. He did not receive any additional info and of course did not bother to ask himself also. So no hobby for him. He shows no interest in finding something else.

He also wants to spend all vacations together. Of course I want to do stuff together as well during vacation, but I'd also like to visit my family and childhood friends who live five hours away. He wants then visit his parents also during vacation. And it is not an option for him to visit our families separately and then spend the rest of the vacation together because he wants to spend as much time together as possible. However, for me, the result is that I cannot spend quality time with my mom or my friends (all female) as we have also "private" things we want to talk about. He does not see it like me, we have discussed it. It could be possible but then he would sulk.

Currently we are at his parents house and he is doing some men stuff with his father for the past few hours. I'm just chilling by myself. Thinking what things leave undone at our home where I could be right now or how would I spend quality time with my mom if I could be at my parents house.

I'd also like to do stuff at home, some renovation, larger scale cleanup etc. He has not much interest in those things. I managed to ask him around two days from 16 days of our vacation for this. I think he will not contribute much or at least won't initiate any of my planned activities, which makes me a bit upset already. I get that he is not as keen but if we have agreed I'd love some initiative from his said as well. He likes to go out with me all the time and I'm not so keen on this but I put effort because I know it is important to him and I also show initiative. Planning things for us and also showing interest in advance if he has offered where to go etc, he does not have to remind me about these things or 'nag' me.

Now he came back doing stuff with his father and I was crumpy. He got annoyed. Forgetting totally that he gets grumpy all the time for the smallest things and I try not to be annoyed. I had a chat with him, explaining that if we come together to vacation we should spend time together, i.e exactly what he wants. And he should spend time with his dad alone some other time. Which would be great in my point of view. He completely misses the point. Said that he wanted to give me some alone time and if I got bored I just should have come and join them etc. I said that I like to spend my time with my mother alone, so I figure that perhaps you want to do the same with your father etc. Basically, when I want and need alone time, I can't get it and when I am all available for him and would spend all my time with him, then he finds other things to do while I'm at a strangers house basically. Anyway, now I am the "bad guy" because he wanted to give me space and it was up to me to interrupt their father-son activity. And I actually feel stupid for being upset.

Basically. I do not know. Maybe it's me? I should lower my expectation for alone time, and things that need to be done at home (although I just LOVE doing the home stuff, improve my living space), stop being so tense? I mean he has very good qualities and generally takes very good care of me. And it is a good thing that someone wants to spend time with me, how can I blame someone for wanting to be together with me. But.. He's just always here, all the time, I cannot miss him, I cannot think my own thoughts. It has killed my love.

I know I should break it off as I do not feel I can cope in this relationship but I'd feel so guilty and I'd get all those "what ifs" again, like the last time. Maybe I'd be alone all my life, maybe the next one is worse, maybe he just needs time and he finds his drive and passion to do something without me as well etc.

Just wanted to vent.. And now I actually feel bad for talking so badly about him because he just loves me and wants to spend time together while it seems that I want to spend my time alone and with my hobby and less with him. I should be happy because someone loves me so much.

OP posts:
Mapofthesoul · 18/04/2019 17:13

You’ve posted about him before haven’t you? I’m surprised you are still with him. Why don’t you finally call it a day?

MashedSpud · 18/04/2019 17:22

Do him a favour and let him go so he can find someone who doesn’t spend the entire time trying to get rid of him and you can be on your own and figure out if living with someone is actually a good idea.

HundredMilesAnHour · 18/04/2019 17:31

Why are you with him? What do you get out of this? It sounds like you stay with him because you feel sorry for him rather than because you love him.

There is nothing wrong with wanting time alone (I go stir-crazy if I don't get plenty of alone time). Nor is there anything wrong with wanting to spend time with your friends or family without him tagging along all the time. He needs to get a life but it appears that he can't be bothered. You can't live for him, he has to do it for himself.

Please just end it. You sound bored and miserable. This is no way to live your life. He won't change. And the longer you carry on with this, the more guilty you will be when you end it. You shouldn't feel guilty. We are all responsible for our own happiness.

FuriousVexation · 18/04/2019 17:33

You've posted about him before haven't you? And everyone advised you to sack him off.

I'm guessing you took that advice and then he emotionally blackmailed you into letting him stay.

You have got to harden your heart. It isn't your fault that he has no friends or interests. He seems to get on very well with his parents so I'm sure they'd put him up until he finds his own place.

Look at it this way - you are clearly a person who needs their own space and time. You don't want to be joined at the hip to your partner. He clearly does. So by ending the relationship, you're freeing him up to be with someone who is more compatible.

EngagedAgain · 18/04/2019 17:42

I can't really add much because the other pp's have said it without a lot of drama, it's time to call it a day and do both of you a favour.

JUSTLOOKING20 · 18/04/2019 17:42

Wow you need to stop being a b##ch about him and do the decent, grown up thing and end it. He can then find someone who loves him and doesn't have contempt for him

I really feel sorry for this guy. You hate him and don't respect him but won't end it because you're too chicken.
Poor guy

Pegsinarow · 18/04/2019 17:48

*He won't leave the home without me."

Sorry if I have the wrong end of the stick and this is a stupid question, but do you mean that he literally never goes out without you beside him op of his own volition? Does he never just say "right I'm going to go to the shops" , or does he run errands by himself or go to the gym for example? The reason I ask is because that and the constant talking, might indicate a mh problem?

Peachesandcream14 · 18/04/2019 18:02

He sounds like a millstone around your neck, dump him properly this time and don't let him emotionally blackmail you into staying. Or rather him not having to leave as it's your home, he sounds like a cocklodger tbh

SandyY2K · 18/04/2019 18:59

Bite the bullet and end it. Let him go back to his parents house.

He sounds dull, boring and lacking in ambition.

Happynow001 · 20/04/2019 14:43

This sounds absolutely suffocating for you and a bad fit of personalities for both of you.

I could not stay in a relationship in these circumstances and would ask him to leave - and stick to it this time. He is an adult so his responsibility to find somewhere to live perhaps initially with his parents until he finds the initiative to find somewhere more permanent for himself.

Aquamarine1029 · 20/04/2019 15:22

Just end this relationship already! You are not suited for each other at all, and staying with someone out of guilt is such a waste of everyone's time. You're an adult but you certainly aren't acting like one right now.

Lozzerbmc · 21/04/2019 09:05

You are simply not compatible so you should end the relationship

category12 · 21/04/2019 09:20

His life is empty by choice. You don't have to fill it.

You sound suffocated. The relationship doesn't work for you. End it.

Myheartbelongsto · 23/04/2019 09:57

What is men stuff?

My guess is he knows you're always trying to get rid of him so is trying to spend as much time as possible together and I actually feel quite sorry for him.

Hard for anyone to give advice on mums net without hearing the other person's point of view.

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