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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

Need some advice on relationship with lack of commitment

17 replies

NannyAnna · 02/08/2019 19:23

First time poster and I am looking for people who have had experience in this sort of relationship.

My boyfriend and I have been seeing each other since last April. He finally made it official with me in December after many ups and downs of him not wanting to commit as wasn’t sure if he wanted a relationship etc. we split up for a bit in September and he decided that by Christmas he wanted to be with me and things have been pretty great on and off since then, he’s introduced me to family, I’ve met a lot of his close friends, we have had a holiday together since then and things had been moving slowly but surely along. I am an insecure person, having lost 7 stone I do feel like I need a lot of reassurance from him and he isn’t really one to give compliments or talk about his feelings. It’s got to a point with me where I feel very strongly about him and would want to tell him I love him and start talking about moving in and future plans etc. He is a typical guy in many ways of not thinking of making many plans across the week and is laid back with so many aspects of his life, he works from home and doesn’t seem motivated by anything. He doesn’t have goals really and the type of person who has an idea of where they see themselves in 5 years etc. He is a coaster and is living each day as it comes. I have a job where I manage a lot of people and am fairly decisive and like to make plans and know where I’m going and what I’m doing. I’m 30 and he’s 35 and I want to know that what I’m in is for the long haul with someone who cares deeply for me. He hasn’t loved anyone deeply in years since his first few early relationships and has shown concerns that he is worried he is commitment-phobic. In the last month I have tried to express my feelings to him of how much I care, we have a lot of fun together and never argue etc but I want to know he sees a future with me as he never tells me how he feels about me etc.

He said he likes me a lot but doesn’t feel like he’s where I am at the moment.

It’s all come up again this week as I feel like he isn’t prioritising me and I feel like he has no get up and go about making plans to see me etc. I can’t work out if it’s just him being him or if it’s because of something more deep rooted.

we decided yesterday to take some time to think until Monday. It’s only been a day but I was struggling and wanted to speak with him. He says he doesn’t know why he doesn’t have deeper feelings for me now. I told him if we break up now that will be it, I don’t want the comings and goings like we had last September. he says he still wants time to think as he doesn’t want to make the wrong decision, so have ageeed to speak again on Monday.

I guess I want to know has anyone come across a man like this before. I want to be a confident independent Beyoncé type of woman but I am just feeling so sad at the prospect of losing him even though I know it can’t be right to be with someone who can’t love me or potentially would be settling to stay with me. I don’t know if he’s just slow developing these feelings or whether it is just doomed.

We have talked briefly about children and a future together and taking next steps but it’s never something that naturally comes up in conversation really.

Please give me advice, have you been with someone who was like this and come through the other side. Or have you been with someone you love who just doesn’t love you back. I know I am going to really struggle if it’s ending with him. As he’s all I have ever wanted in a relationship and other than these fundamental problems which have risen more recently, I have been loving being in a relationship with him. :-( please help!

OP posts:
OhioOhioOhio · 02/08/2019 19:24

Fks sake. Get rid of him. He's not really bothered about you.

lollionice · 02/08/2019 20:12

Wow OP I thought from first reading your post that you was in early 20’s at the most then read you are 30 and he is 35 wtf! Don’t waste your time or emotions on this man any longer he’s 35 and will never change nor can you change him. Move on and find someone you can build a future with :)

PickAChew · 02/08/2019 20:15

Sounds like he's becoming your everything, despite having rather incompatible personalities. (long term, his lack of drive will drive you mad)

Meanwhile, you're his convenient shag.

StarlightIntheNight · 02/08/2019 20:36

Omg get rid of him. Some men are commitment phobes. My ex wanted us to be exclusively dating, but not in a relationship...so DUMB. Eventually I said either we are in a relationship or I am seeing other people. We were in a relationship until we broke up. Now 15 years later he is still single and commitment phobe. But I am married with kids.

SapatSea · 02/08/2019 20:52

Life's too short, I'd start winding this relationship down. You deserve to be cherished and adored not begging for scraps. If he isn't treating you well and actively trying to organise things to do together in the early phase of your relationship then he will never. You will always be making the running.

Pinkbonbon · 02/08/2019 21:24

What's that saying...'he's just not that into you'..has never seemed more relevant. If a man says 'I'm not sure what I want right now' or 'I dontbkniwvid I want a relationship ATM', read it as 'I don't want a relationship with you, ever' and mice tf on or you'll be...well you'll be where you are now, a year down the line, still with no idea where you stand. You don't owe him any more time. He DOESNT want a relationship with you, he wants a convenienceship. And he knows this. He just doesn't want you to know it.

Pinkbonbon · 02/08/2019 21:25

*don't know if i want

Pinkbonbon · 02/08/2019 21:26

*move not mice
xD bloomin predictive txt

Pipandmum · 02/08/2019 21:30

It’s been well over a year. If he wanted to take things further he would. He’s made it clear as possible that he doesn’t. Move on.

AdviceforMeplease · 02/08/2019 21:35

Convienienceship does sound accurate to be honest 😞

sue51 · 02/08/2019 22:24

Its time to finish this one sided relationship. You deserve better than him.

Lozzerbmc · 03/08/2019 01:18

He should know how he feels by now and the fact that he doesnt tells you all you need to know i’m afraid. Dont waste any more time - move on and meet someone who shares your drive for life!

quirkycutekitch · 03/08/2019 03:25

Move on! Be with someone who wants you and doesn’t mess you about! Someone where there’s only ups and no downs!

Sittingonthedock8 · 03/08/2019 03:29

Everything you want? Why? You sound totally incompatible. He doesn’t love you. Listen and move on. You sound desperate and needy.

Fmlgirl · 03/08/2019 14:28

I also think he’s not that interested in you. Time to move on and find someone who wants the same things.

HellonHeels · 03/08/2019 14:34

You deserve a hell of a lot better than this. Chuck this one back and do some work to build up your confidence and self esteem.

AdviceforMeplease · 03/08/2019 15:32

Thank you hellonheels I agree. Things ended with him this morning and I’m just feeling so upset.

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