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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

Should we accept our relationship has run its course?

22 replies

pineapplepassion · 24/08/2019 21:31

Feeling a bit bewildered, been with my husband for over twenty years, married for twelve, two kids, not sure if it's a phase but I feel like we are coming to the end of the line in our relationship.
I've two very close friends going through relationship breakdowns both due to unfaithfulness. I love my husband but I'm feeling like we are drifting apart and have been for the last few months.
We have had some silly minor arguments, which we have both sulked about and not really moved on as we may have previously.
I just don't know if I care enough to put the hard work in to get back fully what we once had knowing it might not work and he may not want that either.
I'm 44 feeling a bit lost and never felt this way before, we used to be really good together but now not so much.
Any advice welcome?

OP posts:
pineapplepassion · 24/08/2019 21:31

Oh I have suggested counselling he's not interested,

OP posts:
Snog · 24/08/2019 21:42

Move on. He's clearly not bothered about improving things.

pineapplepassion · 24/08/2019 21:44

Not sure I want the stress of divorce just yet, I still love him but I don't like him at the moment of that makes sense.
I'd like to try a trial separation but logistically not sure how to go about it without family & kids needing to be told,

OP posts:
Pickitup · 24/08/2019 21:48

Could you get yourself into a better situation before deciding anything? Eg, talk to a solicitor, see how things might stand.
I understand how you feel and it's a lovely place to be.

aquamarine1 · 24/08/2019 21:52

You're talking about breaking up your family - I would 100% seek professional marriage guidance before making that kind of decision.
Situations involving abuse are obviously very different but this doesn't sound like either party is abusive.

Musti · 24/08/2019 21:55

If it's only been a few months out of a 20 year relationship then I think it is worth putting the effort into seeing if you can make it work. The effort involved in splitting will be a lot harder (which is fine if for the right reasons)

pineapplepassion · 24/08/2019 22:00

Nothing abusive in either side, just lost our way, been in some pretty stressful situations over the last couple of weeks and our communication is terrible.....I cannot fathom him and his ideas and habits and ways anymore and I’m guessing he’s the same with me. Silly example but we always used to go up to bed together, don’t bother now, he feels distant but I’m not unhappy about that more reluctant and sort of almost accepting.
He says he loves me so much and yet his actions are not of someone who loves me so much again nothing abusive but certainly dismissive and seemingly bored really.

OP posts:
pineapplepassion · 24/08/2019 22:02

Actually I say not abusive and it’s not but he’s been picking on a character flaw of mine recently probably over the last year, the same ting he picks up and it’s like a wound that never heals, it’s his go to problem with me in any argument, I think it’s worn me down.

OP posts:
Clovk · 24/08/2019 22:38

I’m of the belief that all long marriages have ups and downs, Rocky bits and bits where you drift. You can’t have twenty years of perfect.

I know we’ve had them, but I’m glad we worked through. Even after some long drifts of not trying. I found building me up was the key, I’m happy in me. I don’t stew at home, I have hobbies and friends to enjoy. I don’t o we focus on finding happiness through the relationship. I actually found it’s what we need, and we grew back together.

Clovk · 24/08/2019 22:40

What strikes me is he says he loves you. We often don’t listen to this, maybe he does. Maybe he’s just not good at expressing, got lazy... but he does. Start going out a bit, doing things you enjoy and having time for you. Then look at it all again?

user1497997754 · 24/08/2019 22:43

I think your 2 friends going through relation ship breakdowns have had an impact on you..step back and look very carefully at your relationship....you have alot to loose.....the grass is or maybe greener on the other side but it still needs mowing x...

Emmapeeler · 24/08/2019 22:55

I also think your friends’ breakups have had an effect on you.

I really would think carefully about whether you really want to break up over bad communication and a stressful few months. My marriage has been in a similar state at times and I would be devastated if DH suggested separation. I don’t think it is easy to come back from a trial separation personally.

SandyY2K · 24/08/2019 23:06

What's stopping you both from making an effort?

Could you arrange date nights?

Do you have a good physical relationship? IME, It's find rare that a couple who have a really good physical relationship want to split after so long together...as they are usually also well connected emotionally.

WhenPushComesToShove · 24/08/2019 23:08

Find a common goal and work towards achieving it. I'd say keeping the family together is a highly desirable goal is it not. Everyone expects to be totally fulfilled the whole time and like loves young dream but real life is sometimes tough and does take effort from both sides. Start to reconnect with simple things like saying how was your day, fancy a cup of tea, give me a hug even if you don't feel it at first. Sometimes you may feel like adding poison to the tea but someone has to start somewhere and when you are nice to people its hard for them not to be nice back and that's how the reconnection starts

pineapplepassion · 25/08/2019 03:30

Thank you for the replies, I'm wide awake going over it all.
We've had tough periods before loss of a parent, PND, but I've always felt he's on my side and has my best interests st heart as I do his. This time feels off somehow, different in some way.
We usually have a very good physical relationship but he's been pulling back the last couple of weeks saying that he does not feel into it while I'm upset but previously it's not been an issue.
My friends break ups have definitely had an impact on me and got me looking at our flaws maybe too closely.
I do feel tired of always making the first move, basically worn out of that process after a minor argument where 99% of the time I am the one initiating the make up.
I'm feeling unusually stubborn about it.
It's so hard to put into words exactly, I do love him, I believe he loves me I'm just not in the mood to do the running right now and make the first step to make it better.
We've had a stressful few months and it's taking its toll on both of us usually we come together at these times but not on this occasion.
I'm feeling quite despairing really.

OP posts:
Snog · 25/08/2019 06:59

Can you talk to DH about how you are feeling?

daisychain01 · 25/08/2019 07:37

Nothing abusive in either side, just lost our way, been in some pretty stressful situations over the last couple of weeks and our communication is terrible

The thing about a long term relationship is that you can't expect it to be new and shiny anymore. You can't avoid experiencing the pain of loss, illnesses and disappointments that hit us all through life. That's the point, you're together through thick and thin, and weather those storms together. And, yes, you get to see the good, the bad and the ugly of each other not just the nice stuff - you have to put up with each other's annoying (or endearing!) idiosyncrasies.

The key thing is that you both need to make the effort to communicate and connect on a daily basis to keep the relationship alive. It doesn't happen by magic, you both need to want to make it happen.

You can find enjoyment together, even in the most mundane and ordinary stuff. DH and I are going to the council tip (exciting, not!) after clearing out the garage yesterday. He could have gone on his own but I said, I'll come along for the ride and help you unload. You can turn something dull into a team event. Small acts of love are what hold the relationship together. We'll probably have a cappuccino afterwards to celebrate our clean garage!

It's like a garden, if you neglect it, the weeds and brambles choke out all the beauty. If you pay it some attention (not too much, no need to overdo it!) then it thrives and rewards you.

couchparsnip · 25/08/2019 07:45

he’s been picking on a character flaw of mine recently
This doesn't sound good and could be bordering on abuse. Maybe a trial separation is a good idea as it could at least wake him up and help him change his behaviour towards you.

daisychain01 · 25/08/2019 07:46

5 Love Languages are different ways of expressing feelings for each other, according to your preference (or how the mood takes you) -

www.5lovelanguages.com/2018/06/the-five-love-languages-defined/

Is this something you and DH could try to do more of, to re-energise your relationship?

daisychain01 · 25/08/2019 07:53

he’s been picking on a character flaw of mine recently

If your nearest and dearest can't tell you the truth, nobody can! I wouldn't see that as abusive. Sometimes hearing the truth is better (even if painful) from someone who has your best interests at heart. It can trigger the thought "hmmm is there a grain of truth in what they've said?....".

pineapplepassion · 25/08/2019 13:21

Had a good talk, explained my feelings, he wasn't aware as much was wrong as I felt it was. Going to work on getting our communication back on an even keel and see where we go.
Thanks for your replies

OP posts:
LemonPrism · 25/08/2019 15:43

Doesn't sound like it's been particularly bad or for particularly long. Just sounds like you're bored. What do you think will be better if you divorced?

You need to push him for therapy

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