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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

I've done a bad thing. But is this a normal reaction?

253 replies

IsThisNormal1 · 16/11/2019 21:03

Sorry, this will be long.

Been together almost 10 years. He's late 30s, I'm early 30s.

I'll start off by saying we've had a lot of stress in our relationship. About 4 years ago we were dealing with a lot of drama with my family - absolute narcs, the lot of them. It was resolved 2 years ago and I'm NC with them now.

Due to this drama, our relationship has taken a back seat. He's never been the romantic lovey-dovey type, but all intimacy stopped. We don't kiss, cuddle, hold hands, nothing. Sex is rare. Almost non-existent.

When the drama was resolved, I thought brilliant we can get on with our lives now. This hasn't happened. He does literally nothing. I do all the cleaning, washing, DIY, I even book his car MOT and doctors appointments for him. He wont take any initiative. Works at the same dead-end job which he hates but won't do anything about because "Brexit" or "job hunting is too hard" or various other reasons.

I experienced a major hiccup in my job last year (company restructuring) and was almost made redundant. I'm the bread winner so this was a huge deal. I signed myself up for an online course and told him he needs to step up with housework etc because I need to do this qualification while also working a 50 hour week. He stepped up for 2 or 3 days, then went back to his old ways. He leaves everything at his arse. I spend the evening cleaning, it's a shit tip by the next day. I do his washing and ask him to put it away, it gets left in a heap on the floor. Dishes left next to the dishwasher for me to put away. This goes on daily for months. Every day it's like he's saying a massive "FUCK YOU".

I don't like to nag but when confronted he says he's just got no motivation since the drama. Yes it was traumatic but life needs to go on. I have zero family now and it's not exactly been easy for me either! I've offered to pay for counsellors etc for him. No. He just spends all day every day watching YouTube and doing nothing. He says he needs to "build up" to doing anything and if that doesn't work, he can't do it at all.

Last night we went out for a few drinks at the pub. I admittedly drank too much and was very intoxicated. We both were. There was a man there and we got chatting at the bar. A proper real conversation for once about history, a mutual interest. This went on for some time and I feel we did have a connection of some sort. He left, and I went outside a few minutes later because I was starting to feel a bit unwell with the alcohol. Unbeknown to me, the man was still there and he kissed me. I haven't been kissed or even had any ounce of affection for years, so stupidly I didn't stop him.

DP came outside, saw this, and flew into a rage. He threw a glass at me, cutting my arm. Blood pouring. He then took my purse and went home, leaving me stranded with no money for a taxi home. The guy behind the bar had to loan me money.

I got home and DP had locked the gate knowing full well I couldn't reach the lock to get in. (The taxi driver managed to reach it for me). This morning I find that he has cut up all my bank cards, and hid my house keys so I couldn't get out. He says he didn't want me "sneaking out anywhere".

We talked today and I told him how undervalued and unappreciated I feel, he said "well write me a list and I'll do the cleaning every Tuesday". I don't need him to clean, I just need him to start acting like a proper grown-up.

I know what I did was wrong, I don't deny that. I feel awful. I've apologised to him. He has spent the rest of the day saying nothing and holding his head in his hands. I understand he's upset. I would be too. His cousin phoned this evening and he was all bright and cheerful like nothing happened. Then was laughing at stuff on tv. An hour later hes slumped on the stairs saying he feels sick and dizzy. I can hear him how pacing upstairs. Hes acting like I've just killed someone!

Words can't express how bad I feel. It was so out of character for me. I admit it was nothing more than feeling "wanted" for 5 minutes. I would never have seen this man again and regretted kissing him almost the moment it happened.

I'm not sure why I'm posting. I've been horrible, I admit. But with his reaction, I just know hes going to make me "pay for this" and use it as an excuse to do even less. I love him still, I really do. (Although the resentment is horrific) Am I kidding myself? Do I need to call time or do I deserve this?

OP posts:
Beveren · 18/11/2019 10:38

Have you tried simply ignoring his washing and refusing to cook for him unless he does his share?

ptumbi · 18/11/2019 10:51

OP - he is loving the fact that you are now the 'bad guy'. He can use this forever against you - 'I am too sad to do any housework today/this week/this Tuesday (ffs), because i saw you kissing another guy' (with additional 'wandering hands' and extras made up on top)

He is now in a position of Power. He has something over you, and you can't give up on him/the fucking dog because you kissed another guy. The abuse,the violence, the locking you out - all deserved, because he saw you kissing another guy.

The 'hope I don't lose my temper at work' is a threat to keep you where he wants you, because if he loses his temper at work, and loses his job, its because he is sad at seeing you kissing another guy. All your fault.

It is ALL going to be your fault, and he is on the High Ground. This is going to fuck with your head, because you only kissed another guy because you get nothing from him (or rather, other guy kissed you). He can now be as lazy and selfish as he likes, because he thinks he has the High Ground.

Get rid now, before he becomes a total Martyr and you become a total shadow of yourself.

RantyAnty · 18/11/2019 12:02

LTB you'll feel 100 times better once the dead weight is gone.

MerryDeath · 18/11/2019 12:13

wow how can you stomach living with this man. he sounds pathetic and you need to be brave enough to get out of this weird, miserable comfort zone.

PepsiLola · 18/11/2019 12:17

Just because you don't have your family does not mean to have to stay with this man.

Sell your house and start afresh. This is nonsense.

EvaHarknessRose · 18/11/2019 12:35

Don't get counselling get angry. His emotions don't get to rule the world. Just like your parents emotions don't. Go have more interesting history conversations with adults who give a shit.

JumpiestBat · 18/11/2019 12:43

It speaks volumes that he's putting the dogs "feelings" ahead of yours!

IsThisNormal1 · 18/11/2019 13:55

Thank you everyone for your messages. I promise I am reading them and taking them onboard. Flowers

OP posts:
Innishh · 18/11/2019 14:30

Keep re-reading the thread over the coming days and weeks - each time something new will catch your eye as you start to process your own feelings and understanding of the situation.

BendyLikeBeckham · 18/11/2019 14:44

listen to @ptumbi OP.

He is a responsibility avoider, isnt he?

All the responsibility is yours by default. The home, your relationship, everything. And if it goes wrong, then that is your responsibility too. He will treat this as your fault and use it against you forever.

Forget the kiss. It is neither here nor there.

You need to split up, regardless of your moment of weakness. He will never change. He cut you, abandoned you and damaged your things. He is a stroppy lazy man child, who now thinks he has the upper hand. Fuck that.

Blindspot82 · 18/11/2019 14:47

Your relationship has reached the end of the road. You need to call time.

mistyy · 18/11/2019 16:50

Wow that's a lot to unpack, but sometimes we can't help who we love so I understand that regardless of everything you still love him but doesn't sound like you like him and that is necessary for relationship. Because you can't help who you love but you can help who you choose to be around and seems like right now you need to love yourself more than him. He threw a glass at you and cut your arm..... maybe don't do it in private since he's a bit unstable. Otherwise if you chose to stay you need to ask him if this is something you guys can move past most people say yes but trust is hard to rebuild.

Hope you use this opportunity to cut the dead arm to save the body , it will hurt but it's necessary since it's just rotten

Interestedwoman · 18/11/2019 16:57

'I'm trying myself in knots convincing myself that the grass cannot possibly be greener.'

It can,. It is in most places. xxx

HappyHedgehog247 · 18/11/2019 16:58

I really really hope you end things. If, for some reason, you can’t do that yet perhaps you could book some therapy sessions to just explore with someone else what has happened and what it is you need that keeps you in this relationship.

rainbowstardrops · 18/11/2019 17:15

Jeez. Leave the dead weight.

GettingABitDesperateNow · 18/11/2019 17:15

I don't even think you are in a relationship. You sound like his carer to be honest. He is contributing absplutely nothing - financially, emotionally, practically (sharing of tasks), physically (affection etc). He is just taking up space in your life - you could use that energy on much more positive things.

I would struggle to respect or like someone who had to 'work up to' lifting their own clothes off the floor that someone else had kindly washed for me.

Please dont waste any more of your time or money on this man.

To be honest, yes kissing someone else wasnt amazing but sounds almost like your sub conscious taking action to make your rational brain take notice that your relationship is over

BonnesVacances · 18/11/2019 18:58

I'm trying myself in knots convincing myself that the grass cannot possibly be greener.

It doesn't have to be greener. Just green would be a start. You owe yourself that. Everyone does.

3luckystars · 18/11/2019 20:14

You already acknowledge that you can't have children with him because he wont help you. This is awful!!

You are better off by yourself then in a terrible relationship. Honestly. The grass where you are is completely dead. Move on or you will starve.

Best wishes to you.

yuiop · 18/11/2019 20:56

*No, and I never said it was. My post, which you quoted, was a response to a pp saying that he shouldn't be laying in bed, hiding under the duvet. He should be getting up and carrying on as normal. That's what I responded to.in my post, so why take it out of context? I never said his response at the pub was reasonable so kindly dont misrepresent me.

Would he have been reasonable to walk away from the.pub and leave her there? Yes, I think he would have. You can't cheat on someone and then expect them to stay around and take you home.*

Except that's not all that happened. He didn't just walk off and then feel miserable the next day. He acted violently and abusively. He should have been absolutely shitting himself the next day, not feeling sorry for himself.

Howzaboutye · 18/11/2019 21:09

LTB

seriously, move on.

stayathomer · 19/11/2019 06:57

It doesn't have to be greener. Just green would be a start. You owe yourself that. Everyone does.

This should be on billboards Xxxxxx

Loopytiles · 19/11/2019 07:51

The grass IS greener! Your current situation is crap. If you want DC, don’t waste more time with this loser.

nomorewinedayfriday · 19/11/2019 18:07

This sounds a lot like a guy my sister was with. Dramatic, lazy and a bit of a man child. She decided enough was enough 3 months before their wedding. Now, she is so much happier - did a lot of things she wanted to do, got rid of a lot negativity in her life (mainly caused by him) and a couple years later bought a house with a lovely guy. She was worried about the upset and kept putting it the break up off as 'they would lose so much money with the wedding. Life is too short!!

isthismylifenow · 20/11/2019 07:53

How are you OP?

Life is too short

Yes. I live by this now. I tried every which way to save my marriage. I saw this posted in reply to one of my many threads at the time. Its 4 words. That you read all the time. But wow did these 4 words sink in and I realised that I couldn't carry on one more day, never mind the rest of my days like that.

Its amazing what the cherry on the top can be. A realisation, a reaction to a situation (which in this the case in for OP i think), a few words read at the right time.

Life is very short and so why live it unhappy.

erniepigy · 21/12/2019 22:32

You don’t stay with someone out of gratitude. So what, he was there while you were having drama with your family. You’ve been there paying the bills and running the household.
He sounds like a lazy bastard who is quite happy poncing off you and the kiss at the pub was exactly what you needed. A hint that there is more out there for you and way better than you are tolerating now. So the kiss is his latest excuse for not sharing the load. Stop feeling sorry for him and yourself, get the hell out and make a decent life for yourself and find a real man who will care for you, not sit whinging about petty excuses for not being a man.