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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

Dumped by text

1000 replies

user1471427667 · 20/01/2020 12:30

Bf of 2 years sent me this text in the early hours of this morning.
“Hey I’ve been thinking about us and it’s just not working out so best to end it. No need to reply. All the best”
I feel absolutely blindsided. Didn’t see this coming at all. Aside from the shock of it, I feel so dismissed that he put “no need to reply” as if he I don’t have a say in it ( well I know I don’t but the urge is to try and talk about what he feels is wrong)
Should I ignore what he said and try and contact him to find out what’s wrong and try and work it through or at least end it amicably? Or just accept it somehow and not reply.
I feel as if someone has punched me in the stomach and everything I thought was real just isn’t.
Please help me retain some dignity and tell me best way to reply or not.

OP posts:
user1471427667 · 24/01/2020 14:55

Johnsonsfiat - sadly, I think you are spot on .
My chest hurts just reading that post.
But it’s true

OP posts:
Zaphodsotherhead · 24/01/2020 15:04

I vouch for True Crime documentaries when my concentration levels are bad. I've been watching a David Wilson one on Iplayer (I think) lately, there is something very therapeutic in watching these!

CinderEmma · 24/01/2020 15:22

What a knob!! You know it will be killing him you haven't responded. Well done for not replying! It will have probably blindsided him that you haven't replied, I bet he was waiting for the begging, pleading texts and instead he's got nothing!!

Maddogcow · 24/01/2020 16:17

I’ve just read the whole thread and I had something similar happen a while ago - I had just given up my house and moved across the UK to move in with him (bringing my DCs). I was so shocked when he ended it out of the blue within a month of us moving in. I had to move out and it was devastating - I actually felt physical pain and so very ashamed that I had trusted him and not picked up the change in him. He was a love bomber at the beginning and had pestered me for years to move in with him. My DCs and parents adored him. Parents and friends were so happy we were moving in the together.

My reaction was to go cold on him and not show him how I felt. I moved out and acted indifferent. He couldn’t work out why I was so cool (I was a serious mess inside). A year later he asked me to marry him, but I could never trust him again and the relationship was doomed to fail. Eventually, I ended the engagement. He met someone else within a week of me ending it and they are still together 2 years later.

I think he was flawed and enjoyed the beginning of a relationship, but he didn’t know what love means long term. This thread helped me at the time

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/3348068-do-you-ever-get-over-heartbreak?pg=2&order=

I thought this post was good.

Orange6904

Maybe with the other break ups you saw it coming?

If it's not what you wanted it's going to be hard to deal with. It's normal how you're feeling.

Here's some advice from a thread I made from a user called @DonkeyPlease

Have read your whole thread. I don't have much time but I'm going to write you some tips for coping through a change like this. Ymmv but this is what worked for me.

  • you can't switch on anger. You have to focus on where you are at present, and fully feel what you are going through right now. That's how you 'graduate' to the next stage of anger. Read this:

www.recover-from-grief.com/7-stages-of-grief.html

Note also that it's normal to cycle back into previous stages of grief. Especially if you've tried to avoid feeling the sorrow and sadness and pain.

  • please try not to drink. It will keep you stuck where you are emotionally.
  • when you start to feel pain, stop trying to talk yourself out of it, and try to stop the ruminating over "why" etc. Feel it, cry and remind yourself constantly and with real kindness, that is it OK to hurt. Pain won't kill you. Don't run from it, run to it and embrace yourself with love and compassion. Your hurting because you have been injured. There is no shame in that, it's an honest and true thing. And it is temporary. Allow it to happen. Emotions pass if you let them flow through.
  • when you can't stop ruminating, write it down. I can't tell you how much this helps. Talk to yourself.
Go in circles if you must. But get it out. Write awful poetry. Write to him, write to yourself, to people who hurt you before, to God, to the hills, to turn ocean, to the friend who died or faded away, to the teacher who always seemed to understand you - just write because it's like draining off an infection so that the poor wound beneath can breathe and heal.
  • write down a list of things that nurture and calm you. My list included: making tea, baking, lighting candles, memorizing poetry and reciting it, going for a long walk, doing HIIT workouts, eating ice cream, being close to water or forest, being barefoot, singing, having a bath, dancing, listening to certain types of music, drawing. Think back to the things you did as a child. Including things that seem silly. They all count.
  • recipe for surviving a terrible day:
Acknowledge you are hurting Remind yourself that this is temporary but you're going to love yourself through it Write down everything that you feel Go to your list Do things on your list as much as possible until you feel better OR the day is over.
  • tell people and lean on them.
Bookmark
Maddogcow · 24/01/2020 16:21

Also can recommend Succession to watch (Sky)

Ohyesiam · 24/01/2020 16:25

Sorry op, that must hurt like hell. You are so better off though.

coffeeeandtv · 24/01/2020 17:03

Just wanted to send you 💐 op and I hope your new haircut is band on flick!!!
My work colleague had a similar experience to you, I asked her for her advice and she said that she now realised that she will never understand exactly why he finished their relationship by text without an explanation.... someone said to her... "it is what it is" and although it hurts like hell she realises that ruminating on his reasons makes her feel worse, also I recommend Grace and Frankie... on Netflix it's a simple gentle comedy about a break up.... the women definitely triumph.

user1471427667 · 24/01/2020 18:13

Maddogcow - thanks, I will have a read of that thread when I get time.
Thank you ohyesiam and coffeeandtv. I’m slowly getting used to my new normal which doesn’t involve him.
Pleased with my new hair. Told my hairdresser to do what he wanted (!!) and it’s much shorter and bouncy. I’ve never had bouncy hair before! I keep bouncing it about. My friend says I look ‘sassy’ which I’ll go with. I feel anything but bouncy or sassy 💁‍♀️.
This thread should be copied 1,000,000 times, bound with silver, tied in a big red fuck off ribbon and sent to everyone who is experiencing a break up! It’s a real tonic.
I can’t thank you enough. Will be Netflixing like mad tomorrow and out tonight to catch up with friends, so catch you all soon flicks hair 😘

OP posts:
Snowman123 · 24/01/2020 18:26

You are doing amazing!

Not texting him was the right thing to do - it will leave him wondering what you are thinking. Onwards and upwards! I'm impressed by your strength.

Evans93 · 24/01/2020 18:52

Girl you can do better than this loser. Believe me!

It might feel like the worst thing in the world at the moment, but in 6 months time when your in a better place you will be laughing at him!

He doesn’t deserve you!

Also get off with his mate.

Techway · 24/01/2020 19:32

@hellsbellsmelons, that sounds like a perfect break up recovery play this..Unbelievable for his text, Killing Eve for revenge ideasSmile, Fleabag, because he is one and Dead to me, which is where Op needs to get to!

Have you heard of the book Runaway Husbands? It highlights how common this behaviour is so you are not alone and there are many weak and disordered men around. I hope science has the answer as it is now thought these individuals have different brain structures. Any clues in his childhood? Does he has close friendships or are they superficial?

Your shock will come from not understanding how someone could be so deceptive and you may question why you didn't know. Quite simply if you are an emotional healthy person it is impossible to relate to an toxic person so you won't see the signs, until it happens to you.

BelleEpoquee · 24/01/2020 19:37

Im quite sure he was expecting a reply and possibly some kind of begging from you, that he would have brushed off or ignored. The fact you've simply not replied is the best response and shows him and yourself that you simply won't put up with this kind of shit. You're amazing. Have a great night, don't look back.

5LeafClover · 24/01/2020 19:44

Just caught up with this thread. You are doing so well, keep going! The bouncy hair sounds just right.

He sounds a total tool...selfish, and underneath the act cold and calculated too. That was the real him. Keep away from that phone...he knows that he's been a low life, don't give him the satisfaction of a response. 💐

Werkinggirl · 24/01/2020 19:47

Well done 💐💐

PinkFluff2 · 24/01/2020 20:10

A few years ago I had a boyfriend who I hadn't been with too long, but he'd told me he loved me and all that jazz. Spoke about the future together, everything was perfect etc.. we made plans for my birthday, we were going on holiday, he text me in the morning saying happy birthday and then never spoke to me again. We never went away, and he never ever text me after that happy birthday text. I'm glad I kept my dignity and didn't chase him, once I knew he was alive because he was online all the time I deleted him off everything and tried to move on. It was so hard because I had no answers and I felt like our relationship was going great. It was a really awful time, however after a while I felt so much better knowing I was without someone who is capable of doing that. And now I have a lovely boyfriend Smile My mum has always said to me don't try to work out why people do what they do, because it isn't meant to make sense. I think she's right! People do bizarre things with no explanation and I suppose we just have to accept that.

You'll get there no matter how hard it is! Crown Smile

BE2BN2BE · 24/01/2020 20:17

OP I’m so glad you’re feeling better. Last year my ex dumped me via text after 16 months. I was crushed, the pain was agonising and it took me a long time to not ache 24/7. Mainly because by disappearing I then came to idolise him in a weird way. He was a massive love bomber, texting me constantly to tell me I was the love of his life, how beautiful I was etc etc the night it ended he messaged me to tell me he loved me and was looking forward to Christmas and then sent the break up text 3 minutes later! Anyway, all I know is that you are doing absolutely the right thing by not replying. Sadly I replied to my break up message calling him a coward and a bastard etc and he then blocked me. I wish now I had bowed out with my head (and new bouncy hair) high. Big love to you xxx

Zaphodsotherhead · 24/01/2020 20:19

You bounce that hair, girl!

Cath2907 · 24/01/2020 20:44

Loving the sound of the new hair. If you like a bit of gore there are 3 seasons of Van Helsing on Netflix. Vampires being killed by feisty women with bouncy hair!!

christmaskit · 24/01/2020 22:39

Such a cruel way to end a relationship.
This happened to me almost 30 years ago. He did, however, tell me face to face. At his birthday party after I'd spent a hefty amount on gifts for him.
He broke my heart. It took me years to recover.
Pre mobiles, I went to his house, he wasn't in.
I wrote him a letter, no reply.
I called him, he stonewalled me.
I never got any answers, but he was dating someone else almost immediately.
All I felt was humiliation.
27 years later my sister sent me a video of him. He was fat, bald and obviously fed up with life.
I, on the other hand, am still slim, fit, pretty comfortably off, with 4 beautiful DC.
Live your best life OP and be glad you discovered how awful he is before you'd wasted more time on him.

user1471427667 · 25/01/2020 11:32

Morning lovely people
Having a bit of a pity party for one - you are all invited😢 Although I recommend you decline .
Had good chat with friends last night and even managed a slice of pizza- first real food for days. Felt really tired so home early and fell asleep on sofa trying to watch ‘how to get your ex back’ videos on YouTube. I kid you not. How bloody sad.
Been awake since the crack of dawn, cleaning and generally trying to keep busy. It’s like a wave of pain has hit me.
I feel stuck hating him for how he broke it off. I want to move forward and grieve the end of the relationship and accept it. But I feel anger at him and then at myself for somehow not being able to see this coming. Stupid, I know.
I should take myself out for a walk, that usually makes me feel better .i started watching a film about 4am but can’t seem to concentrate for long without thoughts of him coming into my head. Thanks for Netflix recommendations ‘Dead to me’ is really good. Only 30 minute each episode and enough plot twists and turns that I have to focus and not think about other stuff.
Sorry, not a more positive post. Even my bouncy hair seems flat this morning 💁‍♀️.
Will read all the new messages and re read all the others for inspiration.

OP posts:
Ohfrigginghellers · 25/01/2020 12:25

I can't believe how someone could do that after being in a two year relationship! He really is scum to do that. It is very cowardly and he should be ashamed. You will get through this. The right person will love and accept you for who you are.

christmaskit · 25/01/2020 12:35

It really is a physical pain. It fades.
It's a cliche but it's like a bereavement.

Epona1 · 25/01/2020 12:44

I can recommend The Witcher on Netflix if you need a good watch

MandalaYogaTapestry · 25/01/2020 12:53

I was once dumped during an evening date on Valentine's Day. We had been together over a year.

Some of them are quite something, aren't they? 😄

Sending you hugs OP.

Chocmallows · 25/01/2020 13:02

When my exH left overnight after 18yr together (10 married) it wasn't the obvious things that hurt, it was the moments I forgot and expected him to walk in. Imagining the sound of the key in the door, pulling out the extra plate, the mundane things when you're in autopilot and then remembering the shit situation. It takes time for a new reality to sink in and cannot be rushed.

It does get better, I'd never go back!

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