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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

Do I deserve better than this?

18 replies

thedatinglife · 21/01/2020 22:01

Met a guy on OLD nearly a year ago. It was brilliant in the beginning, always made an effort to spend time with me, get to know me, take me out for lovely meals etc. That lasted maybe four months, things have been rocky since then.

He can be very hot and cold at times, for example one week he will message constantly, call me in the evenings after work to chat, send sweet messages about how he misses me then the next week I'll barely hear from him (I'll message and he won't reply for say 3 days even though he's online). I mentioned it once and he said it was because he was busy but when I pointed out that he'd been online several times since, he accused me of being a stalker . It really doesn't bother me if he can't be bothered to reply but at least own it. I don't buy the whole bullshit story that he's busy when he's online all the time anyway, it takes two seconds to reply to someone and to me personally it comes across quite rude.

Last week I hadn't heard from him (we were halfway through a conversation) so I messaged him the next day to see if he was okay. He apologised and said that his nan had been taken into hospital and that he was stressing. I said not to worry and that I hoped he was okay, I lost my nan last year so understand how painful it is. I sent him a quick message the following day to say I was thinking about him (I really didn't expect a reply as I knew he would be busy and have other things on his mind) but just wanted to let him know that I cared and that I was there for him if he needed anything.

I decided to leave him for a few days to have a breather and I was busy myself with work and friends on the weekend. Four days had gone by and still no reply (even though he'd been online since then) so I sent him a quick message last night to ask how he was. We spoke briefly but he hasn't replied to my message from last night (again even though he's been online today).

I just feel a bit deflated by the situation if I'm honest. I appreciate people are busy and have their own lives but if he doesn't want to speak to me then why doesn't he just say? I also don't understand why he makes an effort one week and then not the next. It was only a week ago that he told me he missed me and wished we could cuddle up in bed together. It really winds me up that he constantly uses the "busy card" as well. Surely if he's busy then he wouldn't be on his phone anyway? I can't understand why he's online but just won't reply quickly if he's already replying to other people.

Looking back over the last year, I've realised that things have always been on his terms - when he's decided to make an effort, when he's decided to come down to see me, when he's decided to talk to me. It shouldn't be this hard surely? If he cares about me and misses me like he saids he does it should just come naturally right? Like it was in the beginning, but things have obviously changed and I don't understand why. He always saids he's not interested in anyone else, which I believe but maybe he's not interested in me either and just wants to be single and out with the lads? (Always with his mates, pretty much every night/weekend actually).

He was in a relationship before we met for around 5 years I think so possibly blowing off steam now? He said he wants to settle down and have kids (now 32) but I think he wants the single and carefree life too. I'm not sure? I'm honestly not a needy person or a stalker either. I have been single for nearly 4 years and quite enjoy my own company. I like to think I'm independent and don't rely on other people either as I work full time and live by myself. I just find him so hard to gage at times.

He's lovely in other ways but I feel like I'm always chasing him. Do I deserve better than this?

OP posts:
category12 · 21/01/2020 22:05

I feel like I'm always chasing him

So stop. He's not that interested.

Does the hot evaporating coincide with sex?

thedatinglife · 21/01/2020 22:05

A small observation as well (which I'm sure is silly and maybe I'm over thinking this) but he never asks me how I am. He will only ask, when I've asked first. He never pops up just to see if I'm okay. I just don't think he cares really.

OP posts:
AtrociousCircumstance · 21/01/2020 22:08

He’s a bullshitter and he’s treating you badly. Jerking you around on a string.

Relationships are centred around trust and he’s doing nothing to earn your trust - in fact his behaviour undermines it.

Oh and his nan is fine. She’s fine. He’s not being honest with you.

Move on OP - you’re absolutely right: you deserve better.

thedatinglife · 21/01/2020 22:13

I wouldn't say so @category12 as we haven't seen each other for nearly three weeks and he was fine last week and made an "effort" then to chat.

I think maybe he wants to be single now but keep me dangling for when he decides he's ready for a relationship. He's very slow in terms of trying to develop things. Goes at a bloody snails pace actually.

OP posts:
jasminepearl · 21/01/2020 22:14

Didn't read past not responding to messages for three days. Didn't need to read anymore.

That would be enough for me to end it, even if I'd only been seeing a man for a few weeks let alone a year.

You're not a priority for him at all, hot and cold behaviour is manipulative and unattractive. I'd go permanently cold on him.

thedatinglife · 21/01/2020 22:16

I agree @jasminepearl I'm definitely not a priority to him which is a kick in the teeth tbh. I don't know what's changed.

OP posts:
thedatinglife · 21/01/2020 22:17

Honestly, I want to ghost him and move on but I just know if/when he gets in touch I'll get my hopes up again.

OP posts:
category12 · 21/01/2020 22:18

I think maybe he wants to be single now but keep me dangling for when he decides he's ready for a relationship

No, sorry - it's more likely he's keeping you dangling until he gets a better offer. You're making the classic mistake thinking if you wait on someone long enough they'll come round - but he doesn't want you enough.

madcatladyforever · 21/01/2020 22:19

Quite honestly I hate messaging, I'd rather not talk all week then get together at the weekend - however, he just doesn't sound interested in you at all.
I would expewct someone who cared about me to ask how I am and vice versa.
Even my friends ask how I am. If he doesn't then he just isn't that into you.

category12 · 21/01/2020 22:19

Ghost him and block him, then he can't get back in touch.

HouseworkAvoider10 · 21/01/2020 22:19

Ghost the tyre kicker.
I would.

Iflyaway · 21/01/2020 22:24

Cut your losses.

He's never going to get any better. Kiss him goodbye - not literally - and move on.

Yes, you do deserve much! better!

Buggedandconfused · 21/01/2020 22:25

I’d end it and tell him why.

If he really likes you he’ll do whatever it takes to get you back.

Know your worth and set your boundaries clearly!

IM0GEN · 21/01/2020 22:33

You have to stop listening to his words and start listening to his behaviour.

His behaviour says :

He doesn’t want to settle down
He doesn’t want a committed relationship
He’s often to busy to even send you a short message
He doesn’t care how you are
He’s seeing other women

Please ask yourself why you have put up with this for 7 of the 11 months you have been seeing him.

thedatinglife · 21/01/2020 22:37

It's hard to hear but I know your all right. It's the kick up the bum that I really needed.

@IM0GEN I've always said to him that his actions are the complete opposite to his words! He's full of shit and I know this. It just always gives me false hope when he's nice and makes an effort for that one week.

I have no idea why I've put up with this for so long. Probably hoped that he would change. Silly I know.

OP posts:
GilbertMarkham · 21/01/2020 23:25

Some (wise) people think three or four months is the longest most people can fake who they are for - then you start seeing the real them.

Until you know that, you tend to give them lots of credit for how they were in the first three or four months and hang on hoping it will continue to be like that (and the other stuff is just blind) - or that's what I did anyway.

But it wasn't really them.

He doesn't sound interested in a real, decent relationship with you (or possibly anyone) at this time. I would be suspicious about what he's getting up to in all those nights out too.

GilbertMarkham · 21/01/2020 23:26

*Just blips

GilbertMarkham · 21/01/2020 23:28

That sort of behaviour just speaks of a lack of commitment and real interest, sorry op.

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