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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

Why is he like this?

22 replies

greenglen · 18/02/2020 20:08

I want to ask what you think about an incident I experienced today.
What happened may seem trivial but I need to explain that I am tying to reconcile with my husband after a very difficut time in our relationship. (emotional affairs and bad tempers).
He has made an effort and wants to stay together. I am still struggling.
As such things are still tense between us. We can get along ok for a while but very easily things can kick off again and more upset follows.
So we were walking on a road in our local area and just chatting when suddenly a car when past and beeped the horn. A woman waved and smiled at us. We didn't recognise her at all.
We both reacted completely different. My husband was cross and annoyed and went on about it. I didn't care less and just thought either it was someone we know and we didn't recognise them or vice versa. Just doesn't bother me at all! On the other hand, my husband reacted how he often does to situations.....he defaults to suspicion, annoyance, frustration and the like. He thought it was someone "messing about"! On the whole, I am more trusting of people and try and give the benefit of the doubt.
I can see this sounds unimportant but It has been like this for years. I am tired of it. And if I give my opinion we usually end up in a row because he will say I'm wrong /not loyal or whatever. It happens in small everyday things and almost everything.
I am mentally and emotionally exhausted and just want to be on my own. Car journeys are stressful too and I just get increasingly anxious.
Sorry but I'm fed up

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 18/02/2020 20:09

Are you sure he didn't actually know her ? That is a strange reaction, for sure.

BitOfFun · 18/02/2020 20:10

Does it matter why? He gets right on your tits- that's all that counts.

Pipandmum · 18/02/2020 20:13

That situation is irrelevant. Reread your post and look at your last sentence. Maybe your relationship has run its course.

AnyFucker · 18/02/2020 20:15

Hiya BOF Star

Commonwasher · 18/02/2020 20:22

Perhaps you could do with couples counselling — either to repair your relationship and learn how to communicate better, or to facilitate and mediate a separation and divorce...?

greenglen · 18/02/2020 20:36

He definitely didn't know her but was very annoyed that someone would do that! (as in beep horn and wave ... )
He gets annoyed easily do you see?
We tried counselling and it didn't work. He never really wanted to go anyway. And when I disclosed about his temper and other things the counsellor would only see me on my own.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 18/02/2020 21:08

A decent counsellor will not see you together when there is abuse in the relationship

greenglen · 18/02/2020 21:23

Yes, I realise this, although at the time it took me a while to accept and understand why.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 18/02/2020 21:24

Why are you trying to reconcile ?

greenglen · 18/02/2020 21:40

I'm not even sure if I know why really. It has been so incredibly difficult lately and even before that.
I have considered leaving and I still think about it most days.
But he has pleaded with me and said sorry and at the moment I'm trying to move on.
The truth is I feel so unsettled and insecure and anxious. He is making an effort but I am not completely reassured.
I know the future will be different and sometimes think should I go along with it all just to keep the peace.
On the other hand I often wish I was on my own and wish I had left at the height of all the trouble (Other women stuff).
It doesn't look good on paper does it?

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 18/02/2020 21:47

It looks like shit. It looks like you should call it a day.

Heartburn888 · 18/02/2020 22:31

This is your chance to get out

redastherose · 19/02/2020 09:52

You don't have to leave at the height of things. It is often to difficult to see things clearly in the height of the emotional vortex. Whatever he's promised you he clearly has anger issues and doesn't react in a way you are happy with about minor annoyances in life. It is ok to say, I'm sorry but I don't want to reconcile. Just because he's apologised and he wants to stay doesn't mean you have to go along with it. Think about living your life for the next 20 years with an angry man or having peace and being able to relax without someone kicking off at the slightest thing.

FizzyGreenWater · 19/02/2020 10:42

wish I had left at the height of all the trouble

See I think this is a very common course of events and you need to turn it around.

People react differently to extreme situations. Some people simply aren't the type to make huge changes under stress - it would create MORE stress for them. Others are the opposite.

You have moved at your own pace, which is always the right thing to do as everyone needs to have that peace of mind that they knew they were doing the right thing deep down. If you'd left then, you might well have ended up with a constant 'But maybe I should have tried harder' loop running in your head.

You're done. You don't have to justify that - no-one does. Although in this case, if you wanted to you could justify it a million times over:

Serially unfaithful (whether 'only' emotionally, or more)
Aggressive.
Doesn't listen to you, ie doesn't respect you.
Just plain unpleasant!

What's happening here is that you are now being guilted into staying by a man who's spent your entire relationship shitting on you, and is now scared to see some chickens come home to roost. He doesn't want to be on his own and responsible for everything alone. But you don't like him any more and don't want to spend your life with him and it's his own damn fault because he's simply not very nice.

You won't ever be happy, you will always feel like this - or gradually feel worse as you get older especially and naturally spend more time together. If he ends up in worse health than you and you have to give up elements of your life to care for him, oh boy will you hate your life then!

This is what that tiny incident has crystallised for you. Such a small thing - and yet it sums everything up. He's just not nice. If you met him now, you'd think 'What an unpleasant little man' and resolve to not get to know him any better.

You've got one life. Please leave him and make that life a good one!

BitOfFun · 19/02/2020 12:58

Very true, Fizzy, very true.

HairyString · 19/02/2020 13:10

The mistake you are making is listening to his narrative and not your own. You are subjugating yourself to him because you are probably used to this dynamic.

Listen to your own gut. It doesn't matter what he says or does. He has wrecked the marriage and you want out. He doesn't get to prevent that. It's time to choose your own path and step on it. Get legal advice and get divorced. He's a total bellend. You know this and your gut is screaming at you to get away from him. As a PP said. Imagine if he had a stroke or something and you had to care for him? Get out now.

anotherdisaster · 19/02/2020 13:22

I also agree. Sometimes when the worst is happening, its easy to still carry on. I had years of shit but I slowly just got tired and there wasn;t any big event that made me decide, it had just built up over time until I had had enough.
He will not change because this is who he is. He may try to make effort but it will always slip back to his usual. Don't waste any more years of your life.

Aquamarine1029 · 19/02/2020 13:29

Why are you chasing your tail like this to save a relationship you know is shit? It's over. You know it's over. All you're doing now is wasting your time and continuing to damage your mental health. Get out, get away from this abuser and move on.

Wannabegreenfingers · 19/02/2020 13:29

This was my husband, his reactions to situations and the blowing up - they don't change. I've realised that they are his personality and not mine.

Agree with other posters that it usually isn't one big incident, but years of little things that make you leave.

greenglen · 19/02/2020 22:10

This is really making me think.
Several of you mentioning how it can be difficult to make clear decisions when under stress.
I can see this in myself and now at this stage am doing a great deal of reflecting. I'm wondering what have I been doing these last few years? And I just feel unsettled and depressed.

OP posts:
squaky · 19/02/2020 22:26

In my last relationship (aggressive dickhead much like yours) he was meant to go overseas on holiday and then didn't go. I was so disappointed that he would be staying. After that realisation it was a build up of things and eventually being fed up and bored of his shit. I just got over it and realised I was done. You sound the same.

greenglen · 20/02/2020 11:57

@FizzyGreenWater your words speak volumes to me.
Thank you and to everyone

OP posts:
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