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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 broke up with him, now can't get over him - did I do right thing?

8 replies

ArriettyCArriettyC · 01/03/2020 09:29

hello, I am really struggling and would so appreciate some perspective. Been with DP for 3 years, both have teenage children who all get on really well. Relationship was quite stormy - lots of 'breakups' where he would withdraw for a few days and say he needed space. I would be really panicky and sad and would end up begging him for forgiveness (even if I didn't think it was really my fault). So got into a really bad cycle of all issues being blamed on me. We did some counselling and agreed on things totally when calm, but so difficult to implement in the heat of the moment. (No infidelity either side, just every few days - tension, sulks, issues). I ended up feeling that his moods and sulks were swinging me one way, then the other and I got fed up of it. So I broke up with him just after Christmas.

On and off contact after that, mostly by text - all very tense and upsetting. Then we met face to face last week and he had written a letter which he read out to me ... he realised he had made such a big mistake, he finally acknowledged that so much of the issues were his fault, he begged for another chance, he is doing so much work on himself with therapy etc, promised to change.

I said no, although it broke my heart - for one thing, I wouldn't swing our children's feelings through this again - some of them have taken the breakup hard. And we have had no contact since then. I texted a few days later and asked if we could meet, but he (kindly) said he couldn't, and he wanted me to let him be.

I just can't seem to move on. I am so tempted to go round to his and suggest a process of starting seeing each other again. But then at times, I know it is the right thing, as things were so unstable. I think about him ALL THE TIME, and just keep wondering if I've done the right thing. I just miss him so much.

What on earth to do? Can he really change so much?

OP posts:
ArriettyCArriettyC · 01/03/2020 11:27

bumping - can anyone help please?

OP posts:
ginforthewin4 · 01/03/2020 11:51

I think you know this is unhealthy.

You state that the children have took the breakup hard and that you know the relationship is unstable. You also offered to meet and he told you to leave him alone........

Firstly, the children come first. Stop putting them through this.
Secondly, your better being single than in an unstable relationship for your kids sake and your own.
Thirdly, he told you to leave him alone..... does this not show you how quickly his mind/personality changes. So when he says he has changed, he obviously has not, this will continue to be on again off again for as long as you allow it.

Go No contact for a few weeks..... then re-evaluate. Its very easy to get stuck in a rut. Smile

ArriettyCArriettyC · 01/03/2020 11:55

thank you. The reason he has said to leave him alone is that he begged and begged and I said no, I didn't want to try again. So he is not trying to be unkind, he is just trying to move on I guess. Could things really change? Could it become a stable relationship?

OP posts:
WTF99 · 01/03/2020 12:09

To be honest the 'leave me alone' sounds to me like more game playing on his part.

You and your teenagers are better off without him, though I'm sure it feels awful at the moment, but that will pass.

I would imagine that your self confidence has taken quite a battering after 3 years of this kind of treatment. You deserve better.

Notcoolmum · 01/03/2020 12:50

You have been in a hot and cold cycle and have been addicted to the highs when they come. Healthiest thing to do is to block and move on. This was not a good relationship and isn't good for you or your children. Take it one day at a time like any other addiction. But block him. Delete his social media etc. No contact doesn't truly start until you have broken those ties.

Read Mr Unavailable and the Fallback Girl. It will help you understand both yours and his behaviour. The key is to understand why you kept going back to him.

TigerDater · 01/03/2020 13:02

Give it time OP and you will move on. You have to let him do so too. You have both hurt each other a great deal and not found a way to have a healthy, stable relationship after 3 years of trying. You’re grieving at the moment but you will get over it.

DropYourSword · 01/03/2020 13:05

You can either finish dealing with the pain now, or get back together, go through the entire cycle again and then start fresh breaking up and feeling raw. This isn’t a healthy relationship, he’s not going to have changed.

ArriettyCArriettyC · 01/03/2020 13:13

Thank you so much. I'm desperate to think everything would be different, but it is so helpful to read your replies. I was definitely addicted to the highs . I will work really hard on not contacting him. It is so sad because he is a lovely man and we have so much in common. One option he said was to try again gradually, but without involving the children ie seeing each other when why're not around. So then we don't risk them being hurt - could that be worth a try? He is doing so much therapy. Thank you so

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