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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

The sheer relief of realising it's over

157 replies

Thesheerrelief · 05/04/2020 20:49

I've finally, finally after three years - being left when pregnant, tried again twice and now going through lockdown - realised I've done all I can. I've tried tried tried but I can't make it work on my own. It feels AMAZING. I feel so light.

My partner works away and would be with me and DS (2) for about two weeks after being away for four weeks. The last few times he's been home there have been a few ups and downs - he's always accusing me of having multiple affairs, trying to catch me out on things, refusing to go or do anything I want to do. This time he's been up for a day then hostile, cold and inventing things about me, then nice again for a while. Then it would be nice for a few hours and awful for maybe two days. On mother's day he screamed at me that he was going to spend lockdown elsewhere (his brother's) because I said that going to the shops wasn't a good idea, given the current restrictions and that we'd gotten food in two days previously and had everything we needed.

When we go out for our daily walk it has to be on his schedule. He smokes outside while I do everything to get DS ready, then comes in to hurry me up. I asked him not to snap at me and he decided I didn't want to leave the house until a certain time because I was "taking orders" from someone I was having an affair with and needed to be out at the right time to catch a glimpse of them. The next morning he sat in the bed and didn't move at all while I got myself and DS ready - he said this was so I couldn't accuse him of hurrying me and said we'd go out when I got my "orders".

I don't even like him anymore. The (increasingly shorter) periods of him being nice are ruined by knowing his awful moods are coming. I feel so relieved by knowing I've done enough. I've tried so hard and it's okay to give up now.

He usually tries to dump me by text every time he goes away to work. He gets drunk and accuses me of all sorts and insults me. He'll be going soon because his job is still permitted to be open right now and I'm just not going to talk him around this time. That's why I'm posting this - I need to get it out, to say I'm not doing this anymore and I'm changing it. It's the safest option rather than ending it before he goes, just pretending its his idea. He grabbed me by the neck at xmas when he was drunk because I was texting friends in front of him.

OP posts:
RUOKHon · 09/04/2020 22:51

You do whatever you need to do x

ThisIsNotARealAvo · 09/04/2020 23:02

I have nothing practical to add but you're so strong and I'll be thinking of you OP.

Luckybe40 · 09/04/2020 23:38

Fucking hell OP:( now that’s not a life you want to be living! Setting 20 minute alarms? Do you mean through the night!Sadrooting for ya!

Taddda · 10/04/2020 05:53

Just a thought OP but are you posting on here safely (as in hidden?)...? Make sure alerts are turned off or history deleted?

I really hope you can end this asap Flowers

Thesheerrelief · 10/04/2020 13:11

Luckybe40 It was when I was getting sleepy I'd set 10-min alarms for an hour or two, to make sure I didn't miss a text. I know how crazy it sounds. I remember doing it when I was 16 weeks pregnant, after he left me for the second time. I was so tired.

Taddda Alerts are off and I'm being very careful. Thank you for thinking of that.

OP posts:
Thesheerrelief · 10/04/2020 13:18

I know this all sounds so grim but it's so helpful to get it out. I've switched off from him in my mind and in my heart. I think I see him clearly now. The last few weeks have been so tough that I see him in a different light and there's no going back.

OP posts:
OffThePlanet · 10/04/2020 17:50

Reading other people’s stories and thinking of my own life OP, it seems sometimes we are a prisoner of our own hearts. We have to somehow change our mindset to find the key to get out of our prisons.

Only then can we look back and see how our love was really our prison guard. We get to the point of wondering what it was about that person that we loved, especially when they were an abusive bully.

I am happy your mind is now free and you are nearly rid of your abuser.

LannieDuck · 10/04/2020 20:08

I’m sorry it’s been delayed. I’m sure it feels like years right now, but in the greater scheme of things it’s a small amount of time.

Stay strong, hold your nerve, and Tues will be here before you know it.

billy1966 · 10/04/2020 20:11

Hang in the there OPFlowers👍

PerkyPomPoms · 10/04/2020 21:07

Keep that strength

Davespecifico · 10/04/2020 21:14

This man is very dangerous. I would do what randommess says and have things in place to keep safe on his return. I would perhaps contact the police and some organisations e.g. refuge and women’s aid for advice about how to protect yourself on his return.
In the meantime, until he goes, you could try the grey rock method (google it) to keep drama low.

neverdoingthatagain100 · 10/04/2020 21:47

Just come to say that I'm rooting for you. You are doing amazingly. Stay strong. Call help if you need it, you are not alone.

Weenurse · 10/04/2020 23:39

Only a few more days 💐

Longlockdown · 11/04/2020 10:35

Stay strong - you're doing amazingly well to keep your powder dry.
You'll know the best way to do it.

Thesheerrelief · 11/04/2020 13:23

Thank you all. There's a bit of a charm offensive going on since yesterday so my change of heart and attitude must be apparent. It's a genuine change of heart from me so there's no going back now.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 11/04/2020 13:35

Enjoy a few days of charm offensive whilst it lasts!!!

Hopefully only 3 days to go...

RUOKHon · 11/04/2020 13:40

He’s picked up on your mindset. It might be a charm offensive now but separation is the most dangerous time and if he senses he’s losing control over you then he could escalate into violence. I know I sound like a flapping mother hen but please be careful OP. Hang in there til Tuesday.

Lsquiggles · 11/04/2020 13:47

You are so brave, be safe and be free! Flowers

billy1966 · 11/04/2020 13:49

It's amazing how sensitive abusers are to their victims moods, especially sensing them pulling away and gaining strength.

I hope the days go as quickly as possible for you OP🙏🤞

organicbox · 11/04/2020 23:28

Just to say I'm thinking of you and hoping you're okay. Not long to go now. The switch has flicked. You used to be someone who wanted him, and now you're not. You're already free, now you just have some work to do.
Don't drop your guard, stay safe, only a couple of days to go x

StripyShirt · 11/04/2020 23:39

Sounds like he has serious psychological/psychiatric issues. You need to be away from him.

Honeypickle · 13/04/2020 12:08

Hope he’s gone today and that you are doing okay x

IamRhubarbBikini · 13/04/2020 16:28

Another that just wanted to say I’m rooting for you and please, please be careful! As others have said, leaving is often the most dangerous time so please do speak to family, the police and women’s aid to ensure you have systems in place if he does escalate things.

RUOKHon · 14/04/2020 11:42

How are things OP?

Thesheerrelief · 14/04/2020 13:31

I've just found out today that I'm pregnant. It changes nothing for me. I'm leaning towards a termination but I'll think about it. I don't think it's right to bring another child into this. He's still here - delays on the project starting even though it's on the essential list

OP posts:
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