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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

LDR - is he losing interest ?

16 replies

lakestaurus · 22/10/2020 02:15

So a little bit of background information - I met someone online through a mutual friend in March, we started out just chatting every now and then but as timed passed it became all day every day. At the start of September we admitted we had developed feelings for each other and then a week or so later made it official and became 'boyfriend and girlfriend'. Now he lives in the States and I live in the UK so we said we knew it would be hard, but that we would always openly communicate to each other and be honest about our feelings/needs to make it work. Everything was great, we would call each other often, message constantly, send pictures to each other etc etc..He was always saying nice things about me, complimenting me, saying how much he missed me/wished I was there etc. We even were discussing how to get him over to visit next year, before I go over there to meet his kids, everything was perfect.

Queue about two weeks ago....I've had some rough stuff going on in my personal life and haven't quite been myself lately. The messages from him also seemed to be getting less and less frequent and a lot shorter .However because we agreed to be open and honest, I communicated with him that I needed a little more of his support and attention and I felt I wasn't getting that. He apologised, told me he knew he needed to make me a priority and he was sorry he ever made me feel like I wasn't. Things just went downhill from there. We haven't had a phonecall for two weeks, every time I ask if he wants a call he completely ignores the question. I struggle to ever get a reply to a message and quite often he'll send me maybe 2 messages a day, then one the next morning like nothing happened. There is never any mention of missing me, of us being together - just generic 'how are yous?' 'works busy'.

Meanwhile, because we are in several servers together, I can actively see him chatting to other people while ignoring me. I told him this was making me crazy so I needed to leave the server and take some space for myself. So I spent 2 days not around my phone/messaging etc to get my head back in the right place. I thought he might have been happy to hear from me today when I messaged him telling him I was going to try going back to therapy, but I basically got "That'll be good!" as a reply and that's been the only thing for hours...He said he still wants to be my boyfriend but that just feels like empty words and as if he is waiting for me to say it's over.

What do I do ?

OP posts:
Boopthesnoot1 · 22/10/2020 02:28

I would try talking to him again about how u feel, like its not as engaging as it was. Its clearly not working for you and that's ok. I'd end it if he can't meet your needs. Its no ones fault but being part is hard let alone on a fairly new relationship.

BritInAus · 22/10/2020 02:37

He's clearly lost interest. Cut your losses and walk away.

Sakurami · 22/10/2020 02:46

I think it must be hard as you haven't event yet. Let him go and look for someone in this country.

Catsup · 22/10/2020 03:02

Sounds like he was happy when it was all easy chit chat, pics, and mutual compliments. Now you're struggling a bit IRL it's potentially lost its shine for him. To be honest the fact he didn't make contact the 2 days you didn't, would make me think he's just not that fussed. I can imagine it's very hard for you after feeling you've built a special connection, but I'd also just cut my losses.

TheGirlWithAPrince · 22/10/2020 03:23

You know you have to move on. He's just not that interested anymore, LDRs are tough and interest can be lost quickly.

I wouldn't put any thought into it and if your unsure then do a test. Stop contacting him and see how long it takes for him to contact you, if he doesn't then you know it's over.

I would move on.

lakestaurus · 22/10/2020 03:29

@Catsup

Sounds like he was happy when it was all easy chit chat, pics, and mutual compliments. Now you're struggling a bit IRL it's potentially lost its shine for him. To be honest the fact he didn't make contact the 2 days you didn't, would make me think he's just not that fussed. I can imagine it's very hard for you after feeling you've built a special connection, but I'd also just cut my losses.
I did get one message from him just to say he was thinking of me and hoped I would okay, but it was that unenthusiastic I forgot to even mention it tbh!
OP posts:
Dontletitbeyou · 22/10/2020 06:46

If a guy really has deep feelings for you , and wants you in their life, they will move heaven and earth to make it happen .

He sounds like now that you are having some issues , and it’s not all bright and breezy but a bit more ‘real ‘ he’s backing off .
As seen in here time and again , some people don’t like to look like the bad guy . They fade off and hope you get bored and move on . If I was you I would leave him to it.

CodenameVillanelle · 22/10/2020 06:52

So you haven't met in person yet?
Of course it's fizzled out. It's impossible to sustain that level of involvement in someone else's life without the connection in person. It's only half a relationship- barely half. Sorry

Swaning · 22/10/2020 07:06

Your pen friend is building a life in the real world and you arent in it.
He might have found himself and actual girlfriend. He might just have found another less stressful pen friend.

Either way, the lesson here is, in texts and virtual chat, or phone calls, its ALL bollocks (yes, even declarations of 'caring') until it happens and its demonstrated in the real world.

Please dont put all your eggs in a virtual basket it will lead to constant heart ache.

Swaning · 22/10/2020 07:08

P.s. US border have been closed to US aliens for MONTHS so i doubt he is being honest about a US move during corona unless he is a US citizen.

Lampan · 22/10/2020 07:23

I think your expectations were just too high (both of you). How can he prioritise you when he has kids and you are someone who lives in a different continent, and you have never even met? You don’t really know him, I don’t think you know anybody until you have met several times in different situations. Which would be very difficult given the distance.
I suppose it was fun and exciting at first to get to know each other and feel like there was someone who cared etc but realistically it’s extremely, extremely unlikely it would have worked out. What would have been the long term plan? Would you move to another country for someone if you had only ever met them a few times - even arranging to meet is impossible at the moment due to Covid. Not to mention the expense, practicalities etc. Visas, jobs, leaving friends and family...
It’s cowardly of him not to tell you how he feels but I think it’s clear 🙁 Time to move on.

Florencex · 22/10/2020 07:26

@Swaning

P.s. US border have been closed to US aliens for MONTHS so i doubt he is being honest about a US move during corona unless he is a US citizen.
I don’t think OP said he moved to the US, he was always in the US as I read it.
SniffyMiffy · 22/10/2020 07:31

Firstly, my view is that you can't really be "boyfriend and girlfriend" until you've met in person and spent time in each other's homes. You literally have NO idea whether anything he's been telling you is true; it might all be made up. Or he might have awful personal hygiene issues or a violent streak.
It definitely sounds like he's losing interest compared to a few weeks ago - I know it's hard for you as you felt you'd made a real connection but you need to step right away and see what happens. If he doesn't come after you, he's not interested in pursuing this. Sorry.
I think you'd be better off trying to find an in-person relationship closer to home.

Florencex · 22/10/2020 07:34

I agree with Sniffy, I don’t think it is realistic to call yourselves boyfriend and girlfriend when you have never met. This was an online thing that has run its course now. It was going nowhere and he has probably realised that. You would both be better off finding something closer to home.

arethereanyleftatall · 22/10/2020 07:46

Please don't message him again. It's abundantly clear he's not interested. I've got a bloke doing what you're doing to me at the moment, and it'd driving me mad! I don't want to say anything unkind to him, but IMO it's clearly fizzled out. This happens all the time in old especially if you never meet.

Sunflower1970 · 22/10/2020 14:03

I know its hard but I would keep your dignity and let him go. If he is in chat rooms ignoring you then that sends a clear message. Harsh as it sounds he has lost interest xx

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