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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

How to stop feeling guilty for sleeping with someone else whilst broken up

9 replies

Lovely737 · 20/01/2021 12:31

I was with my ex boyfriend for 6 years (from 17 to 23) and we broke up May 2020 as I found out he was on Tinder talking to another woman. I felt sure that I wouldn't get back with him as it was the 3rd or 4th time that I'd found out that he was talking to other women in the space of 9 months. The first time was August 2019, he had made a move on another woman who he worked with and was messaging her on social media the morning after working a shift with her all night. He denied it until he couldn't deny it any longer as the evidence was there. I broke up with him for a week and gave him another chance as it was the first time. Although, I saw that he has added another woman from a volunteer group he was a part of. I didn't see their messages as it was blank, but her name on social media was very fruity.

We broke up again for 3 months - Nov 2019 until Feb 2020 as he kept on lying to me and putting his friends before me. I found out that he had made a move on another woman less than 2 weeks after we broke up when he went to a guys weekend away with his friends. We were back together from Feb 2020 until May 2020 until I found out in May 2020 that he was on Tinder messaging another woman again. I ended things and didn't speak to him for 3 months until he showed up at my house begging for me to take him back after begging me through email from the day we'd broken up.

It's been 8 months since we broke up now and I still love him and he loves me. I've had time to get over him speaking to other women. I understand that he is young (24 almost 25) and made mistakes and I put a lot of pressure on him, I've recently been diagnosed with BPD so I understand why I put so much pressure on him now (not that it's an excuse). I wouldn't mind getting back with him. However, I feel extremely guilty as I slept with another guy 2 months after we broke up for the final time as I believed I was completely done with him. The guy I slept with used me as he became distant after we had sex and it took me months to get over it as he was only the second guy I had ever had sex with. I ended up blocking the guy after 2 weeks of him being distant (not answering my calls) and only messaging me here and there. I had to go to counselling to get over being led on and used.
I feel guilty as, before, my ex was the only guy I had ever had sex with and now I feel disgusting. I can never tell my ex, but I feel guilty. My mother advised that I don't tell him. My friend said I should tell him because he was the only person I had slept with before (but she doesn't give the best advice and actually made me feel more guilty and anxious).

How can I stop this extreme guilt without confessing to my ex, if we do get back together?

Please help.

OP posts:
Lovely737 · 20/01/2021 12:35

I forgot to add, we were both each other's first and only and he says he's only ever slept with me, which makes me feel worse.

OP posts:
EddisonTortoise · 20/01/2021 12:36

Don't feel guilty because you have done nothing wrong.

Don't get back together with him. My son is 22 and wouldn't behave like that because he knows it's wrong. Why would you get back together with someone who has repeatedly shown you that they don't respect you?

He doesn't love you. He wouldnt have behaved like he has if he did.

OverTheRubicon · 20/01/2021 12:38

Why on earth are you getting back together with him? You are young, you have so much potential - don't waste your guilt or your life on a guy who has cheated on you SO many times.

There are men out there who won't make you feel this way. You deserve better.

Motnight · 20/01/2021 12:38

Don't get back with him.

You are not each other's 'first and only'. Chances are the stuff that you have found out about him are the tip of the iceberg.

Heartbeats0708 · 20/01/2021 12:39

You have nothing to feel guilty about OP, it's unsurprising that you felt rotten after being used for sex but you owe your ex nothing. And fwiw, I really wouldn't go back to your ex either. He's been caught out 4 times now, just because he's "sorry" doesn't mean he won't do it again. Presumably he was sorry the first time, and knew what he stood to lose when you split for a week, and yet has carried on. Be alone for a while, establish some boundaries and set your bar much higher Flowers

MrsSmith2021 · 20/01/2021 12:40

Wtf. If he can’t even keep himself from messaging other women then I am quite sure he’s been sleeping with plenty of others. Regardless, you should not feel guilty for sleeping with someone else whilst you are SINGLE.

As an aside, don’t get back with this man. He will do the same, if not worse, again.

Clymene · 20/01/2021 12:43

Your ex boyfriend is a lying, duplicitous rat who can't keep his dick in his pants.

You have nothing to feel guilty about. DO NOT GET BACK TOGETHER WITH HIM

seensome · 20/01/2021 12:49

Don't feel guilty this toerag was looking on tinder before you had split up, clearly looking for a new shag, don't believe the bullshit of you being his first and only and I'm sorry to say, he doesn't love you, his actions clearly express that. He wants you quietly in the background while he has other women on the go. You know his cheating behaviour, see it, believe it, stop being in denial.

Be proud to move on.

Sorehandsandfeet · 20/01/2021 12:50

You are young. Know your worth and find someone who respects you.

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