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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

Utterly heartbroken

285 replies

Happinessevaded · 12/04/2021 20:37

I don’t know where to turn. I’ve no friends anymore and am so lonely and my long term partner told me this weekend that he doesn’t think staying together is right for us. It’s very complicated, he is going through a divorce and he has trust issues as have I.

On paper it sounds doomed but only last week he was saying he still wants to build a life with me irrespective of our differences and the past hurt. This weekend after much conflict around his divorce - conflict between him and I, he reached the conclusion it won’t work and we would be miserable given the challenges of different histories and lifestyles. He maintains after a blow out last week that he’s come to the realisation that whilst we are still deeply in love certain challenges are too big.

He has also said he will consider meeting up if after some time of reflection I still want to meet but he feels he can’t change how he feels because of all the past hurt and things I shared which has given him an impression that my values are not what I say they are, so meeting isn’t the right thing but he’ll still do it if I want to but I need to seriously think if it’s the right thing.
When we met I’d come out of an abusive relationship with my Dcs dad and thought I was in a good place but in hindsight I wasn’t ready. He was as he’s older and has been ‘single’ for years.

He’s messaged after our discussions to say thank you for a thoughtful message I sent outlying I understood why we are here and he loves me and I said I’d think about meeting and whether it was in reality the right thing to do and sent him a long message outlining my concerns and if I still think it’s the right decision to meet. I’ve not committed to meeting just yet either way. He won’t read it tonight as emotions are still running high and he is tired from work and needs time.

He’s says he still loves me and wants to save our relationship but as of now doesn’t think it’s possible or the right thing as he doesn’t think he can change his uncomfortable feelings about things I shared about my previous lifestyle. I used to go out a lot and party and he thinks that lifestyle is incompatible with a relationship. I don’t go out anymore as I’m far too old and just am not interested but he struggles to believe this.

Is there still hope considering he will still meet and hasn’t stopped communication. We are still kind towards each other there is no aggression but a lot of hurt.

He is sensitive and takes time to process things but a lot has happened including his divorce is in year two. When we met I had a close platonic friend whom he thinks was more - it wasn’t but he was a close childhood friend and he can’t get past the fact I was so close and that it was inappropriate considering our new relationship and how much I said I loved him. I was spending time with this friend but in a group and at the time he was still spending time with his family and didn’t disclose this as I’d get the wrong impression. This friend did have feelings for me but at the same time he was still dissolving his marriage. I was not the OW. All this happens years ago but for some reason it’s all come to a head.

We spent all weekend talking after an enormous argument and it was terribly sad but we were still very loving and kind and there is still intimacy which under the circumstances wasn’t smart.

I want to save the relationship but he is so conflicted doesn’t know what to do and veers between he’s thinks it’s doomed to not being sure what to do and will consider all I have said. Last week it was entirely the other way around I said I couldn’t do it anymore as the divorce was dragging and we do have challenges. I’m so sad but know I can’t change his mind he has to come to conclusions on his own life I’ve done. Just when I get to a place where I want to save things he doesn’t.

This is very jumbled but im struggling to gather my thoughts.

What can I do to save things.

OP posts:
Happinessevaded · 13/04/2021 20:25

I wanted to cut contact last week when I was so angry but then he asked if we could meet to talk and after seeing him I decided to stop being angry and make a go and then he decides a day or so last no. So that cold turkey went well.

That sounds like something I can cope with. I did sent him a long message yesterday of course which he’s not responded to yet and I am dreading the response.

No I don’t think he intends to be as he isn’t malicious or vindictive but says hurtful things when he feels his faults are exposed

OP posts:
Happinessevaded · 13/04/2021 20:32

Yes he said he’ll still meet if I want but doesn’t think it’s a good idea

OP posts:
CoopsMalloops · 13/04/2021 20:51

He doesn’t want to meet. Why do you want to waste your time? Just get your pride together and walk away!

Happinessevaded · 13/04/2021 20:56

I realise that now and it’s painful

OP posts:
Onthedunes · 13/04/2021 21:12

You don't get it do you, he will only continue to see you if you keep your mouth shut and have no expectations, otherwise he will punish you by withdrawing affection.

The only way you can win is by cutting contact and sticking to it.

He is playing with you, you are sport.

Happinessevaded · 13/04/2021 21:18

You’re right there I’ve never thought that as he doesn’t come across like that. All the advice has come and a surprise and I am trying to reconcile my perspective of things with everything that’s been said and it’s hard to process as I said earlier I take time to process things. I am also not sure what to believe, myself, the comments or to some degree him

OP posts:
Onthedunes · 13/04/2021 21:37

Yes it's a very hard lesson to realise that someone who you think loves you can be deceitful.

Welcome to the Woman's Wide Awake club.
There's a lot of us in it, membership is growing daily.

FaceyRomford · 13/04/2021 21:55

He’s says he still loves me and wants to save our relationship but as of now doesn’t think it’s possible or the right thing as he doesn’t think he can change his uncomfortable feelings about things I shared about my previous lifestyle. I used to go out a lot and party and he thinks that lifestyle is incompatible with a relationship.

This man will never trust you. Give it up now and look for someone better.

IdblowJonSnow · 13/04/2021 22:09

Let him go OP. What a head fuck.
Set some firm boundaries for future relationships. Anyone who wants too many details from your past could potentially be controlling and/or jealous.

Happinessevaded · 14/04/2021 07:15

I am feeling very low at the moment. Just want to give up and stay in bed

He didn’t ask me I told him after a few drinks apparently and just in conversation about life in general so he drawn conclusions which are untrue and made assumptions which are untrue and what’s to stick to them

OP posts:
MrJollyLivesNextDoor · 14/04/2021 07:42

@Happinessevaded

I wanted to cut contact last week when I was so angry but then he asked if we could meet to talk and after seeing him I decided to stop being angry and make a go and then he decides a day or so last no. So that cold turkey went well.

That sounds like something I can cope with. I did sent him a long message yesterday of course which he’s not responded to yet and I am dreading the response.

No I don’t think he intends to be as he isn’t malicious or vindictive but says hurtful things when he feels his faults are exposed

You sent him a long message yesterday which he hasn't responded to.

Because he doesn't really give a shit about your feelings, and he wants to keep you dangling just that little bit more, so that when he does respond you'll be EVER SO GRATEFUL

You have serious doubts about whether everything he's told you has been a lie. It very likely is and he's been playing you (and his wife by the seems).

You're a woman in your 40s - you don't need to be treated like this by a player in his 60s

Take back some control - tell him you no longer want contact then BLOCK him.

It will be hard but no harder than this anguish you are living in right now.

Chuck him in the bin where he belongs

CrazyHorse · 14/04/2021 08:15

He's treating you dreadfully. I think you need to grieve the relationship and move on, not keep returning to him in hope, only for him to push you away again, and reel you back in.

Take control of the situation and stop all contact. It will be painful now, but will be a lot less painful in the long run.

PriestessofPing · 14/04/2021 08:43

It’s no wonder you feel low because this situation is a massive headfuck. But it does sound like you’re stuck in quite an obsessive loop, which again is understandable. Would it help to try and do some things to distract yourself? Even if you told yourself you don’t have to come to a big decision right now, but do some things to try and give your mind a bit of a break.

Anything you might enjoy or find distracting? Even little things? It can really help to process things nice you have managed to give your mind even a couple of hours break from ruminating over everything. Help you to see things more clearly.

Happinessevaded · 14/04/2021 08:54

I keep trying to tell myself it’s for the best and in the long run it’s the right thing to do but the what’s ifs are the problem and I’m waiting for a response and keep checking.

In a way I don’t want one as it means it’s not completely final.

He will take a couple of days to reply as he takes a long time to write formal responses usually. But as MrJolly said maybe he just doesn’t give a shit Sad

OP posts:
BigButtons · 14/04/2021 09:31

He has told you he doesn’t want a relationship and he has told you it is better not to meet. Why are you not listening to him?

Happinessevaded · 14/04/2021 09:35

Because he then said he wasn’t sure and would think about it

OP posts:
BigButtons · 14/04/2021 09:43

After everything everyone has taken time to post on here? After everyone has given up their time no energy and shared personal stories with you are still yapping at his heels.
Have some self respect.
I hope for your sake he decided to end it.

Ethelfromnumber73 · 14/04/2021 09:45

I suspect that if you actively withdraw, he'll decide he wants to speak or meet. Because this is all about control. While you are messaging and feeling upset, he's got you where he wants you and the ego boost he needs. He wants to keep you dangling. If you let him, he'll keep repeating this cycle of behaviour- reel you in a bit, offer some hope that he can forgive your previous 'behaviour' and then once you start to relax he'll start having 'doubts' again. Lather, rinse, repeat. It's time to take back control OP as this will destroy your mental health.

Deadringer · 14/04/2021 09:46

He seems like an awful drama llama to me, or as others put it, a head fuck. Whatever op, you deserve better.

Happinessevaded · 14/04/2021 09:51

@Ethelfromnumber73 I think that’s already happened considering my unhinged behaviour over the last few days.

@BigButtons if it was so easy I would be posting on an Internet forum so please don’t make me feel guilty for asking for advice while I am struggling with something

@Deadringer thank you I wish I could feel
Like that right now and tell him to get lost

OP posts:
AliasGrape · 14/04/2021 10:01

Is it school holidays where you are @Happinessevaded Can you spend some lovely time with your DC and pour some of this energy and time into them? Good distraction for you and your dc can only benefit.

It’s up to you ultimately- if you want to give him this power over you and waste your life and your DC childhoods pining after an elderly dickhead who is still married, fucks with your head and thinks you’re beneath him because you enjoyed a few nights out in the past then crack on. What a bloody waste of your one precious life though.

BigButtons · 14/04/2021 10:09

@Happinessevaded you have asked for advice and have been given it by the spadeful. Everyone saying the same thing yet you have refused to take any of it on board and are still hoping he will through you crumbs.
What is the point of asking for advice when you ignore it all?
Quite honestly your dc deserve better than this. Put your energies into them instead.

BigButtons · 14/04/2021 10:11

Throw not through.
No one can make you feel guilty. You feel guilty because you know what they reality is. You know you have wasted people’s time and you know that your dc deserve better -yet you keep on.

Happinessevaded · 14/04/2021 10:21

@bigbuttons i am sorry you feel I have wasted your time.

OP posts:
tara66 · 14/04/2021 10:29

Just bare in mind the age gap is not ideal and what that could mean even if everything was OK. He might live another 25 years in good health or have a heart attack in 5 and pass away. Then there are all the horrors of dementia in old age etc. - you might have to contend with being a carer and financially supporting him at age 50 or so yourself?