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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:
MarshmallowAra · 14/04/2021 10:45

Do you think it's limerence?

Happinessevaded · 14/04/2021 10:48

Which is?

OP posts:
Happinessevaded · 14/04/2021 10:49

Google is my friend I’ll look now

OP posts:
Happinessevaded · 14/04/2021 10:56

Read through the wiki definition. Interesting very interesting and helpful. I would say sounds most likely. Odd things is it’s describes how he behaved not me at the beginning. So why am I now feeling so desperate, it seems to transfer back and forth. I’m not codependent before anyone says that

OP posts:
YanTanTethera123 · 14/04/2021 11:44

@MarshmallowAra

Do you think it's limerence?
I seriously think it may well be ☹️ He’s controlling your head and mashing up your thoughts at Will, cruel, manipulative and calculating OP. I do wonder if he would ever divorce if he can continue having you dancing to his tune every time he pulls the strings. It’s a form of mental torture.
Happinessevaded · 14/04/2021 12:27

I have been reading (should be working) and this doesn’t apply:

Now, if you’re a limerent person, you’ll see this somewhat differently. If your limerent object has a negative trait of being lazy, for instance, you wouldn’t see it as something negative.

Instead, you would interpret it as being laid back and casual, and always find excuses for such behavior.

I completely see he has some horrible flaws that said I am 100% obsessing now but feel it’s because we could have overcome our issues so maybe am ignoring what he’s done by trying to understand.

I also feel anxious as if this is all it was for him then that’s terrible too.

I haven’t contacted him so that a step forward.

OP posts:
Parkerwhereareyou · 14/04/2021 16:49

OP, more than anything this just sounds so miserable.!

You don't want a set-up where you have lots of stress and upset, and the occasional flash of paradise.?

And where you can't be yourself, and talk openly about your sexual life normally. Where he misconstrues everything. Where there are endless hours wasted in angst over 'what should happen/what does he want' etc.

He's in his mid 60s now. He's an absolute pain in the neck. He doesn't accept who you really are. And he won't have proper sex with you because you've 'ruined' it by having had sex with your friend years ago.

?????? OP WAKE THE F UP.

You do NOT need this. You are NOT attached to this rubbish. Because it IS rubbish. (sorry - I don't mean you or your feelings, but just the actual detail of these interaction with him)

You could have a great relationship with a normal person. And yes a 22 year age gap is significant. 0-5 is like nothing. Up to 10 is fine. 10-15 is hmm you feel it. 15-20 has it's WTF moments. But over 20 means you will be at v different life stages all the way through.

Not a problem for some, and every relationship is unique, BUT in your set-up here, it is only crystallising the differences between you.

OP get out of this nonsense. Get you kids out of it. You do not want this guy living with you and your kids. So the whole thing is doomed.

Get a grip, stop talking to him, stop this endless massaging of the topic with him, stop this death by 1000 cuts. Just cut it now.

And find someone NICE. Who couldn't care less what you did 20 years ago. Who loves that you tell him everything. And who feels good most of the time, not just once in a blue moon, when the sun's at the right angle and he's not obsessing over your friend.

Sorry to sound quite proactive here but really, OP, this is done for. Stop it.

Happinessevaded · 14/04/2021 17:27

This resonates:

You don't want a set-up where you have lots of stress and upset, and the occasional flash of paradise.?

For me I’ve never had such intense feelings so it’s hard to accept maybe I’ve made a mistake and maybe I was deceived

OP posts:
Happinessevaded · 14/04/2021 20:17

Upon the suggestion of everyone I have started the freedom programme. There was no physical abuse but it was recommended so I will do it.

I appreciate each and every post on my thread and am so grateful for the time and effort you have all out into helping me. I’ve not felt this supported for a very long time especially with anything like this.

The evenings are always the hardest of course but I keep rereading the posts which is helping to give me a proper perspective and especially from such strong wise woman. I still feel like a small child in some ways which is probably half my issue.

OP posts:
Parkerwhereareyou · 14/04/2021 20:32

For me I’ve never had such intense feelings so it’s hard to accept maybe I’ve made a mistake and maybe I was deceived

@Happinessevaded
I think that when you've been in an abusive relationship, your feelings can be very mixed up when you come out. Someone even being normally polite and nice to you feels like something astonishing.

I unfortunately have encountered a couple of these relationships. I was super naive as a teenager and I ended up effectively being picked off by an abusive guy because I was too nice to say no, and I didn't really know how to do it anyhow.

I won't go through the details because it's a bit sad, but when I finally emerged, aged 22, I just remember my first few days and weeks without it/him. I remember how people said to me 'you just seem to say please/thank you/sorry. I remember how someone treating me with very simple respect like saying 'what would you like to eat/drink?' or 'would you prefer this seat in the shade?' (I was on a Greek island) seemed just extraordinarily caring.

So it's no wonder that if this older guy tells you sometimes that you're amazing, and that you make him feel like he's in heaven, that you respond to that.

But you need to consider something about yourself: you need to take this on board very very definitely. Your gauge is a bit out at the moment. It's like you've been so long in the red zone that when you spring back into normal, anything vaguely normal or happy feels like paradise. Even if it's only very very occasionally, and actually embedded in a lot of difficulty and angst that you just don't need.

Don't think this guy is the only man who can make you feel those flashes of happiness. There are soooooo many men out there who could make you feel like that most of the time. And it will be a bit of a shock to start with, but you'll soon relearn how that loveliness is actually just normal. It's normal. To be respected. To respect. And to be happy. Your default should be happy. With the occasional blip. Not miserable. With the occasional high.

Please just end things with him. Have the courage to do it. You think that happiness - that you didn't have before - is all rooted in him, only he can give it.

Bollocks.

You can have that happiness in a daily, sustainable way. You only have to pass on this guy and start opening yourself up to real people.

Please do it. For yourself, for your children. Only one life, etc. Every moment does actually count. X

Happinessevaded · 14/04/2021 20:37

Again your posts completely resonates. My first relationship as a teen was with an absolute diamond. After that - I moved away it was disaster after disaster, a string of abuse including physical when I was 19. So I am beginning to realise there is a pattern and it’s taken a horrible shock to realise that. My DC dad didn’t hit me but was very physical and aggressive. I think any slight dial up of nice feels amplified so as you say my radar of normal is completely off kilter

OP posts:
Happinessevaded · 14/04/2021 20:38

It’s all a bit sad for all of us who had to endure abuse. Womansaid was very helpful as I was referred to the local branch by the police a long time ago

OP posts:
BlueDahlia69 · 14/04/2021 21:15

where do your children fit into all this analysing OP.

Happinessevaded · 14/04/2021 21:27

They don’t. My children have had no sight of this whatsoever having not being exposed to any of it. I’m sure they sense my current unease that goes without saying but besides the troubles between their dad and I are unaware of my personal issues as I like to think I am fully engaged when I am with them.

I have purposely kept them at a distance from this relationship (only one since separating) as much as I can because I am aware that it is confusing as their stable base is with me. They are obviously aware that I have someone of course but that’s it. He doesn’t stay over for that reason when they are with me.

Their dad remarried very suddenly and that was a huge upheaval for them in the beginning and I didn’t want to add to it by rocking another household. I think I did the right thing with that.

OP posts:
Parkerwhereareyou · 14/04/2021 21:44

OP, I'm both glad and sad we resonate.

Don't you think you should just drop it with this guy? Drop it. Put out some feelers. Try a few conversations etc online. And find out who you are now, what you want, what you need. Who you like. Just make use of the connectivity we are so lucky to have. Don't waste any more time on this guy. Please don't. Xxx

Happinessevaded · 14/04/2021 21:52

I have actually done just that I am meeting a friend soon one I’ve not been able to see for over a year and a half or however long COVID has been going on. I have also checked in on a recently bereaved friend who I was supporting as well as send some inquiries into some charity work I used to do as they are running a new project.

I don’t want to go over my capacity so have made sure I can actually do these things with everything else going on.

It’s a start at least. I’m not in the outs of despair and it’s almost ten. That’s huge progress for me.

I feel a little bit like me which is a shock actually.

OP posts:
Parkerwhereareyou · 15/04/2021 06:28

I feel a little bit like me which is a shock actually.*

This.

V natural feeling. And such a good one. As you get more certain that you really are taking yourself away from this pointless torture of a relationship, you will feel yourself running back to you. Just welcome yourself back with open arms. And relish being you. It's your birthright and nobody should ever come between you and yourself. X

Happinessevaded · 15/04/2021 13:39

I’m starting to feel a bit sorry for him to be honest. His situation is pretty tragic but he’s brought it upon himself. I also feel sorry for his family and even though they are separated it still seems they are trying to maintain a relationship of sorts for the DC. Anyway not my problem!

OP posts:
Parkerwhereareyou · 15/04/2021 20:42

@Happinessevaded
I’m starting to feel a bit sorry for him to be honest

I'm not. Well, only in that he's a sort of dysfunctional and self-centred and not making a very good job of anything.

You don't need this. Feel however you do about him, but get shot.

Happinessevaded · 21/04/2021 19:20

Thank you everyone.

I’ve seen several threads similar to mine over the last week which is terrible.

I am becoming more and more angry as time goes in as I’m starting to recognise how shockingly badly he has treated me.

I’ve had no response other than him thanking me for my understanding in giving him space. What? I am no contact!

I’m so angry I could cry/ scream. Is this a normal
Reaction? Today it’s really hitting home just what he has done and how much he has lied.

OP posts:
LivBa · 21/04/2021 22:17

So "your" current "partner" is actually married to someone else Confused. if you're "long term" with him, his involvement with you must be at least part of the reason he's now looking to divorce his wife? Confused His poor wife being married to such a man and in the middle of all this...

Get the heck out of this mess.

Happinessevaded · 22/04/2021 08:58

‘Ex partner’ - who knows what the situation is, he’s lied about much of it.

I’m well away now thank god. It’s not been easy but I was taken for a total ride by him and no I couldn’t have foreseen any of it.

OP posts:
user1471462428 · 22/04/2021 09:45

I applaud you op for keeping your children away from him. Your spidey senses clearly we’re keeping your children safe however you need to remember this applies to you too. You are worth keeping safe and being kind to. Keep doing the freedom programme.

Happinessevaded · 22/04/2021 09:54

Thank you. I must admit I’ve hit a bit of a low today.

The fact remains I was involved with a married man without realising just what was happening and I feel sad confused and angry.

I don’t know why I am expending such emotion as he has treated me appallingly Sad

I still check my messages for a reply but that makes me feel even worse as I shouldn’t care either way. I don’t care but it’s hard to explain.

OP posts:
user1471462428 · 22/04/2021 13:57

You get a massive adrenaline drop when you leave a abusive relationship. No one tells you this. It’s is a grief really. I cycled through all the emotions rage, denial etc. Sometimes I’ll be doing something mundane and my brain will suddenly play a scenario that happened between us and I’ll have to process it.

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