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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 · 12/04/2021 21:11

Friends have moved away from where I live and I’m very introverted and lockdown has made things every harder.

OP posts:
Judgedbycats · 12/04/2021 21:11

Honestly he sounds awful, a drama loving arsehole who wants to make you feel like shit.

Partners should want you to be happy. Just because he's older doesn't mean he knows more. I would cut and run if I were you.

Kat6901 · 12/04/2021 21:12

Op you sound so dragged down Sad

ScaryMimeker · 12/04/2021 21:14

I'm lost, he's a long term partner but he's going through a divorce now - how long is long term?

I meant that it's none of any partners business what you did in your past. But from your later post do you mean that you were involved with someone who was married or with someone you're still close to?

RogueV · 12/04/2021 21:15

He sounds like hard work.

Happinessevaded · 12/04/2021 21:17

We have been together for four years and for the most part it’s been brilliant.

Yes my friend was a friend but we did have chemistry although I’ve never ‘fancied’ him, so I would stay over as would other people so it wasn’t an intimate arrangement at all - I’ve know this friend for 25 years!

Why wouldn’t he trust himself, I get why he doesn’t trust me and it’s only if I’m drinking he doesn’t trust me as for some reason he thinks I’ll get myself into trouble. I’ve never slept around but he find that hard to believe.

He only had a problem if I go out as he’s adamant I can’t control myself. This is total rubbish.

OP posts:
Happinessevaded · 12/04/2021 21:18

No my friend is an eternal bachelor. And only ever a friend.

OP posts:
BustyDusty · 12/04/2021 21:19

He sounds boring. Ditch him.

What things do you like doing in life op? Let's go from there.

Kat6901 · 12/04/2021 21:19

Wow he thinks you can’t control yourself if you drink. This is pure projection and says more about him than you. Can’t you see that?

Happinessevaded · 12/04/2021 21:19

Sorry this is so confusing. He’s been separated for about 15 years so forever.

OP posts:
Happinessevaded · 12/04/2021 21:21

@Kat6901he says this as I can’t remember things when we are together and have a couple to many. I never drink like that when we aren’t together.

I’m making it sound like I’m an alcoholic I don’t drink unless I’m out for lunch or dinner on the weekends

OP posts:
PriestessofPing · 12/04/2021 21:22

So one minute he tells you he loves you and the next it’s all drama and how impossible it is. He punishes you for your ‘past’ because he doesn’t approve of the types of men you dated. He doesn’t trust you to drink and says you’ll get yourself into trouble (like what?!) and he accuses you of sleeping around.

And after four years he’s still playing games about whether you can be together.

Why do you think any of this is love? This is an emotional headfuck rollercoaster. Why do you think this man is all you deserve?

Kat6901 · 12/04/2021 21:23

Drink what you like. Drink isn’t your problem here, a gaslighting man is.

PriestessofPing · 12/04/2021 21:23

[quote Happinessevaded]@Kat6901he says this as I can’t remember things when we are together and have a couple to many. I never drink like that when we aren’t together.

I’m making it sound like I’m an alcoholic I don’t drink unless I’m out for lunch or dinner on the weekends[/quote]
Do you get blackout drunk with him then? Or does he tell you things have happened and you can’t recall it?

IWantYoutoKnow · 12/04/2021 21:25

This unravelling is really sad to read OP. He's an abusive arsehole and you need to get out now.

Faerysmoke · 12/04/2021 21:26

Either he is gaslighting or you haven't given us the full story OP.

Bellringer · 12/04/2021 21:27

This is doomed, he doesn't trust you and seems to delight in making you feel bad. Let him take his judgemental self away. It's hard but cut all contact for 6 months at least. I guarantee you will feel better and realise what a wanker her is. I hope you don't want him when he comes snivelling back

Happinessevaded · 12/04/2021 21:27

I do forget things yes but some things I absolutely know we’re not said or were taken way out of context. He deliberately misconstrues things.

He says I told him about some very intimate things with an ex and I still can’t believe I would say something like that. This was what has damaged the intimacy and I was so graphic. I’ve never spoken like that as I never discuss these things with girlfriends let alone a partner but maybe I did! We were on our first holiday together and he spent apparently a huge amount to make it special and I ruined it by sharing these things.

OP posts:
StarCat2020 · 12/04/2021 21:30

How long have you been together?

Kat6901 · 12/04/2021 21:30

Forget all the analysis from him. Are you happy, you seem anxious and dragged down.

AliasGrape · 12/04/2021 21:34

Oh OP, he’s done a number on you.
He ‘finds it hard to believe’ you’ve never slept around? Sanctimonious little prick isn’t he? What does it matter if you have slept around for one? But the fact is you didn’t and you’ve told him you didn’t so he should believe you. Hugely offensive of him to doubt your word. That’s not love.

Doesn’t trust you to go out, undermines you by telling you you’ll only get yourself into trouble or can’t control yourself. Patronising, gaslighting and again absolutely not love.

Making you doubt and question a long-standing friendship, making you think it’s ‘inappropriate’, making you feel guilty and like you have to apologise for spending time with a friend (in a group at that) whilst he’s off playing family man with the wife (not ex yet is she, no matter what flannel he’s been feeding you about this all being more convenient he’s still spending Christmas with her not you so what does that tell you?) Jealous, controlling, not love.

I really think you need to do the freedom program OP.

This isn’t a good guy. It doesn’t need to be this hard. It sounds like a middle aged version of Dawson’s Creek all the navel gazing and going over and over things endlessly, but all the words and waffle don’t make him some tortured soul and no matter how much he craps on about moments of exquisite happiness it doesn’t make you star crossed lovers. He’s manipulative, controlling, jealous and enjoys fucking with your head. It also sounds like he really likes the sound of his own voice and enjoys telling you what you’re like, what you’ve been in the past and what you’re capable and worthy of now and in the future but you don’t have to accept his assessment of you. Cut him loose, let him sort out the messes he’s made in his own life before he comes telling you what’s what.

Happinessevaded · 12/04/2021 21:35

He doesn’t delight in making me feel bad and is devastated but can’t get past what I told him.

@Faerysmoke yes sorry, I said I’d cut contact with my friend after I stayed over which was wrong as we were too close which was inappropriate considering it was a new relationship. I have never slept with this friend but he doesn’t strictly believe that because we’d all been out drinking so says I probably don’t remember. There were messages between my friend and I after this which he saw and thinks I carried on a relationship because I didn’t cut all contact which I should have.

He was over the sleeping over but then realised I hadnt entirely stopped all contact and thats when it all fell apart. The messages were about going out for drinks and would have been with a group. I didn’t do anything wrong as there was no relationship with this friend and that’s not the main issue the issue is around what I shared previously. He just doesn’t believe me. Then there are further issues that he withheld far more from me because he didn’t want to hurt me, so we are both in a mess.

OP posts:
WerkWerkWerkWerkWerk · 12/04/2021 21:36

I really don't like the idea that he is using your confiding in him as an excuse to end things. It sounds like an excuse to me; he hasn't got the guts to own it and end it. We all have a history.
Only piece of advice I have, if someone wants to be with you, they will. Think about that one. If you're into someone, you want to be with them. There is nothing to analyse or try to understand.
Hold your head high, walk, and try to start to re-build your friendships. They're far more important than this drama. I wonder if he is why you have no close friends 'anymore'.

merryhouse · 12/04/2021 21:37

This is not a man you need in your life.

Fireflygal · 12/04/2021 21:37

*He only had a problem if I go out as he’s adamant I can’t control myself. This is total rubbish

He deliberately misconstrues things.

He says I told him about some very intimate things with an ex and I still can’t believe I would say something like that*

Either you are a hot mess who drinks to oblivion and have had a life of debauchery OR he is gaslighting you. Whenever you find yourself arguing that you didn't do something (and you know you didn't) then you are in a toxic relationship.

You may love but but I think you are trauma bonded.