Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
Kat6901 · 12/04/2021 21:39

It’s outrageous that you have lost a friendship for this gaslighting man

StarCat2020 · 12/04/2021 21:43

Sorry for asking you the same question twice, I am a twat

StarCat2020 · 12/04/2021 21:45

Does he make you feel "good" about yourself?

I hate to say it but you seem so down and kind (far too kind for this man) and I think he is taking advantage of you.

You are worth so much more than this

Happinessevaded · 12/04/2021 21:47

I used to drink far too much and go out far too much but never used to sleep around. He seems to think I someone I’m not as this was the impression I gave so he’s formed the wrong impression and now doesn’t believe I’ve changed in order to facilitate a relationship. We both have very successful careers but when I was starting out, the nature of what I did allowed for much after work socialising which he frowns upon although his industry has a reputation for as much after work socialising. He is a very social person though.

I did say I think he is using these things as an excuse as he doesn’t have the balls to end it but I am not that’s true as he doesn’t really work like that and could easily just walk away. He wouldn’t dedicate any time to this.

I think from my perspective I have behaved erratically in his eyes and I want to set the record straight but because of what I’ve told him he struggles to believe I can settle down and find my behaviour abhorrent in sharing such details with him and no partner wants to hear those things.

I am different, I’d hate to hear certain details but wouldn’t dwell on things from 20 years ago before I even know he existed.

OP posts:
Happinessevaded · 12/04/2021 21:49

@StarCat2020 yes he used to make me feel absolutely amazing like nobody else ever has Sad

He says the stress of this is making him physically ill as he has been thinking about us non stop and has tried and tried to get past how much hurt and anger I caused by lying about contact with said friend.

That’s as well as my attitude towards causal relationships and he focusses on throwaway comments that mean nothing and blows them up into a crazy narrative

OP posts:
duggeeismynewbestfriend · 12/04/2021 21:51

This is a dead horse flogged to death. Someone who loved you would never risk losing you by breaking it off etc.

That's all you need to know really.

I'm not going to comment on the controlling, head fucking, gaslighting that is going on except to say it's all nonsense snd you need to read chump lady and do the freedom programme

This is not love.
Love is not torture.
Love is nice and warm
Someone on here said once that looking around the horrible things in a relationship was like drinking tea with a turd in it.

This is a turd that you are trying to polish

He is a turd

And all the trying to get round that isn't going to change it

Kat6901 · 12/04/2021 21:51

This all sounds exhausting and draining. I think I would cut contact and I bet you feel better after just a week away from this nonsense. Reconnect with your old friend and focus on you.

Happinessevaded · 12/04/2021 21:54

I’ve tried to cut contact we spent Christmas apart - he was on his own. And decided to try and reconnect. Lockdown has also made it so hard as he had an ill dc so needed to be near them.

He is also my support bubble so I have been on my own for so long and I’m resentful of that too.

I suppose I feel we never had a chance as I wasn’t ready for the relationship but lived him deeply and we both made huge mistakes. I just think we can over come them and he did too up until 48 hours ago.

OP posts:
Kat6901 · 12/04/2021 21:57

I think he’s feeding you bs and is projecting his guilty conscience into you. Who’s idea to spend Christmas alone?

Sakurami · 12/04/2021 21:59

He sounds insecure, controlling, jealous. Please, from experience, run a mile. No good will come of a relationship with this man. He will f your head up even more.

Babygotblueyes · 12/04/2021 22:00

His reasons sound like bullshit and he is getting off on keeping you hopping to his tune. If you stay in this relationship it will continue damaging you.

Happinessevaded · 12/04/2021 22:04

His idea as he was so angry with discovering messages from 3 years ago so needed time apart to come to terms with what I had done. He absolutely wasn’t with his wife as we spoke every day and I just know he wasn’t for a fact.

He is a good man but just inflexible and stubborn and yes he is manipulative, comes with his career I suppose.

He’s never brought the age difference up except for now, he had a milestone birthday which he is also dwelling on and says it’s not fair as I will want different things in a few years time and he will want to slow down. That itself isn’t an issue but he feels because of everything else it’s now one.

OP posts:
StarCat2020 · 12/04/2021 22:04

yes he used to make me feel absolutely amazing like nobody else ever has
I take it that you don't feel like that now though?

Please stop being treated like you don't matter, you do!

The sooner you get away from this BS, the sooner you can start to heal

Happinessevaded · 12/04/2021 22:04

@Babygotblueyes why do you say that, so he wants to continue but just keeping me anxious wondering if it’s over or not? Confused

OP posts:
AliasGrape · 12/04/2021 22:11

He’s not devastated at all. He might try to make you think that and feel suitably guilty but he’s not.

Were these terrible things you apparently told him true and specific enough that he hasn’t just guessed? As in - did you actually tell him these things do you think or is he just making it up that you did?

Or equally likely did he take advantage of you being drunk to pick and goad you into saying something he didn’t like so he could then be all hurt and offended and have the perfect thing to hold over your head forevermore? (I’m sure you’ll leap to defend him here and say he’s not like that and of course he didn’t, but isn’t it strange that you, who is so consumed by him and his feelings and how you can make yourself better and smaller to fit into his little box, yet you’d believe that you just spontaneously volunteered this deeply private information to the last person who would want to hear it when you say yourself you never talk like that to anyone. Why do you believe that you just did that out of nowhere?)

Anyway, this isn’t love and it isn’t healthy. It really really doesn’t have to be this hard.

For the record, both DH and I did things in our pasts that would be incompatible with our relationship and life now, and which the other would judge pretty harshly if we were doing them now. But we’re not so whatever. DH smoked a lot of weed in his time, I hate it and wouldn’t be in a relationship with someone who smoked the stuff now. But he doesn’t - he told me, I believe him, he’s still allowed out without me guilt tripping him or going into paroxysms of doubt because he can’t be trusted to control himself and will no doubt get into trouble so best he doesn’t go and while he’s at it best he drops his female best friend from uni days too. Because if I did that I’d be controlling and emotionally abusive wouldn’t I?

autumnalrain · 12/04/2021 22:12

He sounds manipulative and also like he has retroactive jealousy. Which for a man of his age is bizarre

Winterjoy · 12/04/2021 22:13

The whole situation sounds really unhealthy for everyone involved. You deserve better. Life is too short, you will look back and wonder why you wasted years of your life with this man.

And not the point but he's worried about how his ex-wife will cope with managing her life without him, so he can't finalise the divorce because he's just such a great guy who is so 'concerned' and just wants to 'help'. Really?! Patronising much when they are 15 years into separation and she's already had at least one long-term relationship since the split. I'd really love to hear the ex-wife's version of this story.

Happinessevaded · 12/04/2021 22:14

I agree but I was still going out and doing these things at the beginning of our relationship so he can’t see I’ll change and he can’t let go of what I told him no matter how hard he tries as it ESTA away at him

OP posts:
Skyla2005 · 12/04/2021 22:14

@Happinessevaded

He’s asked me to give the relationship a chance time and time again and when I get to the place I want to after weeks of saying I can’t come back from certain things he didn’t disclose about his divorce he decides after arguments about it it’s now not right. I don’t understand why he’s doing this, he also said he’s been unhappy for a long time and has been trying. Then in the same breath says there are moments of ecstatic happiness. It’s so confusing and there is still a lot of love.

The conversation was that we are at a turning point and can we move forward given all the challenges up until the weekend he did want to and as I said earlier last week he said he wants a life with me. Sad

He is doing it because he is messing with your head. The moment you start to move on he will reel you back in it's all a game. Sooner you realise this the better. You will NEVER be happy with this guy he will draw you in then push you away blaming something you have done until you even believe it is your fault. do yourself a massive favour and stop this now. Block delete and move on good luck
PriestessofPing · 12/04/2021 22:14

You know, it’s amazing what behaviour we will accept because we choose to believe someone is a good person and they love us. You’re literally saying he is manipulative, stubborn and inflexible and he’s causing you no end of distress. If you were able to remove this label of ‘love’ and him being ‘good’ for even a few minutes and examine this situation - how he behaves and how awful you feel - what words would you use to describe this relationship? Honestly?

I do feel for you, like you and countless other people, i’ve stayed with damaging, mean men because I believed they were good or our love was somehow something that could overcome all or that it meant all the shit times were worth it. It took me a long time to understand that good and loving men don’t make you feel desperate and cut up inside. I genuinely hope you come to this realisation too. Flowers

duggeeismynewbestfriend · 12/04/2021 22:15

@Happinessevaded you just keep ignoring all the advice you are given here.

I understand you think there is something you can do to make this better or if only you could find the secret combination it would all be well. It won't.

Look at his actions, not his words.

Do you feel loved ? Right now in this moment?

Relationships aren't supposed to be such hard work.

It doesn't matter the reasons, the divorce, the children, the job, the age difference .

It's all just noise, he doesn't want to be with you but enjoys playing with you.

I'm exhausted just reading about it.

This is who he is, this person torturing you is who he is. Not you, it's not your fault this is all on him.

You can't fix him, or make this better.

All you can do is decide is if this is acceptable to you someone having you on and off.

Dear god, you understand this isn't how people who love you behave? They wouldn't want to hurt and upset you?

Happinessevaded · 12/04/2021 22:16

She’s not had anyone as far as he knows. Sorry it was him who had had other relationships. Yes he says he was trying to make sure everyone was ok.

She’s angry as he cares for her but fell out of love so it became like housemates for years

OP posts:
BigButtons · 12/04/2021 22:16

Op I really get your angst and fear.
You are scared of being alone and lonely. I really understand that. You are clinging on to him because you think he is better than being alone.
Please believe me when I say that away from him you will feel stronger and gain self respect. He is eroding that and you are bending over backwards to try and be good enough for him.
You don’t need to change, you are already good enough. So what if you slept with lots of men ? What’s wrong with that? What century do we live in?
A good man who really loved you just as you are would not care one jot. A good man would make you feel you were amazing just as you are.
He is playing with you.
You deserve much better than this and so do your dc.
Lockdown is ending and spring will be here eventually. Time for a change, time to focus on you and your needs and stop worrying about anyone but you and your dc.

osbertthesyrianhamster · 12/04/2021 22:16

This man has more baggage than the Ever Given and is using mind games to fuck with you. What Priestess said.

CoopsMalloops · 12/04/2021 22:18

He’s about to be free from his marriage. He wants to be free to enjoy being single, sounds like he’s making all of the excuses under-the sun to not be with you.

I understand heartbreak believe me I have been there but if you don’t drop this loser now then you will waste more of your life than you already have on him.

Imagine him being upset about a friendship you had when he was still married at the time!!! Get rid.

Swipe left for the next trending thread