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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:
SionnachGlic · 12/04/2021 22:19

You don't believe you told him such intimate things as you wd never even tell girlfriends....but I presume whatever he knows that has caused the reaction, whether justified or not, is true & did happen. So you must have told him? His problem if he can't get past it....but is is old news to you. As for the rest, he is controlling....it is not ok to insist on cutting contact from a good friend of 25 years. Abd all this telling you of relationships or flings you had that you've forgotten due to alcohol...just because you forgot once with him. Leave him to it OP...he is more trouble than he is worth.

StarCat2020 · 12/04/2021 22:23

Could you "have a month's break from him"?

(Sorry for awful terminology)

Happinessevaded · 12/04/2021 22:29

@CoopsMalloops I did say as much but he has been alone for years so he doesn’t want to be with other women he is quite happy in his own as is fairly solitary beyond working relationships

@StarCat2020 what do you mean? Sorry I find it hard to understand until things are explicitly explained to me as I process things slowly

OP posts:
Happinessevaded · 12/04/2021 22:36

I have a sick to my stomach feeling and sheer terror over all of this and he says he feels the same and can’t sleep and has put in weight so I do think it’s affecting him and to hear he is making all the excuses under the sun not to be with me is like a physical kick in the stomach. It’s absolutely devastating and I never even thought this would end as we spoke about spending the rest of our lives together. I’m terrified of the thought of losing what we once had.

OP posts:
EmeraldShamrock · 12/04/2021 22:38

Let him go, he is using your past as a stick to beat you shits happens you aren't compatible, my OH had a sheltered upbringing nothing awful in his past whereas I have, he never threw my past at me if we talked in confidence on something I shared.
He didn't trust your friendship either. It'll be toxic if you allow the relationship continue.
Take a stand and walk away.

Onthedunes · 12/04/2021 22:41

I honestly don't understand..

You say he has been going through a divorce for 2 years but been in a relationship for 4.
You also stated he was not available during Christmas and he needed to be near his sick child yet his wife is living abroad, during lockdown.

Either he is lying to you, which I believe he is or there are parts of this missing.
I don't think he is available for you, if you gave him an ultimatum I'm sure he wouldn't deliver.

Kat6901 · 12/04/2021 22:41

Emphasis on ‘losing what you once had’ you are hoping things will go back to how they were. Base it on how it is now.

Onthedunes · 12/04/2021 22:42

Have you actually seen proof of this divorce ?

B1rdflyinghigh · 12/04/2021 22:43

I guess he's just one of those men who can't say, I don't think our relationship is working for me, I'm not happy, I wish to end it. He's one of those spineless ones that finds "something" about you and blames the end on you.

OP you deserve so much better than this garbage he's feeding you. Go buy some lingerie, eat dinner out of pans, toast some marshmallows.

EmeraldShamrock · 12/04/2021 22:47

Most people give the "it's not you it's me" quoting a pp look at his actions not his words, words are cheap, his actions are and have been awful.

longcoffeebreak · 12/04/2021 22:48

This relationship is a codependent head fuck - all this drama and agonising.
It will just go on and on and on...,

Not hang dismissive but I really think you need to stop focusing on him and his giant needs and wants and head fucking flip flopping and learn to love yourself - as far away from him as possible!!

Why should you be doing all the damn saving??

longcoffeebreak · 12/04/2021 22:49

And all this star stuck doomed lovers crap is complete dramatic overkill that keeps you sucked into it

StarCat2020 · 12/04/2021 22:51

@StarCat2020 what do you mean? Sorry I find it hard to understand until things are explicitly explained to me as I process things slowly
Of course I can .

It is probably my fault for not being clear though.

Could you have no contact AT ALL with him for a month?

No phone calls, no SM, no visits, nothing.

I think you would find it hard at first but you would soon realise how much better (and easier) your life would be without his evil in it.

I know I keep saying this but you deserve more than this.

I don't know if you have daughters or maybe nieces or sisters but how would you feel if they were being treated like this by a man (or woman)?

I hope that makes sense but if not let me know.

Happinessevaded · 12/04/2021 22:53

@Onthedunes they have been speaking about it for years but the finalisation of the divorce was executed two years ago but they have been negotiating over the financial arrangement s for well two years so took longer than expected. This has always been contentious anf a huge source of stress for me. She won’t agree to one or two arrangements. This I know to be true well as far as I know. Living apart for a decade and a half. This is absolute fact.

He was here for Christmas and yes near his DC who was in hospital during lockdown.

I fear if I walked away no he probably wouldn’t bother at this point as he said over Christmas what he found out made him so angry he didn’t want to continue but we never stopped communicating.

@Kat6901 yes I desperately want this. There are very specific things one in fact that if he is capable of letting go which is the damage to intimacy then the other things fall away. He said only last week he wants to live our lives together but then the conversations this weekend broke down and he came to the realisation that he can’t let go and that coupled with the other challenges are too much. His also says I will be bored living a lifestyle without the drinking and unproductive bar hopping and doesn’t understand my mindset in thinking this way of life has any value. I mentioned he is very traditional and he views me as a ‘free spirit’ whatever the he’ll that means. All I do is work and take care of my DC hardly the frivolous lifestyle he seems think I want. I don’t I want a solid relationship and all the day to day realities that that entails.

I don’t want to try and convince him as that is fair he needs to believe me and it seems like he wants to but as he says he won’t change at his age.

OP posts:
Kat6901 · 12/04/2021 22:58

All this agonising for someone who is I bet 100% projecting. I agree with pp take a month no contact and clear your head.

Happinessevaded · 12/04/2021 22:59

His a actions have previously been living and kind it’s only recently it’s deteriorated so badly.

@StarCat2020 I have no idea if I can do that. The life we were supposed to lead would have been a fairytale and I don’t mean that in wishful thinking but it really could have been.

I understand the point about how a daughter would be counselled yes and I did say at one point regarding the divorce and not telling me and his reps me was she’d hope she would understand circumstances

He wanted it to work and after I found out about the divorce being dragged out and not telling me about certain things about still being so wound up in the marriage he desperately wanted to make a go of it.

OP posts:
CookieDoughKid · 12/04/2021 22:59

You need to let GO and move on. Nothing you've written even remotely sounds like you have a basis for a relationship. Aren't you exhausted?

Happinessevaded · 12/04/2021 22:59

Projecting what, yes, my head isn’t clear

OP posts:
Kat6901 · 12/04/2021 23:00

Guilty conscience

Kat6901 · 12/04/2021 23:02

Op have you got anyone in real life to talk this over with? What I’m going to say might sound harsh but it’s only because I’ve been there but you sound very in your head and tied up in knots mentally over this. I think airing it in real life with maybe a family member might help

Kat6901 · 12/04/2021 23:02

As well as on here

Happinessevaded · 12/04/2021 23:04

I have someone who knows all the details and he just says give him time he needs space. None of these things matter and to just take it slowly.

Guilty about what. Stringing me along but what everyone has said? I get the sense everyone thinks he has no intention of being with me long term and I’m fooling myself Sad

OP posts:
Rubyrecka · 12/04/2021 23:05

Are u reading everyone's responses? I find it weird your not even acknowledging the controlling and manipulative behaviour that's so obvious. Your just defending him 🙈

BlueDahlia69 · 12/04/2021 23:06

@Rubyrecka

Are u reading everyone's responses? I find it weird your not even acknowledging the controlling and manipulative behaviour that's so obvious. Your just defending him 🙈

OP Im sorry but I have to agree with this and everyone in here. This man is messing with your head.

Happinessevaded · 12/04/2021 23:09

To what end though, why doesn’t he just end it. It’s not his style to drag things out. This is an yes struggling to believe.

OP posts:
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