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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:
BlueDahlia69 · 13/04/2021 15:25

and I agree that he probably did and still does mess with his wife's mental well being, and by not divorcing her so he still exerts control there too.. what a vile manipulative controlling prick.

samenwitch · 13/04/2021 15:30

If it hurts you, confuses you, makes you feel unsteady and doubtful, then it isn't love, OP.

IWantYoutoKnow · 13/04/2021 15:32

@NeverDropYourMoonCup

Excellent post, I've never agreed more with a MN post

samenwitch · 13/04/2021 15:36

I also think he's still with his wife. Perhaps working away from his home country (sorry if this has already been covered) and can only get home for the important times. So wife has no idea about you, perhaps starting to become suspicious or he's met someone else and doesn't want to keep up the relationship but also doesn't want to cut it dead in case whatever else he's got in the pipelines doesn't work out.

BigButtons · 13/04/2021 15:38

Unusually MN EVERYONE is saying the same thing op.
I would now take time to read back through this thread and when you have finished make a cuppa and then read it again. The re read it until what we are saying starts to sink in.

Happinessevaded · 13/04/2021 15:47

I’m in a pretty dark place right now as have no idea what is true and that’s what I want now the truth

OP posts:
1forAll74 · 13/04/2021 15:49

Your partner,or man friend sounds psychologically confused,and from what you say about him, he is not going to suddenly change into the most perfect person for you, and one that you will be happy with, as he has far too many issues with you, and too many issues of his own.And they won't magically go away overnight.

Most people here, would tell you not to hang on to this relationship,as it's not a proper relationship,and you should know this.
You can get over being heartbroken at some point, and then free yourself from all the messy situations that surround you.

youvegottenminuteslynn · 13/04/2021 15:55

His behaviour has made you feel anxious, unsettled, insecure and rejected.

His inconsistency has made you feel confused, torn apart and unable to trust your own judgement.

Those are facts. Those are truths. They are not opinions or maybes.

@NeverDropYourMoonCup has it spot on. Men who think this way about women do not like women, not really. They like women who do what they expect, when they expect it, without questioning it.

You keep asking why he is still saying he loves you if he doesn't. That is irrelevant. Completely. My ex and I split about five years ago. He was abusive. He said he loved me all the time. He was still abusive. He still hit me which is why I left. He would stand in front of me today given the opportunity and say he loves me / I'm the one that got away. Why? Who knows - I'm not even sure he does!
Because he was so awful to me it ruined my mental health. That's FACT. Undeniable. For ages I did the 'but he says he still loves me' thing. It doesn't matter why he says that though OP. All that matters is that he's left you feeling like this. Like you can't cope without him and need to know what you've done wrong / how to fix it / why it's happened.

You haven't done anything wrong and even if you had, he doesn't want to fix it so it doesn't matter.

It's over. You need to accept it and have some counselling to undo the damage it's done.

DoingItMyself · 13/04/2021 15:57

You worry a lot about how much you drink, loss of memory when drinking etc. Are you sure he isn't spiking your drinks?

he is making all the excuses under the sun not to be with me
Wonderful! Believe him and get the hell out of there. I've posted on this thread before and not changed my mind - run away!

oakleaffy · 13/04/2021 16:04

Run.
Avoid like the plague.

He sounds a narcissistic game player.

Mittens030869 · 13/04/2021 16:17

Unusually MN EVERYONE is saying the same thing op.
I would now take time to read back through this thread and when you have finished make a cuppa and then read it again. The re read it until what we are saying starts to sink in.

^This is very good advice, as it is very unusual for all MN posters on a Relationships thread to agree that a partner is abusive. I agree with this, too; you need to get away from this man.

tara66 · 13/04/2021 16:34

You do need to guard your mental health OP.

GrumpyTerrier · 13/04/2021 16:46

OP it is possible for someone to be abusive without meaning to, or delighting in causing you pain.

I had a partner who could not cope with the fact that I was a dancer/performer (not stripper before anyone asks). He thought that I was doing it because I wanted other men to fancy me (I wasn't, I was just performing) and could not understand it when I said that my sexuality belonged to me, not to him.

However, he did't purposefully plan to manipulate me. He genuinely felt sad and confused about it. He would go in a mood whenever I performed or talked about it but would genuinely be upset.

The results were the same though-- I stopped performing and totally dialled back my attractiveness to the point I really lost myself. He didn't actively unkindly control me but the fact that me being me made him miserable, was a form of control.

So this guy might never be the kind to actively be horrible to you for the sake of it. He might be a nice guy and you have had wonderful times. But it is totally clear that he is controlling and manipulating you, making you feel bad for stuff from ages ago, blaming you for spoiling things etc. Those are huge red flags and the fact you are so devastated and all over the place is another sign that he has hugely messed with your head and your self esteem.

I hope you stay broken up and you meet someone who doesn't do this to you.

autumnalrain · 13/04/2021 17:17

It’s posts like these that I find the most frustrating. When the OP gets resounding very consistent advice but will choose to ignore it. Then weeks or months from now will come back with an update that we were all right and she can see now that he was abusive and a narcissist, and will ask for a handhold.

Happinessevaded · 13/04/2021 17:41

No I think in light of what’s been said and a few other things which have now come to light I realise I may have been completely duped.

Completely, and nothing he has said has been true in the slightest. I want to confront him but not sure that’s the smartest move but I’m absolutely sick to my stomach

OP posts:
ScabbyHorse · 13/04/2021 17:45

What has come to light? I think you might need some time away from him, don't confront yet. Be secure in your own mind. Steady the ship.

Happinessevaded · 13/04/2021 17:49

Going back through old messages and he has contradicted himself on something significant involved splitting assets - he was adamant something was a certain way now and a couple of years ago he said it was the opposite. I can’t go into more detail as it’s outing but it’s to do with title deeds.

OP posts:
NeverDropYourMoonCup · 13/04/2021 17:50

@Happinessevaded

No I think in light of what’s been said and a few other things which have now come to light I realise I may have been completely duped.

Completely, and nothing he has said has been true in the slightest. I want to confront him but not sure that’s the smartest move but I’m absolutely sick to my stomach

Don't confront him. He's had 40 odd years of developing this routine where he is the injured party and the women/girls are the ones picking on him because they're just not the eternal virgin/mother of child/whores that he claims they should be.

He'll tell you that you imagined it. Forgot all about it. Said it in your sleep. A big white bird came and told him about it. That you've failed to live up to all the second, third and twentieth chances he's given you.

Block and stay away from him. And whilst your phone is in your hand, get back onto WhatsApp and see about making arrangements for catching up with friends.

BlueDahlia69 · 13/04/2021 17:54

@Happinessevaded

No I think in light of what’s been said and a few other things which have now come to light I realise I may have been completely duped.

Completely, and nothing he has said has been true in the slightest. I want to confront him but not sure that’s the smartest move but I’m absolutely sick to my stomach

good on you OP, clarity is a fine thing.

Happinessevaded · 13/04/2021 17:57

The evenings and weekends are the worst, I get very very anxious and have been waking up in the middle of the night. The sick to my stomach feeling is absolutely awful. If what I think is now true then it’s all been a lie. He never wanted a relationship Sad I hope this isn’t true as he was so convincing. So incredibly convincing

OP posts:
CoopsMalloops · 13/04/2021 18:07

@Happinessevaded

The evenings and weekends are the worst, I get very very anxious and have been waking up in the middle of the night. The sick to my stomach feeling is absolutely awful. If what I think is now true then it’s all been a lie. He never wanted a relationship Sad I hope this isn’t true as he was so convincing. So incredibly convincing
😢 they are always convincing, that’s why you’re so confused now. Stay away from him.
autumnalrain · 13/04/2021 18:26

Good for your OP! This is the hardest part. Mourning the person you thought he was and the future you thought you’d have.

I promise in a couple weeks/months you’ll look back and feel like you’ve had a lucky escape.

Happinessevaded · 13/04/2021 18:40

I don’t want to do this Sad

OP posts:
MarshmallowAra · 13/04/2021 19:22

Who knows what he wanted, or thought he wanted. He sounds pretty all over the place. Separated but not divorced for over a decade. Multiple relationships that ended with different women ... How he's treating you

All.i know is people give other people they want to be with/are in love with so much leeway for things they've done in the past (and often things they've done in the relationship), they let things go, they forgive things, they minimise things (not saying you've done anything that needs forgiveness, it doesn't sound like you have) .... Yet he's trumping up these relatively minor things into relationshio breakers ..
Which means he fundamentally doesn't want to be in a relationship, or he's extremely extremely hard-line (and tbh unreasonable and hypocritical given his behaviour). You don't want to be with him in either case.

MarshmallowAra · 13/04/2021 20:06

Maybe it would be easier at present/in the very short term to wean your self off by keeping with the concept that you can see him if you want to (if I read your op correctly, he said you could still meet).

Cold turkey can be too much for many people to do.

But it doesn't change the fact his behaviour is ridiculous and arguably abusive (even if he doesn't intend it to be).

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