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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

feeling distraught, have i ruined my relationship?

349 replies

hannag · 14/05/2021 10:48

I’m so upset and not thinking straight. I’m mid 30s so should know better.

Been dating someone exclusively since autumn last year. I am totally in love and happy.

I had made some plans over bank holiday without telling him (it was a surprise night away) and he told me last night that we couldn’t see each other that weekend as he had signed up to do extra shifts at work...not for the money (he’s nearly at the top of his career ladder and very senior) but because he’s trying to move up to the most senior job role soon and wants to make a good impression over the next few months.

Added to this he is working away for a week after bank holiday, which was why I had planned the night away as I knew we’d have some time apart after that.

Anyway, instead of being mature and understanding, instead of being supportive when he’s exhausted most days with work, I was whiny and stroppy and said it feels like you don’t care much about this, it feels like you don’t want to see me etc etc. He said he would come over the Friday evening before bank holiday for a quick dinner and then he’d go home so he was up early for work. Instead of saying that would be nice, I said no don’t worry you’re really busy...I tried to mean it, I wanted to mean it but really I was being a dick wasn’t I?? He said ok if that’s what I was happy with and we could try and do a weeknight the following week.

I said maybe and that I didn’t think he was that bothered. He said he wanted to see me, he missed me, but I don’t seem to accept that. He then said he needed to go off the phone as it was late (1am). I said ok and we said goodnight.

Usually he texts after a call or following morning. Unsurprisingly he’s not.

I’ve fucked it all up haven’t I. I’m usually so independent and happy but I just felt crushed when he said about bank holiday. Not even his fault it’s not even like I told him I had made a plan!!

There’s no way back now is there?? I’m now seen as a needy whiny pathetic person. I’m so upset and cross with myself. Im a mess and it’s so unlike me to behave like that. I don’t want to contact him as I would rather know if he’s written us off.

OP posts:
category12 · 14/05/2021 19:23

I dunno, I think you should start being honest with the guy. If you think he would run a mile if you weren't desperately trying to keep a lid on yourself, then eventually your mask is going to slip and he'll leg it anyway. It's not really fair pretending to be someone you're not and presumably springing your full raft of neurosis on him when you think you've got him locked down?

InFiveMins · 14/05/2021 19:29

I've read your posts OP but not read any replies from other posters.

I personally don't think you're in the wrong here at all. You're human and you have emotions and you were pissed off and upset about it and I think that's fine. It doesn't sound to me as though he makes you feel very wanted, and certainly looks as though you do all the chasing. Maybe you are reacting the way you are because he isn't meeting your needs?

It's cruel of him to know you've been upset and to have not messaged or called all day. Says to me he's not really that bothered, and not right for you either.

I'd walk away from him and find someone who is more on your wavelength.

hannag · 14/05/2021 19:33

@InFiveMins that’s what my friend said almost exactly.

The thing is I know I was being unreasonable but he knows it came from a place of missing him. I wasn’t being cruel to him or mean I was just feeling sad I couldn’t see him. Yes it was childish, yes it was bratty. But part of me wonders if he even cares given his silence today. We didn’t fall out, there were no cross words.

I don’t know whether to text but have settled on a draft now that I’m happy with. I think however this goes I need to back off and do some serious work on my self esteem.

OP posts:
user1471457751 · 14/05/2021 19:37

Hmm have you created another account to back up your point of view...I don't see how else anyone could post that you do all the chasing when you've said he is always the one to text first

wildeverose · 14/05/2021 19:41

@InFiveMins are you the friend

SRS29 · 14/05/2021 19:43

OMG just read this post....OP is this real or are you just messing with people for a giggle?? Shock

katy1111 · 14/05/2021 19:45

I also don't really think you have anything to apologise for. You told him how you felt. Yeah maybe you could've presented it better but it was in the heat of the moment and to be honest that kind of thing happens in a relationship all the time. I understand why you reacted the way you did and your feelings are valid. I think it's a good thing you told him your true feelings to be honest.

youvegottenminuteslynn · 14/05/2021 19:46

But the reality is I feel this pressure to always monitor the relationship and look after it...which actually has the opposite effect in the end as it is tiring for me and horrible for the other person.

Sometimes if I haven’t had a text back from him I am unable to sleep. This is not specific to him and has been a theme in all my relationships.

Regardless of him OP, you need to sort out the issues behind all this behaviour as they aren't down to him they are something you keep repeating.

RosieRedPetal · 14/05/2021 19:47

Just phone him up and say sorry. Tell him next time you'll check with him before booking something. Maybe he dislikes surprises? And the assumption you made that he'd be free that day.

He may feel bad that you forked out on a hotel and he can't make it that weekend. Tell him you understand he that needs to work so you're still going to the hotel but taking a girlfriend instead. No big deal. I'm sure he'll understand. You can't have a long term, mature relationship without the odd misunderstanding. Learning to iron these things out is all part of the process.

Cloudfrost · 14/05/2021 19:48

@InFiveMins well one could also say that its cruel of the OP to have been shit to him last night and not apologised to him allday.he could have been upset all day and he is thinking she isnt that bothered about him.....

Lovelydiscusfish · 14/05/2021 19:52

This just isn’t a fatal thing OP - or doesn’t have to be. My BF and I are at the ten month stage now and almost always very loved up and happy but we have had the odd little spat like this recently, from both sides, as we can both be needy fuckers!

A recent conversation we had during one such went more or less word for word like this.

Him: Why are you being like this? You always used to be no drama.
Me: Because I didn’t care about you so much then, so what you did didn’t really bother me. It’s different now.
Him: So you are saying you are being like this because now you have fallen in love with me?
Me: Yes. And I told you from the start, I was scared of falling in love because I knew it would make me vulnerable.
Him: Well, tell me about it. You and me both. This is why I did X on X occasion.....

Since this conversation (and a few similar ones) I feel that when we say we love each other now, it actually means a lot more. Because it now includes both a willingness to lay aside our pride and be open, and a tolerance and acceptance of each others’ insecurities and imperfections.

Rather than being some dramatic death knell, I think it is actually an opportunity for a growth and deepening of your relationship when you start to show each other your vulnerabilities and ragged edges. (We all have them). As long as you talk about it honestly and kindly, without flinging unnecessary blame, either at yourself, or the other person.....

OP, your relationship can’t progress if you are unwilling to deal with what has happened here. Obviously you can’t control his reaction. He might just say, well fuck you, you are too needy and I don’t want that. And then you will know that he is not the man for you.

But it’s also entirely possible he might see where you were coming from, even if you didn’t handle it great, and see that it came from a place of wanting to feel more secure in the relationship and spend more time with him.....

You won’t know until you try.

The honeymoon can’t last forever. You have to get beyond the forming stage, and get to the storming, where you both start to show your needs to each other, even if that isn’t always pretty or picture perfect. But it can lead to a deeper understanding, and a realer love.

If you get stuck at some point where you are pretending to be someone you are not forever, well, what’s the fucking point?

Been there, got the t-shirt. I wasted two years on a man who despised me for having needs and expectations of him, and made me feel like I was pathetic for that. I tried so hard to wrench my soul out of shape in order to be this cool, non-demanding creature he wanted me to be. A) couldn’t do it and B) why would I even want to?

A man whose worth it will love you for exactly who you are, faults and weaknesses and all.....

therearenogoodusernamesleft · 14/05/2021 19:54

Your friend is giving you terrible advice, btw. There is a clear consensus that you need to send the bloody text.

hannag · 14/05/2021 19:56

Sent. It was a nice message so all I can do. I never ever want to be in this position again!!

OP posts:
CaraherEIL · 14/05/2021 19:56

Op
I understand your anxiety and there will be some men that feed it and some men that help dissipate it. A physically and emotionally unavailable man will feed into and constantly trigger your anxieties.
Then your typical behaviours will start and you will start to drive him away when all you want to do is draw him closer.

But you are performing to be this best version of yourself all the time it must be exhausting. You need to get some therapy to help manage these behaviours and you need to be selective about the type and lifestyle of the men you get involved with.

All of us have had relationships with emotionally unavailable men and it does make you feel crazy and you hang on every text and phone call.Then hopefully you meet someone who makes you the most important thing in his life and you look back on those old relationships and can’t believe how agitated you felt all the time. A genuinely balanced relationship could help alieviate a lot of these feelings you have but I think it’s unlikely that this guy has the time or emotional wherewithal to do it.
This text is not a defining moment but your emotional distress about sending or not sending it should be. You are 37 you need to start to pursue relationships more likely to bring you happiness and most importantly peace.

RosieRedPetal · 14/05/2021 19:57

@wildeverose

SEND THE TEXT FOR THE LOVE OF GOD
Yes Smile
RosieRedPetal · 14/05/2021 19:57

Well done OP! Smile

CaraherEIL · 14/05/2021 19:59

But also Lovely gave great advice, He might use this text to open a dialogue that turns him from an emotionally unavailable guy into an available one.

CaraherEIL · 14/05/2021 20:00

Also yay for sending the text!! I feel as invested as if I sent it myself.

hannag · 14/05/2021 20:00

It’s been read and no reply yet. Feels horrible

OP posts:
Gazelda · 14/05/2021 20:02

@hannag

Sent. It was a nice message so all I can do. I never ever want to be in this position again!!
Fab. Now go have a bath, watch some telly, have a glass of wine, read a book or whatever. Relax and assume that when he calls it will be to have a nice chat with last night's convo firmly in the past.
Moonface123 · 14/05/2021 20:04

I think your being very harsh on yourself, you were disappointed and it must be quite testing at times him being so reserved. I am sure this will blow over, in the meantime try and focus on something else, go and have a nice bath with some music on. He's probably as upset as you are for all you know.
Good luck.

Homer68 · 14/05/2021 20:34

Now we'll have seven hours of "he's not replied yet, I feel horrible." Confused

hannag · 14/05/2021 20:37

@Homer68

Now we'll have seven hours of "he's not replied yet, I feel horrible." Confused
@Homer68 or you could just hide the thread and get on with your evening?
OP posts:
Tal45 · 14/05/2021 20:38

I wouldn't want to be with someone who works till 10pm and works over a bank holiday weekend before working away for a week. Where do you fit in? Imagine if you had a child with him! If you have to put in that many hours to try to impress at work then the job's not worth it IMO - he sounds like a workaholic.
If he doesn't reply to your message and ends the relationship over this minor upset then you know for sure just how far below work you come.

hannag · 14/05/2021 20:42

@Tal45 I tend to agree, it’s just shit when you click with someone and really fall for them. It’s been fun and nice when together. Regardless of his reply I’m definitely going to back off a bit now. I made it abundantly clear I wanted to see him so I’ve got nothing more to say. His silence isn’t making me feel great but perhaps that says more about him.

OP posts: