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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

Another Breakup Story...My Stupid Fault

86 replies

Bottlebluebell · 16/05/2021 21:30

This is going to be long, I apologise in advance, I really just want to vent, like a form of therapy.

Like so many posts on here I've been dumped & finding it so hard.
Background is we've been together 4 months but known each other 40 years, we were best friends for a while, I lost touch a couple of years ago but got back in contact and realised I loved him. He said he's always loved me, I was so happy with him & secure, we were planning our future, maybe things moved fast but it felt right because we knew each other well.

I messed up, Friday night started well, dinner & drinks, then when we sat down to watch a film he was distant, his body language was off. After it finished he said he was going to bed and went upstairs to sleep in the spare room, I called to him 'are you really going to leave me like this'. I was emotional & hormonal, I put on my coat and went out the back door which I closed a bit loud, I wouldn't say slammed but it was louder than I usually would close it, I then walked round the block.

When I got back he was waiting for me. Had a bit of a talk, he mentioned aggression to me - think he was referring to my door 'slamming', he said I had made some comments that upset him, I asked for examples.....I'm always cold & he's hot, he was sweating, apparently I said something like we're mismatched, I didn't mean anything by it, I was hugging him at the time. He said I was on a mission to get drunk, it's true I was tipsy, but felt good & happy. He commented how I said I didn't want to lay my head on his shoulder because I didn't want to fall asleep, it's true, I fall asleep in that position but still wanted him to cuddle me. He said I seemed annoyed when he was trying to find a film to watch, I wasn't, I was worried I was annoying him because I'm indecisive. See all these things were misunderstandings.

I did say we can't seem to resolve this, he said I had two options, he leaves immediately or he goes in the morning, I said morning. He went upstairs, I tried to hug him but he said again about aggression and how it wasn't for him, so I left him.

I was really upset, I did something stupid, I packed his bag and left it by the back door with a note saying 'I'm still not sure what I did to upset you, I've gone for a walk'....early morning I got up and went for a long walk (I walk when I'm upset), I was scared to see him, I didn't want to say goodbye, I regret that now. When I got back he was gone.

I messaged him, apologised, I missed him, he said 'I thought you made your intentions clear when I found my bag packed, anyway you made your decision last night, I don't feel I need to be the object of that blame, I'm not angry, just don't enjoy that sort of aggression, regardless of how I feel about you'.....I apologised again, never meant to hurt him, I packed his stuff at 2 in the morning, I was emotional, he said he was leaving and I didn't want any reminders of him....I did say the word aggressive is upsetting me, I'm not that, maybe dramatic but not aggressive. He commented 'I was telling you how you came across and how it made me feel, you might think it was dramatic, your back door might not feel that way'. I explained it was late at night, he was upstairs directly over it, everything sounds louder in the dead of night.

He said 'the problem is he saw a taste of what could happen, and implied you can me with no reminders, makes me think if she can do that when it appears to be nothing, what happens when we are further down the line & it's more serious, how are you going to react then? I would prefer not to find out, those games aren't for me, it's not something I enjoy or want to be part of'

I said I could never erase him, I'm sorry he didn't want to give us a chance, I don't play games. Nobody is perfect, we all have our faults, I made a mistake, we have to accept each other, learn from things and work through life. It's the happiest I've been in a long while and I will try to hold onto that.

He's no longer replying

Obviously I'm devastated, this is my fault, I messed up and did some stupid things which I hate myself for, I've lost the love of my life. I'm not sure how I'm going to get through this, he was not only my partner but a close friend, we have so much history. I feel terrible about myself, I've destroyed my future and life seems pretty pointless to me now. I'm not sure what to do.

OP posts:
peboh · 16/05/2021 22:48

This is all very dramatic for 4 months into a relationship. You should still be in the lovey dovey honeymoon stage. Not slamming doors, packing bags and calling it a day over miscommunication, and someone drinking a little too much.

Lozzerbmc · 16/05/2021 23:04

This does seem overdramatic. The situation seemed to escalate very quickly and I agree packaging his bag a bit much. Perhaps you can have a talk when he’s had a bit of space?

Fabiofatshaft1 · 16/05/2021 23:08

I haven’t read the ‘ other thread ‘ maybe someone can direct me there !?

I’m only making an observation on this thread / scenario.

They’ve been best friends for many, many years but only romantically involved for a short period.

Something pissed him off to send him to the spare room. I think the Op may be doing a little minimising here

He gave the Op, two options, he’d leave immediately or in the morning......

Now to me, from his perspective it sounds like, ‘ if you escalate things and because your driunk, I’ll leave now.... ‘

Or ‘ I’ll leave in morning, we’ll have slept on it, you’ll be sober, I won’t be so defensive and we can talk and laugh about it in the morning.’

At this point, the Op should have gone to bed.

But this guy is lying in bed, hears the door slam while she disappears into the night. Then he gets up in the morning and his bags are packed. WTF !?

Some people thrive on conflict, others don’t. He obviously doesn’t. It isn’t about blame. Just conflicting personalities.

MaeveDidIt · 16/05/2021 23:13

I'd throw this one back in the pond.
Nothing wrong with getting a little tipsy and happy.
I think you've had a lucky escape from a gas-lighting/controlling idiot.
Be prepared to get a good whipping on here as well for being tipsy!!

wanadu2022 · 16/05/2021 23:39

What did he think was going to happen if he decided to be a drama Queen and go sleep in the spare room without actually telling you what was bothering him??? I don't think it's unusual for people to want to take a walk when drunk and upset to calm down rather than steam in bed! I'd find it very controlling if someone told me that leaving for a walk to clear my head was 'aggressive'. Sleeping in a spare bedroom is what - a diplomatic, mature tactic?

You've done nothing wrong OP. He seems quite controlling, like he was looking for reasons to piss off. Absolutely nothing he told you is a reason for a 40-50+ year old man to get into a strop.

He's known you 40 years, and decides you're aggressive because you had a few extra drinks on a Fri night and left for a walk. Sure, you packed his bags. He told you he was done with you!! What was he expecting, for you to grovel and beg for him back??

Please ditch this man. If he's been 'in love' with you for 40 years, he should have had this convo with you about why he was upset instead of just leaving for the spare room and threatening a break up. He's controlling and trying to break you down into this idealised version of yourself he's had in his head for 40 years.

This is not the love of your life, not all friendships can be relationships. You've seen a side of him you don't like and he's seen something he doesn't like. It's not on for him to dump all the blame on you!

Regularsizedrudy · 16/05/2021 23:42

You’re behaviour was not great but it also sounds like he’s playing games here. Picking up on every tiny little miscommunication and blaming you for it. I don’t doubt he will be back. I think he’s trying to train you into how he expects you to act.. he sounds weird.

wanadu2022 · 16/05/2021 23:46

I can guarantee if you stay with him he will make every cross word you say, anything remotely not to his liking - a reason to detach from you. Or guilt you. Until you're too scared to do or say anything that could be deemed negative. This is the most ridiculous overreaction to minor incidents (not wanting to cuddle for legit reasons, joking about body temperature - I mean really??) from a grown man.

The only outcome he wanted was for you to chase him into that spare room, and beg for forgiveness. You not doing any of that, was deemed 'aggressive'. Ask yourself and him why he couldn't tell you all this BEFORE storming off into the spare room?

Fabiofatshaft1 · 16/05/2021 23:54

Flip it round. He gets drunk, nitpicks, slams doors, walks off into the night, pack your bags with a note !?

You already admitted you went too far. Maybe he did, maybe he just wanted to avoid an argument with you because your rationale was clouded by drink. Maybe you were both gaslighting.

Maybe you worked great as friends but are incompatible as partners.

Take a step back. Let the dust settle. And see.....

Fabiofatshaft1 · 16/05/2021 23:57

Considering we’ve only been given a snapshot, have little context, the leaps of judgement some people are taking are breath taking.......

If he’s as bad as people are making out, why do you want him back !?

Cam2020 · 16/05/2021 23:59

You might not be fully aware of how you came across, OP, and maybe there was something unpleasantly reminiscent in your behaviour but people do sometimes mess up, behave badly, do stupid things. If you love someone and are committed to a relationship, you generally want to talk about and work through those things. People are imperfect. It sounds like he was either a bit over dramatic himself or looking for an out.

SheldonesqueTheBstard · 17/05/2021 00:03

Apart from a name change fail and previous dramas, I can’t say that either of you are behaving well.

Step away. You seem to be bringing out unattractive traits in each other.

wanadu2022 · 17/05/2021 00:03

OP has posted previously about this man. He got mardy with her and didn't talk to her for a while because she questioned an opinion he had on politics.

OP, you said then you couldn't be doing with his dogmatic approach to things and were shocked with how easily he was willing to throw the friendship away for you not agreeing exactly with him.

I think you know this is who he is. It won't change. If you disagree with him or say anything he doesn't like, he gets in a mood....

NotaCoolMum · 17/05/2021 00:38

@Notmoresugar

I think he's being an over-sensitive unreasonable twat.

Going off and leaving you to sleep in the spare room - what a fucking baby, and then trying to cast you as some sort of potential criminal for shutting the door heavily.

I think he's blowing it out of all proportion to get out of the relationship so he's blaming and insulting you.

I think in a few weeks when you've had time to mull this over, you'll be glad you're rid of him and you'll see him in a totally different light.

Don't be fooled that good friends make perfect relationships - you've now seen some of his true and pathetic colours.

Agree! He’s being a twat. Op I guarantee this isn’t the last you’ll hear from him. He sounds manipulative and it sounds to me like he’s “training” you to behave the way he wants. He was being passive aggressive when he went to sleep in the spare room. He wants you grovelling. I would bet almost anything that he’s mentally abusive.
Fabiofatshaft1 · 17/05/2021 05:04

Give him up.

Find someone who likes a little drama.

SheldonesqueTheBstard · 17/05/2021 07:06

I’m not sure sleeping in the spare room is passive aggressive. I used to do that so I could have peace/not be disturbed when he eventually came up.

With the best will in the world OP some of your reactions to things are a little extreme.

Life shouldn’t be about the drama.

Cam2020 · 17/05/2021 07:11

Apart from a name change fail and previous dramas, I can’t say that either of you are behaving well..

Oh blimey, just remembered/realised OP's last thread!!

This is the 'glowing guy'? What did your husband say about the slamming door etc, OP? Drama lama right here.

FranklymydearIdogiveadamn · 17/05/2021 07:21

Some people have picked up on our conflicting styles, deep down I know this, but was trying to ignore it.....he’s calm, avoids conflict, likes to sleep on problems I’m opposite

after the film ended, I asked if he was ok, he said yes, I asked if I’d done something to upset him, he said no...but something was wrong, I can’t remember what was said after that, but I remember him saying let’s sleep on it.....see he wanted to let the dust settle, I didn’t, I find it hard going to bed on an argument (not that it was even an argument at this point), I should have, especially as I’d had a drink and the drink made me more emotional - no I’m not using that as an excuse, I know my behaviour was out of order.

The spare room isn’t unusual, when we go to bed he starts in my room first for a cuddle, then moves into the spare room to sleep....he’s very overweight and I think he just feels more comfortable sleeping alone, for fear of his snoring disturbing me or something. This time he obviously wasn’t in the cuddling mood so went straight to the spare room.

I escalated it myself, I was over dramatic, I over reacted, I made the end result happen, he didn’t really do anything.

Yes, even if we did get back together (highly unlikely, he’s seen a side of me he doesn’t like) I would feel I can’t be myself, I knew this from the brexit thing, we have conflicting styles and I didn’t want to see that because I love him....he obviously didn’t love me enough to give me a second chance tho for one drunken incident.

I’m not an aggressive person, he kept using the word aggressive, like I’m some raging lunatic - but obviously I am that in his eyes, after what I did, he woke up to his bags packed...I guess what I wanted was for him to stay, I never wanted him gone, I just wanted him to hug me and tell me everything will be ok.

I now feel really shit about myself, like I’m unstable and generally a crappy person.....I made a huge mistake...so you see it’s me not him

FranklymydearIdogiveadamn · 17/05/2021 07:22

@Cam2020

Apart from a name change fail and previous dramas, I can’t say that either of you are behaving well..

Oh blimey, just remembered/realised OP's last thread!!

This is the 'glowing guy'? What did your husband say about the slamming door etc, OP? Drama lama right here.

I don't know what you mean about glowing guy? and I've got no husband?
SheldonesqueTheBstard · 17/05/2021 08:17

He may have felt you were acting in an aggressive manner.

You don’t have to batter someone to be aggressive.

It might do you well to be single for a wee while. And try to work out why nuclear for you was the first option when a ‘good night love’ and a quiet humph would have sufficed.

We all have an inner arsehole. We can all act out badly. We can choose how to deal calmly with stuff that isn’t that important.

And this really wasnt.

Bottlebluebell · 17/05/2021 08:38

@SheldonesqueTheBstard

He may have felt you were acting in an aggressive manner.

You don’t have to batter someone to be aggressive.

It might do you well to be single for a wee while. And try to work out why nuclear for you was the first option when a ‘good night love’ and a quiet humph would have sufficed.

We all have an inner arsehole. We can all act out badly. We can choose how to deal calmly with stuff that isn’t that important.

And this really wasnt.

I still take issue with the word aggressive, I closed the door loudly, I didn't slam it....that's all, there was no shouting or raised voices.

I intend to stay single, I'm not the type that Gomes from one relationship to another, I'd been single for 8 years before this

But again yes, it's my fault, I over reacted .... I wish I could have a second chance but he doesn't want to - I don't blame him.

I'm just feeling devastated

OP posts:
KinseyWinsey · 17/05/2021 08:42

His behaviour was weird and ott. Why's he making such a big deal of where you rest your head? Bizarre.

Then your behaviour was weird and ott.

Can you just leave it for a few days now? No contact at all.

And stop apologising. You've apologised and that's enough. Otherwise you'll look like you're begging.

He might not turn out to be the love of your life.

It all sounds like drama over nothing tbh. But it also sounds a bit like he was looking to make drama over nothing.

MysteriousMonkey · 17/05/2021 08:46

It's not your fault. Sounds like he was looking for an excuse to leave!

Cam2020 · 17/05/2021 08:48

I don't know what you mean about glowing guy? and I've got no husband?

Ooos, sorry, I've got to confused wih another poster/thread!

Cam2020 · 17/05/2021 08:53

Please look at some of the responses here though and don't beat yourself up. It was something and nothing. If it's your first big argument, neither of you really know each other's fighting style. Perhaps he's prone to over-reaction then cools down after a while. You didn't really do anything that warrents the relationship to end.

SheldonesqueTheBstard · 17/05/2021 08:55

Don’t beat yourself up over it.

You aren’t suited.

Learn from this and grow. Hopefully he will do the same.

It shouldn’t be like this when you are in your 40s. It really shouldn’t.

And can the texting unless it is short and sweet.

You both might feel you are being funny sarky. In black and white it loses its humour sometimes and can just look snide.

Onwards and upwards OP.

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