Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

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

Partner just admitted he doesn't want to be with me

207 replies

junglebook123 · 18/07/2021 20:17

Myself and my partner have been together 4 years, finally saved up enough for a deposit for a house (we've been renting for 3). Last year has been tough (as it has for everyone) and I've felt a bit unhappy. He is so up and down. One minute he's telling me how much he loves me and wants us to be together and how great the future will be etc. And the next I literally can't get a word out of him.

I've been addressing this for the entire year, asking him if I've done something wrong, does he not love me anymore, telling him that it's affecting my life and making me not want to commit to a mortgage if he's not going to speak to me (obviously!). He tells me I'm crazy.

When we're out he will be totally normal with me and speak to me but as soon as we get home, nothing. Every time I speak to him I can see I'm annoying him, simple things like "how was work" can make him roll his eyes! Trouble is, because of how crazy he makes me feel, I kept wondering am I crazy should I just keep trying see if he comes back to me?!

Anyway, I've told him I'm not going to continue looking for a home with him whilst things are how they are and actually that I think we either need a break - or even just a conversation about what's going on but with him refusing to communicate that's off the cards!! - and he's totally ignored me.

He will sit in a different room in the house and message me houses and tell me to put an offer in, he's been going to viewings etc.

Anyway, today when we got home from a meal with my parents (where he acted totally normal) we came home and I waited to see if he'd speak to me and he didn't, so I asked what his problem was and he told me I was deluded and there's no problem etc.

Then after I didn't drop it (much to his annoyance and lots of eye rolling!) he told me "I just want to get a mortgage for the future and neither of us can get one on our own".

Now I realise if you've stuck to this point you probably think I'm completely naive and dense, but I can't explain how much he's made me feel like a loonatic for thinking something was wrong. As if I really was making it all up and I'd lost it - and now this.

So he genuinely thinks we're gonna get a mortgage and continue living like this - he's no intention of us splitting he just wants us to commit to this and essentially not speak?

I don't really have a question to be honest I'm just a bit blown away by how far/long he's gone with this and cross that he's constantly being saying I'm crazy and I need help for questioning him.

I'm not upset, I've cried a lot over the last year about it so I think I've got nothing left - and I think I already knew we'd not move forward together because of how miserable it had become so I'm genuinely just angry.

If anything I suppose I should be happy he's finally been honest and now we can shut the door... but for now I think I'm just gonna be cross for the time wasting and "you need help" comments!

(Most boring thread ever, apologies I needed to vent).

OP posts:
Etceteraaah · 18/07/2021 23:54

My ex was just like this. We were fine for the first few years but once I moved to his home town and we got a place together, it started going downhill. He would ignore me for weeks at a time, just grunting in response to questions, refusing to engage in any conversation- it was like I didn't exist. Yet, when in company, he would be the best boyfriend ever, hugging me, kissing me, telling me and everyone in the group how much he loved me, and it got to the point where I was questioning and second guessing myself about whether he really was treating me badly or not, or whether I was imagining it, or maybe it was because he was tired, or had had a bad day, or any other manner of excuses. It was exhausting, upsetting and I ended up jumping at every bone he threw my way, no matter how small, thinking that it proved he still loved me. It was a horrible time and I look back aghast at how weak I allowed him to make me feel.

Anyway, long story short, I eventually ended it and moved on. My ex is still pulling these stunts- apparently all his ex's are awful women who try to change him and that's why he behaves like a twat to them 😑 He also cried down the phone to me about a year ago (16 years after we broke up) because he said he'd messed up when he was with me and he now had regrets 🙄

So all I'm going to say, OP, is thank fuck you have realised now that he is an absolute bellend rather than after you had bought a house together.

DamsonJammyBastard · 18/07/2021 23:55

What a nasty little shithead. And what a bore. Work, video games and repeat. Dull.

I'm glad you've figured it all out, OP, before you got entangled in a mortgage with him. And what good luck that your tenancy is coming to an end too. Walk away and take all your lovely savings with you.

junglebook123 · 19/07/2021 00:08

I am debating asking the landlord of this house if I can sign a new contract on my own when this one ends. We've got a great relationship, never had any issues and been here 3 years. She was gutted when I told her we were leaving.

Do you think she'd go for it or has that ship sailed?

OP posts:
TheUnquestionedAnswer · 19/07/2021 00:16

I was convinced that this could have been my ex - same profile/pattern. There was one inconsistency which proved it wasn't. Just go OP, leave him to his saddo life. You will be fine.

Mulhollandmagoo · 19/07/2021 00:19

Honestly, get somewhere new! You deserve an absolutely fabulous new start, with no ties or reminders. Enjoy every second of it Star

Yaya26 · 19/07/2021 00:30

@Mulhollandmagoo

Honestly, get somewhere new! You deserve an absolutely fabulous new start, with no ties or reminders. Enjoy every second of it Star
Totally agree with this. Cut all ties with this part of your life. You've had a lucky escape. Onwards and upwards with this new exciting chapter. Xx
Sweetpeasaremadeofcheese · 19/07/2021 00:37

I'm so angry for you! What an awful user he is. Go back to your parents so you can get some support around you, after the absolute mindfuck you have been through you need some TLC. How dare he do this to a person Angry

junglebook123 · 19/07/2021 00:40

@Sweetpeasaremadeofcheese I'm ok, honestly. I have spent soooo many nights crying and wishing he'd go back to being how he was I feel like I've cried as much as I physically could cry about a person. I feel a bit anxious about what I'll do next but I am (for now at least) ok.

I do think he's gonna make this difficult for me though. I might sound paranoid here but I feel he quite likes having a bit of a hold on me.

OP posts:
slinkygirl · 19/07/2021 00:52

This happened to me 6 years ago. I didn't know where I stood, felt confused, he seemed up and down and hot then cold. We nearly got a house together then he got cold feet. He said he wasn't ready to commit. I stayed with him until he admitted he didn't see any future for us. I felt messed around, strung along and used. We split up. About a month later, I felt a sense of relief. I had to admit to myself that this was never going to work. Move on, hun...you will find someone who appreciates you. This guy sounds like a dead loss!

MrJollyLivesNextDoor · 19/07/2021 00:54

He can't make it difficult for you - you are both leaving and going to your respective parents.

I wouldn't take on a new tenancy in the old house - start afresh with a fabulous new life and a fabulous you

Please be sure to inform everyone as to how much of a cunt he really was - but if not then just move on and live your best life without this loser in it!!

Abouttoblow · 19/07/2021 01:22

You're doing great OP. He can only make things difficult if you let him. Remaining in your current tenancy would be easier in some respects but better to sever all ties and move on. Count your blessings.

MrsTerryPratchett · 19/07/2021 02:02

The only issue with staying while he goes is what happens on moving day? He'll know you're staying so what if he doesn't leave?

Jaguar77 · 19/07/2021 02:06

Now he's pretending that the previous conversation never happened. This is next level gaslighting.

Fireflygal · 19/07/2021 02:20

he's just a manipulative nasty man

100% this. How old are you?

I'm so sorry you had this happen but be grateful you didn't buy the house or marry him. Usually abusive people will be able to control their behaviour until after their partner is committed in some way so they have (as you rightly say) a hold over you.

The smear campaign is exactly what they do and is part of the devalue phase as was the eye rolling (contempt).He is textbook personality disordered or sociopath.

He has however over played his hand and will realise he has slipped up so be warned that be might try a charm offensive. Scarily he will learn from this and his next victim will have the same treatment but he might be more covert about it - It's why abusive people get worse as they age.

As to why he would stay...he is basically lazy and it took effort to ensnare you as I'm sure he was lovely at the outset (idealise phase). He wants something from a relationship such as a house, someone to share household duties and the company when it suits him. However he isn't capable of a true connection. Did he grow up in an abusive household?

Justilou1 · 19/07/2021 02:49

Don’t bother speaking to the landlord. You would never be able to get this shithead out of your house. You heard the way he speaks about you while you’re there… imagine how he speaks about you when you’re not there. He’s a liar and he is treating you like he thinks you’re stupid and he’s sooooo much smarter than you. Well, obviously that’s wrong, because soon you’ll be gone and he’ll be back home with his mummy taking up space on her couch with his games like an overgrown twelve year old, going nowhere. Useless sack of skin. Go and be happy.

Hopingforabagofbuttons · 19/07/2021 02:53

Well done for realising what a nasty piece of work you were living with and for having the strength to walk away.
Maybe he wanted to buy the house with you, continue ignoring you and bitching about you to his friends and family in the hope you might move out and leave him with the house. Maybe he was hoping you would put up with it for longer so he could at least get a foot on the property ladder . Whatever his reasons he’s a manipulative user and you are honestly well rid.
Personally I’d get in touch with the landlord ASAP a d explain the situation, she may well agree to you renting on your own, especially if you got on well with her. Good tenants are hard to find. Stay strong I agree with you that he will be difficult and his gaslighting will hit an all time high, but that’s because you are walking away and taking the choice out of his hands. At least you won’t feel lonely since I imagine it hasn’t even felt like he has even been around this last year. Enjoy your new found freedom xx

tortoiselover100 · 19/07/2021 03:00

Are the savings in your account or joint account? Get them into your account now before he wipes you clean

QueenBee52 · 19/07/2021 03:04

@tortoiselover100

Are the savings in your account or joint account? Get them into your account now before he wipes you clean

monies are all in OP's sole bank account 🌸

she sounds pretty savvy 🌺

tortoiselover100 · 19/07/2021 03:05

Just read the whole thread, thank his your savings are safe. Plot your escape from this vile man.

DeeCeeCherry · 19/07/2021 03:09

Tell him it's over.

Don't let a man treat you like this. He's not your God, neither is he the last man on earth.

If a man kept calling me crazy + not speaking to me he'd have the chair pulled from under him & get the fuck out.

It's 2021 time to move on and stop wasting the good years on these utter waste of space men.

Who cares what further things he's said? He's told and shown you over and over that he does not respect you. No respect = he's not in love with you. That's the key thing.

TwiceAsNice22 · 19/07/2021 03:35

I think you should trust your gut if you feel he will make things difficult. Have your parents there when you move, also I would video the house as you leave it (if you leave before him) so he can’t claim that you damaged anything or left it in a state.

And pp are right, you need to flip your thinking, you are not a fool at all. It’s get a great that you have picked up on the warning signs and are not putting up with his behaviour anymore. You deserve much better!

BritInAus · 19/07/2021 04:14

You sound so strong! I suggest packing and going ASAP- you can pay your half of the rent until your contract ends, but why wait?!

Whilst I'm sure your landlord would be delighted if you stayed, it would def make it much harder. He can't stop you physically walking out (though ideally take a day off work, once he's gone, pack quickly and just GO!)

I would honestly do that, leave a note saying you'll be paying your half of the rent until X date (end of lease) direct to the landlord and he's to do the same. Block him and move on.

Your life will be SO SO wonderful, I feel genuine excitement for the relief you're going to feel soooooo soon to be free of this deadweight! All the very best to you

nzeire · 19/07/2021 04:30

I love these seeing the light threads! Looking forward to exciting life updates.
Life really can be wonderful, you deserve happiness x

Newestname001 · 19/07/2021 05:39

@princesslarmadrama

Make sure you take your money out of any joint savings accounts before he can get to it all.

Yes - move fast @junglebook123! I've seen so many threads on MN where one person clears the joint account. At the very least change the password to something completely unique which this man will find hard to guess.. 🌹

Billybagpuss · 19/07/2021 05:57

Do you have enough to buy somewhere small on your own? Still keep looking at houses, just not for him.