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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

DP doesn't love me anymore.

36 replies

imjustsoworried · 04/09/2021 11:25

DP told me that she doesn't love me anymore (both women for context).

I'll admit I begged last night but I was overtired and upset. Ironically I then spent the night comforting her because she's 'confused'.

I'm feeling a lot more pragmatic this morning. I've made a rough draft of a five year plan just to prove I can do it without her. I've been on rightmove to check out rentals. I've looked at my finances. It's over and that's that, there's no coming back from the feeling of being told someone doesn't love you anymore. And I was fine before I was in a relationship - I'm not the type who feels the need to be in one.

But fuck. Years down the drain. I'm hurting so, so, so badly. We're engaged, we were looking at wedding photographers the other day. We had so many plans for the future. And it's all gone with just a few words. I'm furious that she didn't tell me earlier, that I invested so much just to be totally fucking unloved.

I haven't told any of my friends yet. Weirdly I feel ashamed. And I can't stop shaking and I'm not sure what I'd say. I just needed to write this out and acknowledge that it's over.

OP posts:
R0tational · 04/09/2021 11:30

Sorry OP Sad You are doing so well Flowers Well done.

FortunesFave · 04/09/2021 11:31

I'm so sorry. How long have you been together? Flowers What else did she say apart from being 'confused'?

Jellycatspyjamas · 04/09/2021 11:33

I hate to say it, but that’s usually short hand for “I’ve met someone else”.

PearlyRising · 04/09/2021 11:37

Stop comforting her! Tell her yeh, you havent been v loving lately which is a turnoff

Ingvermama · 04/09/2021 11:39

I'm sorry to hear this OP, it's so sad when this happens, but it sounds like you know what you've got to do. Allow yourself lots of time to process what's happened and your feelings.

mrshonda · 04/09/2021 11:40

I have been where you are, but m/f partnership. It hurts so badly, and yes, I felt a weird sense of shame too, but believe me that you will be fine. You are doing exactly the right thing in sorting out your practicalities. Throw yourself into that - life and joy will find you again, and a new future is waiting.

imjustsoworried · 04/09/2021 11:41

Thanks everyone. We've been together four years.

I had a severe injury in June and DP has had to take on a lot. In the light of day she's saying it's resentment, not falling out of love. How am I actually meant to believe that though?!

OP posts:
imjustsoworried · 04/09/2021 11:42

I don't think she's met someone else purely because we leave the house very little but I suppose she could have had her head turned online. That was actually one of my first thoughts tbh.

OP posts:
JackieQueen · 04/09/2021 11:43

So sorry op, hope things work out well for youFlowers

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 04/09/2021 11:49

It sounds like she’s not really sure about how she feels atm but You deserve more explanation on what she is really thinking. Even if it’s just feeling confused. Particularly if marriage was on the table. You need this info so you can make real decisions about what to do next.
I hope you are recovering from/coping with your injury. It sounds like it’s been a stressful time for both of you and perhaps taking stock of where you both are is in order now that you are several months in dealing with your injury and can look ahead a bit more

imjustsoworried · 04/09/2021 11:51

@DuckbilledSplatterPuff

It sounds like she’s not really sure about how she feels atm but You deserve more explanation on what she is really thinking. Even if it’s just feeling confused. Particularly if marriage was on the table. You need this info so you can make real decisions about what to do next. I hope you are recovering from/coping with your injury. It sounds like it’s been a stressful time for both of you and perhaps taking stock of where you both are is in order now that you are several months in dealing with your injury and can look ahead a bit more
I agree. It's been a stressful time for us both. I still can't really move very much so I've thrown myself into my busy and stressful career (it's remote) because I'm used to taking care of us and it felt awful not being able to as much - so trying to earn money and keep us going financially felt important to me. I have been working long hours and it probably hasn't helped.

I'm getting about a bit more but it's a while until I'll be able to even stand up and do some cooking. We have a cleaner but I know it's been a lot for DP. I just don't know how you can go to that extreme and actually say, 'I'm not in love with you anymore' rather than saying, 'I'm not happy, let's work on it'.

OP posts:
happinessischocolate · 04/09/2021 12:08

There's nothing to feel ashamed about. It's sad when someone falls out of love, but I don't think anyone chooses to, anymore than we choose who we fall in love with. And it's not 4 wasted years, if it's been a fun and loving relationship up until now then you've had 4 years of happiness, that's not wasted, it's just time to move on now.

I think it's a shame she's worded it like that, as it's sounds like she's not really sure how she feels and unfortunately it's hard to come back from the shock of being told that, especially when you're supposed to be planning a wedding so a bit out of the blue.

Good luck with sorting things out

Elieza · 04/09/2021 12:44

Sorry that’s happened OP. What a horrible shock Flowers

Honestly I think a lot of people have gone a bit different since covid. I know I have not been the same. Perhaps it’s affected her too. And you too if you’re throwing yourself into work too much.

Is it that she’s not in love with you, or is it that the love has become a more deep and different type of love because you’re in a long term relationship? Has she been in one before? Could it be fear that’s making her run?

It’s hard caring for someone. It’s hard taking responsibility for them especially if it’s role reversal. Perhaps it’s just been all too much for her.

Have you had a good, calm, non-blamey talk about everything. It’s such a lot to throw away if she’s just overwhelmed and scared of what the future holds.

Perhaps both of you separately would benefit from online counselling? I’d phone the counsellor from the car or when the other is out so I know I’d not be overheard though!

Would she see a future with you if you had more support while you heal? ie could a more frequent cleaner or deliveroo meals or something make a difference to her if she feels it’s all too much for her?

If you reduced your hours and you spent time doing stuff you both enjoy, within the limits if your current medical condition?

Is she prepared to think about options or is it defo defo over?

imjustsoworried · 04/09/2021 12:53

@Elieza

Sorry that’s happened OP. What a horrible shock Flowers

Honestly I think a lot of people have gone a bit different since covid. I know I have not been the same. Perhaps it’s affected her too. And you too if you’re throwing yourself into work too much.

Is it that she’s not in love with you, or is it that the love has become a more deep and different type of love because you’re in a long term relationship? Has she been in one before? Could it be fear that’s making her run?

It’s hard caring for someone. It’s hard taking responsibility for them especially if it’s role reversal. Perhaps it’s just been all too much for her.

Have you had a good, calm, non-blamey talk about everything. It’s such a lot to throw away if she’s just overwhelmed and scared of what the future holds.

Perhaps both of you separately would benefit from online counselling? I’d phone the counsellor from the car or when the other is out so I know I’d not be overheard though!

Would she see a future with you if you had more support while you heal? ie could a more frequent cleaner or deliveroo meals or something make a difference to her if she feels it’s all too much for her?

If you reduced your hours and you spent time doing stuff you both enjoy, within the limits if your current medical condition?

Is she prepared to think about options or is it defo defo over?

Thank you for your kind words.

Honestly I think a lot of people have gone a bit different since covid. I know I have not been the same. Perhaps it’s affected her too. And you too if you’re throwing yourself into work too much

I agree, we've both changed because of Covid. Our early relationship was built on going on incredible adventures and Covid has forced us to stop doing that. But I thought that the time together like this had made us stronger - obviously I was wrong.

Is it that she’s not in love with you, or is it that the love has become a more deep and different type of love because you’re in a long term relationship? Has she been in one before? Could it be fear that’s making her run?

This is what she said this morning. She's not been in a relationship this serious - her longest relationship was two years, it was long distance, and apparently didn't go much further than sex and fun dates when they saw each other. There were no plans for one of them to move closer to the other, and they knew it didn't have a future.

It’s hard caring for someone. It’s hard taking responsibility for them especially if it’s role reversal. Perhaps it’s just been all too much for her

I think you're bang on here. She has ADHD and I was in charge of all things household (as well as being the breadwinner - we have similar earning potential but she's a little behind than me in her career). Since my accident she's had to take over all household stuff. I do what I can logistically but for the first month I was on heavy painkillers and couldn't manage any of it. I know it was hard for her to suddenly be the go-to on household management.

Have you had a good, calm, non-blamey talk about everything. It’s such a lot to throw away if she’s just overwhelmed and scared of what the future holds

I'd like to but right now I keep hearing those words going around in my head. I know she regrets what she said but she still said it Sad

Perhaps both of you separately would benefit from online counselling? I’d phone the counsellor from the car or when the other is out so I know I’d not be overheard though

This is a really good idea. I'll mention it to her.

Would she see a future with you if you had more support while you heal? ie could a more frequent cleaner or deliveroo meals or something make a difference to her if she feels it’s all too much for her

Just for clarity - she sees a future regardless, it's me that's now not wanting to be with her because I couldn't deal with having someone be with me but not love me anymore. But I think a more frequent cleaner would help yes. We live very rurally so we don't have access to deliveroo but we try to have healthy ready meals to make it less of a burden for her.

If you reduced your hours and you spent time doing stuff you both enjoy, within the limits if your current medical condition

I think we should do this yes. I'm a freelancer so I'm in control of my own workload. Problem is I've very recently taken on new contracts and I don't think I can get out of them, so this might have to wait.

Is she prepared to think about options or is it defo defo over

She is - I'm the one who is scared to after what she said. How am I meant to trust her again if she can say that without thinking about it?

OP posts:
Sakurami · 04/09/2021 13:04

So you are the main breadwinner, you have a cleaner and since you were injured she's had to take on the rest of the household stuff, which you used to do anyway?

She sounds like a spoiled brat who wants someone else to do the work. And how hard is it to do the chores for two adults when you have a cleaner?

Tell her to earn more so you can afford more help or to do her share of the load with good grace.

imjustsoworried · 04/09/2021 13:09

@Sakurami

So you are the main breadwinner, you have a cleaner and since you were injured she's had to take on the rest of the household stuff, which you used to do anyway?

She sounds like a spoiled brat who wants someone else to do the work. And how hard is it to do the chores for two adults when you have a cleaner?

Tell her to earn more so you can afford more help or to do her share of the load with good grace.

When you put it like that.... yeah. It is a lot to do all the cooking, all the misc cleaning, all the animal care though. I'm back to doing all the household paperwork, making all phone calls, sorting the household budget, organising the food shop etc. But our dogs do require quite high levels of care as they're rescues who struggle with trauma. So that might be more than you may be envisioning?
OP posts:
imjustsoworried · 04/09/2021 13:11

I think I'm also quite angry because I've been the main breadwinner so that she could grow her business. I didn't have anyone to be my main breadwinner when I was doing that for myself - I lived alone and worked crazy hours to get to where I was. This time last year I was covering everything financially and even now I earn double.

The one time I need her to take over, and not even financially... and this is how she repays me.

OP posts:
drpet49 · 04/09/2021 13:13

** We've been together four years.
I had a severe injury in June and DP has had to take on a lot. In the light of day she's saying it's resentment, not falling out of love. How am I actually meant to believe that though?!**

^She sound like a complete dick. Sorry OP but I guarantee she has met someone else.

imjustsoworried · 04/09/2021 13:13

@drpet49

** We've been together four years. I had a severe injury in June and DP has had to take on a lot. In the light of day she's saying it's resentment, not falling out of love. How am I actually meant to believe that though?!**

^She sound like a complete dick. Sorry OP but I guarantee she has met someone else.

Whilst this was my first thought, she can't have physically met anyone else as she doesn't really go anywhere! Maybe had her head turned online though.
OP posts:
Elieza · 04/09/2021 13:36

She maybe is just bored and fed up due to all the covid restrictions, lack of outdoor stuff together, lack of sex due to your condition/pain (I’m just guessing), no holidays, barely seeing you as your working more. Feels detached from you. Doesn’t know if you love her.

And stressed out her head as she’s having to step up and do responsible stuff she didn’t ever expect and isn’t confident or happy about.

Lots of people are fine with one partner being the breadwinner. That dynamic suits both. That’s fine. Now it’s changed though.

It’s hard to know if she’s a lazy user who really doesn’t love you but loves the lifestyle you both had due to your money and work ethic, or a stressed to breaking point partner who spoke silly untrue words because she’s stressed out her head with all the changes you’ve both had and she worries about stuff and gets tied in knots.

It’s difficult to get past the devastation of her words. You do both need to bottom everything out. You do need to know if she does love you AND if she is IN love with you.

Sakurami · 04/09/2021 13:38

I still think it is manageable without being dramatic about it! I have 4 kids, a pet and work full time. No cleaner (yet) and even though I only have my kids now 50% of the time, there is still a lot to do. I think if I only had to look after another adult and some pets and I had a cleaner I would be twiddling my thumbs a lot.

Regardless, you had an injury and you had to take on the financial load because she didn't. I personally would resent being with someone like her. You're supposed to be a team in a relationship and I don't see that with yours. You give, she takes and then means and then gets pissy about doing a bit more when you're incapacitated.

Sakurami · 04/09/2021 13:39

Moans not means

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 04/09/2021 16:00

I had to look after someone for a long time after an accident and sometimes it was really hard. Emotions go up and down. Especially if the first month was scarey and uncertain.
I think if you lived rurally and this happened during Covid then this would be harder
You said your previous life revolved around adventure and activity ( it was quite sad for me to think this person could never do a ski holiday again.
She didn’t walk out. She said one of the dark thoughts that was on the top of her mind in a low point. She now seems to have changed tack. But I can appreciate that this has knocked you for six and makes you doubt things.
Only you know how much store to set by this, was it momentary grumpiness? being worn down by dealing with a tough situation over a long period?or a real change?
Is there any chance you could have a short break or as people have said plan some respites such as extra house help or an evening out at a nice restaurant with a taxi?
So it doesn’t seem impossible. Things might be fixed by couples counselling.

imjustsoworried · 04/09/2021 19:57

@DuckbilledSplatterPuff

I had to look after someone for a long time after an accident and sometimes it was really hard. Emotions go up and down. Especially if the first month was scarey and uncertain. I think if you lived rurally and this happened during Covid then this would be harder You said your previous life revolved around adventure and activity ( it was quite sad for me to think this person could never do a ski holiday again. She didn’t walk out. She said one of the dark thoughts that was on the top of her mind in a low point. She now seems to have changed tack. But I can appreciate that this has knocked you for six and makes you doubt things. Only you know how much store to set by this, was it momentary grumpiness? being worn down by dealing with a tough situation over a long period?or a real change? Is there any chance you could have a short break or as people have said plan some respites such as extra house help or an evening out at a nice restaurant with a taxi? So it doesn’t seem impossible. Things might be fixed by couples counselling.
It's so helpful to hear the 'other side' so to speak from someone who isn't my emotional DP. Thank you so much for sharing your experience.

RE: evening out, we have a car, I just can't get out the house. I have physiotherapy this week and we're hoping to get me down the couple of steps into the drive. If I can do that safely, it's a gamechanger Smile

OP posts:
imjustsoworried · 04/09/2021 20:01

Thanks everyone for your support. We've spent the whole day talking and it's been really useful.

We're going to give it another shot. DP is just feeling so overwhelmed with everything, really. We're going to move back down to near friends and family imminently and enlist help in order to pack etc. This will make everything a whole lot easier because that way DP will be able to have time away without worrying, as if I need support our support network is close by and can be there if anything goes wrong.

We're also going to carve out more time together. I'm going to ensure that my weekends really are breaks and I'm just working during the week. And we'll have more intentional 'at-home' dates whilst I recover. Hopefully physiotherapy, which starts this week, will be a gamechanger and we can get back to going out for dinner, the cinema etc - even if we're not up mountains yet, at least it's a start. We'll see.

I'm feeling more hopeful than I was at the beginning of today. Thank you everyone for your support, it was really useful.

OP posts: