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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

What should I do? Boyfriend changed.

37 replies

Confusedfemale25 · 21/09/2021 15:10

Ok, I don’t really know where to start. My boyfriend and I have a long distance relationship, and because of corona we haven’t seen each other in over 1 year. We’ve had lots of issues along the way, especially since I’m an over-thinker, and being far away from each other for this long obviously didn’t make it any easier. But he has been great, always trying to reassure me and whenever I brought up something bothering me, he would hear me out and try his best to understand. Instead of it being my problem, it was ours, and we solved them together.

He started a new job 6 months ago, and I’ve seen such a big change in him. Whenever I bring up an issue, he just brush me off. Once he even said “zip it or break up with me”, putting me in a horrible spot, with no “good” options. He also keep saying “stop acting like my mom” when I tell him something he did or said upset me, and then go on saying “I can do what I want”. Which is true, but it also makes me a bit sad. In my mind, when in a relationship you do what you want, but if it affects your partner in a negative way, you try and find solutions that works for both.

We had this big discussion recently, where he left his phone to go drink with some friends, and I asked him nicely if he could try and be better at letting me know in advance so I wouldn’t worry when not getting replies all night. He got so mad at me, told me I’m not his mom and plain out refused to even try, and told me to either accept that or leave. I tried and tell him how it affected me and why it was important to me and he just said I was trying to manipulate him into feeling bad, and told me to stop talking. He just keep turning the spotlight on me whenever I bring something up. Either I’m acting like his mom or I’m being manipulative, and then the discussions go on for so long because we can never get to the core of the problem, and then he use against me that “I go out with my friends, and then you fight with me about it for 2 hours”, “you’re so controlling”. When the issue never was him drinking with his friends.

I’d also like to add that when we don’t have any problems, he’s acting the same. Being nice to me, calling and messaging whenever he has time. But the second it’s some tension or I have an issue, he just turns into someone I don’t recognize. Very cold and harsh.

And now I just question everything. Don’t know if I’m the problem or if he’s the problem. Maybe I’ve been overthinking everything and maybe I’m also expecting to much of him. Im also autistic, which makes me question myself even more when it comes to situations like this. So I would really appreciate any advice or opinions about this. Am I asking to much of him? And if I am, what do I do? Cause when I bring the issue up, it’s something really bothering me and making me feel bad, how do I stop feeling like that when I can’t even talk about it with him?

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 21/09/2021 15:12

Why are you wasting your time on this doomed relationship? It's toxic and going absolutely nowhere. Bin him and move on.

Regularsizedrudy · 21/09/2021 15:14

I’m mean this nicely but he just isn’t bothered about you. He is waiting for you to dump him because it’s easier than doing it himself. Please have some self respect and leave him.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 21/09/2021 15:16

Whatever the rights and wrongs of his behaviour, or your behaviour, that doesn't sound like a great basis for a relationship.

Sounds more like pen pals who once upon a time got together for sex.

Maybe cut those ties yourself instead of hanging on to hear his displeasure!

silverstrawberry · 21/09/2021 15:18

Sorry to say I agree with the others you need to be able to work on yourself and he needs to support you in everything you do it sounds like your having to hang around for him to grow up believe me when I say you'll be waiting a long time.. if ever the problem is with him.. so find someone compatible and save yourself the heartache.Also this guy shouldn't mess you around a good guy will end up suffering for the damage he does to you 🌸🌸🌸

DowntonCrabby · 21/09/2021 15:19

Didn’t read past “zip it or break up with me”

Your response right then should have been “Great, that’s what I’ll do then as I’m not a fucking doormat”

Come on OP you know you deserve better than this. Flowers

DuesToTheDirt · 21/09/2021 15:21

Once he even said “zip it or break up with me”, putting me in a horrible spot, with no “good” options. He also keep saying “stop acting like my mom”

Time to call it a day, surely.

Confusedfemale25 · 21/09/2021 15:22

Thank you all so much for the replies. I really appreciate it.

Yes, I have been feeling I deserve better, it’s just been hard since he says I’m the problem and I haven’t had anyone to talk to about this.

And also hard since he’s a really nice person as long as there is no issues.

But you are right, I should leave.

OP posts:
HollowTalk · 21/09/2021 15:24

he’s a really nice person as long as there is no issues

Try: he's a really nice person as long as everything's going his way

seensome · 21/09/2021 15:32

Life's too short for waiting round on this guy, it's long distance and it sounds like he's keeping you as an option when it's convenient for him but there is little emotional support for you, bin him and find someone available to you.

Aquamarine1029 · 21/09/2021 15:33

And also hard since he’s a really nice person as long as there is no issues.

Sure. When you keep your mouth shut, stay in your lane, and he gets everything he wants, he's a wonderful man. Hmm

Come on, op. There's nothing nice about him.

BasiliskStare · 21/09/2021 15:41

I think it has to be a really strong relationship to last for a year with phone calls etc - not seeing each other. & it can work but harder then being closer together & also with no end in sight for living closer together. So e.g. a couple who have a year's sabbatical / work placement & can plan for that I think is easier - not easy but easier .

If this continues to be long distance with what you have described , I would move on. Or just agree to be friends and chat every now and then.

Thingsdogetbetter · 21/09/2021 15:48

How often do you bring up 'issues'? You say he's fine as long as no issues now, but also he used to be great when you brought them up. This seems like he's run out of steam reassuring you and working through your insecurity issue. His constant reassurance hasn't made any difference and you still need reassuring and supporting. That's exhausting for a partner.

If someone I didn't live with insisted I had my phone on me and was accessible 24/7 because they worried or I had to tell them my plans in advance, I'd feel claustrophobic and feel it's manipulative control. He's allowed have a life that is separate to you and your overthinking is for you to deal with, not him.

How long have you been together? How long has he had to reassure you? How often do these issues arise? Are they real issues or overthinking issues? Because that phone example is definitely an overthinking issue imo.

That said, if the issue is he's blatantly being a knob and is hurting you, that's all on him and you need to bail.

Shallwegoforawalk · 21/09/2021 15:48

Time to call it quits.

Possible he has met someone at this new job and is dating but keeping you on the long distance back burner in case it doesn't work out. Or for a shag if he's ever in your area. Hence no phone on "nights out".

Even if this isn't the case, he's not interested in supporting you or resolving issues, he wants you to put up and shut up. Bye boy!

GroggyLegs · 21/09/2021 15:58

I asked him nicely if he could try and be better at letting me know in advance so I wouldn’t worry when not getting replies all night.

He sounds awful, but you also sound hard work.
You say you're 'questioning everything' is that literal? Because someone constantly needing reassurance would leave me cold.
BUT I would finish it, I wouldn't be telling you to 'zip it' and manipulate you to end it.

Honestly, you both sound young & I suspect this relationship has run its course.

Confusedfemale25 · 21/09/2021 16:07

We have been together for almost 4 years.

And yes, he might have “run out of steam”, cause there has been issues from both sides over the years. And recently it’s been more than normal, but nothing extreme. And it never really start as an issue, it’s just a small thing that’s on my mind, and before he would listen and it would stop there, but now he just get aggressive and defensive the second I say anything that can be seen as something “negative” about him.

But yeah my overthinking might be the issue, maybe he’s just had enough of it all, and now just want to shut it all out..

OP posts:
Pinkbonbon · 21/09/2021 16:13

He isnt a nice person. Nice people aren't only nice sometimes. Nice people don't gaslight their partners. Nice people don't make you feel bad for calling them out when they behave like arseholes.

Get over this idea that he is nice. Because that's bullshit.

What you are describing is actually the cycle of abuse. When they flit between being shit and being decent in order to confuse you.

He is training you to put up and shut up.

Run.

Confusedfemale25 · 21/09/2021 16:16

“Question everything” as in what to do with this relationship. If I’m the issue, if he’s the issue and so on. Which is why I ask here.

And I don’t think I need constant reassurance, it’s just when he does or say something that seem weird to me, but as an otherthinker that probably is more often than average. But I never questioned his loyalty and stuff like that.

OP posts:
dangerrabbit · 21/09/2021 16:17

I also wonder if he's met someone else and that's why he keeps "forgetting his phone". Cowardly and disrespectful if so. Even if that isn't the reason, he is still beig disrespectful in his behaviour towards you, he obviously wants to break up but doesn't want the responsibility so is pushing you to be the "bad guy" and take the bull by the horns. From what you've written, 1/4 of your relationship has been like this - is it worth it?

TheFoundations · 21/09/2021 16:22

Stop questioning yourself. Your feelings make you who you are. Your feelings are you; without them, you are just a walking shell, with no likes or dislikes, passions, happiness, sadness, no 'life' as such, to recognise.

You don't need to think at all, let alone overthink; if something/someone makes you feel good, move closer. If something/someone makes you feel negative, move further away.

Don’t know if I’m the problem or if he’s the problem

You are being who you are. If your relationship with him is the only place your personality is causing problems, just take your personality elsewhere, where it's met with a better welcome.

Do you have lots of issues with other people, too?

Aquamarine1029 · 21/09/2021 16:25

All it takes is one text telling it's over and you can start over. I don't mean to be harsh, but he will not care that you've broken up with him. He's already checked out.

GreyCarpet · 21/09/2021 16:29

@Thingsdogetbetter

How often do you bring up 'issues'? You say he's fine as long as no issues now, but also he used to be great when you brought them up. This seems like he's run out of steam reassuring you and working through your insecurity issue. His constant reassurance hasn't made any difference and you still need reassuring and supporting. That's exhausting for a partner.

If someone I didn't live with insisted I had my phone on me and was accessible 24/7 because they worried or I had to tell them my plans in advance, I'd feel claustrophobic and feel it's manipulative control. He's allowed have a life that is separate to you and your overthinking is for you to deal with, not him.

How long have you been together? How long has he had to reassure you? How often do these issues arise? Are they real issues or overthinking issues? Because that phone example is definitely an overthinking issue imo.

That said, if the issue is he's blatantly being a knob and is hurting you, that's all on him and you need to bail.

This this this!

And it never really start as an issue, it’s just a small thing that’s on my mind, and before he would listen and it would stop there, but now he just get aggressive and defensive the second I say anything that can be seen as something “negative” about him.

It's utterly draining being with someone who makes such demands of you and requires constant reassurance. And yes you do eventually run out of patience. Especially when they describe it as "a small thing" and you know you're going to he talking round in circles 2 hours later with everything you say being picked apart and deconstructed to the nth degree.

When he told you to "zip it", he really should have ended it.

The whole thing doesn't sound great but I don't think he needs to be labelled abusive.

Lsquiggles · 21/09/2021 16:29

From what you've said my immediate thought is (aside from why are you wasting your time with this idiot?) is he's done with the relationship but doesn't want to be the one to end it so he's provoking you to do so, so he doesn't look like the bad guy. If he loved you and wanted to be with you why would he keep telling you to leave?

Saladovercrispsanyday · 21/09/2021 16:30

You have not seen each other in over a year because of Covid?

Does he live in another country?

Saladovercrispsanyday · 21/09/2021 16:32

You’re 25?

Op - come on now
A long distance relationship where you haven’t seen each other for a year
And it largely seems to be arguments over the phone

Call it quits. It’s over

TheChip · 21/09/2021 16:35

Has the change been in his personality, or is the change that he has started a new job and the routine you were used to has changed?

I'm just asking that because my sons girlfriend struggled with a change in his routine and her insecurities got the best of her. If he was working later than usual, and didn't let her know (because he couldn't, or it slipped his mind), she would go at him about how disrespectful he was for making her sit and worry about him.

If he wasn't home to talk to her by the time he first said he would be home, she would say there were issues and go on at him for hours about how he should have done this or should have done that. Even when at times it was impossible for him to do so.

Once she got used to the new routine, she settled down again. But that initial period of change was hard on both of them. She felt he didn't care and he felt she was controlling. Neither of which was true. They are long distance also.