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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

I don't even know myself anymore....(lengthy)

143 replies

sparklesintheskies · 13/10/2021 14:26

I’m literally at my wits end with my partner he has pushed me to the brink and I’ve had enough I just cannot do this anymore. I’m at the stage now where some days I wish I wouldn’t wake up because I hate having to deal with him on a daily basis. I'm tired.

I met him many years ago after a very physically abusive relationship with my ex-partner. He was charming, friendly and made me feel like I could be happy again. How wrong was I?

There were red flags from the beginning but I am sad to say I was very naïve. He used to ogle other girls when we were out together and say things like “That’s how a woman should look” if he saw an attractive girl. He would also say “Why don’t you dress like that?” If he saw a girl dressed particularly glamorous.

I’ve never been one to dress up. I dress for comfort in all honesty, I make an effort with my hair and do my makeup but I’ve never been a glamourpuss but looking to please him I started to dress more sexy. Whilst I wasn’t comfortable he seemed to like it so I kept it up for a while to please him.

He encouraged me to always wear make-up because he said I was “a mess” without it. Which again I stupidly did.

He lived a good bit away from me when we met (but not so far away that he couldn’t come and pick me up) so every weekend (like a faithful dog) I would go to stay the weekend with him laden with bags and such whilst he sat at home even though he had a car.

This continued for a good few years I didn’t really have issue with it at the time but looking back it was very selfish. My family always asked to meet him but he always had an excuse ready.

Two years into our ‘relationship’ the unthinkable happened and my dear mother passed away. I asked him to be at the funeral to support me (which I didn’t think was an unreasonable request given we’d been seeing each other). He refused and proclaimed it would be ‘weird’, from then on my family and friends absolutely loathed him for leaving me to cry over my mother’s grave alone.

I was absolutely devastated and called it off after this. I just couldn’t believe how heartless he had been and to me it said a lot about his character. I spent the next few months dealing with a very new and confusing life without my mum. We still messaged and he would give it “I miss you” and “I can’t believe you’ve gave up on this good thing we had”.

Naively I got back with him. Everything was going okay but I wasn’t getting on with my dad (who essentially became an abusive alcoholic when mum died) so I moved in with this guy. BIG mistake.

He was messy, lazy and just downright disrespectful. He didn't like how I cleaned the house, hated how long it took me to get to and from work (my journey times changed due to the relocation) and the only thing he done was cook because he thought “I was too stupid to do it properly”

I regretted moving house but persevered as I thought maybe things would change. They didn’t. My dad and I had been getting on well and
I was toying with the idea of returning home but sadly he passed away before I got the chance. Another devastating blow. Again I asked him to come to the funeral, I thought he would come but again refused giving another lame excuse.

My family and friends were just going mad at this point they couldn’t believe he had done this again. They thought he’d use the chance to redeem himself seeing as we were living together as a couple essentially but he didn’t.

I had the opportunity to move back to my family home when dad died which I took. When I told him I was leaving he was absolutely furious. Punching down on the bed, screaming and shouting. I was quite shocked but told him I wasn’t enjoying the current arrangement and he would have to accept it.

Over those weeks I slowly started moving back home. I started decorating the home to my taste and I was feeling positive, even though my heart was aching with grief. It had gave me a purpose and I felt that it was a move in the right direction.

However, predictably, he managed to make me feel guilty about this and asked if he could move in “until he found a suitable place of his own”. I stupidly agreed and he’s been here ever since and to say it has been hell is an understatement.

He hates the area because it’s mainly a council housing area. He has these really weird delusions of grandeur, thinks he is better than everyone else and deserves the best of everything. I’ve told him on many occasion you can’t expect to have everything fall on your lap sometimes you need to work hard for it.

He’s resentful of anyone who has anything he craves in life be it money, a car, a beautiful home. He just does not like seeing anyone get on which I find really quite a horrible trait to possess.

He has a very fractured relationship with his dad because, quite frankly, he treats his mum very much the same as he treats me. I said “well the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” and he spat in my face.

We are no longer intimate as he told me he doesn’t fancy me anymore and quite frankly the feeling is mutual I do not want to have sex with someone I resent so much. He’s also been messaging a girl, when I pulled him up about it he went mad and said “she makes me feel good so I’ll continue to do it and that’s the end of it”

Reading all this back I’m in tears because I feel so ashamed and pathetic. I cannot believe I’ve allowed a man to make me feel like this again. I’ve become this small, accepting, weak mouse. He has ground me down.

I know I’m not perfect. I can go from being very deep to exploding when I keep things in too long. I’m very self-conscious I have never felt pretty even though I have never struggled for male attention in the past. I also have very bad anxiety and depression due to how things have been the past few years. I can be hard work and I know it takes two he’s not the only one to blame, I haven’t been a beacon of light either.

As a person I’ve changed so much over the past while. I think it’s a mixture of the trauma of my parents dying and just being so utterly bored and tired with dealing with this crap.

I’ve now come to the end of the road with all this madness. I need to do what is good for me. I know I will struggle financially and it may be tough but I’d rather do that than continue to feel this unhappy.

The main issue now is getting him to leave. I’ve asked numerous times and he always says “I’m looking for flats but it’s so expensive”. I do feel guilty that he’s struggling with this but at the end of the day I'm not his keeper.

It's not like he's skint he just doesn't want to have to deal with the change, it'll be hard but he'll have to except it. He says he wants to be friends when he does move out but I don't even want that, I don't like him it's that simple.

I’m so sorry for the lengthy and muddled post I’ve been sobbing whilst writing this. Any thoughts or sharing of similar experiences and how
you dealt with them would be very welcome.

Thanks for reading this.

OP posts:
Tellmeee · 13/10/2021 14:31

That is all quite shocking.

Make it clear you are ending the relationship once and for all and give him a deadline by which he has to get out and stick to it. I would make a plan for if he refuses eg do you have any supportive friends who could be with you to make him get out? He sounds so vile I would involve the police if you have to.

Dragongirl10 · 13/10/2021 14:34

Op put your big girl pants on and get rid of him, you have no children with him, you are not married, what is stopping you??:

Stop over thinking, you don't need a reason to not want him ( although he is clearly an abusive lazy bully )

Collect some preferably male friends, arrange a time to get them over for support, and tell him he is moving that day, don't worry where he may go, he is an adult, it is NOT your problem.

Change the locks the same day and block him.

It really is that straightforward and you have your life back.

Good luck.

Tempusfudgeit · 13/10/2021 14:39

Other relationships are available Flowers

sparklesintheskies · 13/10/2021 14:39

@Tellmeee

That is all quite shocking.

Make it clear you are ending the relationship once and for all and give him a deadline by which he has to get out and stick to it. I would make a plan for if he refuses eg do you have any supportive friends who could be with you to make him get out? He sounds so vile I would involve the police if you have to.

Thanks for your reply.

I have male friends and family members who could help with this but I didn't want to go down that route but I think it's going to be the only way to get him out.

OP posts:
sparklesintheskies · 13/10/2021 14:41

@Dragongirl10

Op put your big girl pants on and get rid of him, you have no children with him, you are not married, what is stopping you??:

Stop over thinking, you don't need a reason to not want him ( although he is clearly an abusive lazy bully )

Collect some preferably male friends, arrange a time to get them over for support, and tell him he is moving that day, don't worry where he may go, he is an adult, it is NOT your problem.

Change the locks the same day and block him.

It really is that straightforward and you have your life back.

Good luck.

Thanks for your reply I really do appreciate it.

I've asked him many times to leave which results in arguments but then the next day he just goes on as if nothing has happened.

I suppose I am overthinking it. I'm really bad for that.

Thanks once again for your advice.

OP posts:
sparklesintheskies · 13/10/2021 14:41

@Tempusfudgeit

Other relationships are available Flowers
I think after this that's the last thing I want. I really need to concentrate on myself for a while. Thanks so much for your reply.
OP posts:
GrandmasCat · 13/10/2021 14:41

You send him a text saying, I want you to remove all your stuff from my house within a week, return my keys and never contact me again. (Do it writing, he will obviously ignore you, but this is just so you have evidence in writing that you asked him to leave you alone as you WILL need evidence of this).

In 8-10 days time you get you family and friends to put all his stuff in bags when he is out and leave it outside to collect. Make sure you change the locks on the same day.

If there is any altercation, you ring the police straight away, since you have written proof you asked him to leave, gave him a reasonable deadline and most importantly, asked him not to contact you, if he kicks off, it will count as harrassment/intimidation and the police will be expected to side with you.

I’m sure you will be freighters to do the things like this but, if you continue letting him back into your life constantly, you are as much to blame for this situation as he is. So find the support you need to firmly stand your ground.

girlmom21 · 13/10/2021 14:42

Please kick him out.
He can go and stay with the girl he's messaging.
Change the locks or swipe his keys and leave his stuff outside.

KirstenBlest · 13/10/2021 14:46

I'd book a locksmith, pack his bags and leave them outside.

sparklesintheskies · 13/10/2021 14:47

@GrandmasCat

You send him a text saying, I want you to remove all your stuff from my house within a week, return my keys and never contact me again. (Do it writing, he will obviously ignore you, but this is just so you have evidence in writing that you asked him to leave you alone as you WILL need evidence of this).

In 8-10 days time you get you family and friends to put all his stuff in bags when he is out and leave it outside to collect. Make sure you change the locks on the same day.

If there is any altercation, you ring the police straight away, since you have written proof you asked him to leave, gave him a reasonable deadline and most importantly, asked him not to contact you, if he kicks off, it will count as harrassment/intimidation and the police will be expected to side with you.

I’m sure you will be freighters to do the things like this but, if you continue letting him back into your life constantly, you are as much to blame for this situation as he is. So find the support you need to firmly stand your ground.

Thank you. I think this is going to be the only way to do this I didn't really want to go down this route but it's just an endless cycle.

I appreciate your advice and words.

OP posts:
Owlink · 13/10/2021 14:48

It's your house, be brave and tell him to be out by the end of the month. Have friends round to make sure he goes but be prepared to call the police if he refuses to leave on that date.
You are braver than you think. Just picture how peaceful & positive your life will be without this deadweight of misery & hurt hanging around with you - and do the things you need to do in this fortnight to make that picture come true.
Your friends are all on your side. They already loathe him. Don't be embarrassed about telling them "You were right. It's worse than you all guessed though & please, I need your help to get him out of my life."
If I was one of your friends who'd been appalled by him before, I'd be there like a shot to support you, remind you to get the locksmith, glare at the sad sack & open the bubbly once he's left.
He's a coward who knew he wasn't liked by your family & friends, my guess is he won't stand up to them but, as I said, do not hesitate to call the Police if he tries to bully you into letting him stay. You can do this. I don't need to wish you luck SmileFlowers

Feelingparanoid · 13/10/2021 14:49

Yes, you need to give him a moving-out date. Is there anyone IRL who could support you in this? Could you get a mate to temporarily move in with you? He sounds like an abuser, so it might need to be a male friend (without sounding sexist, what I mean is these type of men usually try to intimidate women, but won't try that so readily with another man).
What about the neighbours?

pinkyredrose · 13/10/2021 14:51

It's your house not his. I'd get some mates round right away and start putting his stuff outside. If he kicks off call the police.

Sounds drastic but seems like the only way he'll listen.

sparklesintheskies · 13/10/2021 14:51

@girlmom21

Please kick him out. He can go and stay with the girl he's messaging. Change the locks or swipe his keys and leave his stuff outside.
Thank you. I've told him this in the past and he laughs it off.

This looks like the only way to go with this. I'll benefit in the long run.

OP posts:
sparklesintheskies · 13/10/2021 14:52

@KirstenBlest

I'd book a locksmith, pack his bags and leave them outside.
Yeah I think this will be the only way to hammer the message home. It's horrible but this is how it's going to have to be.
OP posts:
sparklesintheskies · 13/10/2021 14:54

@Owlink

It's your house, be brave and tell him to be out by the end of the month. Have friends round to make sure he goes but be prepared to call the police if he refuses to leave on that date. You are braver than you think. Just picture how peaceful & positive your life will be without this deadweight of misery & hurt hanging around with you - and do the things you need to do in this fortnight to make that picture come true. Your friends are all on your side. They already loathe him. Don't be embarrassed about telling them "You were right. It's worse than you all guessed though & please, I need your help to get him out of my life." If I was one of your friends who'd been appalled by him before, I'd be there like a shot to support you, remind you to get the locksmith, glare at the sad sack & open the bubbly once he's left. He's a coward who knew he wasn't liked by your family & friends, my guess is he won't stand up to them but, as I said, do not hesitate to call the Police if he tries to bully you into letting him stay. You can do this. I don't need to wish you luck SmileFlowers
Thank you. Your message made me smile through the tears and everything you said is spot on.
OP posts:
sparklesintheskies · 13/10/2021 14:55

@Feelingparanoid

Yes, you need to give him a moving-out date. Is there anyone IRL who could support you in this? Could you get a mate to temporarily move in with you? He sounds like an abuser, so it might need to be a male friend (without sounding sexist, what I mean is these type of men usually try to intimidate women, but won't try that so readily with another man). What about the neighbours?
Yeah I have friends and neighbours who could be around to make sure he doesn't cause anything if I give a date. I'm sure he would probably kick off in fairness he said if I ever screw him over he'd make me regret it.
OP posts:
sparklesintheskies · 13/10/2021 14:56

@pinkyredrose

It's your house not his. I'd get some mates round right away and start putting his stuff outside. If he kicks off call the police.

Sounds drastic but seems like the only way he'll listen.

Yeah he's not for moving of his own accord to be honest. He's too comfortable even if he too is miserable. It's just a mess.
OP posts:
Whatwouldnanado · 13/10/2021 14:58

You deserve so much better than this waste of space. Good luck. Update with how you get on.

KirstenBlest · 13/10/2021 14:59

It's a mess that can be made right.

Most of us have made mistakes, and have gone on to leave them in the past where they belong.

sparklesintheskies · 13/10/2021 14:59

@Whatwouldnanado

You deserve so much better than this waste of space. Good luck. Update with how you get on.
I know. I think it's put me off relationships for life to be fair but even getting to just concentrate on myself and feeling better seems like bliss. I just want to be content.
OP posts:
Feelingparanoid · 13/10/2021 15:00

He said that if you ever screwed him over he'd make you regret it?
God, OP, that's an awful thing for a man to say to a woman. Hope you get rid of the dickhead as soon as possible.
In addition to his delusions of grandeur, does he have form for telling lies/pretending to be someone he's not?

sparklesintheskies · 13/10/2021 15:00

@KirstenBlest

It's a mess that can be made right.

Most of us have made mistakes, and have gone on to leave them in the past where they belong.

It is. I've made my fair share of mistakes and came back from them. This is just another messy blip in the road.
OP posts:
MarshmallowSwede · 13/10/2021 15:15

Can you call the police to have him removed? He needs to leave immediately. There’s no point in you being understanding about him finding a flat. He’s abusive and unkind to you. That’s a dealbreaker. You don’t owe him anything since he’s mistreated you this way.

You do not deserve to be treated this way. You should at least have peace in your own home. This man is a nuisance and an abusive asshole. No one deserves to be treated the way he has treated you. You know you have to get him out as soon as you can.

Can you call someone to come there when you tell him he needs to leave? You need some support and help as it seems he will be a bit difficult.

Bookworm20 · 13/10/2021 15:17

I think you are actually being incredibly brave and level headed. You've realised the situation you are in and are now ready to put your foot down and get rid of him.
That takes alot of courage, especially as from what you have written he has done his utmost to sap every ounce of self esteem from you.
Give him a date, get your friends ready to come over on that date and make sure he leaves.
Yes, he will probably kick off. He'll call you every name under the sun and probably even threaten you.
Stick with it and be prepared to call the police, or have your friends call them.
Bloody good on you OP. Get him gone and start focusing on YOU.
You sounds absolutely lovely and i'm so sorry for the loss of your parents and having to deal with this horrid man at the same time.
You have got this, and you can do this.