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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:
Watchingyou2sleezes · 13/10/2021 15:21

Throw his arse out on the street today.

Do not let him in, tell him to fuck the fuck off.

sparklesintheskies · 13/10/2021 15:27

@MarshmallowSwede

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.

Yeah I could call the police or I have male friends who could be here to watch him go if need be. I don't really want any trouble but I think I definitely need support here.

I just think I've got to the end of my tether. My heads a mess and he brings nothing positive to my life and apparently I do likewise for him.

It's not healthy. Thanks for your reply.

OP posts:
sparklesintheskies · 13/10/2021 15:28

@Bookworm20

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.
Thanks I don't feel brave I feel like a failure but I know its time to be kind to myself and get this done.

Your kind words have been so very touching thank you and thank you for your advice. I'm so grateful.

OP posts:
sparklesintheskies · 13/10/2021 15:29

@Watchingyou2sleezes

Throw his arse out on the street today.

Do not let him in, tell him to fuck the fuck off.

This is how it looks like it's going to pan out tbh. I've lost all patience now.
OP posts:
PennyRoyal · 13/10/2021 15:34

Don't think about it anymore. Don't put it off another day (or you'll keep thinking about it).

Send him packing. You can do this and then you can start rebuilding your (peaceful) life.

Deep breath. Count to three. And sling his hook!

sparklesintheskies · 13/10/2021 15:42

@PennyRoyal

Don't think about it anymore. Don't put it off another day (or you'll keep thinking about it).

Send him packing. You can do this and then you can start rebuilding your (peaceful) life.

Deep breath. Count to three. And sling his hook!

Thank you I think sometimes you just need to hear it from other people before you realise how propostreous the situation is. I appreciate your reply ❤️
OP posts:
Dontbeme · 13/10/2021 15:42

Phone your friends or any family in a position to help, tell them you want him gone today and need support to do this.

Do not set a moving out date, or give him x amount of weeks to get sorted with a flat, he will never do it and will further abuse you in the meantime. Just have him gone today, locks changed today, have a friend or two stay with you for a few nights to help you settle into your home free of him and as support. If he so much as blinks in your direction call the police. This man has refused to support you when your mum died, refused to support you when your dad died, he has made that grieving more difficult than it had to be, he has taken enough of your love, care, support and time. Get him out today. You can do this OP, it's just right now you may not believe that as he has ground you down so much.

crystalize · 13/10/2021 15:45

Sod giving him a date. This abuser does not deserve another day in your home. Please try and get support from friends/police and have him removed straight away. Rip the plaster off and then breathe a big sigh of relief.

Smashingspinster · 13/10/2021 15:47

I agree with the PP who said you should not give him too much notice. That would be a nice thing to do, but he has already threatened and abused you and is obviously enjoying making you miserable. Give him a short deadline to move. Is there someone (pref male) who can move in until then to make sure he doesn't act out too much. Once his stuff is packed, locksmiths asap and security devices if you dont already have them.

Smashingspinster · 13/10/2021 15:48

Ps, tell him it is not your fault it is expensive, it still has to happen by xx time. And agree to be friends until he moves out when you can be honest with him.

MimiDaisy11 · 13/10/2021 15:50

I agree about giving him a deadline to move out and prepare for him not moving and still following through with it - so be ready to remove his things etc with your make friends and family members. Also I’d arrange for the locks to be changed on that day.

Best of luck! You’re being brave and will feel much better when he’s out of your life!

Rennea325 · 13/10/2021 15:58

Do yourself a favour op. Put an end to this. Right now. For once do something for yourself before there becomes another thing you have to add to the list.

Pack his shit. Throw it outside. Lock the doors. Send him a text that you are done. Go out and dont come back until he has collected his stuff and gone and been. Then block his number.

You deserve to be happy after so much heart ache.

Rennea325 · 13/10/2021 16:00

Dont give him a deadline op! You owe him nothing. Do what you need to do and what's best for you. If you prolong it I can guarantee you he will keep postponing the date, he will make your life more hell in the meantime, and he will NOT leave. Assert your ground now. This is YOUR home.

Nancydrawn · 13/10/2021 16:05

Please be careful, OP.

He's already assaulted you (spitting is a form of assault) when you criticized him and attempted to intimidate you when you asked him to leave.

Your number one priority has to be your safety.

Mischance · 13/10/2021 16:06

Get your family and mates to pack up his stuff when he is not there - dump it outside and change the locks. If you need the police there then get them in. See a solicitor about getting an injunction to prevent him returning to the house.

Good heavens - you know you deserve better than this. Please do not weaken and allow yourself to be persuaded to have him back.

Time for a new life. Flowers

TopCatsTopHat · 13/10/2021 16:12

Your family will be thrilled you have made this decision. Tap into that support. As a pp said get anyone who you can to come and stand with you while you hand him his bags.
Have a locksmith there while you're at it to change the locks.
Make sure he can't fleece your bank account etc
Be very very glad you aren't in his house and you don't have a mortgage together. That at least makes this easier than it would be.
It is not surprising he has been able to create this awful situation with you given you hadn't healed from a previous abusive relationship prior to his involvement. This is human. Change can come today and that's a good step.
You can do it, but you need to stop being polite. Stop asking start telling and force him.

HappyMeal564 · 13/10/2021 16:13

Have you got a friend who can help? Bag his stuff and change the locks. You've overcome so much sadness the past couple of years, you can do this! Best of luck to you sweetheart 🌺

TopCatsTopHat · 13/10/2021 16:14

If he whinges it is expensive term him he should have thought about that before he disrespected his meal ticket.

Skinnymuffins · 13/10/2021 16:14

@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.

This!! Absolutely this.

I was getting emotional reading this as it sounds like he's trapped you, but he actually hasn't. Getting him out is within your power even if you feel right now that it isn't.

Please do what's in this post - get him out and rebuild your life without him. Please.

Sending a big hug to you x

TopCatsTopHat · 13/10/2021 16:14

Tell him

Heartofglass12345 · 13/10/2021 16:16

I wouldn't give him a deadline either, it just gives him more time to guilt trip you into letting him stay even longer, or possibly becoming abusive. It's not a risk you should take. Does he work/ go out regularly? You need to get some people over and pack his stuff, put it outside and change the locks.
I agree with you that you need to take some time to work on yourself and be happy by yourself. Good luck Thanks

Doggydoodah123 · 13/10/2021 16:21

I agree there should be no deadline. Pack his stuff while he's out, change the locks and get someone to be in the house with you when he comes back. He sounds like a disgrace of a man and I wouldn't give him any opportunity to drag it out or God forbid the time to plan something sinister. I wouldn't trust him OP. Get him out and start focusing on building yourself back up.

Pallisers · 13/10/2021 16:21

@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.

Do this. Don't bother giving him a week's notice. He will either presume he can ignore you or could do a lot of damage in a week.

Have the locksmith on standby, have a friend to stay with you for a couple of days after. block him on your phone and don't answer the door if he calls. the rest of your life is all ahead of you.

TopCatsTopHat · 13/10/2021 16:21

Plus if he knows this is it he might get malicious and sabotage stuff? He'll be able to run off to his girlfriend and give her a sob story sadly, and then she'll have to realise what he's about in turn. But you can't change that.

Rennea325 · 13/10/2021 16:23

@GrandmasCat I think telling the op to give the guy a deadline Is the worst thing she can do. It gives him time to horrible and abusive towards her and root himself deeper into not leaving. He isnt on a lease nor are they married. There is nothing holding op back from just kicking him out, changing the locks and sending him a written text saying she doesnt want him there anymore. That can be her "written evidence" if he tries to pursue or harass her.

This guy is clearly unhinged by his displayed behaviour and I think suggesting op hangs around him any longer is asking for her to put herself in a VERY vulnerable situation.