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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:
sparklesintheskies · 13/10/2021 16:27

@Dontbeme

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.

Thank you. I'm not over my grief and this certainly hasn't helped at all. I'm emotionally drained.
OP posts:
MamDancer · 13/10/2021 16:31

The minute you take decisive action to get this creature out of your home is the minute you stop being a passenger in your own life.

TopCatsTopHat · 13/10/2021 16:31

Very understandable op. Lean on all the people who aren't, let them help you through this. You'll get stronger when you aren't carrying this burden. You'd do it for them and they'll be delighted, they've probably been dreaming of this day.

Loudestcat14 · 13/10/2021 16:32

100% agree with those who are saying don't give him a deadline to move out, start packing his stuff, call some friends round for support and kick him out tonight. He is emotionally abusive and if you give him even the tiniest bit of wriggle room he'll manipulate his way into staying. Get him out now and then you can start grieving for both your parents, which clearly you've been unable to do while dealing with your cockwomble of an idiot partner.

sparklesintheskies · 13/10/2021 16:37

Thanks everyone for all your replies I'm going to go see my friend for a cuppa I need to calm down a bit.

I appreciate all your kind words and advice. Your truly wonderful.

I'll try and reply to everyone in due course ❤️

OP posts:
Frazzledd · 13/10/2021 16:38

Another one here agreeing with not giving him a deadline! You need him out OP, rally the troops, pack his stuff, change the locks.

It's time now, isn't it?

Flowers
Lo9567 · 13/10/2021 16:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GrandmasCat · 13/10/2021 16:47

Do you have any evidence of that threat? Did he send it by text? If so, keep it ready to show to the police, this will show this is not just a couple having a disagreement but an abusive man intimidating a woman who wants out.

ChargingBuck · 13/10/2021 16:52

When I told him I was leaving he was absolutely furious. Punching down on the bed, screaming and shouting.

He already had you lined up as the mug for his next cocklodger gig, How DARE you foil his dastardly plan!

He's a grade A shit. Why are you feeling guilty about where he's going to live next? He's horrible to you. Give him until Sunday night to move out, & tell him if he is not gone by then you will be calling the police to remove him.

ChargingBuck · 13/10/2021 16:55

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.

Of course you must go down this route OP.

Remember his explosion of temper when you left him to go back to your dad's house? Punching, screaming & shouting?

Contact your friends tonight, & start arranging a time a few of them can come to yours en masse for moral - & physical - support.

Mulhollandmagoo · 13/10/2021 16:57

Good luck Flowers agree with others, rip off that plaster and do it today, you can't give him a deadline or a moving out date because he doesn't respect you enough to stick to it! Just get him gone and put yourself and your feelings first, you deserve to have the best life you can have! keep on imagining that lovely peaceful life!

ChargingBuck · 13/10/2021 16:59

It's your house, be brave and tell him to be out by the end of the month.

Nope.
By the end of this weekend.
Another 2 weeks of this man insulting & abusing OP in her own home? - I don't think so.

The man has money, he can check into a Travelodge if necessary.
Wherever he goes is not OP's problem to solve.

The only thing OP is responsible for here is getting him out asap, & protecting herself while she does so.

ChargingBuck · 13/10/2021 17:06

If you CAN rally the troops earlier, I agree with all the PP who say just chuck him out without notice.

layladomino · 13/10/2021 17:11

I agree with pp, don't give him notice of his leaving date - he will just use that time to punish you and / or try to convince you he should stay. Plus he doesn't deserve it.

He is an appalling human being. Lazy. Selfish. A cheat. Disrepectful to the worst extent. Entitled. A bully. Bitter. Thinks he's better than you. The list goes on.

At least it's clear to you - he has no redeeming features and is a poor boyfriend. You won't miss him at all.

Imagine your house with just you in it. Calm. Peaceful. Just how you want it to be. Noone criticising you, demeaning you, insulting you, making you feel bad about yourself.

You know your friends and family will be thrilled you're leaving him, and I'm sure they will be very happy to help. Your new improved life is just around the corner!

Staryflight445 · 13/10/2021 17:20

You really shouldn’t blame yourself for how he treats you, or for anything else that has happened.

You need to separate your own issues from past relationships and recognise how everyone deserves to be treated. Please step away from this relationship and get some help with recognising all of this before you ever go near another relationship again.

DameFanny · 13/10/2021 17:31

Please also talk to Women's Aid. He's an abuser that suckered you in after a physically abusive relationship. They can hold your hand if you need it, but they can also get you on the Freedom Program, so you're better able to act on any red flags next time.

And if the spitting in your face happened recently, please do report that to the police. He could be more dangerous than you think, and you might need their involvement for your safety.

sparklesintheskies · 13/10/2021 19:05

Thanks once again everyone. I do not have in writing the threat he made to "make my life hell" if I wronged him. This is basically his life mantra for anyone he feels wrongs him because apparently he is a really nice guy and doesn't deserve to have people mistreat him Confused

I'm going to speak to my family tomorrow see if I can have some of the male members here so that when I have his stuff outside he'll know I mean business.

Obviously I will involve the police if need be.

Reading everything back my heart feels so heavy. I can't believe I've let someone grind me down like this.

I thank you all for all your kindness and words of encouragement and support. I'll do this, I'll struggle but anything is better than this mess. My parents would want better for me.

OP posts:
GrandmasCat · 13/10/2021 19:10

Just remember, send that text I mentioned before. You will need it to keep police on your side and to avoid them ignoring you.

If you have no written proof you ask him to leave you may struggle to convince them this is “just a domestic” they can and should ignore. Put it in writing to protect yourself. This will also help you to speed up a non molestation order.

sparklesintheskies · 13/10/2021 19:13

Thank you I'll do just that when I send the message. I definitely need something in writing so that it can't be put down to some small argument that can be resolved.

The only resolution is having him leave and be gone for good.

OP posts:
IrishMel · 13/10/2021 19:28

Please do as Grandma'scat has suggested and other's on here. Then change the locks. Block him on everything also. He is a manipulating gaslighting bullying narcissist. He has ground you down mentally but you can find yourself again. Whatever you do please do not get involved with anyone, take a long time to be happy in your own skin and single and your confidence will grow again. You seem lovely and he saw this and men like this go for vulnerable and kind people. I would just pack up all his stuff and have the police on standby if I could not stand him anymore. Make sure you have your family and friends to support you. He seems so angry insecure and unhappy and wants others to feel the same. Horrible vile man. Ignore anything he has said as he will never be happy but you will again. Wishing you luck.

IrishMel · 13/10/2021 19:30

Keep a diary also of dates and times etc do not let him control you or your property. He could turn very nasty so have a family or friend there when he is moving or when you are telling him to move out.

Gubanc · 13/10/2021 19:38

@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.

I agree with this. I wouldn't give him a week or longer, he sounds nasty and will turn even nastier.
Dontbeme · 13/10/2021 19:44

Sending you a handhold OP.

Can I just offer one last piece of advice, when you get the toe-rag out repaint your bedroom and treat yourself to some nice new bedding as a fresh start. It may seem silly, but for now it is something small to look forward to, to get you through this.

TopCatsTopHat · 13/10/2021 20:06

He must be a nasty piece of work to ignore requests to leave and threaten to make you regret it. 😞

Dery · 13/10/2021 23:28

OP - you’ve mentioned male friends and relatives. Is there anyone who can just come to stay with you for a few days while you get this guy gone? It doesn’t sound like you’re entirely safe while he’s living in your house. Even if he’s only there for a day or two more, I don’t think you should be alone with him.