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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 · 14/10/2021 07:14

I think he knows somethings not right. He was looking for stuff he put away ages ago last night and kept asking why I was "acting weird"

I'm not too afraid of his reaction tbh his bark is worse than his bite. I have a friend and her husband coming up today to help me pack his stuff. I would have started last night but he's quite OCD when it comes to his things so he'd know if I'd been moving stuff.

I have a family member coming to stay and also having a Ring doorbell fitted. I don't think he will be any hassle once he is gone, as I said, he talks a good game.

Thanks for everyone's kind words and input. I'm feeling weirdly optimistic this morning. He's in for the shock of his life, this doormat has had more than enough of him and his horrendous ways.

OP posts:
WickedWitchOfTheTrent · 14/10/2021 07:20

Well done op. Keep
Going. Tell family and friends what you've been going through, this will help with your resolve and sticking to it. They will also help you get rid of this awful man

TopCatsTopHat · 14/10/2021 07:50

Go OP!!!! Amazing step you've taken. Shout us when he's out and we'll all give you a Mexican wave. Grin

TopCatsTopHat · 14/10/2021 07:51

Pleased you said you don't think his threat is serious, that's a relief I must admit. 😌

pollyroo · 14/10/2021 07:54

Huge well done for making the first steps Op.

Sending Thanks & Cake

Anordinarymum · 14/10/2021 08:00

You have to stop asking him and start telling.

junebirthdaygirl · 14/10/2021 08:12

Your confidence will grow in leaps when you actually do this as you will realise you can determine your own life. But please be careful . Could you tip off the local police that this is happening so you know you can call them if necessary. To be honest l want to see that guy face the police as underneath it all he is a big coward and l would just love to see his face if the police arrived. If there is absolutely any trouble in the days ahead do not hesitate to involve the police

sparklesintheskies · 14/10/2021 08:37

I contacted the local police and they said what one of the PP said and get it in writing and if he still won't leave then feel free to call them for assistance.

He's more into mental games if I'm being honest. If he is physical it's normally punching an inanimate object or shouting. I'm not scared of him, I'm just scared if he uses something from the past against me as silly as that sounds.

Thanks once again one and all. I really don't have words to thank you for your wonderful advice and just loveliness in general.

OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 14/10/2021 08:47

I feel for you OP, many years ago I lived with someone like this, a real charmer initially who turned out to be a rather nasty waste of oxygen once he had found his meal ticket.

Like you i was a bit of a soft touch, someone who friends always said you are so kind and nice and never wanted things to end badly— I’m afraid in life they often do and as you don’t even want to stay friends (quite rightly here) - this is what I did

I waited till he had gone to work— had a friend over with a van who drive (I didn’t) banged ‘all ‘ his stuff in a storage unit in bags (every last bit) — left the key with the man at the desk at storage unit in an envelope . Locksmith round, changed front and back locks, all by 2pm !! I then texted him to say, as you haven’t yet left and I have given you lots of time, I have taken your stuff to xxxxx , your key is with the front desk and it’s storage unit xxxx. I have done youvthe courtesy of texting you at this time so you can make arrangements with friends or book into a hotel etc. I am now blocking your number and I don’t wish to see you again, please do not call around as I have changed the locks. I have also made friends aware of the situation and if their is any hassle I will call the police. I am sorry it has come to this , but the relationship is over and you dont appear to have got the message despite having been given a great deal of time to do so.

I never saw or spoke to him again and I moved away 3 months later out of choice.

It’s a horrid gut wrenching feeling OP, but it is only 1 shitty day as opposed to going on endlessly. I was advised not to give him a leaving period too as these guys have been known to smash things up, destroy stuff whilst you are out if they have a ‘notice’ period.

Big hugs, let us know how it goes xx

MimiDaisy11 · 14/10/2021 08:57

Best of luck OP! Stay strong!

Crikeyalmighty · 14/10/2021 09:00

One thing I forgot to say was , if there is any furniture involved, bang that in the storage unit too. I’m such a horrible person that I actually packed a suitcase with all his toiletries stuff , a couple of change of clothes and underwear etc - so he could grab that quickly whilst making arrangements!!! What a bitch I am eh!!

Chattycatty · 14/10/2021 09:45

It sounds silly but I'm so proud of you op just think how free you'll feel away from this idiot. Your home will soon be free of him and become your haven and safe place. Good luck.

Rennea325 · 14/10/2021 10:38

You've got this op! You deserve happiness in your life, parents would of wanted that for you x

Dontbeme · 15/10/2021 12:15

Hope it's all going well OP, I'm super proud of you too.

Begrateful · 17/10/2021 21:44

That sounds awful OP, you seriously need to build up the courage to kick him out.

Frazzledd · 17/10/2021 21:57

How are you OP? Hope alls going okay?

upaladderagain · 17/10/2021 22:52

Oh dear. You're still with him aren't you.?

LoverOfAllThingsPurple · 17/10/2021 23:32

I’m so sorry you’ve had to deal with such a pig. You can do better and he knows that. I know it won’t be easy but whilst he is out change all the locks and leave his stuff outside. Break off all contact. If you keep believing in his lies, you’ll never be rid of him. I know this is easy for me to say from over here, however, it must have taken you some strength to write this post, you need to get that faith back in yourself long enough to get that arsehole out of your life. Sending love and hugs xx

sparklesintheskies · 18/10/2021 07:33

Hi folks so sorry for my lack of communication I had gone to stay with some family over the past few days and they insisted I steer clear of the Internet.

At the end of last week I had a friend and her husband come round and we boxed up all his stuff and left it at the door. I text him when I knew he'd be en route home from work whilst driving so he couldn't make any excuses up had I sent something earlier in the day.

When he got back he was like a deer in the headlights tbh. Maybe I'm soft but I did feel abit sorry for him. My friends husband was quite on the ball from the get go he told him he'd give him a hand moving his stuff into the car and he just let him because he's a big guy and I don't think he wanted to go there with him.

All the while he was saying things like "I don't know what this cnt has told you but she's a manipulative btch" I could see the rage and he was giving out big style but myself and my friend just sat in my living room and sat chatting to keep my mind off things.

When the last of his stuff was in the car he shouted in the door "You can message me when you want me to come back." I did cry abit I think it was just the nerves because of it all. My friend and her husband stayed with me until later that evening and we had a takeaway together. I had blocked all means of contact he had with me so that he couldn't start the predictable barrage of crap I knew he'd start sending.

I slept well on Thursday into Friday. I woke up feeling a strange sense of relief and optimism. I had a relative who was meant to come over the weekend but had to change my plans so went to stay with some other family members outwith my area.

They insisted I disable social media over the weekend and just have a nice time. Which I did. We played board games, went for lunch and to the cinema. I know all those things sound very simple but you have no idea how good it was to go and do things without walking on egg shells.

I have returned home this morning (for works) and put my What's App on which I use for contact with friends aswell as work related stuff. He had taken the liberty of messaging me from his mums phone saying things like "You'll never find better than me" and other such pitiful messages.

Now that the realisation is setting in I feel slightly odd. I know that's probably due to years of being conditioned to question myself and everything around me. The healing will begin now and I have to be strong. I know things won't get better overnight but at least I've given myself a change.

I need to try and be good to myself which will take time. When you have so much negativity in your life you start to believe that maybe you deserve it. I know I didn't but such is the way with this type of horrible abuse.

Thanks to everyone for all your advice, kind words and sharing your experiences. I'm starting my Monday off with a well deserved coffee and I have a large Dairy Milk for later....it's the little things in life as they say Smile

OP posts:
GrandmasCat · 18/10/2021 07:50

Well done, take the time off you need but before you do: Change the locks, you will not be the first one of the very many who came home to find out the cowardly ex had stolen stuff from the house or trashed it. Changing your locks will give you extra peace of mind also.

sparklesintheskies · 18/10/2021 07:52

@GrandmasCat

Well done, take the time off you need but before you do: Change the locks, you will not be the first one of the very many who came home to find out the cowardly ex had stolen stuff from the house or trashed it. Changing your locks will give you extra peace of mind also.
I have someone today for this and getting my Ring doorbell fitted also. I don't think he came back to this area over the weekend but better safe than sorry.

Thank you Flowers

OP posts:
GrandmasCat · 18/10/2021 08:03

Absolutely, and very well done for taking the step to do it.

Now be kind to yourself, and take to the time to go through the shock of the split, joyous will feel strange, sometimes lonely and will start remembering nice things about him, but don’t confuse that with love, it is just the “mourning of the routines”, it will clear after a few months, it happens to all divorcing/splitting people no matter how much and for how long you have wanted out, it is just the time while you are adapting to be on your own again.

Take good care of yourself and stay strong, accept all the help (and countless cups of tea) from friends and family until you feel better. Look into the Freedom Program too (you can do it online as well) to help you identify abusive people (most of them are charming to start with) so you don’t go through this again. Flowers

GrandmasCat · 18/10/2021 08:05

Sorry, I don’t know where that “joyous” came from, it should read:

Now be kind to yourself, and take the time to go through the shock of the split, you will feel strange, sometimes lonely and will start remembering nice things about him, but don’t confuse that with love…”

gonnabeok · 18/10/2021 08:27

Be very careful dealing with this man. You can call the police and ask them to attend and instruct him to leave. When they arrive make sure you have his key back. DO NOT PUT UP WITH IT ANY LONGER. It is emotional abuse and he is now a trespasser in your own home.

Where he chooses to go afterwards is not your problem. He can pack a bag with some clothes etc and leave with that for now and any more property you can sort out later.

gonnabeok · 18/10/2021 08:27

Sorry just saw your update. well done.

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