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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:
Loudestcat14 · 20/10/2021 08:46

@sparklesintheskies

Thanks everyone. I was calculating things last night I think I should save quite a bit of money, I tended to get the food shops and stuff which I still need to do but I'll save money as it's only going to be for one person. I also got rid of some of my tv package. I think I'm just getting overwhelmed and jumping the gun abit.

I spoke to a mutual friend last night I think he put her up to it if I'm being honest. Apparently I'm going through the menopause and he's looking forward to a big apology and me asking him to return with my tail between my legs Hmm

Maybe I am going through the menopause but that can be treated. He will always be a deflecting, gaslighting piece of dirt.

What a nerve!

What a desperate and deluded dickhead he is if he thinks accusing you of being menopausal is the way to win you back! And shame on your mutual friend for delivering that message to you. I hope you put them straight and made it clear so they can tell him that you're well and truly done.
thesunwillout · 20/10/2021 09:05

Lol, yes that can be treated.

He's stuck with his shite.

Enjoy organising your life, TV, fridge, everything. Xx

sparklesintheskies · 20/10/2021 09:30

Thanks everyone I did have to laugh. I told the 'friend' that she didn't know the half of it and she backed off a bit. I won't be conversing with her anytime soon especially as he seems to be using her as a go between.

OP posts:
FantasticButtocks · 20/10/2021 11:22

@sparklesintheskies

Thanks everyone I did have to laugh. I told the 'friend' that she didn't know the half of it and she backed off a bit. I won't be conversing with her anytime soon especially as he seems to be using her as a go between.

Yes, your mutual friend is being used as a flying monkey and she's fallen for it, well spotted!

You've done brilliantly Thanks

Shouldbedoing · 20/10/2021 12:49

I'm guessing your food cost will significantly lower as these prince's demand the finest of everything, and meat meat meat.

OhamIreally · 20/10/2021 12:59

Definitely your food bill will go down massively. I think women rarely factor that in when leaving but in my case it was hundreds of pounds a month. Ex could eat a week's food in one day. (I am not a light eater).

sparklesintheskies · 20/10/2021 13:15

Yeah I pay for the food shops on a weekly basis I get an odd £10 or £15 here and there but never really covers the full bill. It doesn't help that he eats everything within two days of a shop then complains that the 'fridge is empty'

I will not miss that I'll tell you.

OP posts:
OhamIreally · 20/10/2021 15:28

@sparklesintheskies

Yeah I pay for the food shops on a weekly basis I get an odd £10 or £15 here and there but never really covers the full bill. It doesn't help that he eats everything within two days of a shop then complains that the 'fridge is empty'

I will not miss that I'll tell you.

I bet you won't. And you can buy and eat what you want, when you want and hold the remote control!

longtompot · 20/10/2021 18:16

Well done @sparklesintheskies Flowers

I love this line from you

Maybe I am going through the menopause but that can be treated. He will always be a deflecting, gaslighting piece of dirt.

Maybe write it on a piece of paper and have it on your fridge, just to remind you that you have done the right thing.

sparklesintheskies · 21/10/2021 06:17

Thanks everyone your all so amazing I cannot thank you enough for your guidance and support.

Last night I had some friends round...something I haven't been allowed to do in years because they didn't like him due to his sh*ttyness.

I have taken so much for granted and have alot of time to make up.

OP posts:
thesunwillout · 22/10/2021 09:51

How are you doing op? X

sparklesintheskies · 22/10/2021 20:06

I'm doing okay thanks just emotionally drained it's been a weird few days that's for sure.

Going to run myself a bath full of lovely smellies, light some candles and pour a large glass of wine.

Bought myself some lovely new pj's and a new book about self improvement so that's me sorted just looking forward to unwinding and resting this weekend.

OP posts:
sparklesintheskies · 26/10/2021 12:25

Hope everyone is well. I've had abit of a wobble this week.

It was my good friends birthday the other day and she had a wonderful day which she very much deserves, she's a beautiful human being.

However seeing how thoughtful and kind her DH was to her on her special day really hit a nerve with me. I'm aware that sounds horrible and probably abit jealous (which I guess I am in a way) I couldn't help but come home from the occasion and have a good cry.

I don't grudge her all of this happiness at all because she kissed her fair share of frogs before meeting her prince. I guess it just made me more aware of the crap I so stupidly put up with all these years.

I feel like maybe all the ill treatment I've had over the years has been of my own doing if that makes sense? I've allowed it. I've spent the last few days really resenting myself and overthinking.

I'm aware this behaviour is horrible and probably not normal. Has anyone ever had this after a traumatic time? Am I just being melodramatic?

OP posts:
LODReturn · 26/10/2021 13:01

You're not being melodramatic. You are going through a tough time & coming out of a relationship where you should have been treated as your friend has.

The only thing you did wrong was trying to see the best in someone who did not have a best.

Use this as an example of the level you DESERVE to be treated like and don't accept anything less!

Cheeeesecake · 26/10/2021 13:45

This part of your post stands out for me:

I feel like maybe all the ill treatment I've had over the years has been of my own doing if that makes sense? I've allowed it. I've spent the last few days really resenting myself and overthinking.

Just want to reassure you that this is a very common feeling after exiting an abusive relationship. I read something (can’t remember where, sorry) about how we think this because we want to learn from the situation so that we don’t repeat it. We think if we can change our behaviour, then we never have to fear it happening again. So we naturally look to blame ourselves because our own behaviour is something we can control, whereas his behaviour is something we can’t. Does that make sense?

The reality is: it wasn’t your fault. You didn’t cause it. There wasn’t a way you could have ‘acted’ to stop it happening. And that’s scary! Because if the exact same situation happened again you couldn’t ‘change’ yourself enough to have a different outcome. And nor should you try.

There are things you can look out for, red flags etc, to try and avoid guys like this, but really, REALLY, this was not on you. It was him. There was nothing you could have done differently. Give yourself a break a bit, if you can. You’ve done really well.

Frazzledd · 26/10/2021 17:18

@Cheeeesecake

This part of your post stands out for me:

I feel like maybe all the ill treatment I've had over the years has been of my own doing if that makes sense? I've allowed it. I've spent the last few days really resenting myself and overthinking.

Just want to reassure you that this is a very common feeling after exiting an abusive relationship. I read something (can’t remember where, sorry) about how we think this because we want to learn from the situation so that we don’t repeat it. We think if we can change our behaviour, then we never have to fear it happening again. So we naturally look to blame ourselves because our own behaviour is something we can control, whereas his behaviour is something we can’t. Does that make sense?

The reality is: it wasn’t your fault. You didn’t cause it. There wasn’t a way you could have ‘acted’ to stop it happening. And that’s scary! Because if the exact same situation happened again you couldn’t ‘change’ yourself enough to have a different outcome. And nor should you try.

There are things you can look out for, red flags etc, to try and avoid guys like this, but really, REALLY, this was not on you. It was him. There was nothing you could have done differently. Give yourself a break a bit, if you can. You’ve done really well.

Great post & seconded...be kind to yourself OP, you've done amazingly well Flowers
sparklesintheskies · 27/10/2021 15:52

Thanks folks just had one of those days I guess. It's hard I don't miss him but I hate how he's made me feel. It's so strange that someone could make me feel like this but I guess that's the root of it isn't it?

You end up in a partnership that projects their horrible controlling insecurities into you and so you doubt yourself.

OP posts:
updownroundandround · 27/10/2021 16:56

It's easy to dwell on the darker or gloomier side of a break up, even when it was totally necessary to break up because it was abusive.

You feel anger at both him for abusing you and making you feel so shit, and at yourself for being to trusting/blind to what was actually happening.

But you couldn't see the woods for the trees simply because that's how abusive behavior works. It's gradual. It's the 'drip drip' of carefully calculated digs. It's the slowly but surely denying the truth so that you doubt your own mind. It's the gradual reduction in care and attention, and the gradual increase of ignoring and belittling.

If he behaved his worst at the beginning of your relationship, then you'd have dropped him in about 2 minutes !

It'll take time to come to terms with the fact that it's NOT you and it's NOT your 'fault' either.

It was and always will be HIM. He will do the same in every single relationship he has in the future too, no matter how 'happy' things might appear from the outside.

Continue to be kind to yourself. Don't dwell on how upset you are that he could make you feel so terrible.

Instead, keep reminding yourself that you have taken the control back from him and he cannot 'dictate' how you will feel which was dependent on his 'mood' when you were still with him. Because you have taken control, and you've left him, you will feel a little better, every......single..........day.
Flowers

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