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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

Why do I feel so awful ?

16 replies

corecare · 07/03/2022 16:09

I'm in a relatively happy relationship of two years. Ups and downs but mostly good.we hope to marry in the next few years.

My exes partner recently emailed me. They had had a major fall out and she was very concerned about his reaction to the fall out. She stayed to know if he always reacted like the way he did, because if the extreme of his reaction.
I told her that yes that was how he reacted which was to go into flight mode and go nc for a couple of days.

When we were together, ours was a toxic relationship. I see my contribution to that now and try to not react like I used to ie screaming, shouting, hitting.
I reacted like that because he would not talk to me so I chased him until he did and then he returned.
That dynamic turned into our relationship. Every few months, we fell out, he took flight, I pursued with screaming, shouting and at times physical attack, shamefully.
We never resolved an argument.

Fast forward to now, his partner and her are together two years.
She has finished with him until she decides whether the relationship is worth going back to as long as he gets some therapy for his reactions to arguments and communication skills.
He has said he will do anything to try to make it work so will get therapy.

Why do I feel so bad?He never did anything like that for me.The way she described their relationship was so healthy and loving until this one argument. She is strong and seems kind.
She seems confident and self assured and I'm jealous of that as I put up with the awful dynamic for years and I wasted years, but I really loved him and he loved me.

She is also a high flying exec with her own home and kids and sounds like she has her shit together. I don't.

Why do I feel jealous and upset? I've moved on and at the end of the previous relationship, I was an emotional wreck.

OP posts:
corecare · 07/03/2022 17:15

Anyone?

OP posts:
Sonaftersonafterson · 07/03/2022 17:39

You're hurt sweetheart. That's all. Why couldn't he make the effort for you? Seriously, put nicely, who cares.

He sounds awful. Dramatic and silly. He is unlikely to change even with therapy and this poor woman is dealing with the same shit you did. She'll leave him and he will then do it to the next woman.

Suck it up, allow yourself the misplaced hurt and be relieved that you're not in that toxic cycle of bullshit anymore

corecare · 07/03/2022 18:26

It's a bitter pill to swallow.I kept chasing him trying to make things right and lost my dignity, until the end.
It does hurt.

OP posts:
tirednewmumm · 07/03/2022 18:47

This is weird I'm sure I read this exact scenario from the new gf perspective on here. It was very similar.

And he's pulling the same tricks on her I doubt he'll really go to therapy or any of that they never change guys who behave like that

Homebaby · 07/03/2022 19:32

@tirednewmumm I thought exactly the same when I read it. Can't pinpoint the thread but sounded like the other side of the coin.
Couldn't run without offering something op. I'm like you, I like things to be resolved and get upset when they're not. I'm working on my reactions but have also come to realise that I need someone on the same page as me in that respect and not run off at the first sign of a problem. Seeing an ex magically change in a new relationship is horrible, but they are who they are and it seems in your case the new gf has had a taste of what he did to you. Proof that they never do change, maybe learn to hide it for longer but never change.

gamerchick · 07/03/2022 19:36

She has a firm boundary and he's now seen it. He's seen what she's willing to put up with, hasn't chased him and he knows it's either sort it out or he's binned.

You and him simply weren't a good fit. It's no bearing on you as a person.

AdamRyan · 07/03/2022 19:44

His relationship with her is new, he's playing the game. He's not going to change, that behaviour was him not you, she reached out to you because he was doing the same to her. Already and it will get worse. You should be relieved you aren't in that toxic mess any more.

And yes, very similar thread from other side was taken down a couple 9f days ago

Aquamarine1029 · 07/03/2022 19:49

So you're the ex that the other poster called...

1/10

PurpleFlower1983 · 07/03/2022 19:50

@gamerchick

She has a firm boundary and he's now seen it. He's seen what she's willing to put up with, hasn't chased him and he knows it's either sort it out or he's binned.

You and him simply weren't a good fit. It's no bearing on you as a person.

I agree with this. You two just weren’t a good fit and it ended up being a toxic relationship. It doesn’t mean you didn’t love each other just that you weren’t suited as a couple.
Hiddenvoice · 07/03/2022 19:53

I get why you’re upset, you wanted it to work with him before and it’s tough seeing him trying to make an effort with someone else.
I think it’s a little unfair of the partner to message you, it’s not fair for you to relive that life again.
I’d leave them to it, focus on you and your relationship.
You and your ex weren’t right for each other, you deserve someone who wants to make the effort for you!

spacehardware · 07/03/2022 19:54

"This is weird I'm sure I read this exact scenario from the new gf perspective on here. It was very similar."

Was just about to type this!!

corecare · 07/03/2022 20:28

Thanks for all these replies.I didn't think to check earlier as not many people responded to the original post.
Thanks for reassurance. I know he's a bad un or maybe we were bad uns together. It feels shit though.
Ive no bad feelings because I was as toxic as he. I wasn't important enough to work with through it. That hurts me.

OP posts:
LightSpeeds · 07/03/2022 21:21

You need to take something positive from this. Maybe he's matured a bit and, given some time to reflect, has decided he doesn't want to behave in the same way again.

Maybe it's difficult for him to see that you've moved on and seem happy.

The fact that you're still upset about it means you haven't moved past it emotionally -- you need to think about that.

corecare · 07/03/2022 22:02

He loved me but hated our dynamic.he couldn't cope with it. I hated it too but now I'm
In a happy ish. relationshipWhy does she get him to do what I always wanted . He wouldn't do it for me.

OP posts:
PurpleFlower1983 · 07/03/2022 22:16

@corecare

He loved me but hated our dynamic.he couldn't cope with it. I hated it too but now I'm In a happy ish. relationshipWhy does she get him to do what I always wanted . He wouldn't do it for me.
Because they’re dynamic is better? Maybe she doesn’t react to him in the same way? It’s not a criticism of you.

It sounds like you’re not over him Flowers

Watchkeys · 07/03/2022 23:08

@corecare

He loved me but hated our dynamic.he couldn't cope with it. I hated it too but now I'm In a happy ish. relationshipWhy does she get him to do what I always wanted . He wouldn't do it for me.
www.attachmentproject.com/blog/four-attachment-styles/

Your attachments styles clashed. It was right to move on. It doesn't matter what he can offer someone else, and if that does matter to you, you need to look to yourself to work out why you have the attachment style you do, which leaves you in, essentially, a permanently unresolved fall out with him. Attachment styles usually come from the way we were parented, and your style, anxious, is cause by hit and miss parenting (ie sometimes you feel loved, sometimes you don't, and you don't know why, so you try to find ways to be better at getting the love)

The best thing to learn when you have an attachment style is that the only thing wrong with you is that you're mixing/occupying yourself with people who trigger you.

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