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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

Blocked ex and now feeling so terrible

22 replies

softtouch000 · 18/11/2022 16:20

Longtime user, name change as bit outing with mates on here. Had a terrible year after meeting a man just over a year ago. We were together til about June this year, we had a very deep and close relationship and he said he loved me and wanted to be together until we were old and grey. I was so happy when I was around him.

Then in about May he said he had decided to move back to his home country as he wanted to chase his dream career (in performing arts) and was struggling to get work here as he was working all hours in his cousins catering business, and even if he got breaks it was hard for him to get auditions with English as a second language (note: he didn't really try, but it was hard as he was working all hours in hospitality).

He moved back home in June and has got work in the field he loves easily as he has contacts in arts over there and felt more confident in his own language. The problem: ever since he left he has been in constant contact, saying he loves me and can't forget me. He decided just before he left it would be impossible for him to maintain a relationship with me as flights are expensive, four aways away, and neither of us are very rich etc, and he needed to focus on his career. I feel like ever since he left he has been keeping me on a string... messages about how much he loves me weekly and misses me, he made a mistake, said he fantasies about our future life, was talking about coming to see me when he comes back to UK (he will be here in UK every 2-3 months after his recent 5 months away due to him not wanting to affect UK visa rules by being out of UK more than 180 days).

So on the weekend just gone, he finally arrives back in UK after 5 months away, he says he can't wait to see me, that he will cry and be so emotional, he had a place to stay with a mate nearby me, but wanted to stay with me 3/4 nights of the 10 days he is here for (when my kids are at their dads) to be with me. On the weekend he stayed the first night, it was an emotional reunion, slept together, had sex, he was saying he loved me, I was cooking his fave food for him and looking after him. Then I asked the question the next day.. what is happening with us? I was expecting him to bring it up the first night he stayed and didn't want to henpeck him after not seeing him in so long, but he had never mentioned our relationship status just saying he loved me etc, but also talking about the future saying we should go on holiday together. He was due to come back to mine on Weds and stay for 3 nights, I started thinking how terrible I would feel after he left again if I asked him after "what we are" and if he said still not back together. So I asked... and he kept trying to wriggle out of answering the question and answered "Baby, how can you not be sure I love you and want to be with you, I told you a thousand times' so I said "yes, but then you say we are not together officially and that you can't be with me practically though you want to". He was in a corner then so he said "well I have always told you all the reasons why and been clear, and it is not as simple as that, and also that this love is like a curse he cannot help". So I saw red, in my mind he has been in contact the whole time he was away saying he loves me, I thought we would talk about how to make it work while he was here this week, bearing in mind he will now be back on a 2-3 month basis, though still hard. I feel he has deceived me by acting a certain way, saying he loves me, coming here for sex, cuddles, food, running around after him, and he would have carried on like this ALL week if I hadn't asked what was going on. I feel like he has emotionally manipulated me and kept me on a string, which is just so cruel if he knows deep down he will not commit to me. His reply saying "oh I was clear baby" just felt like an insult to my intelligence. I did not reply, and deleted his number and blocked him. And blocked his email too. He had left a watch here on the first night, I posted this by mail to his cousins house (with no note) as had the address from my gps after giving him a lift.

I feel terrible and wondering how he will be feeling, it was meant to be a great week together, which ended after one night of seeing each other for the first time in half a year with me blocking him and posting his stuff back. But I cannot get over the fact he was willing to do everything that indicates a relationship, I loves yous, sex, sleeping here, cooking for him and caring for him, and for him to let that carry on all week given a chance when he knew he wouldnt be getting back with me. I feel like he has and would continue to gaslight me into thinking there is something between us if I left contact avenues open, and I am also furious with him (and very confused at his actions). But had enough, he knows he broke my heart when he called it off and moved home earlier in the year (lost weight, couldn't sleep etc) but still carried on contact over summer til now which had seemed very hopeful.
My question is, one was I wrong to block him? And two how do I move on from this? I really loved him and still do, but feel his treatment of me is so unfair and emotionally it is impacting me too much. I have been heartbroken over him since early summer, and now just had all my hopes crushed again. He is here in the UK til Tues, but won't be able to contact me as he is blocked on everything. I feel he is making a mug out of me and seems he was planning to see me every time he is here but not commit, going from what was an official relationship downgrading to in effect fwb, but he was never going to mention that and just say "oh but I do love you, just can't commit" as a cop out.

Sorry for the super long post. This man has been causing me pain and had me on an emotional roller coaster all year since early summer and I have surprised myself by seeing red and blocking him. But also feel guilty and that he might be upset.

OP posts:
Dontbelieveawordofit · 18/11/2022 16:38

I think you've answered all your own questions and you're right to think you've been strung along. But to be fair, you've let yourself be strung along after him telling you months ago that he was moving country and could not sustain the relationship.
If he had come home on this visit and all had been as you wished, how exactly did you see your relationship progressing? Were you hoping to move to his country or were you going to settle for a 10 day visit every few months?

softtouch000 · 18/11/2022 16:53

Dontbelieveawordofit · 18/11/2022 16:38

I think you've answered all your own questions and you're right to think you've been strung along. But to be fair, you've let yourself be strung along after him telling you months ago that he was moving country and could not sustain the relationship.
If he had come home on this visit and all had been as you wished, how exactly did you see your relationship progressing? Were you hoping to move to his country or were you going to settle for a 10 day visit every few months?

Thanks for your kind reply. I was thinking if he was really genuine in what he was saying about his feelings for me, that he would at least look at options. I think he just needs to get a year of experience under his belt in his dream job as he was a few years out with covid etc, then he could try his dream job here. He also says he does not want to live in his home country forever as it is unstable politically and economically, and that is why he is making efforts to keep his uk visa open and can eventually apply for right to remain.

So we could have a future.

I just don't understand why he thinks it would be ok to act and treat me like a girlfriend when he is here (and even while he is away in messages) but not actually commit in the now. It is leading me on and he needed to say this is his decision and he accept the consequences of losing me, or commit. He is saying he can't commit but feels compelled to see me and be with me because he still loves me. He knows I love him and maybe he hoped I would accept this half-way house due to that.

I feel terrible for blocking him but I was so upset and exhausted emotionally with him. Maybe he is genuine but very confused and feel stuck.

I really care for him but am so fed up of being messed about.

OP posts:
JFDIYOLO · 18/11/2022 16:57

Yeah, they do that. Tell you enough of what you want to hear to get what they want from you. Sex when they feel like it, no committments, not tied down and ... quite possibly ... Another woman waiting somewhere in the background for her attention scraps. Time to dig out your self respect - there's four billion men on the planet.

Dontbelieveawordofit · 18/11/2022 17:17

I think you're looking for 'permission' or validation to unblock him and give him another chance but that can only be your choice. Plus I don't think many people on here will actually think that's a good thing to do.
I'm sorry to be blunt, but there's no hope for this relationship and I think he's made this perfectly clear. You may have blocked him but if he really wanted to reconcile and sort things out, he only had to knock on your door.
You're looking to blame yourself for being hasty in blocking him but it was absolutely the right thing to do.

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 18/11/2022 17:23

You’ve made a clean break. Don’t mess it up now. It’s pretty clear that your idea of a serious relationship and his don’t match up. It’s sad, but it’s pointless. He’s told you that what he wants is a nice hotel with benefits, you’ve told him he’s not contributing enough for it.

better luck next time, OP. Fingers crossed.

Justcallmebebes · 18/11/2022 17:37

I'm sorry OP. That sucks. However, he obviously knows where you live so he could approach you if he really wanted to talk to you and discuss how make things work and a possible future together.

If he doesn't, I think however painful, you need to leave him blocked. I've been there in a similar situation and it hurts, but you'll get over him and you deserve more. Sending hugs FlowersGinCake

Bollocks2that · 18/11/2022 17:40

JFDIYOLO · 18/11/2022 16:57

Yeah, they do that. Tell you enough of what you want to hear to get what they want from you. Sex when they feel like it, no committments, not tied down and ... quite possibly ... Another woman waiting somewhere in the background for her attention scraps. Time to dig out your self respect - there's four billion men on the planet.

Well said. Here's some tit bits, scraps, like you're some dog that will come running (bad analogy sorry).

Don't let him make you feel bad for putting your sanity first.

amiold · 18/11/2022 17:45

You done the right thing, don't waste your time!

Is he Turkish ?

softtouch000 · 18/11/2022 17:49

Thank you all. Where I live has a secure entrance which he knows, you can only get in if you have access approved to long drive gates and no doorbells out front working atm (he knows this). So unless he was to wait around in the hope another tenant might be coming through which I doubt he would do, I can't imagine he would turn up. But he could write to me the same way I posted his watch back or simply borrow a friend's phone to call me though blocked. I have made this really difficult for him. I blocked his email too.

I really love him but so fed up of him thinking he can have the best of both worlds. Though to be honest when he was here he looked awful and like he is not having a good time in life right now at all... maybe in a way this blocking will be better for him too as he can move on and stop contacting me and saying things he cant match in reality. Even though I have blocked him he still will know I love him. And as they say.. if you love somebody set them free :(

OP posts:
Swampthing55 · 18/11/2022 17:51

He knows where you are and if he cared he would have come round. Sorry but you are probably one of many and too much trouble. You did the right thing

softtouch000 · 18/11/2022 17:52

amiold · 18/11/2022 17:45

You done the right thing, don't waste your time!

Is he Turkish ?

Thank you x half Italian half Turkish

OP posts:
ladydimitrescu · 18/11/2022 17:58

He's practically following a script op - you've absolutely done the best thing.

softtouch000 · 18/11/2022 17:59

Justcallmebebes · 18/11/2022 17:37

I'm sorry OP. That sucks. However, he obviously knows where you live so he could approach you if he really wanted to talk to you and discuss how make things work and a possible future together.

If he doesn't, I think however painful, you need to leave him blocked. I've been there in a similar situation and it hurts, but you'll get over him and you deserve more. Sending hugs FlowersGinCake

Thanks for hugs, much needed! There are gates here so noone can get in without calling my phone first. But he could borrow a mates phone etc if really wanted to contact me. I am so annoyed I gave him my time and body and love at the weekend but so glad I pushed to find out where I really stood before giving him the rest of my week! He knows I don't give intimacy away easily as well and that is meaningful for me. He is a fuckwit 🤦‍♀️ And I know I would be upset whether I blocked him or not -- at least I have taken control back and drawn a line!

OP posts:
Ofcourseshecan · 18/11/2022 18:26

I have surprised myself by seeing red and blocking him. But also feel guilty and that he might be upset.

OP, I hope you'll soon change that to I have impressed myself by seeing red and blocking him. I also feel a deep sense of relief and I don't give a damn that he might be upset.

He has been blatantly stringing you along. He would undoubtedly like to continue the rest of his life, dropping by for sex and a warm welcome every few months, when he has to be in the country for visa reasons. Some women grow old waiting for a man like that to make a commitment, then he commits to someone fresh and new instead.

Please congratulate yourself for having made a good move. You are now free to continue your life as you wish, and look (if you want to) for a man who wants to be with you.

Alcemeg · 18/11/2022 18:28

Gosh OP well done for spotting a crazymaker/bullshitter and following your instincts to protect yourself. If only I'd been half as wise as you in the past. Don't undermine yourself. He tried to fool you and failed, end of story. Lord knows what his twisted reasons were, but does it matter?! Give yourself a medal and celebrate a future without this unreliable (and potentially deeply sinister) tosser in your life.

Zanatdy · 18/11/2022 19:10

I’m sorry, he’s treating you badly. Yes he’s been honest but his behaviour suggests otherwise. His career is more important to him right now, and that’s fine, but it’s not enough for you and I don’t blame you. Keep to your guns, if you back down you’ll just end up getting hurt over and over again.

Justcallmebebes · 18/11/2022 19:13

He is a fuckwit my lovely and a fool but don't waste your best years. Gather your dignity and move on. You sound v sorted and you and your kids are worth more. All the best x

softtouch000 · 18/11/2022 19:26

Zanatdy · 18/11/2022 19:10

I’m sorry, he’s treating you badly. Yes he’s been honest but his behaviour suggests otherwise. His career is more important to him right now, and that’s fine, but it’s not enough for you and I don’t blame you. Keep to your guns, if you back down you’ll just end up getting hurt over and over again.

Thank you @Zanatdy he has been honest to a degree but not as "clear" as he keeps saying he is (only when questioned). For example recently he says "you need to know, you are the love of my life" and sent me a photo of me from our old hol and referred to the pic as "his future wife". Pure emotional manipulation, hardly the actions of someone trying to close down a relationship! I could never mess with someone I truly cared about like that!

At worst he is a user, at best he has no emotional control and that in case I am doing him a favour shutting him off so he can 100% concentrate on his career 🙄

OP posts:
softtouch000 · 18/11/2022 19:31

Justcallmebebes · 18/11/2022 19:13

He is a fuckwit my lovely and a fool but don't waste your best years. Gather your dignity and move on. You sound v sorted and you and your kids are worth more. All the best x

Thank you @Justcallmebebes feeling very hurt as really had true, deep feelings for him. But I am 40 next year and cannot afford to waste time on men with issues. I do feel by ignoring his total cop out of a reply and blocking him, that at least he will see I have my dignity and in a funny way have more respect for me too!

OP posts:
softtouch000 · 18/11/2022 19:33

Ofcourseshecan · 18/11/2022 18:26

I have surprised myself by seeing red and blocking him. But also feel guilty and that he might be upset.

OP, I hope you'll soon change that to I have impressed myself by seeing red and blocking him. I also feel a deep sense of relief and I don't give a damn that he might be upset.

He has been blatantly stringing you along. He would undoubtedly like to continue the rest of his life, dropping by for sex and a warm welcome every few months, when he has to be in the country for visa reasons. Some women grow old waiting for a man like that to make a commitment, then he commits to someone fresh and new instead.

Please congratulate yourself for having made a good move. You are now free to continue your life as you wish, and look (if you want to) for a man who wants to be with you.

@Ofcourseshecan Thank you for this rewrite! 💪 :)

OP posts:
Justcallmebebes · 18/11/2022 20:05

It's so true and it hurts just as much, however older and 'wiser' we get but life is really too short to engage in such head fuckery. If it doesn't make life happier and easier then it really isn't worth it

DivorcedAndDelighted · 18/11/2022 20:38

You sound like a strong and brave woman who's done a difficult thing because she's not prepared to be made a mug of. No advice but just wanted to say well done and send you another hug. You have self-respect and that bodes very well for you finding a much better relationship in the future. If you were mooning around over this guy you might miss out on meeting someone much better suited to you.
He was coming out with some bullshit about having to move away for his career anyway. If he cared that much, he'd have found a way to make it work without moving away from you.
I suggest spoiling yourself rotten and maybe listening to Flowers

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