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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

Am I over reacting or is it a suspicious text?

44 replies

indie12345 · 02/07/2023 11:37

I am on holiday with my boyfriend of 5 years.
We have both put weight on and he keeps standing infront of the full length mirror saying how fat he is, look at his belly etc. (He hasn't got a full length mirror so said he didn't realise he was that big, but we both know there's no problems with attraction to each other)
We came back from the pool and took our swimwear off. He sat on the bed naked, in front of the mirror and i took the first shower. While I was in the shower he took a photo of himself in the mirror and sent it to me. The photo was unflattering and in the position he would normally sit on the bed so at first I thought it was probably him making a joke out of the mirror but Because he doesn't normally send photos like that I was worried it was meant for someone else.
I asked him why he sent it and he laughed and said 'have you seen how fat I am?' Then I asked if it was meant for me and he said 'yeah course it is'. He didn't seem phased or uncomfortable in his response. We argued about it and he said it was meant be a funny joke (we both joke at ourselves a lot and the mirror had been a focal point this holiday) he can't believe I'd think it was for another woman and sees it as a totally innocent joke that I'm over reacting too. He let me look at his texts, apps, contacts etc and there is nothing there to indicate cheating, and nothing else in our relationship to indicate cheating.
I think a potential trigger is my ex cheating on me- once he sent me a nude (when he didn't normally) and talked his way out of it- I later found it was sent to multiple women.
So now I'm worried my current boyfriend accidentally sent me a photo meant for another woman. But I can also see that there could be a valid innocent explanation now, as the context is OK (standing infront of mirror laughing at fat belly and he had valid reason be naked, plus the photo was unflattering) and his reaction when I asked him was totally relaxed and normal.
Am I blowing this out of proportion and making a problem that isn't there?

OP posts:
Sunnydaysaredefhere · 02/07/2023 11:39

Unless he is proud he has grown why would he expect another woman to be impressed?

BusyInTheGarden · 02/07/2023 11:39

You have over reacted here op

Fuckthatguy · 02/07/2023 11:42

93.9% certain this was meant for you - nice you are so comfortable with each other 🤗

HighEndGrifters · 02/07/2023 11:42

I have a spare grip I am not using. You can borrow it.

XiCi · 02/07/2023 11:42

Yes, you are blowing this way out of proportion. I can't believe you went through all of his phone for that. WTF. If you are affected that badly by a past relationship you should get counselling as it will ruin all future ones. It was clearly a joke, one you had just been discussing. If he fancied someone else he is hardly likely to send an unflattering photo of him looking like a fat bastard is he!!

CoreyTaylorsSoggyTshirt · 02/07/2023 11:43

Someone else has cut you and you're bleeding all over your partner.

He did nothing wrong, you have a LOT of work to do on yourself and your reactions.

5128gap · 02/07/2023 11:44

I'd bet my house it was meant for you.
What man who has become self conscious of his weight would send a picture of himself looking particularly fat to an AP?
I think he probably shared it because he was disgusted by it and wanted either your reassurance or your acknowledgement that something needed to be done.

Watchkeys · 02/07/2023 12:05

I think it's a bit unfair to say you're 'blowing it out of proportion'.

You've had a bad experience with your ex. Naturally that changes the way you feel about things.

If someone had been bitten by a dog, would you then say that they were 'blowing things out of proportion' when they were nervous around all dogs? Or might you be a bit kinder, and more understanding?

It doesn't matter whether you're 'right' to feel the way you do. It just matters that you get what you need to help you feel better again.

What would help? Did you trust him before this, or have there been any other little 'signs' of anything suspicious?

Eyesopenwideawake · 02/07/2023 12:10

If was desperately sucking in his belly and proudly pointing at his penis then it just might have been for someone else otherwise you can forget about it (other than to figure out a joint weight loss program if it's bothering you both so much).

Annie35 · 02/07/2023 12:10

if it was an unflattering pose, why would he send it to anyone except his partner of 5 years? I think your past hurt is clouding your judgement here. I reckon it was just a silly way of him poking fun at himself

I always send unflattering photos to my DH, it makes us laugh 😂😂😂

Cinnamope · 02/07/2023 12:16

I think you are overreacting and should apologise

specialsauce · 02/07/2023 12:18

Your reaction is based on your previous horrible experience. The recent photo seems very innocent.
Try to check in with yourself about how the original betrayal may be colouring your emotions now. Feelings of threat are very strong and stay with us for a long time. Don't be too hard on yourself.

Jongleterre · 02/07/2023 12:20

It was a joke!

He sent you the photo as a joke!

He loves you and feels comfortable with you enough to poke fun at himself by sending you the photo of himself in an unflattering pose!

WandaWonder · 02/07/2023 12:22

Watchkeys · 02/07/2023 12:05

I think it's a bit unfair to say you're 'blowing it out of proportion'.

You've had a bad experience with your ex. Naturally that changes the way you feel about things.

If someone had been bitten by a dog, would you then say that they were 'blowing things out of proportion' when they were nervous around all dogs? Or might you be a bit kinder, and more understanding?

It doesn't matter whether you're 'right' to feel the way you do. It just matters that you get what you need to help you feel better again.

What would help? Did you trust him before this, or have there been any other little 'signs' of anything suspicious?

So because the op has issues that is his fault?

Other people are not to blame for what has happened in the past there has to come a point when people own their own issues

Niceseasidetown · 02/07/2023 12:23

There was no reason at all for you to react like that.

gohomepleasenow · 02/07/2023 12:31

It's your trigger and your responsibility to own it, from your description you're in the company of someone who is enjoying your company and was having a laugh at himself, his intentions sound daft and honest. Peace to the part of you on red alert here, you've got your alarm bells ringing at wrong time and in the wrong place.

Good luck be nice to yourself and give the hurt you a hug and go back to your buddy there and enjoy the holiday Wink

Annie35 · 02/07/2023 12:37

gohomepleasenow · 02/07/2023 12:31

It's your trigger and your responsibility to own it, from your description you're in the company of someone who is enjoying your company and was having a laugh at himself, his intentions sound daft and honest. Peace to the part of you on red alert here, you've got your alarm bells ringing at wrong time and in the wrong place.

Good luck be nice to yourself and give the hurt you a hug and go back to your buddy there and enjoy the holiday Wink

This is an amazing response!

Our trauma wasn’t caused by us but it is up to us to manage it, nurture it and move past it. It’s not always easy, but take a deep breath, give yourself a pat on the back, and let it go. Go back to your boyfriend and enjoy your holiday. Take a whole bunch of unflattering photos, they’re always funny to look back on!

WonderfulUsername · 02/07/2023 12:38

You're overreacting and I think you know it.

Plus your ex cheating on you isn't his problem, so don't try to make it.

DiddyHeck · 02/07/2023 12:42

Good luck be nice to yourself and give the hurt you a hug and go back to your buddy there and enjoy the holiday

They're not buddies, they're in a relationship and have been for 5 years.

OP he sounds like a totally good egg who's struggling with his weight/appearance, probably due to seeing others who he feels look 'better' than him.

He needs your reassurance right now, not an argument.

Moveoverdarlin · 02/07/2023 12:44

OMG. You have overreacted massively. Of course it was meant for you!

Buildingthefuture · 02/07/2023 12:58

@Eyesopenwideawake Dear God!!! There are men who send pictures whilst “proudly pointing at their penis”????? Please, please, please say that is a joke!!
I definitely think it was meant for you though op. If you were sending a selfie to your bit on the side, I think it would be a super flattering one??

Watchkeys · 02/07/2023 13:23

WandaWonder · 02/07/2023 12:22

So because the op has issues that is his fault?

Other people are not to blame for what has happened in the past there has to come a point when people own their own issues

Wow. I didn't say he was at fault or to blame. I didn't say that OP shouldn't own her issues.

Relationships aren't about finding out who is 'at fault'. They are about relating to each other. Ideally, OP's partner will try to reassure her in a way that works, because he cares about her feelings and understands her insecurities. Ideally, OP will be able to accept his reassurance, because she respects his position.

fdgdfgdfgdfg · 02/07/2023 13:26

Christ, it was obviously meant for you. Don't let your last relationship cock this one up for you.

PetitPorpoise · 02/07/2023 13:27

Agree that YABU. You should apologise and explain, if you haven't already.

Thisisworsethananticpated · 02/07/2023 13:29

No one sends an unflattering nude to someone they want to impress

you can sleep safely

and maybe have some extra sex and swimming this holiday both of you

brown fat is sexier 😊