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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

Holding onto hurt from previous relationships

11 replies

Nicky022330 · 22/10/2023 16:12

Hi

I guess I’m writing on here for advice.
I’ve always been a very laid back, trusting, fun loving person in relationships.
Me and my husband separated 3 years ago, he was narcissistic, gaslit me, and was coercive, this impacted me mentally but when I left I felt positive and happy that I was finally in a position to find a real, non toxic love. Since then I have dated several people and it always ends bad. I’ve been cheated on, lied to, love bombed, etc and I feel like my spark has gone and I’m not me anymore.
I don’t have any hope that I will find anyone. I feel like if I meet someone I self sabotage and makes excuses to end it before they can to prevent me getting hurt again.
I met someone 4 months ago and I really liked him. There was a couple of occasions we argued because I got jealous that he was liking my friends picture (who he had previously said he initially fancied) but this is something I would have laughed off once upon a time, I brought up the fact that I felt it was a bit weird that he went on a week holiday with his ex and son and he ended it because he said I had trust issues etc.
I feel like I’m like this now due to my past relationships. which I resent so bad cos it isn’t me.
for the past 2 months we have still been seeing each other, I have strong feelings for him and he knows I want to be with him but he just wants to basically be friends with benefits and he said he might want to try again in a couple of months (he’s sorting the sale of his house and feels after that he might be ready)
we are together all the time we get on so well, I would do anything for him and I do believe he would do anything for me. We are basically in a relationship, even he has said that but yet he still insists we are just friends atm. I honestly don’t think he is seeing other people either. But I think this situation has made me super insecure like why am I not good enough to be with. This past couple to week particularly.
we argued because he got jealous about me putting on a photo on social media that he said I did to get men’s attention because I was “half naked” I wasn’t…you could see the top of my cleavage that’s all.
so we had a week apart where I said I don’t think I can do this anymore. It even got to a point after a week where a really nice guy asked me on a date and I said I thought I was going to go. He was really upset and said I’d hurt him and he did want me but couldn’t commit to me just yet. I didn’t go on the date because I felt like I had hope with him.
since then we’ve had 2 arguments because of me…being jealous basically. The first one was because he said he was gutted that he didn’t get to see my friend (the same one from previous) strip, and then he said to my friend he would be interested in a threesome (not with her just in general) but had literally a few days before had the same conversation with me and said he could never do that and it didn’t interest him so I questioned him about it cos it confused me that he changed his tune ..and I felt like he had maybe lied to me…triggers from previous relationship again.
then last night I caused another argument cos he was talking to a girl for ages …it was innocent but I was so jealous and I’ve fucked everything up now.

this is not me or who I am I have never acted like this in a relationship (even thought we’re not even together) and I just feel like my guard is up and I pick up on things like triggers from being cheated on and lied to previously and I act out when I feel like I could be in that position again but I’m just ruining it all for myself.

im never going to have a happy relationship if I keep acting like this.
wjat can I do? How can I get back to the old me.
has anyone else experienced this x

OP posts:
Paltrypam · 22/10/2023 16:18

Good grief op

this sounds like you’re both in year 10

and to think he’s had a child 😞

Paltrypam · 22/10/2023 16:20

Do you have any children op?

Nicky022330 · 22/10/2023 16:20

I know it’s all really pathetic I hate that I’m
acting like this.
I just feel so insecure and I get jealous for no reason!
I do believe it’s because I’ve been lied to and cheated on so much that I’m just so irrational now

OP posts:
Paltrypam · 22/10/2023 16:24

It’s not just you
it is both of you

sounds drama fuelled and, well, silly

Paltrypam · 22/10/2023 16:24

Can I ask how old you both are?

Nicky022330 · 22/10/2023 16:25

Too old to be behaving like this!

OP posts:
occhiazzurri · 22/10/2023 17:27

It is his behaviour triggering your anxiety/past trauma, it is not you only. If you are meeting people OLD, your anxiety will in a lot of cases be triggered because these people are strangers and it is very easy to deceive someone (at least initially). You should consider therapy and working with a therapist if you meet someone new you are dating.

Paltrypam · 22/10/2023 18:17

Yes I imagine

Paltrypam · 22/10/2023 18:18

Basically older than 15 is “too old” for all this

DatingDinosaur · 22/10/2023 19:16

This new guy sounds as toxic as your exH. Are you attracted to the “familiarity” of that type of behaviour?

It’s actually a good thing that you’re recognising when other people’s behaviour triggers you. What’s not good is that you’re sticking around for more of the same – that’s why you’re feeling like you’re being irrational – you’re not listening to your inner voice (which is telling you the guy is no good for you). Yes, your past experience is shaping your now, but you’re not learning the lesson (which is to walk away from anything that doesn’t make you feel anything other than safe/secure/happy). Stop being mad at your “irrationalness” and start paying attention to the lesson it’s trying to teach you.

Are you afraid to be single? Is a shit partner better than no partner? Why are you sticking around if he’s making you feel like this? Love/liking a lot/being attracted to him is not a good enough reason. He isn’t going to change just because you like him. Don’t you believe you can do better? Don’t you believe you deserve better?

MariaLuna · 22/10/2023 19:31

OP, take it from me. Life is great living on your own. It gives you time to self-reflect and figure out what you really want from life.

Better anyway than being involved with a man that feels like living in a soap opera.

What happened to women's liberation in 2023??

Don't ever get involved with a man who brings drama, is self-obsessed and doesn't have your back.

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