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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

Just want to be happy again

18 replies

Gymbunny9 · 27/11/2023 16:50

I am feeling in a really low place and been really anxious about my relationship. I mentioned to DP that I think I want to break up as we are so unhappy and just keep having the same issues over and over, nothings changed in 5 years other than things getting worse. But I'm worried that I'm the problem and just running away instead of trying to work on things. He said I've changed and that I've became a selfish bitch and that's why we have problems. Says that I don't live in reality and I'll never be happy even if I leave. I feel like my self esteem been eroded and I can't figure out the truth.

Personally I think I've became very negative and resentful, feeling like I'm not being respected so I guess he's right. I went to counselling earlier this year and that made me realise how I think he's been treating me and I've tried to stand up for myself more. I ask him to be more respectful of me but somehow any conversation turns into the things I need to work on for him. He's quite an overbearing person and has mood swings so I really struggle to stand my ground (punches walls, slams doors, talks down to me like I'm a child). Simply getting out the house some days is a complete stress, like example if he's running late he will be in a mood for hours and he won't be speaking to me but when I bring it up he says I'm the one not speaking to him. He does virtually nothing day to day around the house, I do all the cleaning and he says the inside of the house is my job. He fixed something on my car last weekend and afterwards was in a bad mood demanding that I put his washing on as he's spent all afternoon on my car even though I spent mine cleaning the house and walking the dog.

This all sounds so trivial when I write it down but I feel so undervalued and fed up. I just don't know if he's a nice person anymore and wonder if there's something better out there for me. But on the other hand maybe I'm the problem and leaving him won't fix anything? I just want to be happy and confident again.

OP posts:
Channellingsophistication · 27/11/2023 16:56

He’s ground you down so much over the years that your self esteem is eroded so now you are not sure about any of it. It’s not your job alone to look after the house as he lives there as well.

He sounds unkind and manipulative and giving you the silent treatment and turning it back on you is emotionally abusive and gaslighting.

Can you make plans to leave him? Do you have DC’s with him?

Gymbunny9 · 27/11/2023 17:16

@Channellingsophistication thanks for the response. I have wondered if he is being emotionally abusive but it's really hard to see as he constantly turns things back on me. And yeah I think he has worn me down a lot so I don't really trust myself anymore. No DCs thankfully and I have a rough plan for if I left. Just finding it really hard to decide what to do as I can't think straight.

OP posts:
MaggieBsBoat · 27/11/2023 17:20

He’s absolutely awful.
If you had planned on leaving, follow through. I can guarantee you won’t regret it. Life. Is. Too. Short.

Whenwasthis · 27/11/2023 21:43

You've articulated being in a very negative and damaging relationship that shows absolutely no prospect of bringing you any happiness.
Why are you doing this to yourself?

category12 · 27/11/2023 21:56

He's quite an overbearing person and has mood swings so I really struggle to stand my ground (punches walls, slams doors, talks down to me like I'm a child). Simply getting out the house some days is a complete stress, like example if he's running late he will be in a mood for hours and he won't be speaking to me but when I bring it up he says I'm the one not speaking to him.

You're in an abusive relationship. It's not you, it's him.

Punching walls is a form of intimidation, as are the other displays of anger = emotionally abusive.
Talking down to you and name-calling is emotionally abusive.
The silent treatment and stonewalling are emotionally abusive behaviours.

He said I've changed and that I've became a selfish bitch and that's why we have problems.
This is DARVO (deny, accuse, reverse victim/offender). Also sounds like he gaslights you.

It doesn't sound trivial at all.

It's not "running away from your problems" to end a relationship that makes you miserable and undermines your self-esteem. It's actually looking at your problem head on and resolving it.

Please do it. 5 years of this is too long, don't let it become another 5 years on top.

Olika · 27/11/2023 22:03

Oh gosh just end it. Sounds horrible.

Channellingsophistication · 27/11/2023 22:10

I hope you leave, it will be hard initially but a relief to be free and away from this relationship which offers little positivity and does not enrich your life...

Thisisworsethananticpated · 27/11/2023 22:17

Regardless of whether he’s abusive or not
5 years of this ! That’s such a long time to feel shit and anxious and worried

Simply put being single eventually is so much
calmer and better

it’s not you !

Tusktusk · 27/11/2023 22:20

The inside of the house is your job. Really. Well you can live in it and he can live in his car then as that’s his job. Dick.

Quitelikeit · 27/11/2023 22:21

Good god why are you putting yourself through this!

You are miserable as sun and he is a lazy £&@&(

bluebeardswife7 · 27/11/2023 22:28

He is treating you badly. It is as plain as the nes on your visage. Please run like the wind (vent?)

Flyhigher · 27/11/2023 22:53

It's not trivial. Get rid of him.

Gymbunny9 · 28/11/2023 06:27

@category12 appreciate this response so much. You're right it's eroding my self esteem and not all my fault. Funny that you mention DARVO as I previously spoke to women's aid a while ago when things were at their worst and they had told me it was DARVO too.

OP posts:
Newnamehiwhodis · 28/11/2023 06:32

Oh my gosh, you’ll be so so so much happier without him flipping things around on you.
BE “selfish.” Please do. Take care of yourself first and foremost. He’s giving you nothing of value to add to your life.
the sooner the better, OP, he’s had enough of your time giving you worries that don’t belong to you - and wasting your precious life with his mean bullshit.

jeaux90 · 28/11/2023 06:48

I can tell you your life will be more peaceful without him in it OP. Please be nice to yourself and ditch him.

Gymbunny9 · 28/11/2023 07:25

Thanks all

He's told me before that I just love being a victim and I'm basically projecting all the bad things that have ever happened in my life on to him being the cause. He's very good a psychoanalysing and convincing me that it's actually because of xyz that I feel this low self esteem and not him. But anyone in my life who's spent a decent amount of time in both our company can see the dynamic and all want me to leave. So I think I need to listen to my gut and the people around me instead of the manipulative crap he tells me.

OP posts:
category12 · 28/11/2023 16:08

Gymbunny9 · 28/11/2023 07:25

Thanks all

He's told me before that I just love being a victim and I'm basically projecting all the bad things that have ever happened in my life on to him being the cause. He's very good a psychoanalysing and convincing me that it's actually because of xyz that I feel this low self esteem and not him. But anyone in my life who's spent a decent amount of time in both our company can see the dynamic and all want me to leave. So I think I need to listen to my gut and the people around me instead of the manipulative crap he tells me.

Yes.

Women's Aid wouldn't say it for fun.

It would be very unusual for friends and family to actively want a couple to split up for no reason 😀.

These people have seen the dynamic and want you out of it because they want better for you.

He on the other hand wants you to stay right where you are for his own purposes. Of course he's going to make out it's all in your head or you being the problem, but he would say that, wouldn't he?

Gymbunny9 · 28/11/2023 18:28

@category12 good points and you're right, other people have nothing to gain from me leaving so why would they want it if something wasn't wrong while he obviously has motive to want me to stay

OP posts:
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