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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

I left a guy cause he didn’t give effort, but I feel guilty and I maybe want to try again?

28 replies

amylunatic · 07/12/2023 02:48

Hello

I’m feeling really sad, and guilty right now and i really need advices cause i think I’m becoming crazy. I wanna know if i took the right decision, and if i should continue with him, or let him go?

So, i met this guy online (24) and I’m a female (20), 7 months ago. We are long distance, but live in the same country, so it would be easy to meet. At first he was replying texts so fast, asking me to play a game with him, was flirty. After 2 months of talking we both admitted we liked each other. We have a super good connection, and talked really deep. Some things at first made me wonder, he said the kind of things like: “i don’t want stability in a relationship” but i let that go and didn’t thought more of it. But he did want a serious relationship and me too, but we wanted to meet IRL first before starting anything (something we both agreed on)

Then, after those 2 months, he started to answer less my texts, was not flirty at all anymore, don’t initiate anything. He still asked me questions about my day, things i talked about so that was great! But all the romantic side was over. After those 2 months, he never tried to flirt ever again, and he never expressed his feelings. I told him a few times, and asked him why he seemed to answer less (sometimes not answering for a day but being on social media, i didn’t stalk, i just saw his posts on my timeline) and he said he was struggling with things and busy, and i understood! So i gave him time. But then even after few months nothing changed, so i asked him again. He did say he still has feelings for me but was really busy so again i understood. But then he was really giving no efforts. Texts for me are not enough, especially with the fact we were long distance. So i asked for calls, and he said he was busy, he would tell me when he could call. But he never did, cause i always has to remind him again and again. In September, i had enough and i told him it’s better if we stop this between us. He wrote me a paragraph saying he was sorry, listing all my qualities and finally opened up to me. He said he always struggled about serious relationship, and most of the girls he dated left him and said he didn’t take anything seriously. I was sad cause i felt bad for him and told myself we could work on it together then and he said he would take time to think about it! But i had to remind him to tell me his decision and he didn’t bring it up himself, but he finally said we could try (we even called for it for the first time. I said what i needed in a relationship, that i want him to flirt like he did before to create more intimacy between us ,to plan calls so I’m not the only one doing it, and take me more seriously. Also he lied about one thing.

For 2 weeks he was good. He tried to answer more fast and he planned calls, (still treated me like a friend thought and didn’t flirt or initiated emotional intimacy, but i was ok with that) but it didn’t last long. He stopped doing it after and said he was too busy to calls and all, and i was understanding cause he is in uni, but still sad he could not give even 1 hour of his time during the week to call. We tried to text everyday but it was always not that long. He was ok with not talking to me that much and it hurt me. I felt constantly hurt and unimportant for him over time. I was always initiating things, reminded him of things we planned, being the only one creating emotional intimacy ect, and overall he was not invested at all, to make an effort to keep me. I asked him to tell me if we could meet during winter break (cause I’m always the only one talking about planning to meet) and he said he would tell me and never did, i had to remind him again and left me hurt) And then, 4 days ago i asked him “i know you are busy right now, but do you think you would have more time for me next year if i wait for you?” He was honest and said he didn’t know , cause even in summer he will probably be busy even if school ends. So i said to him, it’s better if we stop things now cause i want someone who will give efforts, make time for me. He said again sorry, that he did like me but he said most of the girls he dated said the same thing i told him : “i don’t know what you think or feel”. And he said he wish it didn’t end like this and he is sad about it. He said he will try to work on that in the future cause he see how much of a barrier it is for relationships. And said he was sorry cause he know he could not give me what i wanted right now. And 3 days ago we finally decided to end things. I know he was hurting me everyday, and made me feel anxious more than happy, but damn i like so much this man for so much qualities he have, the way he would not get mad at me when i communicated what I feel, the way he would be interested in what I was saying, and he was so smart and super funny, i love our connection even with the hurt. And now I’m asking myself: what if we could work on it together? What if I’m missing on a good relationship? He did tried to reply more fast since 1 week but, still forgot all our calls plans and I have to always remind him, and he still said he always busy… but I miss him so much and like sm about him… So my questions are : was i right to end this, or should’ve i wait for him and try to work on this with him, by sending him a message again, even if it take time and i can being hurt until he resolves his old issues and can finally give me time ? I feel sad, and guilty cause i could maybe still help him, and it could maybe work. And maybe we could have a good relationship in the future. I talked to him for 7 months, and even if i was hurt I’m scared i will miss on something by leaving him right now. I have no experiences in term of relationships so I’m lost, should i continue with him? Or let him go? (He maybe is emotionally unavailable?)

OP posts:
Tilesaandtiles · 07/12/2023 02:59

Just stop. He's not that interested and you're embarrassing yourself.

amylunatic · 07/12/2023 03:09

Thanks for your advice. Maybe my feelings are just still strong, so I don’t see his red flags or else, I’m probably not thinking straight. But he still seemed interested in our convos even if he didn’t gave efforts… so that’s why I wonder if it was good to continue or no. But I got not a lot of experiences in dating, like I said I never had a serious relationship so I don’t know what is supposed to be okay or not :/. But everyone around me is telling me I took a good decision by leaving him so… makes me feel better

OP posts:
hattie43 · 07/12/2023 05:30

Sorry but he's not that into you .
You sound very intense and hard work .

anybloodyname · 07/12/2023 05:34

Why waste your time with someone who's not giving you any of their time ?

Block all content and work on some self esteem

No relationship is worth all this angst , especially one you never even met in person

Olika · 07/12/2023 05:38

If a man is interested he will make it happen. Please don't waste more of your time on him.

Bobtheamazinggingerdog · 07/12/2023 05:43

This is far too much effort and headspace for a man who isn't interested in you. Please put it behind you and move on.

BeautyFromBad · 07/12/2023 05:48

You don’t sound like hard work. You sound like you’ve expressed your needs clearly to a man who is either unable or unwilling to meet them.

please put this one down to experience and find someone who is a better match.

flowerchild2000 · 07/12/2023 05:49

It just shouldn't be this hard, especially starting out. Try to meet someone that lives near you and makes lots of effort! Don't ever lower your standards for a guy, it's never worth it.

Smooshface · 07/12/2023 05:52

This is the level of interest he is willing to show you, you already hate it and he isn't changing. Don't waste any more time on this low effort, you deserve more.

KinS24 · 07/12/2023 05:58

At 20 you are just starting to learn about relationships. Who you are and what you want. You can’t do that via your phone!

Spend your time with people you can see in person. Friends or dating.

Angelina1972 · 07/12/2023 06:08

I agree you do not sound like hard work at all. Your scenario sounds quite like what my daughter has been through recently.

her boyfriend was really full on initially, texting her a lot. But when they met up it was always just to hang out. They didn’t go out for meals, cinema, shopping or anything like dating.

within weeks he was forgetting plans that they’d made (just to hang out). He wasn’t initiating texts or phone calls. He was not spending nearly as much time with her.

after two weeks of worrying and noticing he wasn’t as attentive my daughter had a straight conversation with him. He was pleasant and listened. But half an hour after leaving her he phoned to end the relationship stating she was controlling.

she was upset and frustrated that she’d spent time on the sidelines waiting for him. She’s now drawn a line under the whole experience, learnt to recognise this behaviour for what it is and moved on.

she’s decided to invest her precious time in friendships with people who really want to spend their time with her.

please block this block on every platform, do not feel guilty, and start enjoying the company of other people who want to be doing interesting things with you.

good luck xxx

Angelina1972 · 07/12/2023 06:09

*block this bloke.

unlikelychump · 07/12/2023 06:13

Have you even met him?

He is not the one for you

Peepshowcreepshow · 07/12/2023 06:22

If you haven't met, he's not a boyfriend, he's your penpal. You can't keep up a high level of interest on that basis.

Combusting · 07/12/2023 06:25

Stop obsessing about someone you’ve never met.
Block.
get hobbies/work/focus on studies.

YoBeaches · 07/12/2023 06:29

I couldn't read all of your post. It's too much.

Am I right you never even met this guy?

Move on. And additionally with the type of relationship you want, long distance won't work for you. Focus your efforts more locally.

cpphelp · 07/12/2023 06:41

'He's not that into you' - book or film. I can't recommend this for you enough.

Wish it was available when I was 20!

MariaVT65 · 07/12/2023 06:46

Please get some self respect and move on. Block this guy immediately. If a guy wants to date you, he will make it happen. And please don’t bother with any more long distance things where you don’t know meet the guy in person.

Forgottenmypasswordagain · 07/12/2023 06:46

There is nothing wrong with either of you. You were ready for a real relationship but he seems to have lost interest. Maybe stick to people who live in your area so you can meet up and enjoy doing things together, in person. I'd forget about the disinterested guy. Good luck.

category12 · 07/12/2023 06:47

Start dating men local to you that you can see in person.

This guy is just a penpal, you're wasting your time and far too much energy on him.

ConsistentlyPeeved · 07/12/2023 06:50

Yep, as other posters have said, he's not interested.

Also you're 20!!! Go out and live your life. This is from someone who spent the majority of the their teens/ early twenties in very long relationships.
I had the best 5 years of my life from 23-28 when I was single.
You have so much time to do all the things you want to do so embrace it! And leave red flag wavers well alone.

SpringleDingle · 07/12/2023 06:53

Another vote for watching “he’s just not that into you”. This dude isn’t your boyfriend he’s your pen pal. Ditch him and find someone locally who actually wants to put effort into meeting you.

amylunatic · 07/12/2023 07:13

Hello, thanks for your advice. Thanks for validating what I experienced instead of just saying “I’m intense”. All the answers under this post is an eye opener for me definitely. I don’t want to date long distance ever again for sure

OP posts:
amylunatic · 07/12/2023 07:14

Thank you! Yes all the replies definitely helped me to see more clear in all of this for sure. After this event I decided to take care of myself and, healing the parts of me I never healed! I want to focus on work, dreams and friends !

OP posts:
amylunatic · 07/12/2023 07:17

Hello,

first thanks for validating what I experienced. Yes, all the replies is an eye opener for me. Thank you for your response.

I have anxiety so, sometimes relationships are hard for me, but now I want to focus on myself, my dreams, my work and friends.

thanks!

OP posts: