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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

Has it run its course or am I just grumpy or listening too much to others

34 replies

Tiredgrumpyhormones · 21/02/2024 14:01

DP and I have been together for 2 years, both mid 40s and no kids. I have lived at his for 7 months and due to move out in 8 weeks.

I am living at his as I sold my house and bought an off plan house. He invited me as it made sense and was only temporary. He lived rurally about an hour away from my work and social circle. He doesn’t really have friends but acquaintance’s he sees in the pub.

I have found it tough here as it’s not my house and I feel isolated. I can drive and can see friends, just not as often as I used to. Pop in for a coffee etc. DP as much as he said treat my house as your own has just carried on with his routine. Plays computer games, pub, football and sleeping. Doesn’t seem to have integrated me into his life.

when we dated we saw each other 3 - 4 times a week. He can work where I used to live and I can work at home. We went out, he planned things and we had fun. Not so much living together. I make plans and they get cancelled. His excuse is we see each other loads. He will go to the pub to see mates and make those plans.

I asked him what do you think our future looks like when I move out. He said we will go back to how we were and will be better as we will make an effort and do more things. I did point out that’s not stopping us now. He realised and made an effort for 2 weeks and then nothing. He also won’t make holiday plans as he says I need to sort my house out first before we book.

He comes home from work and doesn’t want to chat. It’s silence. I have asked a few times and all he says is tired nothing is wrong. But I feel he has lost feelings and is just being a nice guy and waiting till I move out. If I am unhappy he is unhappy.

for past week he has gone to bed at 8pm to read. I will go to bed later and ask for a cuddle and I get a half hearted hug as he says he is reading. It’s got to the point I feel he is trying to avoid me.

however I am very hormonal for past few months, stressed at work and listening too much on other’s opinions. Friends and family say it’s weird that we are not moving in together. It signals no future and what is the point of continuing to date. I don’t feel settled at his which also is not helping.

It doesn’t help that he can get moody and defensive if there are problems and avoids things. So I am not too sure if his reaction is him being upset I am moving. He is not interested when I talk about my house.

please help me decide if he is losing interest in me or I am overthinking or he is upset. Talking to him he says he loves me and everything is fine. My gut says otherwise.

OP posts:
HollyKnight · 21/02/2024 14:04

Well, this had been a good test run of what a future with him will look like. Shit. I wouldn't waste any more time.

Superawkward · 21/02/2024 14:11

He isn't going to give you the kind of relationship you want. If you want a future where you live together with a partner then it is time to end things. This relationship will not give you that.

Tiredgrumpyhormones · 21/02/2024 14:15

That’s true. I do feel I tip toe round him. I just didn’t realise how moody he was. I just think I saw a snap shot of him before. I have heard from his family that he can get down lots and hibernate

OP posts:
Tontostitis · 21/02/2024 14:17

Does it really matter how he feels? It all sounds a bit rubbish for you so I'd stop trying stay friendly til your house is ready then thank him for the help and call it quits. Enjoy your new home😊

Escapetunnelalmostcomplete · 21/02/2024 14:35

It sounds like dating worked for you as a couple but living together very much doesn't. If you are happy with just dating that's fine. If you want a relationship that will progress to living together this clearly isn't it.

Tiredgrumpyhormones · 21/02/2024 14:38

Yeah. I know I am not blameless. Sex is not as often as it used to be as he says he is tired all the time. He has put on a few stone since I moved in. I have continued to keep for and the gym is my best friend at the moment.

I just see other couples being involved in each others lives and I just see nothing changing for us.

OP posts:
tribpot · 21/02/2024 14:48

It sounds at least partly like an expectations problem. You weren't actually moving in together, you're a long term house guest or a short term flat-mate, depending on your point of view. I get the impression he likes living alone, likes his own routine and space, and perhaps hadn't anticipated how this change in living arrangements would feel.

I would see how things are once you are living apart, IF you want a relationship where there are no plans to move in together. I think for many of us that sounds ideal but if it isn't what you want long term, you are better off cutting your losses.

That said, one alarm bell has gone off over the not booking a holiday thing. That does sound as if possibly he plans to break up with you when you move out.

Is there anywhere else you could stay, just to take a bit of pressure off things?

Tiredgrumpyhormones · 21/02/2024 15:22

Thanks. That’s the alarm bell too. Not booking a holiday. He loves holidays and keeps telling me we will book something last minute as I need to move and sort my house out.

I do feel a break up is in the cards so I am distancing myself. But again I could be reading too much into it

OP posts:
DoIhavegreeneyes · 21/02/2024 15:38

As remarked upthread, you are in a home share and bed share now. Do you want to have him as a partner or long term would you like to marry him?
Think about how his personality and his lifestyle would contribute to your needs/wants.

TheSmallAssassin · 21/02/2024 17:00

You are writing as if you have no control over this situation, why are you waiting to see if he has lost interest, you can just end it if it's not working for you (when your house is ready!)

Tiredgrumpyhormones · 21/02/2024 17:20

I am on the fence as I am not too sure if I am reading the situation correctly. I have a habit of overthinking things. I know I have control but I am not too sure what I want to do.

he says everything is fine. I am happy when we chat, go out and spend good time together. But he goes silent for days. He says it’s him and he needs to recharge.

he has had a long term relationship fir 15 years and was also married for 2 years. Both partners had affairs. He left as he said they were moody and at times controlling. I do wonder now if it’s the lack of attention he gave them that drove them to this.

I don’t cheat and certainly independent. He did say once that he provided a roof over my head. I told him I can do that myself but companionship and love is what I need.

OP posts:
MariaLuna · 21/02/2024 17:32

Talking to him he says he loves me and everything is fine. My gut says otherwise.

So listen!

Talking is cheap.

Everything you have written says he's either lazy or "just not that into you".

Please don't make this your future. Once your new house is ready, be ready for a new life without him.

You sound lovely by the way. He sounds like a total bore, more like an overgrown teenager.....

Plays computer games, pub, football and sleeping goes silent for days.

DoIhavegreeneyes · 21/02/2024 17:32

On another thread I recently posted that I had given up with a bloke who was kind and safe but I wanted to take a chance on someone I had just met as they offered a chance of excitement.

Ridiculous24 · 21/02/2024 17:35

I remember your first thread about him some time ago. It's definitely over, op. It's a miserable existence. Just play nice until you get your house sorted. Sounds like he likes his own space. He's not for you. Maybe he is counting down the days too.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 21/02/2024 17:37

This is well and truly over. Do not make him your future. Look too at what his family said about him.

Opentooffers · 21/02/2024 18:25

I'd be tempted to consider family, friends or an air b n b as a short term option. Reminds me of a holiday I went on with someone I shouldn't of ( we were probably both loath to pull out of a holiday as first one after lockdown years).
Anyway, was horrible being in a polite but separate atmosphere for a week, though the destination was good ( so I revised the country on my own a few months later). Can't imagine 8 weeks of it - so awkward. If you can, arrange a backup plan at least, in case things come to a head before your house is ready.

Tiredgrumpyhormones · 21/02/2024 21:39

Can’t go to family as none live near me. Friends have no room. Today I cooked dinner then left to go to gym as soon as he came home. He was surprised I didn’t eat with him and cooked. Told him it was my job. he gave me a hug and said I don’t need to do that.

came home to dishes done and he tidied up. Was really chatty. Then as soon as I told him about my day he stopped listening and told me about all the overtime he made.

I think some of the issue is he is an alpha male and wants to provide. I don’t need financially looking after. I want an equal

OP posts:
Wooloohooloo · 21/02/2024 22:48

I don't think it's because he's an alpha male. I don't think he wants to live with anyone and liked things the way they were before.

GreigeO · 21/02/2024 23:02

You’re wondering if he’s lost interest in you? Why on earth haven’t you lost interest in him?

Tatonka · 21/02/2024 23:03

Sounds hideous, this should have been a fun honeymoon phase. Dump and be glad you dodged a bullet

Fraaahnces · 21/02/2024 23:08

He says everything is fine - because it is - for him. He hasn’t made space for you in his routine at all. Move out and then break up.

stayathomer · 21/02/2024 23:14

See this could just be the reality of real life- living together, paying bills, being tired (I don’t know a lot of couples that do make plans and go out a lot when they live together, tv is easier, which is awful but true) or it could be that you’re overthinking it and people are analysing it for you but either way if you’re not happy you’re not happy and it’s very early in the relationship to be feeling like that x

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 21/02/2024 23:21

It's over.

Did he realise you would be living there for 9 months ( 7 months already, and 2 to go )

' temporary ' I would have thought weeks, not 3/4 of a year.

Tiredgrumpyhormones · 22/02/2024 12:22

Yeah he did know I would be here that long. I checked before I bought. Did say will rent somewhere if he wanted me to. I have offered to move out before but he had always said no, makes sense to live here.

OP posts:
AllByMyself79 · 22/02/2024 12:30

Speaking from experience, a moody man will ruin your life. Press eject

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