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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

Engagement disapointment - Am i being mistreated and strung along?

154 replies

Ninam45 · 01/03/2024 16:58

Hi, During our first year together by boyfriend would always talk about "how there is no sooner time to get married". He took me engagement ring shopping and we chose a beautiful ring together. I thought things were moving fast but I thought I had met the man of my dreams, he seemed sweet & attentive.

A few months after the engagement ring shopping at my 30th birthday he planned a big trip to the carribean and planned a romantic dinner for two on the beach saying "it would be the most romantic day of my life". In my head I was wondering if that would be the day he proposes. When it didn't happen I got a little teary I said I really thought that this was going to be the trip when he proposes. Instead of consoling me he started to say very horrible things like "well none of your exes wanted to marry you" and that some of his friends waited 6 years before getting married. I thought to myself "have we lived the same past year"? He was the one that was pushing the engagement and I felt like my dreams were coming true. That night it all came crashing down and his comments crushed me. Afterwards after months of arguing he said his insecurities got in the way.

Not long after that I lost my business and suffered depression and distress, I can't get over the way he treated me so well and said all those wedding-related things just to turn on me, and it brought me down.

Now he is claiming a year on now, that he wanted to see a period of me being well and out of depression for him to want to propose to me.

The past year has been extremely tough, I went from being a successful business woman to. losing everything and adding the relationship problems has just brought me to new lows...

The past months I have started to finally recover from the depression caused by losing my business and being taken to court by my business partner by getting therapy and volunteering with animals. Yesterday we had an argument because I said he wasn't being very supportive in my search for a new job, I was a little bit anxious a job interview and he said his patience that day was wearing out as I was worries about not being able to do the interview. Initially he was trying to be supportive but then he belittled and made fun of my anxiety around the job by imitating me in a condescending way. I just lost it with him. He then went on to say after our arguments got very heated, that that well he was planning to propose to me next week but obviously now that's off.

I feel deeply distraught and helpless and I feel like he is holding the engagement over my head whilst sometimes being very nice but at the same time not being nice to me and making it out to be my fault because of the depression I have suffered the last year. I thought during an argument to bring up the thing that most hurt me a year ago and say "I was about to do it" highly distressing.

I don't know what to do or if this behaviour is a red flag and I should leave, I'm so confused. Or is it all me?

OP posts:
Katela18 · 02/03/2024 09:54

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 01/03/2024 17:06

This 'proposal' is a carrot he is using to try to get you to behave the way he wants. Every time you do something he doesn't like you'll get the 'oh, what a shame, must try harder, I was about to propose but now I won't. He's training you to always want to please him.

Exactly this.
My ex did this. When I was pleasing him, he spoke non stop about our future, marriage, the house, the kids. When I was displeasing him, he'd pull the rug from under me and tell me how it was so close but now I'd ruined it all. In hindsight it was like he was telling me if I was a good girl for long enough he'd reward me with a ring.

FWIW, I am now married and have two children having left that relationship. My now husband supported me through a break down which saw me out of work for 6 months and having some of the lowest lows of my life. Anyone who really loves you doesn't use that against you as your partner has.

I hope you see the wood from the trees, best of luck OP.

SerafinasGoose · 02/03/2024 11:49

In this day and age I find the whole idea of ceding over to one party in a relationship the important decision of how the whole future of both is structured, morally repugnant. This isn't all about roses around the kissing gate. What modern woman would not want a say in her mutual entry into a legal covenant to protect the rights of both, particularly in the event that someone happens to one of them?

Want more evidence of why this is problematic, then look to the many threads on MN, including this one, where the hope of a proposal is being held over a woman's head. Sometimes this is to the extent that her youth and fertility are being wasted on someone with no intention of committing to a future with them. IMO, women need to start being a sight more assertive about what we want, and to state it openly. We don't balk at doing this in other scenarios; why reserve it for the important decision of marriage?

IMO, in the past two decades or so we've taken a large step backward toward these misogynistic (and they are), deeply problematic 'traditions'. Even the number of women retaining their own family names on marriage seems to be less than when I married back in 2008. That these decisions are being made purely on the pretext of 'choice' is an idea that bears examining, IMO.

As to OP, your updates indicate that you're already coming to your own decisions about this man, and this is good to read. Not that this pearl is someone you'd want to marry, even if he did you the dubious 'honour' of actually asking. Hope you do come around to giving him the boot, as you seem to suggest you might. PPs are right that he's extremely emotionally manipulative.

Tuxedocatz · 02/03/2024 11:54

Now he is claiming a year on now, that he wanted to see a period of me being well and out of depression for him to want to propose to me.

this is a massive red flag
that you have to ‘behave’ for him

AdoraBell · 02/03/2024 11:57

Get rid of him and don’t look back.

Ulysees · 02/03/2024 11:59

Please leave. Now.

Navyblueblazer · 02/03/2024 12:05
Throw Away Dirty Work GIF by MOODMAN

This man is extremely emotionally abusive. I have been married over 20 years and never been treated like this by DH. Real love makes you feel secure, alive and accepted for yourself, flaws and all. When you feel constantly confused in a relationship, with no reassurance and outright mocking as this man is doing, it's not love.

You definitely don't want to be trapped in a life with this man. Consider it a blessing that he hasn't proposed. End this relationship asap and never look back.

Notsuretoputit · 02/03/2024 12:05

Run like the wind. He is abusing you and it will only get worse.

Mischance · 02/03/2024 12:12

You are in control here - you have the choice ......

  • you can let him go on stringing you along like this, or .....
  • you can tell him to go forth and multiply
Life is short - do not waste any more of it on this man.
Catoo · 02/03/2024 13:38

Agree with all PP.
Did your depression start after becoming involved with him?

He’s wasting your youth.

When he didn’t propose on that holiday, and he knew you thought he would, and when he then said noone else had married you, that was the time he revealed how cruel he was. And was the time to walk.

Mocking you over your interview anxiety and using your depression as an excuse not to step up, two other times he was cruel and you should have walked.

Job or not, LTB. LTB. LTB.

Bet you’ll get more interviews and do even better in them once he’s not in your life actively trying to destroy you.

You 100% now know he is not the perfect match you once thought. You can’t get that back. It’s gone. He trashed it. Don’t waste another minute on him.

💐

Maray1967 · 02/03/2024 13:40

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 01/03/2024 17:06

This 'proposal' is a carrot he is using to try to get you to behave the way he wants. Every time you do something he doesn't like you'll get the 'oh, what a shame, must try harder, I was about to propose but now I won't. He's training you to always want to please him.

Yes - and he needs to get the bollocking of his life.

There is only one word for what he’s doing: cruelty.

Gloriosaford · 02/03/2024 13:44

Ninam45 · 01/03/2024 17:46

Hey, no he is actually 10 years older then me, I'm 32 in 1 week and he 41

He is bluffing/gas lighting. You are the catch, not him!
He's trying to make you believe the opposite.

hollyandivyknickers · 02/03/2024 13:48

Jesus Christ woman this is YOUR LIFE !!! You get to chose when you get married not some old fuckwit.

dump this mofo. Read Lundy Bancroft. Keep quiet about your plans, get a job, save and move out and block.

he is an evil fucker for the ring trick. That is proper fucked up shit

dottiedodah · 02/03/2024 13:49

He is manipulating you .I would rethink your future .He is showing you his true colours here .Would you want to marry a man like this!

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 02/03/2024 13:51

Tuxedocatz · 02/03/2024 11:54

Now he is claiming a year on now, that he wanted to see a period of me being well and out of depression for him to want to propose to me.

this is a massive red flag
that you have to ‘behave’ for him

Exactly this. And if you feel yourself sliding back into depression again, you would feel obliged to hide it from him in case he didn't propose. Imagine trying to conceal bad depression so you don't 'disappoint' your fiance into not actually going through with a marriage....

Ninam45 · 02/03/2024 14:53

Catoo · 02/03/2024 13:38

Agree with all PP.
Did your depression start after becoming involved with him?

He’s wasting your youth.

When he didn’t propose on that holiday, and he knew you thought he would, and when he then said noone else had married you, that was the time he revealed how cruel he was. And was the time to walk.

Mocking you over your interview anxiety and using your depression as an excuse not to step up, two other times he was cruel and you should have walked.

Job or not, LTB. LTB. LTB.

Bet you’ll get more interviews and do even better in them once he’s not in your life actively trying to destroy you.

You 100% now know he is not the perfect match you once thought. You can’t get that back. It’s gone. He trashed it. Don’t waste another minute on him.

💐

Yes it started a few months after the engagement ring shopping and the carribean holiday

OP posts:
Catoo · 02/03/2024 14:57

I’m sorry OP.
I think you’ll be happier and healthier when this toxic arsehole is out of your life.

Do you live together? If it’s rented I would just go. I’d pack my car when he was out and go and stay with family/friends until I was back on my feet.

💐

Ninam45 · 02/03/2024 15:00

Yes we live together for a year and a half now.. I can leave at any point, I have been needing to get a job, I've had 2 interviews for two different jobs last week. Since I lost my business, I struggled to find work but I think I'm close to getting something now

OP posts:
Ninam45 · 02/03/2024 15:04

Catoo · 02/03/2024 14:57

I’m sorry OP.
I think you’ll be happier and healthier when this toxic arsehole is out of your life.

Do you live together? If it’s rented I would just go. I’d pack my car when he was out and go and stay with family/friends until I was back on my feet.

💐

Yes we live together for a year and a half now.. I can leave at any point, I have been needing to get a job, I've had 2 interviews for two different jobs last week. Since I lost my business, I struggled to find work but I think I'm close to getting something now

OP posts:
Catoo · 02/03/2024 15:07

I hope the job search works out OP.

I would consider leaving as soon as you can tbh.

These types of cruel and gaslighting men can sense when you are moving on, then turn the charm back on and you think the ‘dream’ man is back again. You are reeled back in and this time end up even more dependent (kids etc) and then the real self shows again and it’s harder to get out. Keep your wits about you if don’t get out sharpish.

💐

Daisy12Maisie · 02/03/2024 17:39

It's ruined now whatever happens. If he proposes tomorrow or any time in the future it will be tainted now and you will always know how cruelly he has treated you and feel like he offered to do it and give you what you wanted and he said he wanted that to but he was lying. It's cruel. Future faking and a way to control you and basically waste your time.
I think you need to split up and re build your life. Tell him that him messing you around with the engagement has changed your feelings and so the relationship is over now. Do not discuss it as there is nothing to discuss. Anything he tells you is a lie anyway. Then do not under any circumstances go back as he will continue to do it.

LemonPeonies · 03/03/2024 09:13

My ex did exactly this! He did it 3 times in total, "I was going to propose but because you did this"... I was young and naive and he was a covert narcissist and very emotionally abusive. Funnily enough my anxiety and depression disappeared when I left him. I'm now very Happy in a healthy relationship. Please get out now before your self esteem crumbles altogether.

NotARealWookiie · 03/03/2024 10:29

You can’t spend your life with someone this nasty. Leave him sooner rather than later and don’t waste your 30’s on him - especially if you want children.

Ninam45 · 03/03/2024 13:27

LemonPeonies · 03/03/2024 09:13

My ex did exactly this! He did it 3 times in total, "I was going to propose but because you did this"... I was young and naive and he was a covert narcissist and very emotionally abusive. Funnily enough my anxiety and depression disappeared when I left him. I'm now very Happy in a healthy relationship. Please get out now before your self esteem crumbles altogether.

I think deep down I am starting to realise this. I feel like it's destroying me. I've felt like this for over a year now

OP posts:
NotARealWookiie · 03/03/2024 14:30

“I’m leaving you, I was going to marry you but because of your toxic behaviour instead I’m ending our relationship in order to be happier. Off you fuck”

2Hot2Handle · 03/03/2024 14:36

Ninam45 · 03/03/2024 13:27

I think deep down I am starting to realise this. I feel like it's destroying me. I've felt like this for over a year now

Completely agree. He’s literally trying to control your behaviour by dangling a carat in front of you that is always out of reach.

However, that’s not the only 🚩 I see here.

He’s failing you whenever you need his empathy and support. He pulls away when you in need of comfort and reassurance.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the relationship got a whole lot better once you have a job and are feeling good about yourself again. But that will have nothing to do with him.

There will be many times where you need support and comfort in your life. He’s demonstrating to you right now, that you cannot turn to your current partner for that.