Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

When does it stop?

12 replies

heartacheyetagain · 08/03/2024 18:39

I've ended a nearly 4 year relationship today with the man I considered to be my future. Something has changed over the last few months and I've felt neglected. During this time I've tried to walk away a fair few times but still go back after a couple of hours. Today my friend messaged and said what would you be telling your daughters to do? That was enough for me.

He took on new members of staff to help with the workload and can't seem to trust them to do the tasks on their own. He says himself he's spending most of his time baby sitting which means we are not in contact throughout the day. We don't live together due to children from previous marriages etc and he's been fairly absent in the evenings too. Every time we've arranged to see each other (usually during school hours), something has come up meaning he can't get away from his work.

I've been trying to tell him he's hurting me for months. He will not listen and I've now become extremely anxious and frustrated with the situation and being made to feel so unimportant. I can tell him how I feel and he doesn't listen or brushes it off as nonsense which then makes me feel like I matter even less. It's become a vicious cycle where I'm left feeling like I have no self worth, constantly checking my phone or arguing with him. I'm pushing him away and he's becoming more avoidant, I'm becoming more anxious and it's just a terrible spiral.

So I've left. Yet deep down I have a nagging feeling I've overreacted. My friends say if he can't meet what I feel are acceptable standards in communication or effort, then he has to realise that and step up or I have to leave. I've tried. I really have given it chance after chance after chance and I just don't know what to do anymore.

Have I been hasty? Or have I done the right thing?

OP posts:
Strawberrydaquiri · 08/03/2024 18:47

Sounds like a lost cause, and that you're not getting much out of it.
Why can he only meet you during school hours? Do you get any time when your kids are with their own dad?

BlastedPimples · 08/03/2024 18:49

No. You're not overreacting.

heartacheyetagain · 08/03/2024 18:58

@Strawberrydaquiri my girls rarely see their dad. He works Saturdays and has his kids Sundays. Sometimes we will get the odd evening together, but it's not much. It's suited us both like this, it's been spending time with someone because you want to, not because you need to if that makes any sense?

But now I don't feel like he even wants to talk to me. He says he loves me over and over but it's words and not actions

OP posts:
Strawberrydaquiri · 08/03/2024 19:01

Hmm. It doesn't sound like he loves you from what you are saying. How do you get on with his family and with the kids?
4 years is a long time without any commitment. What has stopped that?
Is he actually divorced or hiding anything?

Jandob · 08/03/2024 19:09

Depends if you love him, or not? You might not see much of someone even if married. I only go out at weekends usually and attend things on my own due to work commitments. Would you prefer someone who sponges off you or goes off with other people?

Joy69 · 08/03/2024 19:13

You have done the right thing. In a few weeks you will feel much calmer & won't have that anxious feeling all the time. There's nothing worse than hoping someone will step up & make you feel important & then don't x

heartacheyetagain · 08/03/2024 19:23

I don't mind not seeing much of him as long as I feel as if it's me he loves if that makes sense?

You know when someone WANTS to talk to you, when you're the first person they want to share things with etc. that's always been the case and I've always been happy with our arrangement.

But he's distant, he's stressed, he's cutting me out. The more I mention it, the worse it gets. I feel as if he's pushing me away on purpose.

OP posts:
Strawberrydaquiri · 08/03/2024 19:32

It really does sound like you've done the right thing then by ending it.
Has he shared with you why he is so stressed out? I'm not excusing him by the way. I think you can do better than him.

Minikievs · 08/03/2024 19:43

You have done the right thing.
Feeling anxious and neglected should be his cue to step up and make you NOT feel like that. Not to make it worse.
You're totally right, saying I love you is just words. If it's not backed up with feeling and actions, it's empty.

heartacheyetagain · 08/03/2024 19:44

He says work. He says the staff can't cope without him and his business has been his whole life. He says if he tries to leave and get some time alone that he gets called after 2 minutes where he's needed to help with something else.

He says he's stressed as he never gets time alone anymore. He starts at 6:30am and will often carry through until 9:30pm. Usually he would have taken some time out in the middle of the day so we would have lunch and spend time together. But now he has these new members of staff, this time doesn't seem to exist anymore. I'm self employed and work from home so I can work mornings and then in the evenings when the children are in bed, so it's all fitted together nicely but he's withdrawing now. I feel like I'm putting everything in but getting nothing back.

OP posts:
Lighteningstrikes · 08/03/2024 20:10

You are not compatible.

All this relationship is doing is ruining your self esteem.

You shouldn’t have to force a relationship.

If he wanted you, he would make time for you.

Only you can stop putting yourself through this misery.

Strawberrydaquiri · 08/03/2024 20:31

@Lighteningstrikes is right. You can do better than him I am sure.
What can you do for yourself to take your mind off things? Are there some good friends who can get you out for an evening? What about getting involved with more stuff (even with the kids) It sounds trite but it all increases your chances of meeting new people. Even new female friends have brothers and male single mates.
This guy seems to have issues, or is working too hard. Could he be using that as an excuse?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread