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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

Ending this situationship

121 replies

Zarahlovesthebeach · 26/03/2024 16:08

I cant actually believe I'm in what friends are calling... a situationship.
I mean I'm 39 for goodness sake and feel like I've been a bit if an idiot.
The truth is dating/seeing someone is very new to me , I've only really done very long term relationships, the last long term one was 14 years. We broke up 2 years ago , since then I've had some flings/ fun stuff going on and also enjoyed having time just me and my kids not wanting to rush into a relationship.
This was all until October last year, I went onto dating sites stating I'm after a relationship, after talking to a few crazies! And weeding out the bad from the good, I starting talking to a man and we hit it off. We had a lot in common and just clicked. We met in December, met 3 times b4 dtd. Since January weve been seeing each other regularly, once a week. We both have children so that works out about right for us.
However something that I first thought maybe just taking it slow has actually shown up to be a bit of a pattern that I really am not comfortable with. Hes doing the old hot & cold thing, one minutes hes messaging me, communicating well, the next I dont hear from him for 6/ 7days at a time.
Hes starting to do a pattern of msging me on the day he knows I am child free and then we end up seeing each other. When I'm with him everything is good , however when I leave I hardly hear anything from him.
If I initiate texts or meeting up he seems keen, but I've taken a step back as I've noticed it's been me doing all the leg work the last few times weve met up.
Since ive waited to see will initiate contact I've noticed can go a whole week without asking how I am / checking in and arranging next date etc.
I know this is all looking bad and have advice from 2 friends, one Male, one female to get different perspectives and they have both said very similar things.
Hes not that into you , hes keeping it casual or seeing others/ talking to others.
At first this hurt a bit as I felt we had a connection... silly me! We live and learn hey?!
So right now I'm in a stage where he has pulled away , its Tuesday, I havent heard from him since Friday and the conversation was blunt. He comes across as very uninterested during this stage ( I've been analysing the pattern) i wont hear from him now until friday afternoon as he knows i have child free night, I'm in a place which is actually good so although a bit hurt , I'm sitting back and watching this pattern of his as it unfolds. Its actually getting quite amusing! 😊
I have decided I no longer want this kind of wierd situationship thing, I dont like his communication style and feeling a little used so I've made my decision now in my head, however much I like this man , I know hes not the one for me. I feel clear in this.
So what I'm asking for is when he comes back on friday msging me asking what I'm doing friday evening I would like some advice over a good reply please as I'm not great with that sort of thing
I dont want to come across shitty or needy, I want to make it clear that I wont be seeing him anymore in a friendly way , we live in a small town type area and I will bound to bump into him at some point, I also dont want drama or animosity, when I have seen him hes been kind and respectful so no need to fall out
I know he will msg friday so any replies you can suggest would be great please
Thanks

OP posts:
Zarahlovesthebeach · 26/03/2024 19:52

I will update any of you that are interested at the weekend 😂

OP posts:
Epidote · 26/03/2024 19:58

I agree with PP, you don't have to explain him anything, just tell him that you have plans, if you don't just made them up, you are not available.
He will get the hint if is clever enough.

Islandofmisadventure · 26/03/2024 20:01

Zarahlovesthebeach · 26/03/2024 19:52

I will update any of you that are interested at the weekend 😂

Yes please to an update.

’My’ Matthew isn’t dark but otherwise fits the bill.

Startingoverinmy30s · 26/03/2024 20:07

Zarahlovesthebeach · 26/03/2024 19:47

Late saturday morning... that's perfect! I'll be out with my friend friday anyway and she has told me to switch my phone off as my kids & thier dad have her number incase if emergencies anyway so I may leave my phone at her house friday evening before we go out x

That is a perfect plan!! 😂

Aquamarine1029 · 26/03/2024 20:15

I would definitely just blow him off. He can figure it out.

Ellie525 · 26/03/2024 20:16

Following for the conclusion (shamelessly...sorry!) Have been in a few of these and never managed to end them with the aplomb suggested here 🙈

Startingoverinmy30s · 26/03/2024 20:17

lotsofpeoplenametheirswords · 26/03/2024 19:32

Well hopefully it wasn't in the last 12 months when my Matthew (well it is actually my sisters Matthew!) started with all of this tomfoolery with various women! He is a walking beautiful nightmare to be fair to her!

Well it was a few years ago now 😂 It definitely made me more cautious, I was such a naive romantic before Matthew. A walking beautiful nightmare…that is a very accurate description!!

solice84 · 26/03/2024 20:23

I had one of these headfuckers last year
I've since met someone who actually genuinely gives a shit about me and I'm annoyed with myself for giving the headfuck the benefit of the doubt for so long when he was clearly doing what yours is now

Zarahlovesthebeach · 26/03/2024 21:00

solice84 · 26/03/2024 20:23

I had one of these headfuckers last year
I've since met someone who actually genuinely gives a shit about me and I'm annoyed with myself for giving the headfuck the benefit of the doubt for so long when he was clearly doing what yours is now

I'm glad yours has a happy ending , do you mind me asking with the guy your with now, what are the major differences in communication as I would like to know for future reference

OP posts:
Zarahlovesthebeach · 26/03/2024 21:03

Ellie525 · 26/03/2024 20:16

Following for the conclusion (shamelessly...sorry!) Have been in a few of these and never managed to end them with the aplomb suggested here 🙈

Dont beat yourself up, these men are skilled at what they do! We wouldnt see them after the 1st time if they showed their true colours early on. They appear charming, even sweet & kind at first in my experience

OP posts:
solice84 · 26/03/2024 21:06

We have a lot of communication
The one before could go days without contact
We also have things planned rather than just expecting me to slot into his life when he had nothing better to do
It's a proper relationship not a fwb situation like the previous (who said he wanted a relationship and hooked me in by seeming very interested for the first few dates )

GiantPuffaJacket · 26/03/2024 21:19

By far the best response is

“sorry have plans tonight, have a good weekend”

the perfect “fuck you- I have a life thanks” and is sure to make him sweat and cause some of the stress to himself that he’s caused you.

you got this girl 🙌🏻

Zarahlovesthebeach · 26/03/2024 21:21

solice84 · 26/03/2024 21:06

We have a lot of communication
The one before could go days without contact
We also have things planned rather than just expecting me to slot into his life when he had nothing better to do
It's a proper relationship not a fwb situation like the previous (who said he wanted a relationship and hooked me in by seeming very interested for the first few dates )

Thank you

OP posts:
Zarahlovesthebeach · 26/03/2024 21:26

@GiantPuffaJacket Thank you , I have got this 💪I just wish Friday was here already! 😆
A friend of mine has suggested when he messages me , as he always starts with Hi Gorgeous... are you coming to see me later ... I should start my reply with Hi buddy, (completely friendzone instantly) soz I have plans tonight, hope you have a great weekend :)

OP posts:
BirthdayRainbow · 26/03/2024 21:26

The best reason to say you have plans for Friday so that he isn't your default Friday night gig and he knows it.

Zarahlovesthebeach · 26/03/2024 21:29

BirthdayRainbow · 26/03/2024 21:26

The best reason to say you have plans for Friday so that he isn't your default Friday night gig and he knows it.

Good point , I originally made arrangements with my friend on the saturday and she suggested switching it to the friday so I am not stuck at home feeling sorry for myself tempted to say yes to him. You've made a good point in him probably thinking I keep friday night slots open for him!

OP posts:
ScabbyHorse · 26/03/2024 21:36

That's so out of order of him to sometimes not contact you for 6-7 days at a time! How about you leave it that length of time before relying to him, he's so cheeky

Zarahlovesthebeach · 26/03/2024 21:43

ScabbyHorse · 26/03/2024 21:36

That's so out of order of him to sometimes not contact you for 6-7 days at a time! How about you leave it that length of time before relying to him, he's so cheeky

It is cheeky isnt it?

OP posts:
Zarahlovesthebeach · 26/03/2024 21:45

I've kind of had an epiphany, for those of you that have seen the movie bridesmaids, when the main character is seeing the sleazy man with the sports car that treats her like shit , he says when they have an argument... your no longer my number 3! ... well I dont think I've related to that scene more than I do now 😆

OP posts:
WitheringTights000 · 26/03/2024 22:51

@Zarahlovesthebeach - I think when he messages you on Friday OP, just don't respond at all. Ghost him and never speak to him again. That will annoy him more than any text you could send him.

romdowa · 26/03/2024 23:03

I'd just ignore his messages completely, I wouldn't block either but I'd just never reply again. Leaving him on read serves him right

WitheringTights000 · 26/03/2024 23:04

@romdowa - I agree. Leave him on read. It will really really irritate him.

FFSNorman · 26/03/2024 23:26

Either the fz hey matey, busy tonight soz or the late sat morning. They’re both a headfuck and you absolutely must update.

Bluesandwhites · 26/03/2024 23:44

@Zarahlovesthebeach
OP, could you update us on Friday please? I bet he will send a bewildered text, with his deflated ego ! And well done for realising what he is.

Zarahlovesthebeach · 26/03/2024 23:46

Bluesandwhites · 26/03/2024 23:44

@Zarahlovesthebeach
OP, could you update us on Friday please? I bet he will send a bewildered text, with his deflated ego ! And well done for realising what he is.

Yes I'll update as soon as he messages me ... on Friday... I know it will be on friday 😆 so predictable now !

OP posts:
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