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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

Time to say it’s over?

4 replies

Marshmallow545 · 12/04/2024 22:16

I’m in a sexless 25-year marriage. It was not always this way, but any intimacy has been over for more than a decade. My wife’s libido has waned, which I understand. What she does do is continually bring up issues about me from years ago as if they were yesterday.
I have my faults, like lack of communication and shutting down, which I have objectively thought about a great deal and tried to make things right. I’m not violent, I don’t use drugs or abuse alcohol. She remains adamant in her distrust of me and punishes me by withholding all forms of intimacy.We attended marriage counseling, where I listened to her and acknowledged my issues for redress. She, on the other hand, justifies her actions and behaviors. She has her own failings but doesn’t want to hear how much her actions have hurt me. She also didn’t listen to the counselor and will not hold herself accountable.

I feel so lonely. She thinks a lack of intimacy is fine for a marriage, and this is frustrating to me. I have brought this up to her numerous times, but she will not be moved.

OP posts:
TheSilentSister · 12/04/2024 22:57

Sounds like neither of you are happy so maybe splitting up will free you both to find happiness. I'm guessing you are 50ish, so can you really imagine spending the rest of your life like you are?

Ladyprehensile · 12/04/2024 23:01

So what options are you thinking?
Do you want to leave her?
If so, get legal advice, review your financial situation, housing etc and work out a decent plan and tell her.

I think that withholding intimacy in a marriage might be “unreasonable behaviour “ but I believe you can get divorced now for no reason at all. A solicitor will tell you.

You only have one life. Just get on with it.

BroughttoyoubyBerocca · 13/04/2024 10:46

You have given her long enough to show you more respect and love, plan your exit. No fault divorce is a thing now. Do you have children?

danitheastrologer · 14/04/2024 22:56

I think withholding sex in a marriage is a form of abuse. I'm not talking about medical reasons or anything like that but just going cold on someone for no good reason without discussion is absolutely abusive. Personally, I would want a divorce in this situation.

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