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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

DH refused request, feeling conflicted

467 replies

Igetolderbutneverwiser · 22/04/2024 01:08

I don’t know if this will sound childish or whether I have valid reasons for feeling how I do, but it’s driving me crazy questioning myself.

DH and I have been having ups and downs for a while. We previously discussed some things that we would like and need in the relationship to improve things.
One of the things that I said was that I’ve noticed that he doesn’t post things on social media anymore, and I find it strange that he just stopped. He said that he just doesn’t bother now. But even when it’s been something significant he hasn’t posted anything, which he would have done once upon a time, nor does he even acknowledge things that I post as I know he does with friends. I said it would be nice for him to do that again.

I mentioned it again when it was Valentine’s Day and he said he’s told me before that he doesn’t do it anymore. I reminded him that I had expressed that it would be nice to be acknowledged like he does his friends.

Now another occasion has passed, and on the day I said in a playful way “I guess you’ve just not had time to go on social media yet, but there’s still time”
He tried to fob me off at first, then I asked why he was ignoring me and he said quite firmly that he’s told me he doesn’t do it anymore. I asked why he couldn’t make an exception and reminded him of the discussion I’d had with him and how it would just be nice. He snapped at me saying that he’s not doing it and for me to drop it.
I asked why he is so against it and he said just because. I explained that it seems a bit extreme to have such a reaction if there’s no particular reason for not doing it and that it’s making me feel a bit insecure now. Rather than reassure me he just got his back up.

On the surface I do completely understand that it’s his choice and it is only social media; we aren’t kids, it’s not like our life revolves around it. And he has also stopped posting things about his DC. But I keep questioning why he suddenly stopped and why he’s so firm about not doing it. I just think if it was me, even if I wasn’t particularly interested in doing it, if it meant something to him I’d do it, if there was no reason not to.
And from another perspective, I’ve done things that have been a much bigger ask/sacrifice for him.

My mind is jumping, one minute feeling like he’s purposely “hiding” me (though as he’s not posting about his DC either then perhaps not?), the next that he’s just genuinely gone off using it and feels like he shouldn’t have to start up again just because I’ve said something.

It’s actually not about social media, I’m not overly active on it myself (cut down to barely anything since he stopped as it feels a bit weird), just that he’s so against it and reacted so badly towards me that it’s not sitting right with me.

OP posts:
Igetolderbutneverwiser · 28/04/2024 11:18

Cookiedough22 · 27/04/2024 06:33

Why is there so many against this lady calling her names ? She’s literally having a gut feeling something is wrong! I say trust your gut feelings as I had a gut feeling about a ex that’s was spending an awful lot of time on the phone with a cousin he’s not seen for decades. I was asked why he was not allowed to speak to his family? Next thing I know he’s disappeared never to be seen again. He made a new life with her, married her and had kids with her.

I had a gut feeling and was made to feel stupid when mentioned, his change in attitude and the things he no longer done didn’t sit right.

Trust gut instincts what ever they may be !

Thank you.
It is rubbish being made to feel like I’m stupid for having a concern when something doesn’t sit right with me. I‘m not like this all of the time.

I’m sorry to read what happened to you, that’s awful 💐

OP posts:
Cookiedough22 · 28/04/2024 11:32

Igetolderbutneverwiser · 28/04/2024 11:18

Thank you.
It is rubbish being made to feel like I’m stupid for having a concern when something doesn’t sit right with me. I‘m not like this all of the time.

I’m sorry to read what happened to you, that’s awful 💐

I can see and understand it’s not actually about the FB etc. it’s about the change in behaviour.
Im definitely not saying he’s seeing someone else etc either.
I am just saying trust your gut. When something feels off it usually is.

Onlinetherapist · 28/04/2024 13:43

@Igetolderbutneverwiser so many missing the point which you have tried your best to clarify..the social media is just a red herring! It’s the change in behaviour that concerns you, and the fact that he is interacting there with all but you.

Any other changes in behaviour off social media?

Mimimimi1234 · 28/04/2024 17:37

I stopped doing this also a few years back. I now find these types of posts hollow and ridiculous. I used to post daily years ago and now would not post a thing. I have a good friend and she wont use and has never used social media, shes happily married with two kids and a great life and has managed pretty well without it. I think the best thing to do is work out why you are even bothered if he uses social media or not, its fine to pass the time but do you really need to declare anything about your relationships to others, like who even cares about aome other couple declaring their undying love for each other. If in the real world he says he loved you and says happy valentines to your face, why in the world would you care if he posts it on social media. Who is that for? Do you want to show off to friends that someone loves you?? Thats a weird thing to do and I would leave that kind of behaviour to the teenagers

localnotail · 28/04/2024 18:23

Mimimimi1234 · 28/04/2024 17:37

I stopped doing this also a few years back. I now find these types of posts hollow and ridiculous. I used to post daily years ago and now would not post a thing. I have a good friend and she wont use and has never used social media, shes happily married with two kids and a great life and has managed pretty well without it. I think the best thing to do is work out why you are even bothered if he uses social media or not, its fine to pass the time but do you really need to declare anything about your relationships to others, like who even cares about aome other couple declaring their undying love for each other. If in the real world he says he loved you and says happy valentines to your face, why in the world would you care if he posts it on social media. Who is that for? Do you want to show off to friends that someone loves you?? Thats a weird thing to do and I would leave that kind of behaviour to the teenagers

I don't think you understood what this is all about. Seems like any mention of SM throws some people completely off piste... What OP's partner is doing is an equivalent of going out and taking his wedding ring off - i.e. pretending he is single when he is not. It has nothing to do with SM use as such.

Bumblebeeinatree · 28/04/2024 18:31

Many people are going off Social Media, sounds like your DH is too. A good idea as well there seem to be less and less good reasons for it, and more worries against it.

Bumblebeeinatree · 28/04/2024 18:36

localnotail · 28/04/2024 18:23

I don't think you understood what this is all about. Seems like any mention of SM throws some people completely off piste... What OP's partner is doing is an equivalent of going out and taking his wedding ring off - i.e. pretending he is single when he is not. It has nothing to do with SM use as such.

Is he posting stuff about himself as a single person? I thought she meant he isn't posting anything sometimes likes a friends post, but prefers not to do anything. Maybe he had a bad experience with a troll so no longer wants anything to do with it.

localnotail · 28/04/2024 18:45

Bumblebeeinatree · 28/04/2024 18:36

Is he posting stuff about himself as a single person? I thought she meant he isn't posting anything sometimes likes a friends post, but prefers not to do anything. Maybe he had a bad experience with a troll so no longer wants anything to do with it.

He is active online and posts/ tags/ likes friends and family but specifically excludes her posts from his profile/ refuses to be tagged in her posts, even the ones about special occasions. He has no posts of them two together. And, he blocked her from seeing who his SM friends are. If that's not dodgy I don't know what is.

It seems like you haven't read the thread.

MsLuxLisbon · 28/04/2024 18:51

localnotail · 28/04/2024 18:45

He is active online and posts/ tags/ likes friends and family but specifically excludes her posts from his profile/ refuses to be tagged in her posts, even the ones about special occasions. He has no posts of them two together. And, he blocked her from seeing who his SM friends are. If that's not dodgy I don't know what is.

It seems like you haven't read the thread.

I don't think it's as clear cut as that. OP also says that his profile picture is of the two of them, which would be madness if he was on the prowl. I think he's just tired of her needling about the issue, and to be honest I can't blame him.

Bigtrip2026 · 28/04/2024 19:22

Totally get where you're coming from. You're using his sudden lack of social media activity toward you as an example of how e is behaving differently rathwr than it itself ebing the problem. I would feel the same. Suspicious.

Overlyanxious · 28/04/2024 19:46

A change in behaviour doesn't necessarily mean an affair but could mean his feelings have changed or he's having other issues. I'm not sure how you can get to the bottom of this. I think you can tell something is off and it may have nothing to do with you. I've told exes before about their change in behaviour and it never went well as I just sounded super picky. And then other times I didn't mention anything but then I got dumped shortly after.

jbm16 · 28/04/2024 23:31

localnotail · 28/04/2024 18:23

I don't think you understood what this is all about. Seems like any mention of SM throws some people completely off piste... What OP's partner is doing is an equivalent of going out and taking his wedding ring off - i.e. pretending he is single when he is not. It has nothing to do with SM use as such.

To be honest there sounds to be real issues in their relationship, her demands are also not acceptable.

The example was social media, which might be something, but equally can be completely harmless, I suddenly changed my approach to social media, not because I was having an affair, but because I felt I was over sharing. Still like other peoples posts, but don’t post own holidays, birthdays, anniversaries anymore.

RandomForest · 29/04/2024 00:57

Christ

It's not about the Golden Eggcup !!!!
**

localnotail · 29/04/2024 06:47

jbm16 · 28/04/2024 23:31

To be honest there sounds to be real issues in their relationship, her demands are also not acceptable.

The example was social media, which might be something, but equally can be completely harmless, I suddenly changed my approach to social media, not because I was having an affair, but because I felt I was over sharing. Still like other peoples posts, but don’t post own holidays, birthdays, anniversaries anymore.

I don't think OP voiced any "demands", just dismay at his sudden change in behaviour

localnotail · 29/04/2024 06:48

MsLuxLisbon · 28/04/2024 18:51

I don't think it's as clear cut as that. OP also says that his profile picture is of the two of them, which would be madness if he was on the prowl. I think he's just tired of her needling about the issue, and to be honest I can't blame him.

I think its more likely he is "tired" of her and acting like a dick as a result

BusyJerseyMum · 29/04/2024 09:46

have a think about why you want him to post on social media, is it so that your friends: his friends will see how he feels about you and do you hope that will give you some validation? If so I think the better focus to get that validation from him in your relationship and thank him for the times he does notice you/compliment you or does things for you. I think you are much more likely to feel better on your relationship from those interactions than from the clicks other people might put on his post. Plus I think social media has had its day for many people when it comes to sharing things… he is def not alone in deciding not to post.

jbm16 · 29/04/2024 10:34

localnotail · 29/04/2024 06:47

I don't think OP voiced any "demands", just dismay at his sudden change in behaviour

"I mentioned it again when it was Valentine’s Day and he said he’s told me before that he doesn’t do it anymore. I reminded him that I had expressed that it would be nice to be acknowledged like he does his friends."

"Now another occasion has passed, and on the day I said in a playful way “I guess you’ve just not had time to go on social media yet, but there’s still time”.

Rather strange behaviour if you ask me...

Igetolderbutneverwiser · 29/04/2024 10:51

@jbm16 have you actually read the updates?
I haven’t made any demands. He struggles to do the romantic things which most people do, so I suggested the odd SM interaction as an alternative because he used to do it so it’s familiar to him. There’s a difference between calm and polite reminders, and demands. I also don’t think it’s unreasonable to question why everyone else’s posts for his birthday were showing on his profile but mine wasn’t.

I’m sure there’s lots of things in everyone’s relationship that we may think are “strange” or “unreasonable” but without knowing the ins and outs it’s not for us to judge.
Unless of course you’re saying that you’ve been in the same situation but felt/acted differently about it and would like to offer some insight into it

OP posts:
Igetolderbutneverwiser · 29/04/2024 10:57

BusyJerseyMum · 29/04/2024 09:46

have a think about why you want him to post on social media, is it so that your friends: his friends will see how he feels about you and do you hope that will give you some validation? If so I think the better focus to get that validation from him in your relationship and thank him for the times he does notice you/compliment you or does things for you. I think you are much more likely to feel better on your relationship from those interactions than from the clicks other people might put on his post. Plus I think social media has had its day for many people when it comes to sharing things… he is def not alone in deciding not to post.

It was another way of connecting because he’s not big on romance, and it felt off that he acknowledges everyone but me on there. I don’t put much on myself so I wasn’t expecting some big show, it’s not my style.

I do get what you’re saying though and of course it’s better to do the little things at home. It’s just the way he is. I do often do the things you’ve suggested, I think we just need to build on this more

OP posts:
jbm16 · 29/04/2024 11:21

Igetolderbutneverwiser · 29/04/2024 10:51

@jbm16 have you actually read the updates?
I haven’t made any demands. He struggles to do the romantic things which most people do, so I suggested the odd SM interaction as an alternative because he used to do it so it’s familiar to him. There’s a difference between calm and polite reminders, and demands. I also don’t think it’s unreasonable to question why everyone else’s posts for his birthday were showing on his profile but mine wasn’t.

I’m sure there’s lots of things in everyone’s relationship that we may think are “strange” or “unreasonable” but without knowing the ins and outs it’s not for us to judge.
Unless of course you’re saying that you’ve been in the same situation but felt/acted differently about it and would like to offer some insight into it

It feels like there are bigger issues in your relationship that you are trying to validate/fill with social media? I would suggest getting him to do more romantic things in real life, than on sm platforms.

It could be a valid red flag, but from personal experience I have changed behaviour and stopped sharing family life, not because I'm trying to hide anything, but just felt it wasn't necessary to share online. If he has photos of you it's not as if he is trying to hide your existence, perhaps he's just not comfortable sharing that kind of post, but you are probably in the best position to determine which.

Igetolderbutneverwiser · 29/04/2024 14:04

It’s because he struggles with the usual gestures that I suggested this, I would much more prefer the personal things.

I do completely understand the views of people saying that they don’t use SM the same any more, I have changed my habits too and rarely post anything these days. But I wouldn’t acknowledge everyone except for my significant other.

I’ve told him I’m not bothered now. If there is something more to it then I’m sure I will find out eventually without driving myself mad in the meantime waiting to see whether he will or won’t acknowledge me.

OP posts:
marzipanlover81 · 29/04/2024 15:24

any developments OP? or still… two people who don’t seem to like or trust one another living under the same roof?

Igetolderbutneverwiser · 29/04/2024 16:44

@marzipanlover81 what a delightful post

OP posts:
marzipanlover81 · 29/04/2024 16:46

but op that is what it looks like

you don’t trust him
and although be was somewhat bombarded by you, his response and your follow up posts strongly indicates that he doesn’t like you

I have just read all your posts op… and that’s what strikes me 🤷

marzipanlover81 · 29/04/2024 16:50

is he still saying no to counselling?