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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

Losing myself after betrayal

7 replies

ceSM23 · 04/07/2024 19:12

Hello, I was hoping someone would have advice regarding feeling a bit lost in yourself? My partner and I have been together for nearly 2 years now and I live with him and his kids. I absolutely adore them all and have totally centred my life around them (my choice), however our relationship hasn't always been easy or perfect. There's been a few occasions where I've found out that he has been unfaithful, through talking to other women and people he's been with previously, or has lied to me about his previous situation with one of my best friends, who I no longer can talk to for the simple fact that I can't unsee/unhear things. The thing with my friend was before me, so while I know he never knew me, he failed to tell me about it, so when she did it caused a huge fight. He's always been very apologetic however gets easily agitated when the topic of me still being affected by this/feeling insecure at times comes up. He refers to it as my "silver bullet" to hurt him.

Since finding this out, and attempting to work through it (still a work in progress), I feel like I've totally lost myself. I am more than happy with him, but I find myself sitting sometimes and my brain just wanders to feeling not good enough/why didn't he think about me in that scenario? I find that I have lost interest in having hobbies and struggle with anxiety when I'm apart from him, which I am also working through. Does anyone have any advice? I know it's not as severe as physically having an affair and cheating, but talking to other women (previous relationships before me) in a "joking" yet inappropriate manner is still painful.

OP posts:
Bethanyjade123 · 04/07/2024 19:48

How often has he spoken to other women? Because I would say that if it has been a frequent and ongoing thing then he probably won’t change as people like that usually don’t. He seems to be on the look out for something new to him
you don’t deserve that and he has been wrong to you, you have every right to feel insecure about it … and he should hold himself accountable for what he’s done and make you feel better, not say things like that. However if you do love him and choose to stay with him if he can be faithful to you moving forward you can absolutely move past it once you work on your insecurities (together) and build trust back. Thats not to say it will be a quick and easy process it can take a lot of time and I would recommend therapy as well if that’s possible for you

ceSM23 · 04/07/2024 20:19

Bethanyjade123 · 04/07/2024 19:48

How often has he spoken to other women? Because I would say that if it has been a frequent and ongoing thing then he probably won’t change as people like that usually don’t. He seems to be on the look out for something new to him
you don’t deserve that and he has been wrong to you, you have every right to feel insecure about it … and he should hold himself accountable for what he’s done and make you feel better, not say things like that. However if you do love him and choose to stay with him if he can be faithful to you moving forward you can absolutely move past it once you work on your insecurities (together) and build trust back. Thats not to say it will be a quick and easy process it can take a lot of time and I would recommend therapy as well if that’s possible for you

It was 2/3 occasions things like this occurred, at the start mainly. Do you think this is something that really won't change? I adore him and his kids and I trust that he says he's only for me but I always have this little doubt in the back of my mind.

OP posts:
Allthegoodnamesaregone1 · 04/07/2024 20:23

What's he said when talking with them? Is it sexual in nature?

ceSM23 · 04/07/2024 20:27

Allthegoodnamesaregone1 · 04/07/2024 20:23

What's he said when talking with them? Is it sexual in nature?

There were sexual "jokes" that he'd previously made with a former work colleague. And after lots of pushing I found out it was a previous fling (exchanging pictures etc but never physical). I know my own trust issues will likely cause this to be maybe worse than it is for others but I honestly felt so so betrayed by it and it's taken a while to get back to a "safe" feeling space.

OP posts:
Getitgirl · 04/07/2024 20:33

I don’t think a relationship of less than two years should be leaving you feeling this awful IMO. It’s a bit concerning that you’ve centred your life around someone you can’t trust and that you appear to be sacrificing your own sense of self (ditching hobbies etc) to keep this dynamic alive. What was going on before you met this man, OP?

Psychoticbreak · 04/07/2024 20:37

My ex was like this. Kept all past flings as friends on social media and would like and love all their profile pics. No sign of me of course as his specific other half so it was not because they were all his best pals or something he just loved the attention. I assume he messaged them too but no proof and he never felt any of it was wrong but I found it disrespectful and my boundaries should have been respected. If he is not respecting yours now he never will. My ex would twist things so everything was my fault but now I realise he was just a manipulator. Honestly looking back I would have ran the first time and saved myself years of anguish and pain. In the end he did almost drive me crazy which of course was then his get out clause. He won't change. You deserve better.

savethatkitty · 04/07/2024 20:39

So he's got a maid/child minder/shag on demand.

No wonder you feel lost. What do you get out of this? I'm willing to be your MH will improve 10 fold without this loser in your life.

Relationships are not meant to be hard or complicated especially only 2 years in.

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