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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

Can’t get over my ex

9 replies

Malevans · 14/08/2024 09:30

This is so silly… I’ve woken up this morning having had yet another vivid dream about my ex boyfriend, who ended things over two years ago. I have struggled to get over him, and mornings like this have me close to tears again.

The back story is long and complicated, but basically we were on and off for seven years. From Day 1 I knew he was special, and over time I came to see him as the person I knew I wanted to spend my life with. There were challenges, but I actually enjoyed them, if that makes sense? Unlike all other relationships I’d ever had, I wanted to work through them because he and we meant so much to me. I found him interesting and funny and kind, I loved his company and he was, honestly, the sexiest man I’ve ever known. On the face of it he wasn’t the particularly gorgeous physically, but for some reason I’ve never been able to explain I was compulsively attracted to him. It was like some invisible chemical thing. I found him insanely hot to a degree I’ve never experienced elsewhere. In seven years it never went away even a little.

But it didn’t work out at his end. There were insurmountable difficulties, principally when his work meant he had to move away. In the end he ended it, and whilst we tried to be friends it was the worst six months of my life because he started seeing someone else and I didn’t know how to cope. So in the end we went no contact. That was December 2022.

Since then I can honestly say that I’ve thought of him every day. It’s a cliche about all the love songs reminding me of him, but they do. And most of the places I go and things I do. Last night, as happens from time to time, I had a very vivid dream about him and it’s fucked me up this morning.

How do people get over their ex-es? I have a full and busy life, friends, a job, activities etc. I have seen a couple of other men in the past 18 months but there’s just no comparison at all. The connection isn’t there. One became a bit of a FWB but it was just going through the motions rather than it being the genuine joy that it had been with my ex. With the new man, afterwards I felt shame and disappointment.

Maybe I need to give them (and things generally) more time but it’s been a while and it’s not getting better. Meanwhile I wonder all the time about my ex. I appreciate that each passing day is a day further from us knowing each other. And whenever I go anywhere I look around in vague terror wondering if he’ll be there.

Not really sure what I want from this post, but it’s good to write it down. Thanks to anyone who read it to the end.

OP posts:
Thinko · 14/08/2024 23:44

I read to the end, doesn't sound like a nice place to be. May I ask, do you want these feelings to stop and completely leave him in the past? Or does that seem painful to you? I'm asking because the first step to getting over someone is understanding how life is going to look with their presence no longer in your life.

YesThatsATurdOnTheRug · 14/08/2024 23:47

I'm so sorry OP, what a horrible situation to be in. I wonder if you could afford to get some therapy? I think talking it all out might help. You definitely don't need to give the relationships you've had any more time but I would also think that at least being on the dating scene could be helpful.

Malevans · 15/08/2024 09:58

Thinko · 14/08/2024 23:44

I read to the end, doesn't sound like a nice place to be. May I ask, do you want these feelings to stop and completely leave him in the past? Or does that seem painful to you? I'm asking because the first step to getting over someone is understanding how life is going to look with their presence no longer in your life.

Thanks. I don’t really know the answer to your questions. I don’t want to be sad, I know that much. Sometimes I wonder if part of me clings on to memories as a way of proving to myself that I wasn’t wrong about him and that he really was the one for me (even if he thinks differently!). I haven’t been able to go a whole day without a thought of him crossing my mind. I suspect it will one day happen by accident. Perhaps that will be a game changer.

OP posts:
Malevans · 15/08/2024 09:59

YesThatsATurdOnTheRug · 14/08/2024 23:47

I'm so sorry OP, what a horrible situation to be in. I wonder if you could afford to get some therapy? I think talking it all out might help. You definitely don't need to give the relationships you've had any more time but I would also think that at least being on the dating scene could be helpful.

Thanks. I have thought about therapy but the cost is off-putting. Dating is a good idea, and I have done a couple of times but it’s such hard work! Ha! Perhaps I need to do that hard work though.

OP posts:
DoubleCoatedDogs · 15/08/2024 10:10

I wonder how much of this has become a compulsion (which I truly empathise with)? My advice is actually, I think you should stop trying to date and just pour into yourself for a bit. Do things that make you happy. Date yourself! Maybe consider your sleep hygiene - make your bedroom a sanctuary, candles, nice duvet, bit of meditation. Perhaps journaling or keeping a diary?

I know I sound a bit of a New Age knobhead but I went through something similar and I woke up one day after lots of the above, and realised I hadn't thought about him for days.

Malevans · 15/08/2024 10:53

DoubleCoatedDogs · 15/08/2024 10:10

I wonder how much of this has become a compulsion (which I truly empathise with)? My advice is actually, I think you should stop trying to date and just pour into yourself for a bit. Do things that make you happy. Date yourself! Maybe consider your sleep hygiene - make your bedroom a sanctuary, candles, nice duvet, bit of meditation. Perhaps journaling or keeping a diary?

I know I sound a bit of a New Age knobhead but I went through something similar and I woke up one day after lots of the above, and realised I hadn't thought about him for days.

You don’t sound like a new age knobhead at all. Thank you, those are useful suggestions x

OP posts:
Thinko · 15/08/2024 12:17

My apologies, I was getting off of a train when I replied last night!

Okay OP, I think your ex has been placed on a high pedestal since you broke up. As you pointed out, he's remained up there partly because it perhaps justifies him being The One in your eyes.."even if he thinks differently", which he did. Accepting that isn't easy, I totally get you. His change of work location and the sudden strain put on your relationship at that time because of it, you guys breaking up, new partner brought in quickly (whilst you were still very much emotionally attached to him) these experiences have actually caused you a lot of pain, mostly managed on your own. So please allow yourself some credit here.

The remarkable attraction you speak of, whilst I'm sure powerful, seems all the more potent only because of his absence. His memory will torment you for the same reasons. Remember, there's a whole world of decent chaps out there..strong connections are waiting to be formed. This guy was once a stranger too. He needed someone to help him get over you. Understand, a pedestal can be just as easily dismantled.

Don't worry about dreams, they're just random thoughts coming to life as we sleep. They mean very little and can't be controlled so look no deeper into them. If you genuinely want to be rid of the emotional burden (which you really don't deserve) you have to see yourself as special, never mind him. Document your thoughts on audio (use your phone) and do some physical exercise daily. It'll raise your inner confidence greatly. Get rid of all sentimental items, painful but necessary. DoubleCoatedDogs gives excellent advice, do change up and personalize your sleep space. Reclaim the boudoir as your own. Keep dating but just take your time at it..
You'll find that the more love you pour into yourself, the less headspace for your past, I promise. So treat yourself as someone well worth loving, starting this evening..

Just be sure not to nod off surrounded by a load of lit candles lol

Bone11 · 15/08/2024 15:32

There can be a comforting familiarity in heartache. It can become a default way of existing. That's what you need to learn to live without. You are already without him. Take away any physical reminders if you haven't already. Change your furniture round. Listen to different music and avoid love songs for a while. I'm certainly not judging, but be honest with yourself, are you indulging yourself and letting yourself wallow in the sadness?

VoodooQualities · 15/08/2024 15:51

You don't mention whether you have spent any significant time of your adult life on your own, not even trying to date but just be on your own. Have you? I agree with DoubleCoatedDogs. Spend some time learning who you are. I am afraid you will need to get over him, even though at the moment that's a painful thought. Not forget him, because he's an important figure in your life. But grow, move on and learn something about yourself from your time with him. I wish you all the best in the future (it will get better I promise you).

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