Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

How did you overcome the guilt of leaving?

3 replies

autumnvib · 26/10/2024 22:19

H and I in process of separation/divorce instigated by me. 1 ds who is going through a tough time with puberty and misses H terribly. I know H wants us back and is devastated. We still spend time together to try and support ds and every time we do I am reminded of the fact that everyone's pain is down to me. Reasons for leaving: nothing in common anymore, no sex for nearly 2 years and the idea of it makes me cringe, arguing and toxic communication, both of us low level depressed and feeling unloved for ages but agreed we had no energy/will left to change it, I was fantasising about other men or about H cheating and he admitted he had dreamed of a nicer relationship than ours. Being in the old family home, around him, I feel incredibly trapped and upset. In my new home I feel sad and lonely and anxious at times but not this caged animal feeling.

And yet. Ds will never have another dad; they are sweet together, so similar and rub along well, and he desperately wants to be back in a family unit. As a couple we are financially great and no money worries. Also, H now says he misses me and wants to try counselling etc to make it work. I just can't bring myself to do it, it feels like it would be a lie and a waste of time.

I just feel so, so guilty. I can hardly live with myself at times. I've had suicidal thoughts about it sometimes, mainly the guilt over ds, and how badly H is coping with it all, and the worries over my financial future. And yet going back just doesn't seem like an option anymore for me.

Please help me with your stories in a similar situation.

OP posts:
SauviGone · 26/10/2024 22:30

I think you should have a look at counselling for yourself, alone. You’ve done the bravest hardest bit, actually leaving what sounds like a deeply unhappy and unhealthy relationship.

Don’t go back, it’ll be even harder to leave next time (which by the sounds of it will be inevitable).

And also depending on how long you’ve been separated and the frequency and intensity of this > We still spend time together to try and support ds, you should dial it back a bit and start to wind this down. How much time are you spending with your ex? While he dumps on you about “how badly he’s coping with it all”. Is he going on about this in front of your DS too?

It’s time for everyone to start getting used to a new, separate, normal.

laughingheart · 26/10/2024 22:32

I am in the same situation (or similar) OP.
Together 15 years, married for 8 - bumble along okay but the thought of physical intimacy makes me ill and I am much more relaxed since he moved out but still seeing him most days. I feel hideous amounts of guilt that my happiness is coming before everyone else's. Especially when I don't feel especially 'happy' right now. But I know it's the right thing..
He moved out around 6 weeks ago.

Hand hold in solidarity.

SpringleDingle · 26/10/2024 22:39

You have to give it time. It took a long time for the FOG (fear, obligation, guilt) to fade (maybe a year or more) after I told now exH that I wanted to separate. Now it was clearly the best thing I could have done. DD is totally used to it and barely remembers any different. ExH is still salty over it but only because he misses his head cook and bottle washer. You made the right decision for you, trust yourself and see it through!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page