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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

Abuse, would this coping strategy be more harmful than good

8 replies

TheSnugHare · 29/10/2024 22:19

I have been in an on off relationship with my ex for over a year. We keep blocking and unblocking each other. The most I have gone no contact is a few weeks. When I come back he says I should’ve left forever, he didn’t miss me and why am I bothering him now. He doesn’t usually do anything to get me to come back, I feel the need to come back. It was an emotionally abusive relationship.I’ve been told my self esteem is on the floor.
According to him, nothing I do is ever good enough. Someone is always better than me. I have always wanted him to love me, but I’ve been told I don’t deserve it.
I often feel really confused
I have tried keeping a diary of the abuse, not all of it but it’s more than enough, it is full. I even started a new one recently then tore out the pages and turned the diary into something else. I have proof saved to my laptop as well.
I’m wondering if I should have a dedicated diary for working through my challenges rather than just writing about whatever has happened.
I have also tried listing everything that was wrong with him and the relationship and writing what I want on the other side. I got counselling for a few weeks. I keep forgetting everything I have learned and act on urges and impulse due to (very likely) ADHD.
It’s really hard for me to keep control over my mood swings, and I feel overwhelmed with everything I have to remember or how to deal with certain things because the situation is so complex. At a basic level, I have limited the amount of time I spend on certain apps which has helped a lot more, I am doing daily affirmations, I have daily self care habits. It’s hard to remember much else.
It’s deeply painful to see someone else in a relationship and enjoying themselves. It’s not like I don’t want them to have that but I have never experienced it myself.
Still, I keep imagining vengeful, imaginary situations, totally made up like next year when every couple is celebrating Valentine’s Day, I will do something for myself so that he doesn’t get to experience a loving Valentine’s Day with me like everyone else. I just feel like destroying everything, so that he gets to feel what it’s like to be me every other day of the year. Not that he would actually care. Or I will completely humiliate him, like kick him out in the middle of the night with nothing and no money. Nothing I can carry out and nothing that I would actually do. I am thinking about writing them down.
I’m ashamed of thinking this way some time afterwards. I’m not sure if it’s actually a therapeutic thing to do or if it’s damaging me.

OP posts:
FastBeater · 29/10/2024 22:23

I'm not completely sure what you're asking, but this doesn't sound like a healthy relationship.

It sounds like you're doing some positive things. Are you able to access some in person therapy?

username2377 · 29/10/2024 22:26

You could try doing the Freedom Programme, it helps you to learn what a healthy relationship is.

You could also contact a domestic abuse organisation for support in trying to get free from the relationship.

You need to go completely no contact; block and delete his number, block his social media and focus on other things. You might find therapy useful to work through your feelings as you process this.

GrazingLamb · 29/10/2024 22:40

Have you children?

TheSnugHare · 29/10/2024 23:32

username2377 · 29/10/2024 22:26

You could try doing the Freedom Programme, it helps you to learn what a healthy relationship is.

You could also contact a domestic abuse organisation for support in trying to get free from the relationship.

You need to go completely no contact; block and delete his number, block his social media and focus on other things. You might find therapy useful to work through your feelings as you process this.

I remember that programme being mentioned before. I just bought it for £14 and the download link leads to a one page blank PDF. I don’t know if I’ve been scammed or if it’s a technical issue

OP posts:
username2377 · 29/10/2024 23:36

TheSnugHare · 29/10/2024 23:32

I remember that programme being mentioned before. I just bought it for £14 and the download link leads to a one page blank PDF. I don’t know if I’ve been scammed or if it’s a technical issue

It's not a scam. Contact them to sort it out:

Freedom Programme Helpline:
01942 262 270
Helpdesk Email
[email protected]

You've paid for the online programme, as far as I'm aware you don't need to print anything out. It's all online, however contact them to ask.

Well done OP, you're taking the first step and it's always the hardest.

MeganM3 · 29/10/2024 23:43

This nonsense relationship needs ending. At some point it really just comes down to you making up your mind and sticking to it.

It will be hard, but not as hard as you think.

It takes about 4 weeks for the itchy feeling of wanting contact to fade. It gets easier after that. You need to trust yourself, you have to want to recover from this cycle of madness.
Try and be the smarter, most resilient, level headed, no bullshit version of yourself.
You CAN do it.

TheSnugHare · 29/10/2024 23:55

TheSnugHare · 29/10/2024 23:32

I remember that programme being mentioned before. I just bought it for £14 and the download link leads to a one page blank PDF. I don’t know if I’ve been scammed or if it’s a technical issue

It was a technical issue that’s been sorted. I’m starting the freedom programme now.
I’ll also look at some work sheets

OP posts:
TheSnugHare · 29/10/2024 23:57

MeganM3 · 29/10/2024 23:43

This nonsense relationship needs ending. At some point it really just comes down to you making up your mind and sticking to it.

It will be hard, but not as hard as you think.

It takes about 4 weeks for the itchy feeling of wanting contact to fade. It gets easier after that. You need to trust yourself, you have to want to recover from this cycle of madness.
Try and be the smarter, most resilient, level headed, no bullshit version of yourself.
You CAN do it.

I will try that. How can I stop going back after that though? How can I stick to it?

OP posts:
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