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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

11 Day Silent Treatment Followed by a Return: Advice Wanted

116 replies

Hummingbird22 · 03/12/2024 22:25

Hi everyone, I would really like your input on a situation, but first here’s some context. I’ve been with someone exclusively (he’s almost 40) for about a year and a half. He said that he really wants a serious relationship and to be with one woman forever, but that EVERY woman he was with cheated on him and left him. For the past few months I’ve noticed a big change - he has been cold, distant, less communicative and extremely secretive. He stopped asking to see me altogether. Prior to this in the summer, his only idea of a “date” was that I drive to him to sit in his house or play tag along to something he already made plans to do without me rather than plan something together.

Any time an issue arises, he falls into a silent treatment which can last for days and will not contact me or initiate any repairs. It always has to be me to initiate repairs. It started getting so toxic that he’s tried to break up with me 3 times during minor arguments when I tried to hold him accountable for things and has been extremely rude. He has denied he’s giving the silent treatment and said he’s just not talking because he “thought we agreed it’s not working” or he “doesn’t want to bother me if I don’t want to talk to him” or accuses me of not being interested in him. This is gaslighting as none of those things were ever said. He also says I’m just “trying to argue” when I bring up an issue to try to resolve something that has happened or that bothers me. He never apologized for anything once.

Lately, he was constantly making plans with male friends but constantly blamed me as to why we don’t see each other when he never asks and is always unavailable. He planned an entire trip for one week overseas behind my back and did not tell me until less than one week before. While he was on the trip, he was online often and did not contact me once. He didn’t want to tell me who he went with (presumably a friend again) or what he even did on the trip. The secrets got so ridiculous that he didn’t even want to tell me he went to a concert when he got home. He’s been making plans without me and keeping me completely in the dark about EVERYTHING. I honestly feel like he’s been living an entire secret life.

I confronted him about the constant secretive behaviour and me being left in the dark about pretty much everything and he completely ignored me/did not respond, withdrew himself and did not contact me at all for 11 days - full on silent treatment. I considered the relationship to be over because he disappeared with no contact. In this time, he’s been non-stop hanging out with his married buddies making videos of themselves and planning for their musical show (which he also didn’t want to tell me about or invite me to). I did not chase him or message him during this silent treatment as enough is enough of the bs. On day 12 it was my birthday and he sent me a message early in the morning wishing me a happy birthday like nothing happened and he didn’t apologize for giving an almost 2 week silent treatment/ghosting me. He has not said anything since.

My question is, should I write him a message to say it’s over, or just don’t contact him ever again and go no contact? I don’t know if anyone has seen something like this before but it’s not normal behaviour to me.

OP posts:
doneandone · 03/12/2024 22:29

Definitely not normal at all. He's an arsehole.
I wouldn't bother messaging, just block and move on.

Catoo · 03/12/2024 22:33

In the kindest way I can possibly say this OP, you are not in a relationship with this man and haven't been since he stopped asking to see you.

He made no plans for your birthday and didn’t get a card or present. This isn’t what boyfriends do.

He should have been clearer. But he’s taken the cowardly way of gradually fading you out. That way if he feels lonely he can reel you in again for a bit.

Don’t send him a message. It’s already over. Move on with your life OP. Spend time with friends and family. Take up a new hobby/interest to fill you time up and to distract yourself.

mathanxiety · 03/12/2024 22:34

Just block him. He's not worth even a two short-Anglo-Saxon-words text.

You'll be yet another sob story he tells the next unfortunate woman who falls into his trap.

WallaceinAnderland · 03/12/2024 22:40

He's already finished it, he just didn't tell you. Don't message him, forget about him and move on.

Hummingbird22 · 03/12/2024 22:57

Yup he was ghosting me right up until the day of my birthday. I can’t understand why the heck he’d even try to message me for my birthday when he ghosted out like that - perhaps to ruin my day with his drama and upset me.

OP posts:
Hummingbird22 · 03/12/2024 23:00

WallaceinAnderland · 03/12/2024 22:40

He's already finished it, he just didn't tell you. Don't message him, forget about him and move on.

Yet another thing he failed to tell me.

OP posts:
Cloverforever · 03/12/2024 23:00

He has treated you like shit for quie long enough. Just block him and end the drama now.

CharlotteSometimes1 · 03/12/2024 23:05

By not responding and blocking you’re taking back your power, he may wonder what’s going on. Who cares, he doesn’t deserve a response.

raspberryripplecheesecake · 03/12/2024 23:06

You definitely deserve better than this nonsense. He's treated you awfully. Block him and move on.

Opentooffers · 03/12/2024 23:13

It's not normal to accept it all either. This should of been over the first time he gave you the silent treatment. Don't waste any more time on him. No need at all to say anything to him, just block and move on, and have better standards. Anyone with a long list of bad behaviour is showing that they have stuck it out too long.

Onthemaintrunkline · 03/12/2024 23:14

It seems to me upon reading your opening remarks, that you have put up with or tolerated his appalling behaviour for an unbelievable length of time.

He’s playing with you to feed his ego. Reading your comments I fail to find anything endearing about this man. Never in a million years would I be around to be treated so cavalierly.

Hummingbird22 · 03/12/2024 23:14

raspberryripplecheesecake · 03/12/2024 23:06

You definitely deserve better than this nonsense. He's treated you awfully. Block him and move on.

Yes he treated me terribly. He only wanted to see me on his terms - once he was suddenly busy with his mates, he didn’t bother anymore. He was putting in no effort to communicate.

OP posts:
Knittedfairies2 · 03/12/2024 23:16

Match his energy and give him the silent treatment. For ever...

TheShellBeach · 03/12/2024 23:20

Just ignore him, block him and forget about him.

Vaxtable · 03/12/2024 23:20

Just block him and move on

Beastiesandthebeauty · 03/12/2024 23:20

This is disgusting behaviour!! I wouldn't even block him I'd just let his message ding and go unresponsive

Hummingbird22 · 03/12/2024 23:21

Opentooffers · 03/12/2024 23:13

It's not normal to accept it all either. This should of been over the first time he gave you the silent treatment. Don't waste any more time on him. No need at all to say anything to him, just block and move on, and have better standards. Anyone with a long list of bad behaviour is showing that they have stuck it out too long.

The first time he did it, he gaslit me and said he went silent because the cell reception was bad at the cottage with his mates. He would never admit he was giving the silent treatment but I noticed a pattern that he would disappear after arguments and I would have to be the one repairing things and trying to communicate - it was not right. That’s why I left it this time to see how he would behave. That means if I wasn’t the one to repair and fix, he didn’t care about me at all to make an effort.

OP posts:
Hummingbird22 · 03/12/2024 23:24

Onthemaintrunkline · 03/12/2024 23:14

It seems to me upon reading your opening remarks, that you have put up with or tolerated his appalling behaviour for an unbelievable length of time.

He’s playing with you to feed his ego. Reading your comments I fail to find anything endearing about this man. Never in a million years would I be around to be treated so cavalierly.

Yes, the fact that he came back to wish me a happy birthday like a douche is definitely showing he is playing with me to feed his ego - the silent treatment and the return is all control and manipulation. He came back solely for attention to disturb me on my birthday.

OP posts:
Arlanymor · 03/12/2024 23:29

Catoo · 03/12/2024 22:33

In the kindest way I can possibly say this OP, you are not in a relationship with this man and haven't been since he stopped asking to see you.

He made no plans for your birthday and didn’t get a card or present. This isn’t what boyfriends do.

He should have been clearer. But he’s taken the cowardly way of gradually fading you out. That way if he feels lonely he can reel you in again for a bit.

Don’t send him a message. It’s already over. Move on with your life OP. Spend time with friends and family. Take up a new hobby/interest to fill you time up and to distract yourself.

This I'm afraid, he's behaved horribly but you don't even need to read between the lines to see that he has been actively seeking to leave the relationship. And he has succeeded, you just haven't acknowledged it. As @Catoo says, he has been cowardly and fading you out - why have you persisted in contacting him? I know it's been 18 months and you should expect more from him in terms of him leaving as graciously as possible, but he's not going to do that, so you need to be the adult here and just draw the line. I'm sorry he has let you down so badly - there will be better things waiting for you in your future. Good luck.

xTheLoudLeaderx · 03/12/2024 23:29

This is horrible! I can’t believe people like this exist. What is the actual point of him treating you like this ? Like he doesn’t care yet controlling your emotions and making you feel down.

Make sure your next birthday is a wonderful celebration… and laugh back at this. What a dick !

spanieleyes22 · 03/12/2024 23:31

OP please block delete and walk away. Like the others have said take back your power. He has shown you who he is and you need to stop trying to figure him out. Who knows and who cares why he is doing all this. For your own sanity get him outta your life now. Honestly you are most likely a gorgeous woman with lots going for you. Enjoy your own company and there are decent guys out there just very hard to find sometimes. Don't waste anymore time or energy on this total A- hole

Hummingbird22 · 03/12/2024 23:35

Beastiesandthebeauty · 03/12/2024 23:20

This is disgusting behaviour!! I wouldn't even block him I'd just let his message ding and go unresponsive

Absolutely disgusting behaviour. I no longer wanted to pander to this man child’s trash behaviour and run after him to repair anything. Relationships require communication and conflict resolution and he wanted to do neither. I guess he thinks people don’t fight and everything is always peaches and cream in his world.

OP posts:
Mmhmmn · 03/12/2024 23:36

EVERY woman he was with cheated on him and left him

And it’s clear why isn’t it.

Break it off with him for shitty behaviour and make sure he knows that’s it over. If you feel like being helpful tell him it’s obvious he has serious emotional issues and needs to seek therapy. (Poor old therapist).

Then enjoy your life free of this exhausting fucked up angry man and make sure new partners can process their emotions and communicate properly. Wishing you peace and happiness!

Hummingbird22 · 03/12/2024 23:49

Mmhmmn · 03/12/2024 23:36

EVERY woman he was with cheated on him and left him

And it’s clear why isn’t it.

Break it off with him for shitty behaviour and make sure he knows that’s it over. If you feel like being helpful tell him it’s obvious he has serious emotional issues and needs to seek therapy. (Poor old therapist).

Then enjoy your life free of this exhausting fucked up angry man and make sure new partners can process their emotions and communicate properly. Wishing you peace and happiness!

I found it extremely odd when he kept saying every woman left him and cheated. Not everyone is a cheater so I was like come on now something doesn’t jive! Looks like he was trying to play the victim to show he was such a nice guy who was so hard done by women. He also said he would never leave me and that it would have to be me to break it off - surprise, surprise. The person he was in the end was not the same person from the beginning. The mask was off.

I spoke to a therapist who is a friend and thinks he needs heavy therapy and thinks the entire situation is extremely bizarre. The therapist said he never cared.

Communication is extremely important and the silent treatment is well, the exact opposite of what needs to happen in a healthy relationship.

OP posts:
Hummingbird22 · 03/12/2024 23:54

xTheLoudLeaderx · 03/12/2024 23:29

This is horrible! I can’t believe people like this exist. What is the actual point of him treating you like this ? Like he doesn’t care yet controlling your emotions and making you feel down.

Make sure your next birthday is a wonderful celebration… and laugh back at this. What a dick !

Control and fuel. It’s evident to me he has no emotional empathy whatsoever. I was doing all the emotional heavy lifting. Comes a time where enough is enough.

OP posts:
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