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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

Just writing to get my thoughts straight.

116 replies

Coralsea123 · 08/01/2025 12:03

Yesterday was an awful day and i just need to write it down to help me understand. Fantastic Christmas with boyfriend, effort put in on both sides, visited both families and made sure we checked in on each other during Xmas events. Honestly couldn't have asked for better.

Anyway, Yesterday bf woke up and gave me a kiss. This is how we normally start the day but he didn't say good morning babe/beautiful which he usually does. I cuddled him but he's full of cold and was coughing a lot. I was getting a bit annoyed so just asked him to cover his mouth when he coughed as he was coughing straight onto me. He didn't acknowledge that I'd spoken so I rolled away slightly so not to get his germs and asked if he'd heard me. He said he had heard but didn't respond because it wasn't a question, just a statement. If it was me, I would have just said oh yeah sorry, didn't realise. Will next time etc.
Little later and I'm getting dressed, there's some posh biscuits over on his bedside table that we got as a Christmas present and I fancied one. I go round to get the packet and he gets there before me, snatching it away. He asked what I was doing, I said I wanted the biscuits and he withheld them asking why. I was annoyed now so replied saying it doesn't matter why, let me have them. He was pulling them further away until I told him. I gave up and went downstairs without one. He's never acted like that before, it was completely out of character. I Felt it was controlling. I mentioned it later and he had a different view of it, insisting that he wanted to know why I wanted the biscuits but that he was not pulling them further away and with holding them.

I had 30 mins or so on my own so we could get over what just happened. Then went to give him a hug and a kiss. Thought it might help and be an olive branch. He gave me a kiss back but the hug was limp like he didn't want to really touch me. Later we head out for the day. I asked if he wanted a kiss in the car and whether he was ok. He said I'm happy to have a kiss if you want. So I gave him a quick kiss. Drove to the shops for 1hr in silence. He wasn't making conversation and I asked why, he just said he has nothing to talk about and nothing to say. Which isn't like us, I generally talk more but he would normally say even generic stuff like 'sat nav says we'll get there at xx time' or 'I'm stopping at the next services if you want anything.'

He knew we're going to a big shopping centre as it had been planned and had said he was still happy to go. Got there, he was hungry. Found a quick food place and he just moaned about how long the queue was. He spent the first 30 mins moaning about how busy it was. So after not speaking the first things he says are moans. Ruins the tone of the day and creates tension. We sit for a drink, again in silence because I've asked him not to moan and he barely looks at me. I end up crying in the middle of the shopping centre, because I hate how he is today. I'm sad, confused and upset. I told him this isn't normal and how we normally act. He insisted we were fine, he was fine and there was nothing wrong. I said I don't feel warmth, cared for or loved. His response to how can he try to show that was 'yeah I'm taking you shopping that will show you care and love!' I told him that does not show love. For me I like physical touch and being close. He knows this, I'm open about this and we've been together a few years so he knows this. I tell him I need him to hold my hand, give me kisses and hugs, touch my back, my hair etc. He does this normally when out and about. I'm not meaning pda's or full make out sessions just a kiss on the head, quick peck and holding hands. We go round the shops for a few hours and none of this happens. Can't even hold my hand.
Get home and the house is freezing so we head straight to bed. He's moaning it's cold so I joke best way to warm up is to share body heat. Just meaning a hug. I get no response from this. Normally he'd be all over me giving me a hug.
I can't take it anymore and ask my he hasn't been talkative or touchy feely all day. He said he wasnt feeling it. I said thats fair enough but then why did you not say when I specifically told you what I need from you to make me feel cared for and loved. You should have told me then because I've been open and honest and still not got what I need from you. I asked why he said he was happy to give me a kiss in the car at the start of the day if he wasn't feeling it and he said ,'I was still happy to give you a kiss if you wanted one. I just wasn't feeling it, I've not been feeling it today.' This confuses me. How can you be happy to do something which is physical and intimate (on the lower end of the scale) if you don't feel it/not feeling it.
This is an issue for me, that he feels this way and hasn't mentioned it. He says I don't need to know. I asked him what has made him feel like this and he says nothing. He still maintains the fact that he's fine/acting normally and we're fine as a couple.
He said, sometimes people need space and I'm not feeling it today. He spends most nights at mine as we are slowly progressing into moving in together. But he still has his house with everything like bed, tv, heating etc so why did he choose not to go to his tonight if that's how he feels. It confuses me and as a result I ask lots of questions to try to understand and gain clarification. But then he says its the Spanish inquisition as I ask too many questions.

Now an update before I post this. He Wakes up this morning as if nothing ever happened and was acting fine. I said what was yesterday all about, it upset me. He said sorry you felt that way. To me he should be apologising for his actions not how I feel. But he didn't think he did anything wrong. I then explained everything he did that made me feel like that and he still said nothing. He didn't look like he cared and it was only when I mentioned accountability and that he said I'm sorry for my actions/words. He didn't feel like he needed to take accountability or apologise because he didn't do anything wrong in his eyes. I had to prompt him so it wasn't a genuine sorry.

I don't know why I'm posting really, just a vent.

OP posts:
FlatWhiteExtraHot · 08/01/2025 13:21

Is this honestly the first time in 3 years that he’s behaved like this?

I find it bizarre that anyone could not have had an off day in all that time. The poor bloke must be exhausted.

PhilomenaPunk · 08/01/2025 13:22

Honestly just reading your post is exhausting OP. Apart from the biscuits thing, which I would want an explanation for once he's better, the rest of it sounds like you have absolutely no regard for how he feels. You knew he was ill and you spent the day grabbing at him, asking for kisses, questioning his behaviour and responses to you and then crying in the middle of a shopping centre. Why?

You say that you need post of kisses and cuddles for reassurance. Why do you need that much reassurance? What about what your partner needs?

He has a right to his own boundaries and you need to learn to respect that. I for one hate being touched when I'm ill, as do a lot of people. We are all human, not automatons, and you should be comfortable and secure enough in yourself and your relationship to not spiral in such dramatic fashion because he did not say "good morning beautiful" and didn't kiss and cuddle you when he is ill.

In his shoes I would have stayed home and gone back to bed after the first round of questioning, and I would be furious at my partner for making me jump through all those ridiculous hoops because of their insecurities.

outerspacepotato · 08/01/2025 13:24

He was sick. You were being needy and demanding. Then you made a scene in public because he wasn't all over you physically.

Back off. Give the sick person some space instead of expecting them to be catering to your demands for attention.

Oh, kissing him will expose you to germs just like him coughing on you.

SnugCoralFinch · 08/01/2025 13:24

The biscuit thing is odd 😅

however, you sound incredibly demanding I can’t imagine being upset over him not being affectionate enough whilst in a shopping centre? Plus he was ill…All this sounds very unhealthy.

Everleigh13 · 08/01/2025 13:25

It sounds like he woke up not feeling great or in a bad mood. If you read back over your post you might notice that you keep trying to force him to kiss, hug, give affection, give reassurance and it just sounds quite fraught and over the top.

I would find it too intense if my husband needed me to be constantly touching, kissing and reassuring him for him to feel good and ok about himself. I hope you are ok OP and maybe take this as an opportunity to think about how realistic it is to expect somebody to make you feel loved at all times.

SugarPlumpFairyCakes · 08/01/2025 13:26

You sound really really needy. And it's suffocating.

Just back off sometimes. Try and think of what other people might need instead of yourself all the time.

I really felt irritated reading your post.

stayathomer · 08/01/2025 13:30

Op I think you’re overthinking and overanalysing way too much, and you being cranky because he’s coughing etc, would like him to be thinking that about you? Try and enjoy what you have and don’t make your relationship your only focus in life x

Movinghouseatlast · 08/01/2025 13:30

Christ.

He's got a cold and probably doesn't feel well.

You sound like you are very demanding of him.

Differentstarts · 08/01/2025 13:32

ladymalfoy45 · 08/01/2025 13:15

I want to know the make/brand of the biscuits that caused such a rift.

Definitely got to be foxes 😋

BlueSky2024 · 08/01/2025 13:33

Coralsea123 · 08/01/2025 12:03

Yesterday was an awful day and i just need to write it down to help me understand. Fantastic Christmas with boyfriend, effort put in on both sides, visited both families and made sure we checked in on each other during Xmas events. Honestly couldn't have asked for better.

Anyway, Yesterday bf woke up and gave me a kiss. This is how we normally start the day but he didn't say good morning babe/beautiful which he usually does. I cuddled him but he's full of cold and was coughing a lot. I was getting a bit annoyed so just asked him to cover his mouth when he coughed as he was coughing straight onto me. He didn't acknowledge that I'd spoken so I rolled away slightly so not to get his germs and asked if he'd heard me. He said he had heard but didn't respond because it wasn't a question, just a statement. If it was me, I would have just said oh yeah sorry, didn't realise. Will next time etc.
Little later and I'm getting dressed, there's some posh biscuits over on his bedside table that we got as a Christmas present and I fancied one. I go round to get the packet and he gets there before me, snatching it away. He asked what I was doing, I said I wanted the biscuits and he withheld them asking why. I was annoyed now so replied saying it doesn't matter why, let me have them. He was pulling them further away until I told him. I gave up and went downstairs without one. He's never acted like that before, it was completely out of character. I Felt it was controlling. I mentioned it later and he had a different view of it, insisting that he wanted to know why I wanted the biscuits but that he was not pulling them further away and with holding them.

I had 30 mins or so on my own so we could get over what just happened. Then went to give him a hug and a kiss. Thought it might help and be an olive branch. He gave me a kiss back but the hug was limp like he didn't want to really touch me. Later we head out for the day. I asked if he wanted a kiss in the car and whether he was ok. He said I'm happy to have a kiss if you want. So I gave him a quick kiss. Drove to the shops for 1hr in silence. He wasn't making conversation and I asked why, he just said he has nothing to talk about and nothing to say. Which isn't like us, I generally talk more but he would normally say even generic stuff like 'sat nav says we'll get there at xx time' or 'I'm stopping at the next services if you want anything.'

He knew we're going to a big shopping centre as it had been planned and had said he was still happy to go. Got there, he was hungry. Found a quick food place and he just moaned about how long the queue was. He spent the first 30 mins moaning about how busy it was. So after not speaking the first things he says are moans. Ruins the tone of the day and creates tension. We sit for a drink, again in silence because I've asked him not to moan and he barely looks at me. I end up crying in the middle of the shopping centre, because I hate how he is today. I'm sad, confused and upset. I told him this isn't normal and how we normally act. He insisted we were fine, he was fine and there was nothing wrong. I said I don't feel warmth, cared for or loved. His response to how can he try to show that was 'yeah I'm taking you shopping that will show you care and love!' I told him that does not show love. For me I like physical touch and being close. He knows this, I'm open about this and we've been together a few years so he knows this. I tell him I need him to hold my hand, give me kisses and hugs, touch my back, my hair etc. He does this normally when out and about. I'm not meaning pda's or full make out sessions just a kiss on the head, quick peck and holding hands. We go round the shops for a few hours and none of this happens. Can't even hold my hand.
Get home and the house is freezing so we head straight to bed. He's moaning it's cold so I joke best way to warm up is to share body heat. Just meaning a hug. I get no response from this. Normally he'd be all over me giving me a hug.
I can't take it anymore and ask my he hasn't been talkative or touchy feely all day. He said he wasnt feeling it. I said thats fair enough but then why did you not say when I specifically told you what I need from you to make me feel cared for and loved. You should have told me then because I've been open and honest and still not got what I need from you. I asked why he said he was happy to give me a kiss in the car at the start of the day if he wasn't feeling it and he said ,'I was still happy to give you a kiss if you wanted one. I just wasn't feeling it, I've not been feeling it today.' This confuses me. How can you be happy to do something which is physical and intimate (on the lower end of the scale) if you don't feel it/not feeling it.
This is an issue for me, that he feels this way and hasn't mentioned it. He says I don't need to know. I asked him what has made him feel like this and he says nothing. He still maintains the fact that he's fine/acting normally and we're fine as a couple.
He said, sometimes people need space and I'm not feeling it today. He spends most nights at mine as we are slowly progressing into moving in together. But he still has his house with everything like bed, tv, heating etc so why did he choose not to go to his tonight if that's how he feels. It confuses me and as a result I ask lots of questions to try to understand and gain clarification. But then he says its the Spanish inquisition as I ask too many questions.

Now an update before I post this. He Wakes up this morning as if nothing ever happened and was acting fine. I said what was yesterday all about, it upset me. He said sorry you felt that way. To me he should be apologising for his actions not how I feel. But he didn't think he did anything wrong. I then explained everything he did that made me feel like that and he still said nothing. He didn't look like he cared and it was only when I mentioned accountability and that he said I'm sorry for my actions/words. He didn't feel like he needed to take accountability or apologise because he didn't do anything wrong in his eyes. I had to prompt him so it wasn't a genuine sorry.

I don't know why I'm posting really, just a vent.

To be honest, you sound suffocating, extremely needy and attention seeking, I couldn’t put up with that it sounds exhausting

I personally think the whole thing kicked off because he didn’t say good morning babe / beautiful (maybe because he was feeling sick) and that triggered your neediness and insecurities

Do you need constant validation, why do you expect and need so much attention

Rowen32 · 08/01/2025 13:36

You sound completely overwhelming, is this normal for you? I was feeling suffocated reading the OP 🙈 the poor guy was sick, just leave him be

CC222 · 08/01/2025 13:43

You sound very needy! Everyone has off days, especially if they have a cold.
Draw a line and don't make this bigger than it has to be. It's very petty!

calmandcollected101 · 08/01/2025 13:45

You sound really needy.

He probably just needed to space and to be cared for himself.
Especially going driving an hour to the shopping centre

MissDoubleU · 08/01/2025 13:53

ladymalfoy45 · 08/01/2025 13:15

I want to know the make/brand of the biscuits that caused such a rift.

Yes, how posh are we talking?

Tbf I would be annoyed if my fella held hostage the posh biscuits that were meant for us both to share

WhydontyouMove · 08/01/2025 14:00

I don’t know why everyone’s going on like he had the plague when the op says he had a slight cold.

Is it normal to eat your food in a bad atmosphere, refusing to look or talk to the person you’re with? I’d have got up and left him there.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 08/01/2025 14:02

If the relationship works for you, OP - or has been - then I can understand why any deviation from what would be extremely cloying for many, would upset you.

You expect a lot of physical attention and validation. Your partner may be the same or at least accepting of this when he isn't unwell but as he has a cold it's not acceptable for him. He should have stayed at home or rescheduled this trip as you suggested.

The biscuit thing is just ridiculous.

I'd suggest putting a bit of space between you for now and thinking about what it is that you want. He should do the same.

comedycentral · 08/01/2025 14:03

I agree with others, I need a nap after reading that. You must have been exhausting for him. Why all the kisses when he's sick? 🤢Why all the neediness too?
You need to chill out a bit and apologise to him.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 08/01/2025 14:04

WhydontyouMove · 08/01/2025 14:00

I don’t know why everyone’s going on like he had the plague when the op says he had a slight cold.

Is it normal to eat your food in a bad atmosphere, refusing to look or talk to the person you’re with? I’d have got up and left him there.

OP said 'full of cold' not a slight one. I'm terrible with colds, some people aren't but some of us are.

cosietea · 08/01/2025 14:05

You sound exhausting to be in a relationship with and borderline controlling. He's probably fed up with the constant criticism and observation of very minute detail of how he acts and what he says/ doesn't say.

Do you get out much OP? I mean that in a nice way. Do you have friends and a job that can give you some perspective?

Thelifeofawife · 08/01/2025 14:06

OP, when I first read your post I thought ‘wow this is a lot’, but then realised that there’s likely more to this. I suspect that although you had a great Christmas, you haven’t necessarily had a great 3 years in the relationship. So when things are going well, the fear of things changing to a less perfect and loving relationship unsettles you and you become overwhelmed by the little things.
It sounds like he was probably just being off in the morning because he wasn’t well, and because you turned away from him, he decided to be immature withholding biscuits from you.
Despite him doing this, you’re the one who approached him for a kiss because you wanted to make everything better, and his lack of enthusiasm about it just made you feel worse than you already did. In his mind, he probably thought that he agreed to a kiss so he was making equal effort.
If it got you to the point that you were crying whilst shopping, this clearly wasn’t ‘something and nothing’ to you.

I’ve been there OP, it is rubbish. But I’ve also had relationships where I wasn’t so ‘needy’. It’s not necessarily that either of you are wrong, but something is going on in this relationship that is making you feel sensitive to rejection and not having your needs met. I would suggest thinking about how your relationship is overall and when your DP is feeling better have a chat about things. Then work out if you can have a future together, before you rush ahead moving in together 💐

sonjadog · 08/01/2025 14:07

You sound needy and self-centred. Your OP is all about your wants being met all the time. He is sick. Try putting him first instead of yourself for a day.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 08/01/2025 14:07

What I was also going to ask, OP, is if you're happy with 'by rote' comments like 'good morning beautiful'? I'm interested because if your day is ruined because that doesn't happen then that is very sad.

We're all different but I prefer spontaneity over practised, hackneyed phrases every time.

Do you really also 'check in' with each other when you're at the same event?

BunnyLake · 08/01/2025 14:08

You have a lot of demands. Maybe he’s just all out of kisses, hand holding, hugging, playing with your hair, touching your back etc. It all sounds too needy for me. It’s a lot especially when you're not feeling well.

I know you said you are older but honestly this sounds like its written by a teenager.

blackpooolrock · 08/01/2025 14:09

All this grief over biscuits? i think both of you need to grow up.

crying in a shopping centre? why? Sorry but you sound like hard work.

ItGhoul · 08/01/2025 14:12

Coralsea123 · 08/01/2025 12:29

Ok, we have been together 3 years and we are not young despite how this reads. I am not good at putting my thoughts into words.
I said he had a cough/cold yes but he was not that ill. I understand when you are ill you may act differently and be a little off but he is only coughing when he first wakes up as a result if being laid down all night. He has been out and about with family and friends all week so he was well enough to be out. I did say we didn't need to go shopping and we could go another day or I could just go on my own. He reiterated multiple times be was happy to go.

They weren't his biscuits, they were a join gift so I have as much right to eat one as he did.

Manners cost nothing and just a response to the coughing or if he wasn't in the mood to talk etc he could have just said this. To me it is rude that he didn't acknowledge any issue or tell me why. Communication is important, I can't read his mind on how he feels.

We all have bad days but it isn't fair to take it out on the people closest to you who just want to help and support.

But you weren't helping and supporting him, were you? You were being clingy, pestering him to chat and hug and kiss when he clearly didn't want to and generally being needy. Everything you've said is all about your feelings and how he made you feel. You sound desperately insecure, dramatic and extremely hard work.

Honestly, just reading your post made me feel claustrophobic. You sound super demanding and you don't seem to understand that people need space, especially when they're ill, and that it's perfectly OK for someone to be quiet and a bit unenthusiastic now and again. Things don't have to be perfect all the bloody time, you know. Sometimes people will be a bit irritable or want to be left alone. Yes, it's a bit annoying, but that's life and you need a sense of proportion.

Just because you like to be hugged and fussed over and cuddled and have your hair stroked, there will be times when the other person in the relationship doesn't want physical contact, and that is absolutely their right and their choice. Some people aren't always in the mood for physical affection, especially if they're feeling ill and grumpy, and you need to respect that.

I'm stunned that you cried in the middle of a shopping centre over this stuff. It's nothing.