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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

In a place I never thought I'd be... day 3

9 replies

Melonjellies · 22/01/2025 05:53

I have been in one of those relationships that I presume is like putting a toad in water and slowly heating it up.
I've been through too much in 4 years. The level of lies and manipulation I was in without realising. I had a small feeling but it became a big feeling overtime. Plus the lies became so obvious and distressing.
I've had a cheating boyfriend. But I've never had a mentally abusive boyfriend. He was older and put on a show at first.
Then he was diagnosed with a personality disorder. Around 2 years in he had full control. His silent treatments made me fall apart. I was anxious. Only could focus on my phone and him. He'd make me think something was wrong. He had no family but there was one family member. I thought I was doing right communicating my concerns over to her. Little did I know it would be twisted into lies about me. Me being crazy. Me being paranoid. I stalk his family and friends. Who would say that? He was borrowing My money and not paying me. But telling this cousin I had stolen money from HIM. He threw me out at 4am one morning for asking why he was messaging emotional texts to his ex. When I cried and begged him to not make me walk an hour in the dark and begged him to talk to me. He told people I chased him around the house saying go on. Hit me. Hit me. When I had cash in my house he stole it. I had a thousand pound in cash in a safe pot to use gradually. Eventually there was £400. Then £180. Then £80. When I asked. Ofcourse he said I had misplaced it. He told his boss and work friends I was obsessed with sex. He showed my naked photos to them. He also made up to this boss that whilst away for a weekend he had told her a women she was gorgeous and could go for a drink with him. He claims I proceeded to scream at this woman and threaten her. This was a lie. There was a woman with a tan and he said to me look at the state of her. She was an attractive woman and I said to him, there's nothing wrong with her at all your looking at her because she's caught your eye. It was a conversation between us.

I can continue. He used to make comments on my hair and clothes in the first year. Wanted me to have and wear things like precious women. He never directly said it but he was very specific with brands and colors and at one point in the middle of winter expressed disappointment that I wore the same style all the time.

He has manipulated me time and time again to get money for groceries and other things because he was spending it on substances and it took me 3 years to find out he was taking drugs.

He has never ever celebrated my birthdays. He's never ever bought me flowers or presents or cards on any occasions like birthdays. Imagine that. A relationship where your not thought of enough to even get a £7 bunch of flowers for your birthday.

I could go on all day about stuff that's happened. Times he's gone missing and I've gone out looking for him. Rang for paramedics when he's been poorly. Rang for advice when he's missing.

I wrote on here how he wouldn't defend me recently when I was getting quite unpleasant messages from a female cousin of his. He refused to entertain me. This was the final straw and I was barely hanging on anyway. So 3 days ago I told him we had no connection and it was all just drama and I didn't want it anymore. He messaged 2 or 3 times telling me how great his new puppy is and how he was starving and had no money for food.

Its been 3 days and I've not contacted him and he's not contacted me. I'm so proud of me. It feels strange as I half expect him to reappear at some stage. Blocking cant happen as I have some of his things he may not want back. But I also don't want him coming to my house if I can reply and put boundaries in place I'd rather do that. I will block in the future.

OP posts:
mnreader · 22/01/2025 06:05

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FTstepmum · 22/01/2025 06:15

Serious respect to you for finding your self-respect!

...Important advice...

Read your original post aloud to yourself when you doubt your decision to leave (because initially, you probably will)

I found it took at least a few months to superficially disentangle from my abuser. Then, about a year to properly "cleanse" my spirit/heart from the damage.

Best ever decision.

Wasptv · 22/01/2025 06:17

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PlayingDevilsAdvocateisinteresting · 22/01/2025 06:18

Oh well done @Melonjellies. I know how hard it must have been for you, you are being so brave. I do hope you have family and/or friends in real life that you can depend on. I would have really struggled to get through my separation and divorce without having a few loved ones who supported me above and beyond. If for any reason you don't have anyone to turn to, or you don't want to wake them in the middle of the night, don't forget that you can ring the Samaritans at anytime, and always get a friendly and supportive ear.

Sadly, with Mumsnet it can go either way, but as long as you can ignore the bitterness of some responders, you can get masses of support, and great advice from a lot of women, many who have a wide range of experience and empathy to share with you. You have made the worst, and taken the hardest, step already, so please hang on through all the ups and downs that most of us had to struggle with - you might even be one of the lucky ones, where everything goes quite smoothly 🤞

As for his stuff, pack it in some bin bags, and send him one last message telling him where he can pick them up from, then block him immediately. Please never let him enter your home again. 🩷 xx

Wasptv · 22/01/2025 06:18

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username299 · 22/01/2025 06:24

He's really put you through the wringer. As for his stuff, either bag it up or post it to him. If you can't post text him a time to collect and leave the bag outside then block.

You need to block him because you're trauma bonded to him and he'll try and manipulate you.

AlmosttimeforChristmas · 22/01/2025 07:06

Is Women’s Aid the charity you can contact about the domestic abuse survivors course? What’s it called again? I’ve just looked. Google the Freedom Programme and a bunch of information comes up - like a national helpline for survivors of abuse etc. Definitely look it up abd good luck!

ItsByThere · 22/01/2025 07:13

Well done for walking away, that’s the biggest step.
Block him on everything and don’t be tempted to engage in any communication with him. If he comes to your door or harasses you, call the police and tell them everything.

MayaPinion · 22/01/2025 07:17

Bag up his things and take them to his cousins, in a taxi if need be, and then block. You’re waiting for him to get in touch about his possessions and a bit of you is hoping that he will have realized what he’s lost, that he’s a changed man, and that you’ll run off into the sunset together. He won’t realize, he won’t change, and he’ll scam you for more money with his Oh Poor Me shtick while mocking and gaslighting you. Your overriding job is to protect yourself, and you need to do what it takes. You owe him nothing, and that includes your time and attention.

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