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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

Guy I’m seeing has randomly gone travelling

38 replies

Ace56 · 25/01/2025 09:21

I’ve been seeing a guy for around 3 months. We are both in our early/mid thirties. We’ve discussed being exclusive but are not an official couple yet.

At the end of December he told me he’d randomly booked a last minute flight to a hot country outside Europe. I was away with my family for Xmas but we had been in contact as normal. I was a bit surprised but thought, oh well, good for you for wanting a bit of sun, and I knew this was a destination that was on his bucket list. He’d booked a one-way ticket only but said he would probably stay for a couple of weeks (he WFH permanently so has taken his laptop to work there).

It’s now been around 4 weeks and he recently told me he’s actually now flown to a neighbouring country to spend a bit of time there as well. He’s been in contact every day, sending me pics etc, so clearly wants to keep up a connection. However he seems in no rush to come back, is kind of just taking each day as it comes and doesn’t have a real plan of what he’s doing.

I’m not sure really what to feel about this? Is it a red flag? On the one hand I think well why not, if you want to travel and have the luxury of working remotely…but on the other hand I’m not sure where it leaves me. He’s not said he misses me or anything and has no idea when he’ll be back. Do I date others in the meantime? Call it off?

OP posts:
Mydahliasareshit · 25/01/2025 16:50

He's arranged his life to facilitate a nomadic existence.
This could get very miserable for you down the line, and end up taking its toll on your health.

I'd mentally detach now while the relationship is at an early stage and start seeing others. If he comes back at some point and pursues again, then have a talk about his plans for life going forward.

He really doesn't deserve all that power over your life. Take it back asap.

azuremarble · 25/01/2025 16:51

wind the chat down or say you're doing a phone detox for mental health.

Find some new activities or goals or self-care stuff to focus on. 2025 glow up for spring. You'll thank yourself in 6 months.

It really is incredibly arrogant and self-centred to be daily sending you his thoughts/using you as a text therapist without any clear indication of his movements.

Some people enjoy solitude, but he's using you as fallback girl here.

...if he gets stressed out and lonely that's solo travel for you! He's chosen his Me Time, and he wants an emotional crutch too. Can he not talk to the local holy men or whoever it is he's travelled out to engage with?

Leave him to do his Eat, Pray, Love odyssey at his own pace.

Tubetrain · 25/01/2025 16:52

I'd just text back and say 'have a great time, I'm not up for a long-distance relationship but might see you around when you get back'

ItGhoul · 25/01/2025 17:18

He hasn’t done anything but you are absolutely not compatible. You want different things.

Wisenotboring · 25/01/2025 17:37

I just don't think you do this to someone that you're 'exclusive' with. Personally I would be very hurt by this. I would keep it light but just bin him off. Really don't thing inwould want to be in a relationship with someone who was so cavalier about my feelings. Also, if I'm exclusive I want to be way higher on someone's priority list. You can do better OP.

Wisenotboring · 25/01/2025 17:37

Tubetrain · 25/01/2025 16:52

I'd just text back and say 'have a great time, I'm not up for a long-distance relationship but might see you around when you get back'

Perfect answer. Light yet clear.

Coffeeguru81 · 25/01/2025 17:38

op have you met him or was this relationship all conducted virtually to date?

Ace56 · 25/01/2025 18:05

Thanks everyone for the responses.

To clear up some points, it was more than a ‘few dates’ - we were seeing each other pretty much every weekend and sleeping together.

I think I’m going to start dating other people and as pp have mentioned, cut back on the communication with him. I agree that this is not the behaviour of someone who is really keen to start a relationship. If he wants to carry things on when he gets back, we can have a chat about what he actually is looking for here.

OP posts:
Coffeeguru81 · 25/01/2025 18:11

Does the “3 months” include all the weeks travelling?

Ace56 · 25/01/2025 18:16

Coffeeguru81 · 25/01/2025 18:11

Does the “3 months” include all the weeks travelling?

No it was about 3 months before he left

OP posts:
outerspacepotato · 25/01/2025 18:40

You only dated a couple of months and he misled you about how long he would be travelling out of the country or he changed his plans to an extended stay without telling you. His leaving for an extended stay with no return in sight voids any expectations of being exclusive. If he was really into you this all would have been discussed before he left and he would be open with you. He's treating you like a woman he was casually dating, there's no depth here.

No way would I be sitting home while he's out and about. It's over.

Tomatobum · 27/01/2025 07:02

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

DollyDaisyb · 27/01/2025 08:44

If he's in south east Asia or south America he'll be on tinder.

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