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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

I need some really tough love

87 replies

HilaryJan · 03/03/2025 14:04

Can someone please help me get out of this horrible painful cycle. I am in a relationship of sorts with a lying deceitful narcissist. It is killing me. He makes me feel anxious, upset and unsafe. He has told me multiple lies. And I keep going back for more. I have spoken to my therapist and I absolutely understand the reasons why. She asked me what I get out of it. I said nothing but pain and heartbreak. But I can't stay away. If it was my best friend doing this I would lose my mind with her. But I can't take my own advice. I know I can't see him anymore but I can't stop. I am desperate to hear his alert on my phone. I am dying to see him and will drop anything to do so. I am more traumatised and upset being 'with' this man ( I'm not really with him, he is seeing multiple women) than I felt when I got divorced after a long marriage. I know all about Limerance so I don't need to hear about that. But I am a complete mess. How on earth do I break this cycle. I know he is the worst thing in the world for me and he's a truly awful person. But the thought of never seeing him again kills me. I don't know what to do or who to turn to,

OP posts:
WrylyAmused · 07/03/2025 16:47

One thing I saw recommended elsewhere is to write a list of all the shitty, dishonest, abusive, lying, or otherwise negative and horrible things that he's said and done.

If you're tempted to get back in contact, read all those reasons to help you realise that he's a terrible person and ultimately being in contact will hurt you more, and for longer, than going through the cold turkey phase now.

It does get easier. In a few months you'll look back and be amazed that you felt this way at this time.

Passtheduchess · 07/03/2025 17:05

HilaryJan

Was this your first relationship after your divorce? Ive repeatedly read that the ending of a relationship in these circumstances is notoriously difficult to deal with. 11 days is really, really good. Thats 264 hours you’ve managed to stay strong and not give in for. Soon you’ll be able to take it days, not hours, at a time, then weeks, and the one day you’ll realise that you haven't thought about him for ages, that you are smiling more, laughing more, feel free.

You’ve got this. Have you got some weekend plans to keep you distracted?

MerryMeet · 07/03/2025 17:09

RedVelvetIcing · 03/03/2025 16:11

Block and delete him today. You will find it so much easier than you expect. By the end of March you’ll feel relief that you did it.

I agree. Responding to him is reinforcing his behaviour. Block and delete his number.

dontbeabsurd · 07/03/2025 19:17

OP - what worked for me was to pretend that he had died. That made it final in my mind. I blocked him on every possible channel of communication, deleted any trace of him on my phone. I then mourned the future that I thought I would have with him (impossible as he was ‚dead’) and forgave myself for loving such broken person.
He tried to contact me but then I told myself it was an impersonator (couldn’t have been him because he ‚died’).

TheAmusedQuail · 07/03/2025 19:22

I was you, years ago @HilaryJan. And I absolutely knew it was an addiction. It was awful. I had it in 3 relationships and the only way I got away from one, was by meeting someone new. I literally could not control myself even though I was desperate to be able to.

The thing that saved me from this, in my final LTR was the menopause. With the reduction in my hormones, my attraction loosened a bit. After having 5 years of a less strong attraction, I managed to detach myself. I will never have another relationship now and I wish to god I hadn't wasted most of my life on nasty losers.

So I really, really feel for you.

HilaryJan · 07/03/2025 19:45

You guys are the absolute best you really really are. And I'm sorry so many of you have been through the same. I'm not sure if my divorce has something to do with it but I suppose it must have. It was a very long marriage and he was very dominating. My few relationships since have not been great but nothing compared to this. I've been in a very dark place. I live in a very high apartment and the possibility that offers of making the pain stop has been horrifically appealing. But today I stripped my balcony back to the bare bones and cleaned it like my life depended on it ( the irony) and it looks so pretty now with my plants and fairy lights. I've booked a holiday and I have a counselling session for next week. I also have a job interview to try and get out of my toxic workplace. I went to a friends house last night and we read something so hysterically funny we were literally crying laughing. I never thought that would happen again and I walked home feeling lighter. To the poster who went to the trouble of doing the maths on the hours of NC...thank you!!! It'll be 2 weeks on Sunday and I'm so proud of myself. I acknowledge it's going to be difficult but as one of you said hours will turn to days then weeks. I'm trying to stay busy and positive. Thank you again to all of you

OP posts:
PeggyMitchellsCameo · 07/03/2025 20:48

HilaryJan · 07/03/2025 19:45

You guys are the absolute best you really really are. And I'm sorry so many of you have been through the same. I'm not sure if my divorce has something to do with it but I suppose it must have. It was a very long marriage and he was very dominating. My few relationships since have not been great but nothing compared to this. I've been in a very dark place. I live in a very high apartment and the possibility that offers of making the pain stop has been horrifically appealing. But today I stripped my balcony back to the bare bones and cleaned it like my life depended on it ( the irony) and it looks so pretty now with my plants and fairy lights. I've booked a holiday and I have a counselling session for next week. I also have a job interview to try and get out of my toxic workplace. I went to a friends house last night and we read something so hysterically funny we were literally crying laughing. I never thought that would happen again and I walked home feeling lighter. To the poster who went to the trouble of doing the maths on the hours of NC...thank you!!! It'll be 2 weeks on Sunday and I'm so proud of myself. I acknowledge it's going to be difficult but as one of you said hours will turn to days then weeks. I'm trying to stay busy and positive. Thank you again to all of you

I am thinking out loud about getting over an addiction. Not to a person/relationship but it’s the same type of feelings.
I can remember lying in bed one day thinking - how did I get here? And I thought I would never, ever be free of it.
Made a few attempts, and then managed it. I can remember at first counting five minute intervals. But it was important for my brain and body to do other things than obsess over what I was missing.
That was nine years ago. I look back and feel sad for what I went through but like with any addiction. I could no more have a ‘little bit’ of what I craved any more than you can have a ‘little bit’ of contact with this man.
You can do it.
A tip I got from a brilliant addiction therapist: build a toolkit for dark days.
Because you need to make sure you never go back.
Mine consists of my fave episodes of funny shows I love, comforting books, a blank journal and pen, a list of yummy treats, and permission to speak to a few friends who would take my call. I have a little photo album as well.
You have had it so tough and don’t discount the overhang of that previous situation. You had three decades of hell there in a different way.
This is your chance now, OP. You have so much going for you. The things you are doing are all the right things. Start small and the big progress will come.
You deserve every happiness.

easterbunniesarecute · 08/03/2025 06:51

I've been in a similar situation with men who don't want to commit. I haven't seen the last one for about a year and a half. I've had time to get over it rather than being in the up and down see saw - when will I see him again, seeing him and feeling great, feeling down again. I feel a lot better now and I'm not sure I am ready to go on other dates.

You will get there - give it time and be kind to yourself 💐

HilaryJan · 08/03/2025 07:39

Thank you everyone. I love to wake up and see new responses. Even a simple 'you'll get there' is so reassuring. I also have the toolkit and a couple of friends who I know have my back and I can call or text about this. They will say the exact right thing and keep me on track. The sun is shining today. Thank you again Flowers

OP posts:
lozza8256 · 08/03/2025 08:13

@HilaryJan .. I never post on this site but I could not pass by the opportunity to say YOU ARE INCREDIBLE! You knew you were stuck, you reached out for support, you listened and YOU are doing the work.

You may slip up, but I'm sensing a new woman emerging from this and YOU are her.

I do hope there's a small part of you that is starting to feel proud of yourself.

Wish44 · 08/03/2025 08:14

You can do it OP. I am 3 months in. Can’t believe how good I feel after such a short amount of time. I thought it would take years but once I went NC I just went from strength to stress and can see him more clearly for who he is. I still have weak and sad moments… but they don’t last .

what helped, reading self help books. Why does he do that, women who love too much etc, writing the list of all the awful things. Reading mumsnet for hours and hours … threads by other women in similar awful situations … I could see how awful their men were and how ridiculous the women seemed for going back. It really helped me to see I was part of a common toxic pattern rather than something special.

Good luck op! We believe in you !!!

HilaryJan · 08/03/2025 08:28

Wow @lozza8256 .. to post on here for the first time to encourage me blows my mind. Thank you! And to hear that posters believe in me makes me feel strong about this. If you believe in me then I can believe in myself right?!
One poster used the word 'clean.' I love that. Today I am 13 days clean.
Thank you again. I'm so lucky to have all of you in my corner.

OP posts:
jeaux90 · 08/03/2025 09:04

I've been there.

Let me tell you something, you can absolutely do this.

If you feel at all tempted just remember that he is an empty shell.

There is nothing in there for you.

The shit person is who he really is.

The nice person is who he pretends to be to reel you back in.

You are doing amazing!!

HilaryJan · 08/03/2025 09:41

Thank you @jeaux90. Funnily enough I told him a while back 'you have made me into a shell of a person.' But yes he is the shell. He is nothing. I am everything he isn't.

OP posts:
Bittenonce · 08/03/2025 20:31

HilaryJan · 08/03/2025 09:41

Thank you @jeaux90. Funnily enough I told him a while back 'you have made me into a shell of a person.' But yes he is the shell. He is nothing. I am everything he isn't.

Yay, love the attitude!
if you think this, you’ll be fine

BitOutOfPractice · 09/03/2025 07:24

Congratulations @HilaryJan on reaching the two week milestone! Loved your balcony and laughing Updates. You are on the up!

HilaryJan · 09/03/2025 07:56

@BitOutOfPractice and @Bittenonce thank you both so much, especially to remember my 2 week NC. I'm so proud of myself.
2 weeks clean and sober.
I will keep going...
Smile

OP posts:
PeggyMitchellsCameo · 09/03/2025 08:11

HilaryJan · 09/03/2025 07:56

@BitOutOfPractice and @Bittenonce thank you both so much, especially to remember my 2 week NC. I'm so proud of myself.
2 weeks clean and sober.
I will keep going...
Smile

If only there were a DA - Dickheads Anonymous - where we could meet in public without shame.
And before anyone flames me I’m an ‘addict’ who was been clean for nine years and have attended a 12 step programme.
While I don’t go now I do think it’s a good piece of emotional kit to know the difference between accepting the things you can change, and the things that you cannot change.

HilaryJan · 13/03/2025 17:34

It’s happened again. I’m absolutely distraught

OP posts:
PeggyMitchellsCameo · 13/03/2025 17:58

HilaryJan · 13/03/2025 17:34

It’s happened again. I’m absolutely distraught

What’s happened again @HilaryJan ?

HilaryJan · 13/03/2025 19:20

I didn’t block him. He got back in touch after over 2 weeks non contact and I got sucked back in and I’m back to square one

OP posts:
Maitri108 · 13/03/2025 19:22

HilaryJan · 13/03/2025 19:20

I didn’t block him. He got back in touch after over 2 weeks non contact and I got sucked back in and I’m back to square one

Rule 1 of No Contact block all contact and means of contact.

PeggyMitchellsCameo · 13/03/2025 19:23

HilaryJan · 13/03/2025 19:20

I didn’t block him. He got back in touch after over 2 weeks non contact and I got sucked back in and I’m back to square one

Be kind to yourself. In what sense have you been sucked back in?
If you have been exchanging messages it’s not ideal.
If you’ve met up with him, more problematic.
But like any addict in recovery, it’s rare to get clean and never falter.
It’s never too late to block him and get back on the sober bus.
What you don’t want to do is be hard on yourself and think sod it I may as well stick with him. That’s the road to ruin.
You can literally start again tonight.

BitOutOfPractice · 13/03/2025 19:28

Oh love! Don’t be too hard on yourself but ffs you must block him! Do it now. I’m looking over the top of my glasses at you.

SerafinasGoose · 13/03/2025 19:32

You wanted tough love, OP? Here is some.

Reread your own posts. 'I' can't, I can't, I can't'. It's like a stuck record.

This is weak. It's weak because it absolves you of personal responsibility and enables you to keep reiterating your own message to yourself that your actions are beyond your control.

They're not. And this is never the case. The only behaviour you can control is your own.

Click on the option to reveal your own posts only. Paste them into a writable file. Then change every single instance of the words 'I can't' to 'I can'. Highlight them. And repeat them to yourself over and over until you start to believe it.

The underlying cause is your childhood trauma. This needs treating, or you'll see this pattern repeat itself in subsequent relationships. Get yourself a referal to the mental health support team - there'll be a long waiting list or around 6 months - but you get 20 sessions on the NHS. You need EMDR. Other talking therapies won't cut it as well, especially if this trauma goes way back in your life. It works and it's a game-changer - I'm living testimony to the fact.

Beyond that, your only solution is cold turkey. You talk about going back and back until you are disgusted. Unfortunately if you carry on the way you're going you'll end in being disgusted with yourself.

No man is worth paying that price. It's hard, and it's a long and painful road doing work like this on yourself. I know, because I've done it. Your reward is a whole future life in which you are completely free of that yoke.

It's up to you.