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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've thrown away 8 years of my life

988 replies

PinkImbrella · 14/06/2025 15:13

Eight years ago I moved to be with my DP in his hometown. I spent eight years feeling hugely frustrated and isolated because he lives in the middle of nowhere. I made it work by twisting myself into knots, finding loads of creative workarounds - luckily my work is entirely remote so I could head off and travel but always tethered by his unwillingness to leave this small town. He kept saying "not now" or "nows not the time". We had loads of arguments about it over the years. The relationship was otherwise loving and supportive.

Two days ago he said "not now" again and I said the time for not nowing is gone, its been eight years. He finally came out with it and said he wouldn't move away from his mother - that its visceral.

Clearly this is the end then. I just feel like such a fucking mug. I feel angry at him for not having told me right from the start it would come down to this. Im so angry at myself for not seeing what was staring me right in the face. I feel so stupid. Im 38 now. I never desperately wanted kids, but i would have had them i think - its just I didn't want to be trapped in a place I hated.

Why didn't I just face up to what was clearly the reality?

OP posts:
PinkImbrella · 15/07/2025 17:22

Im still feeling physically edgy as fuck, lightheaded and shaky. Realise that its PMS time which is always psychologically ropey for me anyway though 😅

Guess im not pregnant with a rage-sex baby!

OP posts:
Poonu · 15/07/2025 17:25

OP we can use all the big words to describe him narcissist etc but the truth of the matter is he doesn't give a s* that you're going. The sooner you accept that, the easier you will find this process to get over them him.

Troubleclef · 15/07/2025 17:26

Is he english? I guess not as you are clearly living abroad. I know you won’t want to say. I’m trying to work out which culture produced such a mummy’s boy.

AcrossthePond55 · 15/07/2025 17:28

@PinkImbrella

Deep breaths, center yourself. You can do this.

Try to have no ideas about what he may or may not do, because chances are you won't guess correctly. Just try to stay 'in the moment' for now and see your solicitor about the next step. Don't ask, don't tell is the way to go. Just keep your life and your decisions separate. Hopefully things will become clear soon.

But I wouldn't count on him leaving.

NescafeAndIce · 15/07/2025 17:44

PinkImbrella · 15/07/2025 17:21

He came home, all calm. He even told me he was going to fetch a signed for letter from the post office which is unusual given he hasn't spoken to me in so long.

I saw the letter, its the official redundancy letter. Hes being made redundant on the 24th.

I cant help but feel so bad for him, like his whole life is crumbling around him. Then I remember that he could actually be seeing this as the universe smiling on him. In this country, redundancy means you get paid a high percentage of your salary for two years, I believe it is (!). I have always been the higher earner and he knows I would have funded our life while we got settled somewhere new.

He could have seen this as the perfect time to be cut loose to head off with me while still having some financial security.

It's all on him, though. From what you've written, as soon as you needed him to be anything other than passive, he couldn't or wouldn't.

PinkImbrella · 15/07/2025 18:12

Poonu · 15/07/2025 17:25

OP we can use all the big words to describe him narcissist etc but the truth of the matter is he doesn't give a s* that you're going. The sooner you accept that, the easier you will find this process to get over them him.

I think im going tl be fine. On the times ive been back to the city im moving to, 48h later and I've been feeling energised and positive.
Its just right now im forced to tread water in this very claustrophobic setting, so im sounding like a broken bloody record 😅

OP posts:
PinkImbrella · 15/07/2025 18:12

AcrossthePond55 · 15/07/2025 17:28

@PinkImbrella

Deep breaths, center yourself. You can do this.

Try to have no ideas about what he may or may not do, because chances are you won't guess correctly. Just try to stay 'in the moment' for now and see your solicitor about the next step. Don't ask, don't tell is the way to go. Just keep your life and your decisions separate. Hopefully things will become clear soon.

But I wouldn't count on him leaving.

I think this might be for a different OP xx

OP posts:
Daleksatemyshed · 15/07/2025 18:19

I'm a cynic, I admit it freely, but I can't help but think he told you about picking up the letter precisely because he knew it was his redundancy letter Op - he's still trying to make you feel sorry for him, and it worked, didn't it? Come on @PinkImbrella , it's too late for him now, he's had years and years of chances to change but he wouldn't go there. You can feel sorry for him that he's lost his job but he'll have a generous payout and he won't have to worry about paying the rent once you're gone

AcrossthePond55 · 15/07/2025 18:35

PinkImbrella · 15/07/2025 18:12

I think this might be for a different OP xx

Oops! You're absolutely right!

PinkImbrella · 15/07/2025 18:40

AcrossthePond55 · 15/07/2025 18:35

Oops! You're absolutely right!

I was thinking "I wish my life were grown up enough for it to involve a solicitor"😅

OP posts:
DearDenimEagle · 15/07/2025 20:01

Fgs don’t feel sorry for him. His life is not crumbling. That’s for people who give a damn. It’s just entering a new phase…and it seems a good start to have money coming in regardless

Lighteningstrikes · 15/07/2025 20:51

It’s a blessing in disguise that you didn’t ever marry him, move away (him under duress/resentful) and have DCs.

He is who he is. Leopards don’t change their spots.

Hold your nerve, not long to go now, although it feels like it.

We’re all rooting for you. You should be very proud of yourself. We all know it’s not easy to do what you’re doing.

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 15/07/2025 21:15

There is a saying - the calm before the storm ( or something similar )
just be very aware.

The redundancy couldn't have come at a better time for him, the tenancy will end, he can move in with Mummy then at his leisure find a new job.

He knew what the letter was that's why he told you.

Still today is another day nearly over, only a few days left to go.

Keep safe, keep your wits about you.

PullTheBricksDown · 15/07/2025 22:12

Echoing the above, OP- please be wary and keep yourself and your cat safe. Objects don't matter in comparison. Hopefully he'll be distracted by his incoming redundancy payment. But if you feel at all twitchy then go with your instincts. Not long now!

Horses7 · 15/07/2025 22:20

Don’t weaken because he’s playing the poor me card!
He’s shown you who he is - believe him!

abracadabra1980 · 15/07/2025 22:22

@TeddyBeans- what a fantastic reply.

pikkumyy77 · 15/07/2025 22:31
dance party minions GIF

Just reread the thread to refresh my memory and want to put this here. You are so, so, so close!

savagedaughter · 15/07/2025 22:31

Imagine pretending he's so heartbroken he naturally just abusively stonewalled you to try to beat you into submission for weeks on end.

What a miserable, selfish complete and utter cunt he is.

You shouldn't have told him, but now that you have, be careful. He is a selfish and unpleasant man and he is not your friend and now he knows his abusive attempts at control have failed. Just be careful.

PinkImbrella · 16/07/2025 06:26

So last night was interesting.

He 'spoke' to me, in that he shouted at the telly in my presence, which is more than he's done in 5 weeks 😅

Here's the thing though, we suddenly started talking, but he didn't mention being particularly upset at me leaving on Saturday. Instead, he said to me "this is such bad timing". I can't remember whether I told you, but he already mentioned this to me back in June when we had that brief conversation where he got nasty - because he is being made redundant, it will be hard for him to rent a flat as he won't be able to show pay slips.

Obviously because I'm trying to avoid any drama/trauma, I had to just kind of nod and make sympathetic sounds. But in my head I was thinking - but you knew this a month ago, so why didn't you spring into action then, like I did it? Even now: he would still have the past three months' pay slips? I thought fucking hell, I managed to sort myself out FROM ABROAD and with a cat and Channel crossing to consider, and you think this is complicated for you?

I've always been the lead tenant, up until this place we live in, where I basically forced him to find the house and be the lead as I was sick of always being responsible for it. So as you know, he handed the notice in late, which takes him up to the start of September. In other places we've lived in, I've always told the landlord we will of course respect the notice period, but happy to move out earlier if new tenants want the property sooner. He always makes such bad decisions: this is a good sized house with a garden next to a school - a family would presumably want to move in ASAP, not late August/September. So get your fucking finger out then?!

Then he was like "....so what am I supposed to do? Move in with my mother, at 43?". Firstly, I was thinking: "well....yes?!" If I were moving local to my mum, it would be a no-brainer. That's what people do sometimes, when they're going through a complicated patch. What's the big deal? Secondly, I thought: I mean, she is your life priority apparently, and she self-describes as 'the most important woman in his life', so I would have thought this would be lovely for the two of you? 😂

And finally, I thought: Jesus Christ, so this is what's upsetting you right now? As you guys here on MN know, the practicalities of my living situation have been fairly inconsequential - I just took the first thing that fit my requirements, I'm giving up a load of my stuff and shelling out for a big move, and of course it's been something to think about, but I've just gone through the motions and dealt with it, the main thing taking up my headspace has been the loss of the relationship and managing his reactions.

I can't believe what's tormenting him right now is how he's going to manage moving ten minutes down the road where he has a massive community to help him find solutions, and a woman who will be paying double rent to facilitate the fact that he won't vacate earlier than the notice period.

Sorry for the loooong wall of text, but I want a record of all this for when the memories start to fade and I want to remind myself.

OP posts:
cooldarkroom · 16/07/2025 06:53

It must be frustrating not saying “well, you want to be near Mummy, You have given her the top spot in your infantile life, so she will be able to house you until you have pay slips. Should you then decide to live as an adult & move out again“ unlikely

cooldarkroom · 16/07/2025 06:55

Is he even being proactive looking for a new job? There doesn't even need to be a gap

Horses7 · 16/07/2025 07:12

Well done you for leaving this Mummy’s boy!

Meltingatm · 16/07/2025 08:38

If I’ve understood this correctly, he’s been prompted to speak to you not by the loss of you as a partner but because of the inconvenient timing of your departure and how it impacts his life. He comes over as very emotionally stunted and self-centred. He hasn’t advanced beyond childhood which is why he hasn’t made wise decisions about your relationship, his employment and his attachment to his mother. You’ve made the correct move. Best wishes.

Daleksatemyshed · 16/07/2025 08:54

I'm sorry @PinkImbrella but your post made me laugh, he wants to talk but still couldn't drop the silent treatment after 5 weeks accept by abusing the TV 😂
He has no idea you've already rearranged your whole life because of him but he wants you to know it's such bad timing for him. I think this comes under Play sily games, win silly prizes

Sunflowersinthesummer · 16/07/2025 09:59

Your response …. But you are tied to your mother so why not?