Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

BF making me feel like i am a bad person

195 replies

Ninjagoooo · 26/06/2025 16:42

I don't know what to do in this situation. Sorry for the long post, I don't want to drip-feed.

I stayed over at BF house as I had a half day the following day. Meant to get up early and go home but ended up sleeping in and waking up at midday in a blind panic. BF had tried to wake me but couldn't (I do sleep like the dead so I believe this). He had got me pastries for breakfast even though I don't eat breakfast and seemed annoyed that I didn't eat them all. He was really cold when I left his.

He sent me a text later saying I was really selfish; he was upset as he had had problems yesterday too and I'd ignored those (my work is extremely intense, I barely have time to make a cup of tea let alone talk about problems, he knows this about my work). He was annoyed I didn't do the washing up before I left but he is in a houseshare and he's always seemed to not want me to go into the shared areas so I've not done this, he has always wanted me to stay in his room.

He said I was really selfish and we were on the phone between 11 and 3am; I was saying I'm sorry I'm selfish and he was like "do you know WHY I am saying you're selfish?" And "You still don't know" until I was able to explain how awful I'd been (in his eyes - I don't think I'd done anything wrong). It was horrible.

He then told me I am selfish in the bedroom too. I was really surprised by this as I have always tried to do stuff he likes. He has asked me to try new things which I have mostly obliged. He was twisting my words and saying that some of the things we tried were my idea - but they weren't, or they were needed to do what HE wants (e.g. me saying we need toys so we can try his ideas out).

He has an obsession with me being right and will always shut down any debate with 'oh yes I remember - you are right. I am wrong'. This makes it impossible as it means he can just shut down any conversation. His 'nickname' for me is Paxman, he says I am like him (argumentative). I really don't think I am like Jeremy Paxman at all!

This is my first relationship since getting divorced; my exH was very abusive but was the one who ended our marriage; when I tried to explain this to my BF and said I don't know why exH was so horrible to me, he said I should try and see my exH's point of view!! I'd held off criticism of my ex but it got to a point where I needed to explain as exH and I share DC and they don't like going to see their dad.

Yesterday he said "are you starting to see why your ex left?" which really hurt my feelings as exH was so awful to me and it's taken many years of therapy to get to a better place - boyfriend is making me feel like I've regressed a lot, mentally.

Boyfriend also told me that I get distracted easily and it really annoys him (I have adhd). That if I say I'll do something e.g. watch TV, agree to have sex, etc. I will always get a drink or go for a wee or something first and then start talking about other stuff. I said I really can't help this and then he was like "sorry. I forgot you are always right 🫩"

Being scolded and basically confessing how awful I am as a person was really triggering.

I just don't know what I can do; he has made me feel like I am a really horrible person when I know that actually, I'm not. I'm not perfect but it's like he thinks I am this awful, selfish, argumentative individual. He is constantly threatening to end things, says he will move away, etc. and this has been a recurring theme throughout the time we have been together, so I am always wary of being too affectionate as I know he can pull the rug at any moment.

He said I am not grabby enough with him, so he doesn't feel wanted - I'm not particularly demonstrative but I've explained this. I spend as much time with him as I can. I try and do nice things for him. But it is hard to be grabby etc. as I think every time I see him will be the last time, as he keeps breaking things off.

Last weekend he said "I love you" for the first time, and I thought we had turned a corner. But now it is back to threats to end things, etc.

I do not know how to proceed at this point? I feel awful today.

OP posts:
Shesellsseashellsnotinmystreet · 26/06/2025 17:43

Having self respect and good mental health way outweighs having A MAN.

thatsawhopperthatlemon · 26/06/2025 17:44

Ninjagoooo · 26/06/2025 17:18

He's not moved into my house but has hinted about living together at some point. He has even started talking about marriage.

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And for Christ's sake, don't get pregnant.

Ninjagoooo · 26/06/2025 17:47

Wednesdayisme · 26/06/2025 17:37

This guy is abusive and he's just showing you who he really is. Imagine him in a real life stressful situation.

You're better off being single than with this nutcase it'll get worse.

It is a fair point i think he is a bit crazy. I started messaging my friend to say it feels like he is literally several people living in one body as his appearance almost changes depending on if he is in a good mood or being belligerent etc.

OP posts:
thatsawhopperthatlemon · 26/06/2025 17:50

Dearest OP. It is time for you to stop wondering why he is the way he is. None of that matters. He is vile and goes out of his way to make you feel worthless and despise yourself, and to think that you will never find anyone who will put up with you. He thoroughly enjoys abusing you. It makes him feel like the Big Man and it boosts his ego to crush yours.

You have to finish this relationship, for the sake of your own mental health and the wellbeing of your dc.

Ninjagoooo · 26/06/2025 17:51

thatsawhopperthatlemon · 26/06/2025 17:44

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And for Christ's sake, don't get pregnant.

He has made jokes about me getting pregnant. But then also says how much he likes being child-free. Then says how he would have really liked to have been a father

OP posts:
PrinceRegentLady · 26/06/2025 17:52

Oh my god you are in an abusive relationship (again). Don’t even speak to him. Send him a text saying you have met someone else (to end it completely) then block his number on every messaging / social media app you use.

Do not interact with him in any way.

It is hard meeting nice men, but that is not a reason to stay with a sick bully who gets a kick out of destroying your self esteem. Every day you spend with this creep takes you a day further away from meeting a decent man.

Do you have family you could stay with for a bit while you are recovering from the damage this man has done? People who could nurture you for a while?

PeggyMitchellsCameo · 26/06/2025 17:56

He was nice for a few weeks.
Then he started abusing you.
It is now that bad he’s trying to convince that it is your fault you got abused by your ex.
He lives in a house share, you have your own home, and guess what, he’s mentioned marriage. Cocklodger siren going off….
Thrown you an ‘I love you’ to keep you on the hook.
You are worried no man will want you?
Well, plenty of men will want to abuse you if you keep going down this road. And you will allow yourself to become so damaged that a decent man who would treat you as an equal will never even see you. Because you will have made yourself so invisible.
Yes, it is lonely when your go DC away but the answer isn’t being around another abusive man.
He is staying on the phone for hours berating you? I would rather be watching Netflix in my own bed, in peace, than put myself through that. Telling you off over breakfasts, and telling you to stay in his room? You are a grown woman with children.
You need to want you before a decent man does and to do that you need to choose yourself. Get rid of this abuser, for starters.
Then take a break from dating, because all you will do is attract another abuser.
Being in your own for a weekend is actually cool but you need to dig deep and be brave. Find some things you’d like to do, or at least try to do.
Make some new friends doing it.
Stop thinking you need a man to live because you are killing your own spirit with this one.
You deserve better.

EllieEllie25 · 26/06/2025 17:59

Dump dump dump dump dump OP!

This man is a shit show!!!

He's making you feel horrible about yourself. He's doing this on purpose. You are in an emotionally abusive relationship. I'm sorry. Stay away from men for a long time, do a lot of work on your self esteem and maybe get a cat.

OurChristmasMiracle · 26/06/2025 17:59

reading your updates you sound like you haven’t fully dealt with the abuse and the consequence of it- leaving isn’t the end sadly. I can’t tell you what to do but honestly I would step away from relationships for a while and if you can afford to go into psychotherapy this may be massively beneficial to you.

sending you strength

ConcernedOfClapham · 26/06/2025 17:59

Horrible person. Be thankful he is BF and not H.

End this relationship and move on; I hope you are treated better in your next one

BuckChuckets · 26/06/2025 18:01

Ninjagoooo · 26/06/2025 17:18

He's not moved into my house but has hinted about living together at some point. He has even started talking about marriage.

When you said houseshare I assumed you were both early 20s, then you mentioned your divorce and kids!

He's a nasty person, who will blatantly try to become your resident cocklodger. Get rid!

Outofthemoonlight · 26/06/2025 18:03

You absolutely must protect yourself by leaving him.

don't give him another chance - he won’t change.

Read Women Who Love Too Much

pecanpiee · 26/06/2025 18:05

Ugh tell him to find someone selfless 😴

TwistedWonder · 26/06/2025 18:15

Ninjagoooo · 26/06/2025 16:51

I just really wanted a boyfriend, the companionship that comes with that.

Friends are all partnered off and it is really lonely, when I am by myself for an entire long weekend because DC are with my exH.

And he can be really nice, when he wants to be. That is what is making it so hard. But I just feel that siding with my ex, who was abusive, has crossed a line.

Sorry but your desperation to be with a bloke just to not be single means you are completely vulnerable to any random passing abusive cunt and you’ve found yourself one.

Do you truly think being treated like a piece of shit by a nasty prick is better than being single?

BellissimoGecko · 26/06/2025 18:17

You’re only six months in, and he’s being toxic and negging and abusive already.

Dump him

TwistedWonder · 26/06/2025 18:19

Ninjagoooo · 26/06/2025 17:18

He's not moved into my house but has hinted about living together at some point. He has even started talking about marriage.

Oh FFS I posted before I read this little gem. He’s waving more red flags than the Russian army on Putins birthday and you’re still dithering.

Not to put too finer point on it he’s a cunt. An abusive wanker who has his eye on the prize - your money!

He’s living in a flat share and you have your own place - hmmm can you hear the cocklodger alarm bells ringing? No one falls in love quicker than a man who wants a roof over his head and he can’t even keep the act up long enough to get his feet under the table.

Please find some self respect and dump this repulsive fucker.

Ninjagoooo · 26/06/2025 18:21

I would add as well that last night he also just totally gaslit me about our sex life. He said that I am just using him for sex and that all I want from him is sex - this is absolutely not true; it has been nice to have a partner after years of singledom but the sex is not and has never been the most important part of the relationship. It was like he was saying I am a nymphomaniac or something, whilst he wants kisses and cuddles. It was bizarre.

OP posts:
DatingDinosaur · 26/06/2025 18:25

So what are you going to do OP? Now you've described, acknowledged and written down, in your own words how he treats you and how he makes you feel? What is it you want to hear from everyone replying to your posts?

Ninjagoooo · 26/06/2025 18:32

TwistedWonder · 26/06/2025 18:19

Oh FFS I posted before I read this little gem. He’s waving more red flags than the Russian army on Putins birthday and you’re still dithering.

Not to put too finer point on it he’s a cunt. An abusive wanker who has his eye on the prize - your money!

He’s living in a flat share and you have your own place - hmmm can you hear the cocklodger alarm bells ringing? No one falls in love quicker than a man who wants a roof over his head and he can’t even keep the act up long enough to get his feet under the table.

Please find some self respect and dump this repulsive fucker.

Edited

I think that the cock-lodger thing might be an issue.
He was married (briefly! Like a year or two) previously. From what I gather his ex's family was quite wealthy. Prior to this he had a long-term partner and her family was loaded.

OP posts:
JustFeedMeCake · 26/06/2025 18:38

Ugh. I felt sick and exhausted just reading this. Bin him!

CC222 · 26/06/2025 18:42

Please leave him. He is absolutely awful! He will absolutely shatter your self esteem, don’t waste all these years of hard work and recovery after leaving your abusive ex, to just stay with another abusive man (yes, what he is doing is emotional abuse).
You deserve so much more. Loneliness is never a valid reason to be with someone that is toxic. Leave him, heal again and you will find someone more worthy of you xx

Dery · 26/06/2025 18:48

As PP have said, you’re with another abuser. Yes, he’s nice some of the time but that’s part of the cycle of abuse. The right relationship will - practically all the time, not just occasionally - lift you up, make you feel good about yourself, make you feel relaxed and content, encourage you to be ambitious, excited and interested in yourself and the world around you. This guy is not the one. Loneliness is real but that’s a reason to develop more interests and make more friends, not couple up with the wrong man.

DinaofCloud9 · 26/06/2025 18:51

He's an absolute bellend.

No relationship is better than a shit one.

Being lonely is better than being made to feel you're a bad person.

peachykeenjellybean1981 · 26/06/2025 18:55

I don’t usually comment but please don’t think this a healthy and normal relationship. He is gaslighting you and being emotionally abusive.

I’m divorced and my first relationship after was a shitshow. I was love bombed, lied to, emotionally manipulated and then dumped before he then begged me to come back. I am far stronger mentally now and just blocked him. Please please please just leave him x

AllotmentTime · 26/06/2025 19:06

You are still viewing all his behaviour like it will be reasonable if you can only understand it.

He doesn't want that. He does not want you to "get it" and change and then things will be good.

He does not want you to be happy in this relationship.

He wants to fuck with your head and keep you trying to make HIM happy.

If you succeed in making him happy, he will not return the favour. His behaviour will not change. The route to his happiness is your un happiness.

Literally where you are now, confused and unsure and not understanding what exactly is wrong, is what he wants.