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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

Finally trusting my instincts

20 replies

miracleworks · 06/09/2025 10:11

My marriage ended a few years ago following ex DHs infidelity and I have dated a little since then, including a man for a long while who was the epitome of walking red flag. I gaslighted myself with him even though he showed me early on he was a skilled liar, cheat, selfish etc.

After that relationship I knew I had to truly work on myself so that I had the strength and self respect not to just ignore red flags and see the best in everyone.

Recently got talking to a guy from online dating. He appeared to tick many boxes… I noticed his texting behaviour was a bit strange, ie he would go quiet for days and in the evenings… but I figured that we didn’t know each other so he didn’t owe me lots of messages.

So we met up this week. The date, honestly, was amazing. Lots of chemistry. He was very complimentary. We laughed a lot.

However a few things came to my mind after our date…

Prior to us meeting he’d mentioned he had a good very well paid job (he made a point of mentioning his six figure salary, I didn’t ask) but that he didn’t like it and was looking for something else. However, on the date we got chatting to a guy sitting at the next table who asked what we did for work. Date replied “Not currently working, am interviewing for roles”. And I said “I didn’t know you left your job?” And he said “yes I told you that!” And seemed a bit narked that I’d picked him up on that.

He also said that he and his ex split up in November last year and were in the process of selling the house but she didn’t live there anymore. The following day (guessing because we have mutual friends and his number is on my phone) his Facebook profile pops up as a suggested friend. I looked at it and there were posts of him looking for removal companies to move to where he lives now, in August last year… it’s of course possible that they moved into a house and split 3 months later, but he had said they had lived in the house together for a couple of years.

So, despite the fact it was the best date I’ve had for ages, and I found him ridiculously attractive. I sent him a message to tell him I didn’t think it would go anywhere and wishing him well. I said I had noticed some inconsistencies in things he’d told me. His response was quite telling. Basically said he could explain but he didn’t like being accused etc… I didn’t engage and signed off with a friendly goodbye.

Not entirely sure why I’m posting 😂 but I guess I’m proud that I am finally following my gut and not allowing lust or my desire to be loved lead me astray. So its more evenings at home with my cat, candles and a glass of wine… but im ok with it 🙂

OP posts:
Arlanymor · 06/09/2025 10:14

Bloody good for you! Hard to do but you’ve set up your boundaries and stuck to them with dignity. When you do meet someone fabulous you will be so pleased that you stuck to your guns and didn’t waste any more time on him. In the meantime, cat cuddles by candlelight and a vat glass of wine are much better than spending even one more second with Mr Inconsistency. Onwards and upwards!

YetanotherNC25 · 06/09/2025 10:23

You’ve dodged a bullet there. Relationships are meant to enhance your life. Sounds like he would have made yours significantly worse.

Purplecatshopaholic · 06/09/2025 10:33

Well done you. Bullet dodged I think. Onwards and upwards op.

Ncforthis2244 · 06/09/2025 10:51

Well done!

It's so weird though isn't it? I could understand a couple of small lies such as a year or two off their age, or extending the time they've been single by a couple of months. But why weird big easily discovered lies? If he'd told you he'd moved into his house 3 months ago it surely would have had zero impact on your regard or anything.

Bizarre!

VictoriaLynn · 06/09/2025 11:09

@miracleworks fantastic. I am not there yet and feel I'm too open and empathetic at times but I aspire to being that switched on and strong.
Do you mind if i ask how you worked on yourself.

Imbrocator · 06/09/2025 11:34

Well done! 👏👏👏 Being able to trust your instincts again is one of the best feelings in the world.

Endofyear · 06/09/2025 17:28

Well done you! You've absolutely done the right thing and it's really good that you recognised the warning signs and trusted your gut. Often, deceptive and unscrupulous men can be extremely charming and good company - that is why women fall for them and they're very good at what they do! Glad you got out before you got in too deep and got hurt.

Enjoy your evenings to yourself and don't settle for anything less than you deserve! 💐

GingerPaste · 06/09/2025 17:37

Well done. You might have saved yourself a lot of trouble there.

miracleworks · 06/09/2025 17:59

Thankyou everyone 💓

He has messaged again today despite us both wishing the other well and saying goodbye etc. a jokey silly message. I didn’t reply.

@VictoriaLynn… for me it has been a mix of things, genuinely getting to the point where I enjoy my own company so knowing that if I meet someone they have to add value in my life. I have my children (dont want anymore), I’m financially stable, and enjoy my own company… so a partner has to bring something to the table for me.

Ive been on a fair few first dates or even a FaceTime to “test the waters” with men. I have met some lovely guys but haven’t felt the romantic spark, however by engaging with them I’ve realised that nice men do exist and it removes the scarcity mindset that there’s no men/no good men out there.

I take a lot more notice of how I feel when I’m communicating / dating someone now. I worry less about whether they like me and more about whether I like them. I use chatGPT to debrief after a date and it helps me to confirm if it’s something I want to continue.

Above all, I’m accepting of the fact that most men I am dating (around the age 40 bracket), are who they are, and they aren’t likely to change too much… I can accept who they are, but I don’t have to accept them into my life. I am looking for a partner, not a project. I have been very guilty of loving people beyond what they deserve (if you haven’t read Women who love too much, you should!)

Hope that helps and wasn’t too much waffle 😂x

OP posts:
Tidekiln · 06/09/2025 18:06

How does chatgpt help you decide if you want to continue dating someone?

miracleworks · 06/09/2025 18:10

@TidekilnI know ChatGPT is a bit of a controversial topic on here 😂, but for me it helps because it will ask me prompting questions and really helps me establish whether it is something I want to continue or explore.

OP posts:
SugarPlumpFairyCakes · 06/09/2025 18:11

That must have been hard to do when you got on so well and the chemistry etc. But you did the right thing. You’re not a fool and these lies were quite significant. You’re too clever for him. And you’ve now dodged the constantly wondering what is truth and what is lies. Good for you.

Tidekiln · 06/09/2025 18:12

So it's a case of trusting your instincts and chatgpt

Pinkpommebear · 06/09/2025 18:19

Thank god you ended this with a sensible outcome. Block him 🙂

happinessischocolate · 06/09/2025 18:30

Well done OP - when men lie about weird inconsequential stuff for no reason it’s more of a red flag to me than lying because there’s something to hide.

and stuff like this is one of the few things that ChatGPT is excellent for -,it gave me some excellent advice on how to raise a sensitive issue with one of my adult dc

ThatAquaRobin · 06/09/2025 18:42

Be careful with chatgpt.
It's sent me a bit mad in the past few months.
It kind of tells you what you want to hear.
It has convinced me to end a relationship, probably rightly but it has also talked me into believing that my ex is all sorts of things he probably wasn't in fairness to him
He was addicted granted.

miracleworks · 06/09/2025 19:22

@ThatAquaRobinI agree, it does need to be taken with a pinch of salt as it doesn’t have the “human” element… but it does help for me (who can get wistfully carried away) to strategically make decisions that I know I’m comfortable with. However it shouldn’t be relied upon as a single source of advice/support.

OP posts:
SliceofTosst · 06/09/2025 23:41

Good for you. He was definitely a wrong 'un and would have had loads of other bullshit hidden.

And glad you are of the mindset there are still good men out there. I had some right twats before I found my second DH.

Onwards and upwards!

Sodthesystem · 06/09/2025 23:54

Yeah definitely the right move there! Good on you for trusting your gut.

'I can explain'
'So can I, you're a liar liar with his pants on fire' xD

Hopefully you've heard the last of him. Unless he's a narcissist (which is entirely possible considering the chemietry they seem to generate when sizing up their prey). In which case you might get some abuse.

Ilovelurchers · 07/09/2025 06:54

Well done OP! It's easy to be led by our desires in this sort of situation, but in fact, if you can find one man attractuve, you will find others so.

Get back on those apps, keep swiping and going on dates with men who sound promising, but keep those defences up. It's actually strangely much easier to find connections when you value yourself highly and aren't desperately looking for love at any cost, as your reserve and high self esteem will actually be attractive - to decent men, anyhow. Nobody sane, male or female, is attracted to desperation and low standards.

Good luck. It's actually great to read of a woman coming out the other side of abuse and learning to put herself first and keep herself safe like this.

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