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Dumped again…feeling lost

93 replies

allaboardthecrazytrain · 05/11/2026 11:23

My apologies for the long post, I don’t want to drip feed. So I’ve been in a relationship for just over 4 years, we don’t live together. In those four years I’ve lost count of the amount of times we’ve broke up, majority of the time it’s me telling him somethings upset me and he’s gone on the defensive straight away, rather than hear me, he’s seen it as an attack and always twists it round so I end up defending myself, he’ll also bring things up from the past and play the victim, absolutely no accountability whatsoever, then I’ll get the silent treatment, phone calls will be ignored, texts will be ignored, then he’ll take me off all his social media…I’ll just add, we’re not kids, we’re 50 year old. A lot of the time I’ll go crawling back just about begging him to give us another go, I do this because my anxiety kills me, I feel completely lost and feel like I need him to make me feel better. It’ll be good for a little while then the same pattern repeats itself.

Three year ago July 2023 during one of our breaks up he went on a dating site, chatted to someone and went on a date, we were only apart 9 days. I went back and he ghosted her, no explanation just blocked her everywhere. We fell out again in the november, he got in touch with her again then once again ghosted and blocked her when I went back. I knew nothing of this at the time. I found out the following year…she posted him on one of these are we dating the same guy Facebook groups, I’m not on any of those groups but a friend seen it and showed me. I contacted this woman and that’s how I found out. I was upset and hurt to think he replaced me so quickly! When I told him I knew and had seen all the messages between them (he did literally lovebomb her) his reply was “I wanted to feel wanted” and blamed me for it because I wasn’t giving him all of my time.
Since then this woman has posted him quite a lot on these groups. He knows he’s been posted and he knows by whom. I’ve defended him on those posts every single time which has caused her to message me quite a few times telling me I need to get rid of him, he’s a liar, a cheat ect ect.

Some examples of why he’s gave me the silent treatment just so you have an idea…his birthday one year, the previous year he had a day out with his adult kids, just the three of them, I was working. The year after I wasn’t sure what he was doing, I was looking to book in for a tattoo, I could get the day of his birthday or the day after. I rang and asked what day we were seeing each other, he spat his dummy out with me and gave me the silent treatment for over a week.
The following birthday (this year) I text and asked what was happening, the reply I got was “so you’re doing this again are you. Don’t bother I’ll spend it on my own” I ended up leaving the presents I bought him at his front door. I got the silent treatment again but this time I didn’t go chasing, he actually contacted me after 11 days.

Four weeks ago he was a bit off with me, I asked him what was wrong, he said I’d been cold and hadn’t text him much the previous day, I said I thought he was working and he could have text me. Ended up ringing him to clear the air and he said so is there a new rule where I can’t text him whilst he’s at work. I said no of course not, he kept going on about this rule, I asked him to stop, he didn’t, I said please stop or I’m putting the phone down, he hung up on me. And the silence began again. Now in the middle of this silence another one of those posts went on that group about him. Only this time there was a comment from his mates bit on the side ( his mate is married but has another two women on the go). In her comment she didn’t mention my name but it was so obvious her comment was directed at me, basically she accused me of putting the post up about him, threatened me and called me a thick c*nt!
When my friend showed me the post I rang him and said that had nothing to do with me, he said he’d asked her to delete it. Then 10 mins after the phone call he text and asked me to promise that post was nothing to do with me and my phone call set alarm bells ringing and was too much of a coincidence. I was so upset that I’d been the one to defend him at my expense on every other post about him and he could think that. He even said how I didn’t have his back but his mates bit on the side did. I’ve defended him on all other posts about him
We did end up talking (it was a week today) and got back together. Obviously the comment directed at me wasn’t sitting right. He had screenshots of this post and I asked him to send me them, he said no, I asked why, he said just no.
Yesterday we met for a coffee, I asked why he wouldn’t send me them, he had no problem showing me them last week. He said no good would come out of it. He’s knows her comment hurt me, I asked him just who’s back he had, mine or hers…his reply was both! I was gobsmacked! He went for his usual attack and defensive, I walked away and told him it comes to something when he puts his mates skanky tramp above me.
He rang a few times, it was heated, I tried to explain that I felt like she was more important to him than me and that we was ok with her accusing me, threatening me and insulting me. He said no, you’ve gone in a strop because I wouldn’t give you the screenshots.
I have emailed this morning, thinking give him time to calm down but he hasn’t even opened it.
I am so tired of this, I can’t say how I feel because it starts an argument, I get the blame for every argument and now I’m left feeling like this.

OP posts:
BodyBoarder · 06/11/2026 09:42

You're wasting your life, and you only get one. You have a chance now to move on and be happy - why are you punishing yourself by contacting him?

Get some (more) counselling. Run. Join some sort of club or team and keep yourself occupied. Work more. Find some other focus. Move!
It's totally toxic and it's not just him - you are bad for each other and no one is winning here.

honeylulu · 06/11/2026 09:46

He sounds horrendous. A womaniser, liar, avoidant, stroppy, flaky and emotionally abusive. Please cut him off, there is nothing good that can come of this sorry excuse of a relationship. The longer you stay in it the worse your self esteem will get.

RubyRuse · 06/11/2026 11:51

Seaoftroubles · 06/11/2026 09:28

You said you had blocked him on everything but then you contacted him. Just stop! This is a toxic relationship and you are addicted to the push pull, the intermittent reinforcement where you are waiting for the next hit.
Don't do this to yourself OP you know what you have to do. Go competely N. C, choose a different counsellor and seek help for your low self esteem and anxiety. Any contact with this manipulative man will only make it worse. You have had some great advice on here so start there and prioritise yourself not this headfuck of a man.

This!! At some point you have to take responsibility for your own life and happiness, no one is making you contact him!

All this obsessing and insulting him online isn’t helping you, it’s just perpetuating the situation. You will end up going back to him and the cycle will begin again…//

MsPrufrockk · 06/11/2026 12:44

allaboardthecrazytrain · 05/11/2026 18:54

I did email him this morning. He’s replied to tell me he’s deleting my messages without reading them. Wtf!
Thats not normal is it 🤯

This is not blocking him and moving on.

TheOchreLeader · 06/11/2026 12:50

What do you like doing?

Cinema, walks, swimming ?

Do that.

Go out with your children. Send cards to all your old friends, if you can't face phoning them.

Find something locally to go to, something quite dull at first, like a plant sale! Go to that.

You need to leave this silly twat and get your life back.

PetulaGordeno · 06/11/2026 12:56

allaboardthecrazytrain · 05/11/2026 18:54

I did email him this morning. He’s replied to tell me he’s deleting my messages without reading them. Wtf!
Thats not normal is it 🤯

If you have decided to go no contact and then started emailing him, asking WTF is useless.
You need to look at this constant reactive drama.
It is not healthy, functional, adult, loving and respectful.
By blocking him and then emailing you are inviting the drama back in. We can all give advice but sadly I don’t think you will take it right now.
The dopamine drama hit is winning. It’s a waste of life.

FizzyPopLove · 06/11/2026 13:17

He’s hideous. Really.

Please dump him.

allaboardthecrazytrain · 06/11/2026 13:27

Thank you for all the advice, it is really appreciated. I’ve deleted everything to do with him, phone number, email, all social media, all our photos, the whole lot. I’ve also blocked him on everything. I know I’ll have my wobbles and it will be hard not to act on them but I refuse to waste another minute of my time on this manipulative man child. Mornings are awful for me, I’m so used to seeing his name in my phone as soon as I open my eyes, this morning I took my cuppa, my cat and a fur throw into the garden then took myself off for a 5 mile walk! Unfortunately I saw his car. A grown woman hiding behind a bush at 7am in the morning 🤣 I just didn’t want him to see me…but more importantly, I didn’t want to see him. I know there’ll be times I do see him, he’s a driving instructor and has a lot of pupils in my area, I just wasn’t prepared for this morning

OP posts:
Seaoftroubles · 06/11/2026 14:44

Well done OP, you have made a start and that's great! Good idea to get out and about first thing, just try to make sure you avoid anywhere you might see him.
A pps advice of writing down anything you feel like saying to him in your phone notes is excellent, l've done the same in the past and it really works and stops you getting in contact. Also read Baggage Reclaim by Nathalie Lue, she gives great advice. Good luck, keep being busy and concentrate on prioritising yourself!

GreyCarpet · 06/11/2026 15:04

this morning I took my cuppa, my cat and a fur throw into the garden then took myself off for a 5 mile walk

I can't recommend starting your day like this highly enough.

I've been doing it for about 10 years now. The only time I don't go out is in torrential rain but its the perfect way to start the day ❤️

PetulaGordeno · 06/11/2026 15:51

Take it hour by hour it’s the only way.
Also be aware you’ve been in this pattern before. Whilst you may have blocked him he may pop up again in another way as he probably thinks it’s just another tiff.
Please, OP, don’t be led back into it.
It is not worth it.
I am going to say something that might feel challenging but think on it.
I don’t really think it’s him you love as a person what you are looking for is that dopamine hit first thing, that feeling that someone is thinking of you and I get it.
He has been awful to you. I don’t think he is mature for 50, never mind 20.
You deserve more to be with someone who wants to sit and share that coffee with you first thing.
I got given some great advice once - whilst he’s blocking your doorway you can’t get out and nobody else can get in.
It is going to feel weird for a while and please don’t get sucked back in ‘because it’s Christmas’ I can remember one year it felt horrendous but it beat the drama.
This site is full of so many women who have felt as you do now and after finding strength they rebuilt their lives.
Any man who stands back whilst another woman calls his partner a c*nt is a lowlife. God help his friend’s wife/partner whoever she is. She is far more trapped.
And there’s nothing wrong with having a beloved pet. Better than having an arsehole in your life.

allaboardthecrazytrain · 06/11/2026 18:08

PetulaGordeno · 06/11/2026 15:51

Take it hour by hour it’s the only way.
Also be aware you’ve been in this pattern before. Whilst you may have blocked him he may pop up again in another way as he probably thinks it’s just another tiff.
Please, OP, don’t be led back into it.
It is not worth it.
I am going to say something that might feel challenging but think on it.
I don’t really think it’s him you love as a person what you are looking for is that dopamine hit first thing, that feeling that someone is thinking of you and I get it.
He has been awful to you. I don’t think he is mature for 50, never mind 20.
You deserve more to be with someone who wants to sit and share that coffee with you first thing.
I got given some great advice once - whilst he’s blocking your doorway you can’t get out and nobody else can get in.
It is going to feel weird for a while and please don’t get sucked back in ‘because it’s Christmas’ I can remember one year it felt horrendous but it beat the drama.
This site is full of so many women who have felt as you do now and after finding strength they rebuilt their lives.
Any man who stands back whilst another woman calls his partner a c*nt is a lowlife. God help his friend’s wife/partner whoever she is. She is far more trapped.
And there’s nothing wrong with having a beloved pet. Better than having an arsehole in your life.

@PetulaGordenoyou’re spot on with what you say about the dopamine hit…it isn’t love, it’s addiction. Only way to break the habit is to go cold turkey. I want me back! I’m a shadow of who I used to be…and I know there’s only me who can get that woman back. Thank you for understanding x

OP posts:
allaboardthecrazytrain · 06/11/2026 18:16

Seaoftroubles · 06/11/2026 14:44

Well done OP, you have made a start and that's great! Good idea to get out and about first thing, just try to make sure you avoid anywhere you might see him.
A pps advice of writing down anything you feel like saying to him in your phone notes is excellent, l've done the same in the past and it really works and stops you getting in contact. Also read Baggage Reclaim by Nathalie Lue, she gives great advice. Good luck, keep being busy and concentrate on prioritising yourself!

@Seaoftroubles it’s difficult to avoid him. I’ve seen him 3 bloody times today. This morning when I went for a walk. This afternoon when I went to pick my daughter up…that was awkward, he was coming towards me in the car, we both had to stop for the lollipop lady, longest 10 seconds of my life. Then again an hour after that when I took my other daughter to pick her car up.
He’s a driving instructor, has a few pupils that live in my area. Only way I can make sure I avoid him is to become a bloody recluse. Weirdly when we were together I’d probably see him once a week on lessons, yet when I don’t want to see him I see him 3 times in 1 day

OP posts:
Left · 06/11/2026 19:06

Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s deliberately using your area to mess with your head. Especially if normally you don’t see him as often.

Try not to let his mind games get to you - you’ve made a strong first step, and you’ve got this!

allaboardthecrazytrain · 06/11/2026 19:24

@Left that had crossed my mind but thought I was being a bit paranoid. He knows my routine so maybe change my routes, I shouldn’t have to but when I’ve seen him today my heart was thumping, I was shaking…I’m still shaky now three hours later

OP posts:
Seaoftroubles · 06/11/2026 19:30

I agree with the pp, he's probably doing it on purpose. Just hold your head high and ignore him, don't acknowledge him in any way. It just shows you how pathetic he really is as he could easily pick another area to take his pupils. Dont let him intimidate you into changing your usual route.

allaboardthecrazytrain · 06/11/2026 20:33

@Seaoftroublesno more hiding behind bushes whilst out for a walk…certainly wasn’t my finest moment, I just couldn’t face seeing him.
Every time I’ve seen him today I’ve been close to home.

OP posts:
PetulaGordeno · 07/11/2026 09:14

allaboardthecrazytrain · 06/11/2026 20:33

@Seaoftroublesno more hiding behind bushes whilst out for a walk…certainly wasn’t my finest moment, I just couldn’t face seeing him.
Every time I’ve seen him today I’ve been close to home.

I have never forgotten a thread on here great, funny, warm poster. Had a partner who lived with her who would just not leave.
In the end she got him out and felt relieved.
He’d rented a flat in her road.
He had been there an hour and knocked and said…. I don’t know how to use the dishwasher, can you help me?
He was often ‘out and about’ when she was, what a coincidence.
It is really tough but the advice that the best way to move on as it live well, works.
Not in a Daily Mail headline ‘show him what he’s missing way’ but in a ‘I am not being further dragged down by you’ way.
If he sees you looking anxious or upset he will think he’s a winner. ‘Every time I’ve seen him today’ is a bit strange - he’s either keeping an eye out for you or you are for him or a bit of both. Don’t get sucked into it.
You don’t have to go out red carpet style, but start the day and treat yourself well. Because he didn’t.
If you can get through this phase I promise you will look back one day and think, thank God I left.
I haven’t seen the ‘person’ I was entangled with since but I saw a picture of him recently and thought… what on earth was I thinking? Not that looks are everything, but the idiot sold himself as God’s gift to women.
You have to make the decision and stick to it.
Men like this often pop again - they get bored, or want sex, or their ego boosted.
Let him boost his ego elsewhere.

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