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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

Beautiful's Road to Recovery for the Recently Ditched

1000 replies

BEAUTlFUL · 01/11/2009 18:39

Dearly Be-Chucked, we are gathered here today because, for whatever reason, our man has dumped us!

Whether we were dating, cohabiting or married, we are now to use therapist-speak well effed-off about the whole business and are desperate to regain our fabulosity.

Well, this is the place! This is where we regain our positivity, our self-confidence and eventually our mojos. We might think at the moment that we'd also like to regain our men, but that might not last long, as we'll soon realise that anyone who could put us through this does not deserve us.

Come in and start regaining your brilliance! I will be setting us exercises to complete that are based vaguely on self-help books, beauy tips and Feng Shui, or we'll just have a right good bitch until we feel completely drained and sick of the sound of our ex's names. Whatever works.

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BEAUTlFUL · 08/11/2009 11:41

About 10pm last night, halfway through a lovely evening with fab friends, I suddenly realised that I had got myself all worked-up about Match-man, and felt VERY embarrassed. We must have exchanged 10 bloody texts yesterday, and I have never been like that before. I'm normally very busy and hard to get! So today I have decided to rein right back in, as there is no point to get over ex only to start being stupid about somebody new. now I am waiting for him to text me just so he can see that I'm not going to reply.

I think I need to build a new mental image of myself. As it stands, I feel:

  1. Old!
  2. That because I have (wonderful!) young DC, no man would ever "take me on";
  3. Grateful.

I'm going to work on all these things and tun my attitude around so that I embrace everything I am, and realise that for some men probably the older, less successful, socially challenged ones, sadly I'm still a real catch.

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BEAUTlFUL · 08/11/2009 11:51

Thought for Today: A Life Without Men

If we were told, by scary fortune-teller, grandparent, or similar, that we would never meet another man, what would we do?

What kind of life would we build for ourselves? What would we do, strive for, want to achieve? That's what we need to
focus on today. Let's just forget bloody men completely for the moment. What would our life goals be?

I would:

  • Write a lot for magazines and newspapers;
  • Write funny, bestselling novels;
  • Go out more in London, to art galleries, events, museums, private views, etc;
  • See lots more of my friends;
  • Wank almost hourly;
  • Do volunteer work for children.

I wouldn't:

  • Spend hours signing up to every online-dating site going, and fall in love with a new profile every 10 seconds;
  • Read mainly relationship self-help books;
  • Panic so much about appearance (or even wash, tbh);
  • Feel a failure going places/doing things by myself.

apart from the washing and wanking, I think I'd have more fun and be happier.

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MuthaHubbard · 08/11/2009 12:14

posh and starting - some lovely thoughts in your posts that i'm sure will help.

welcome wendy!

i went for a few drinks with friends last night and not once did any of us talk about men - it was actually really nice (apart from discussing jamie afro's afro....).

beauty - am loving your lists...your writing is very witty and makes me (and I'm sure others) smile!! i haven't really had the guts to do much on my own (well apart from redecorating the house and taking the kids on our first ever holiday abroad) but i have a feeling i'm turning a corner....there's a few concerts i've been begging friends to go with me to...bugger it - next week i'm going to book to go see Pink in June next year on my own. there are also a few films i want to see on at the mo and i may well just do that next weekend if i am child free. am usually the kind of girl who can walk into a pub on her own (but only if i know i'm meeting friends in there!) so what's to stop me doing these things?

I would actually really love to go on holiday alone......or maybe a long weekend in London to start with, going to the museums and galleries I want to go to without feeling as though I'm dragging someone along who doesn't want to be there....

Caramela · 08/11/2009 13:08

Hello everyone , especially the new recruits to our fabulous cause.

Beautiful, your list made me laugh a lot - mine was going to start with ' buy the best f-off vibrator available from Love Honey '. To that I would probably add, go to all the nerdy places I've always wanted to visit, have a wardrobe full of age/occasion -inappropriate sequinned clothes ( but not the sequinned hotpants I saw in River Island - look everyone, here's my giant arse ! ) and never, ever pick up another pair of saggy, skid-marked boxer shorts - hurrah !

( I may also add, never humour the bozo hypochondriac again - he's been telling me how ill he is, I bet the gp dreads him turning up - ' You, yes you Bollock Face -you are a typical Guardian-reading, worried well knobnose - now fuck off, eat more vegetables, remove your head from your rectum and let me see some real patients ' )

Disclaimer
The views expressed by me are not necessarily representative of those of the entire nhs.

BEAUTlFUL · 08/11/2009 14:35

Fucking Match-man has still not given me a chance to show him I'm ignoring him! I will definitely now not speak/contact him at all today and tomorrow. Maybe even tuesday. Maybe all week. Who knows?!

Michelle Obama turned Barack (how do you spell that name? See, told you I just read sappy self-help, not News) down for dates for months and months. She even tried to set him up for dates with her friends.

Note to self: do try to remember to treat men like skanky wastes of space in order to net Husband No.2, pls thx.

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BEAUTlFUL · 08/11/2009 14:38

Caramela: I love your list! Those goals are actually very good! Do both of these this week:

  • Go to all the nerdy places I've always wanted to visit,

  • Wear age/occasion-inappropriate, sequinned clothes

Go buy that spangley school-run dress they're all arguing about on Style & Beauty and wear it when you put out your bins.

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BEAUTlFUL · 08/11/2009 14:40

Mutha: I will definitely come and see pink with you in June! (If that doesn't defeat object of your going off by yourself and seeing her as a Fabulously elusive, Mysterious Singleton).

Have you got her Funhouse album? All our feelings are on there!

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happydays27 · 08/11/2009 14:41

Not posted on here for days but have been reading all what has been going on. I have had a really bad week to be honest but everyone's positives thoughts, feelings have been a real help.
DC spent their 1st nite with DH last nite and I have found it difficult, just feels so wrong, we should all be together.
Just really feeling the grief today and what I have lost. Feeling guilty too for putting my DC through all this, never imagined my kids would be from a 'broken' home. Eldest DC is only 6 and I could tell she was guilt ridden saying that she wanted to stay at her Dad's as she was worried about leaving me on my own. That broke my heart, her life should be innocent and fun not mixed up emotions.

Anyway enough of my ramblings... defo gonna start a diary and a gratitude list as Startin suggests think that this would really help, worth a try anyway.

BEAUTlFUL · 08/11/2009 15:16

I just bought a ticket to see Pink in December! To go by myself. I will wear something sequinned in honour of Caramela.

happydays - oh come here, you poor thing. (((happydays))) The first time my DC stayed with their Dad, I cried all the way home from dropping them off. It felt awful. But this time (the second time), I have quite enjoyed the weekend. [guilt emoticon] Cannot wait to have them home now though. The chaos is due to start again at 6pm tonight!

Do do the diary, but please try to do something outward-looking as well. I'm worried that just pouring your thoughts into your diary will make you focus too much on your feelings, and not move you forwards. So vdo that, but something new too- ideally that makes you slightly nervous and helps you make new friends, like a new hobby, sports class, ice-skating, join the WI (if you can get babysitter), etc.

Can you try to spin the Dad weekends in a positive way? I always go on about how lovely the Dads weekends will be to my DC. I also try to get them to reveal and negative thoughts, but that's so hard, isn't it?

It will get better. I'm not just saying this, I know this, with a wise and lofty wisdom thatt is way beyond my years and currently disasterous personal situation.

(((happydays)))

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Caramela · 08/11/2009 15:27

Thought I'd posted this before so I'm clearly losing it completely - if you need a laugh, try reading this www.mumsnet.com/Talk/1375/852495-photograph-your-vulva-and-get-a-pendant-made-out-of The ideal gift ?

Beautiful, your masterplan sounds excellent- aloof and alluring .
I fancy one of those sequinned jackets that are all over the shops , just got to get over the whole tacky/non-practical hurdle. If you see a middle aged mother of 3 wandering round the supermarket dressed like she should be at a roller disco in 1980s Rochdale - that'll be me

AnyFucker · 08/11/2009 15:32

< peeks in >

< does double-take >

Rochdale ?

MuthaHubbard · 08/11/2009 16:12

Argh....I have nothing sequinned and inappropriate - that is on my list to do this week!

I went to Manchester a few weeks ago and they have a roller disco and i was sooooooo tempted - i even have my own roller boots upstairs. Only downside being that I know I will fall over within exactly 0.12 seconds of putting them on, which is what happened the last time i wore them, in broad daylight, in front of members of the public.

Where are you going to see Pink in Dec Beautiful??? I was going to do it via a trip in my local newspaper as it includes coach (i live in the back of beyond) - the ones this year are all sold out I think.....if you decide to go again in June, let me know!!!

Caramela · 08/11/2009 16:23

Blimey Mutha, I didn't even know roller discos still existed, thought they'd gone the way of all the other 1980s' malarkey .

Never been to one but am now slightly tempted by how enormously undignifeid and inappropriate it would be. I can see it now - a line of glittering Dumpettes snaking in formation under the disco lights.

MuthaHubbard · 08/11/2009 16:25

I know...I was unduly excited when i saw it!!

I think the fact that it is highly undignified and inappropriate is all the more reason to go for it!

Dumpling Disco Divas!

Caramela · 08/11/2009 16:38

There are some photos online Mutha, sadly it's rather less 70s New York Studio 54 than I'd imagined....

BEAUTlFUL · 08/11/2009 17:28

My Match-man texted -- a joke, funny but not really warranting a reply. I have deleted his messages and number from my phone so I am not tempted to text him unduly.

Also, a really nice-looking (as in, look nice) single dad has emailed me via match.com.

So, er, my plan to live a man-free life is progressing well!

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BEAUTlFUL · 08/11/2009 17:31

I'm watching The First Wives Club to give us ideas! No roller-discos yet, but a lot of bitterness.

I don't feel bitter, do any of you? I was thinking, maybe everyone else' husbands were just much nicer than mine. I honestly feel fine about the split now. I even rang X earlier to say, if he wanted to use my car to take the DC out, he was very welcome. I'm just not bovvered.

How are you all feeling? lease don't feel obliged to spout optimism if you feel awful! Let it all out here.

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BEAUTlFUL · 08/11/2009 17:33

Lambypoo, how are you? Please don't contact your ex anymore. In his way, he is replying: his silence tells you everything you need to know. (IE, that he is a twunt.)

"If not him, someone better". There is life after this man. Please post and let me know you're OK.

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Caramela · 08/11/2009 17:47

I've never watched that film, Beautiful, I don't think it's really ever appealed to me. I always think bitterness is a touch pointless tbh.

And another man - you are an inspiration to us all.

As for how I'm feeling - rough day yesterday - felt a bit miserable, he's been moaning on today via text leading me to think I'm better off without him. I also read one of our old messenger conversations - oo er, it's pure filth so that's perked me right up.

How's everyone else ?

I may also have done some internet shopping for a personal < cough> entertainment product.

startingovernow · 08/11/2009 17:49

Evening Fellow Dumplings. Hope you're all in good spirits today.

Lamby, thanks for your kind words. I am in fact training & studying to be a counsellor but am not qualified yet. That was a very hurtful comment about your weight but I think it says more about your ex partner than his daughter. She probably only said that out of insecurity & jealousy over your relationship with her dd. His behaviour however is harder to justify.

Squirrel, I empathise with you. I've been there & can still go back to those feelings on any given day but it does get easier & eventually those feelings will pass permanently for all of us.

Mavis, I agree that having dc's can force us to get on with things for their sakes.

MurthH, I have also gone on holls on my own with the dc's & went to concerts alone. I felt very empowered doing these things on my own.

Happydays, I haven't had to deal with overnights yet so my heart goes out to you. There is a part of me that would love the free time to move on with my own life but I know when it happens it will also be hard to begin with. Re the guilt issue with your dd, kids take their emotional lead from their parents & particularly primary caregiver so I would just reassure her that it's great that she is getting time to spend with her dad. Maybe leave her know that you have something nice planned to do yourself while she is gone so that she is not worried about you being lonely etc.. (kids are very perceptive, far more than we give them credit for).

I have to say I have been feeling very good now with a few days. I don't think it's possible to bypass the feelings though. I think you just have to make each day as good as possible for yourself & eventually it gets easier. I think if you don't deal with the hurt & pain etc (or try to escape it), it'll come back to bite you on the bum at a later stage i.e. you will find yourself in the exact same place at a future point with a different partner etc.. Patterns tend to repeat unless we use the experiences to make changes within ourselves, i.e. daughters of alcoholics being drawn to marry alcoholics, daughters of emotionally unavailable men marrying unavailable men and on & on.

itwascertainlyasurprise · 08/11/2009 18:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

MavisGrind · 08/11/2009 19:50

Hello everyone.

Itwas.. sorry you're having a rough day. The side taking is rather petty - are we all 12? - and anyway, ex is the twunt, so called friends should know that if there is a side to take it should be yours. Have a rather un-MNy hug.

I've had a bottle glass of wine for the last 3 nights which has coincided with ds2 being up loads so I'm having a night off and an early night tonight. Will start multi-tasking like a mother bitch again tomorrow.

Beautiful - you're doing rather well on the match front! I suppose it helps being city based. Heaps of dross for me here and 1 person within 20 miles of where I might move to (although I will be closer to Muthahubbard I think. We can fight over him ).

Caramela - enjoy your shopping!

Off to surf pointlessly....

FluffysBeenBittenByAVampire · 08/11/2009 20:10

Hello all, I hope you are all well and your frogs are all in the shite which is where they belong!

My frog/prince (I've yet to determine which one he is) spoke to me this morning, he left his work name badge here yesterday so I'm going to take it in for him tomorrow. He agreed I was hot, then added so hot I'd set fire to my kitchen on facebook so I'm not sure if this was a compliment or not, it was a response to him asking me if he was sexy. Had a lovely evening yesterday, hot dogs and fireworks which he set off for ds and I, along with the general banter from him ("do you think my bum looks big?") and comments from me. Was a really nice evening though. Is he a frog or is the frog turning? Who knows??

lambypoo · 08/11/2009 20:31

Hi all. Beautiful thanks for your kind thoughts. I promise I will never contact xp again. Don't actually want to now to be honest. You're right, his silence says it all and I don't deserve that kind of treatment.

Have stepped up the eating now so need to be careful not to pile pounds on - this is purely for my own happiness and health you understand! Nothing to do with making myself attractive to other men! Actually I couldn't give a shit at the mo.

StartingOver what a coincidence, I too am training to be a counsellor. Ironic really as I haven't a clue how to properly deal with this sort of stuff, at least not for myself. How far along are you? I've finished the actual course and am just getting my hours together. God it's been hard to carry on with it through all the problems but I'm hanging on in there. Good luck to you and don't give up.

Squirrel - how are you doing?

startingovernow · 08/11/2009 22:35

Oh God Ladies, I am so exhausted now it's not funny. Just spent last 3.5hrs bathing dc's, trying to get them to bed, hoovering house (was a health hazzard so had to be done), changed sheets on all of beds (again another possible health hazzard so had to be done), made lunches for dc's, took down halloween decorations (we have a lot & again this couldn't be avoided at this late stage) during all of the above the two dc's that kept me awake were gone overtired & I'd a real battle getting them down, another dc is burning up & I'd say I'm in for a dose with her. Am worn out now but at least they're all asleep now.

Itwas, I hope you're feeling a bit better now after the vino. I went through the same last yr when I split from xh for first time, some of the people I considered to be friends really showed their true colours. It was v painful at the time but I am now so glad to have them out of my life, none of them were any good really. True friends would be there for you at such a difficult time.

'I really want him to realise how shit he's treated me and I want his friends to know what a wanker he's been.' Oh, I so know what you mean by this, truth is they are generally so far in denial of their own behaviour that they wouldn't know the truth if it hit them in the face. My xh's version of events is complete fabrication & couldn't be further from the truth. I've found trying to battle them on this is completely futile & you only end up mentally deranged from it yourself. Better to leave him with his version, the truth always outs in the end anyway. As for his friends, they are going to believe what they want to believe so again another complete waste of time. If your x was prepared to admit how shit he'd treated you he'd be on his bended knees begging forgiveness & offering to do anything to put things right. It's generally easier to blame the other person & move onto the next victim. You're right though at least by next year you'll be back on tract while he'll most likely have a trail of destruction.

I think anyone who leaves a marriage for purely selfish reasons is only going to end up in one direction, that's down, they can't move onto something better whereas us poor dumplings are the complete opposite, things can only get better for us. Yippee

Lamby, that's an amazing coincidence. I went the route of psychology first & am now doing first yr of counselling skills, won't be doing practice hrs until next yr. I have done an awful lot of personal counselling though & it has really stood to me in all this. No way would I give it up, I've put in too much hard work. I posted here fri though that I had been presented with an award (I had no idea I was getting this). I graduated with the highest points for 09, as a result I am now thinking that I might move back into the academic side again next yr. I'll have to make a decision over the next few wks. It has given me a great boost, my award is taking center place in the house at the mo.

I so relate to what you said about having to keep the weight down to feel good about yourself. On the last 2 dc's I piled on the weight (believe it or not nearly 6st on one & 3.5 on the other, but it wasn't from overeating) After each, I forced myself to walk miles everyday & use a stepper by night & had weight gone by 3mts each time. This was purely for myself as I knew I wouldn't feel good about myself otherwise. I dress sexier & feel better about myself when I've no extra weight. Xh used to complain that I was too skinny but I think that was because he's about 5st overweight & I used to show him up, ha, ha.

In fact, that's one thing that never fails to cheer me up, my figure is great (aside from non-existant boobs due to too much breast feeding but I counteract this by wearing these amazing padded bra's I found & I constantly see men admiring my chest which gives me a great kick when I know it's all false), I've loads of confidence (due to maturity & counselling), and really I can thank xh for all of this because if he wasn't such a shit I'd probably have left myself go & wouldn't have had the benefit of counselling so would probably have been fu*ked up also. Reminder to self, must write him a thank you letter for making me the woman I am today, ha, ha. I think it drives him crazy actually when he sees how well I'm looking & how well I'm doing, I can see the rage in him that I've come out of this so well & on a bad day it can help.

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