How to say goodbye to the one you love???

@o2bfree (225)
United States
February 11, 2008 2:31pm CST
First want to say hello to everyone ; ) Obviously I am at a loss on this subject or I wouldn't be posting.... I met a man 4 yrs ago right after my divorce. Fell madly in love with him only to find out he couldn't love me the way I deserved/wanted. He was very emotionally unavailable. I broke up with him only to find out 2 weeks later I was pregnant with his child. Decided to do the "right" thing and give it a shot. It was absolutely the most miserable 2 1/2 yrs of my life. Why???? Because I loved him so much and tried so hard to get nothing but rejections and mental abuse. Sure there were the times he would say or do something right which is what kept me strung along. Meanwhile I was dying on the inside. So I chose to leave....we lived seperated for 4 months. I met someone and moved out almost 3 months ago. While I was dating this other man he started trying to prove his love for me. Endlessly! So much so that it totally confused me and I wanted to believe he had changed. I pushed the other man away. Started letting him reopen my wounded heart only to find out the whole time he was professing his love for me he was on a personal website talking to numerous woman. Eventually going out with one and sleeping with her. Granted I was in another relationship but it was no secret. He was telling me he was doing NOTHING but waiting for me to come around. Bold face lied to me. Then a week after me agreeing to try to reconcile, I find out this other stuff and feel totally betrayed and like such an idiot for believing all he had been saying. Now a week after finding out, it is driving me insane! And he has pulled away emotionally again, so needless to say I am very hurt. I am pretty sure (the idiot in me again) that I can not do this. I was already insecure in this relationship and now with this added to it....I don't think I have any fight left. He is saying he will come back around (sheesh) and that we need to give it time. I just dont know anymore, I feel like I am dying! And every time I try to tell him I can't do this he selfishly dangles a carrot above my head and lures me back in to this never ending push and pull! Why do I love his so much??? Why is my reality blinded by hope???? Someone please tell me how to get out of this!!!!
1 person likes this
2 responses
• United States
16 Feb 08
It sounds like you really need just some time alone with you and your child. Get out of the relationship dance for at least six months, maybe even a year. You've been divorced ( so obviously the first marriage was not so good), you've been on and off with the jerk for about 5 years...and then you jumped right into another relationship after just getting out of the second one. It isn't healthy to do to yourself. Yes we need love, and you are probably forever going to be involved with this man since you have a child...so to get to a place of civil accord it would be best to have only contact with him concerning your child. Communicate with the father of your child that you can't get back into a relationship with him, because the relationship you had was unhealthy and unproductive for both of you. At this time you need space from him and that communication will be limited to child related stuff. Take the next year off from men. Make or get back in touch with some female friends. Find yourself again. After being married and divorced, then involved with a man who plays on your emotions, you need time to sort out who you are---what you want for you own life and what kind of person it is you want involved in your life. Change can be scary and being alone can seem scary, but sometimes it is what we need to bring self discovery. Get back to what you like, what you want, and how you want to live life. Spend time with your child and revel in motherhood for a while. Pick up a new hobby...something that is just for you...be it writing, cooking, crafting, reading, whatever it might be that sparks you, find it, try it all out to see what you like...and make something of it for just you. Explore what you like outside of men. Then once you feel like you have gotten yourself back, once you feel self confidence, self assurance, and like you have self esteem--which is basically loving yourself and accepting who you are---then start looking for a new man. This might take a few months, or it might take a few years...however long it takes is how long you need to rediscover yourself. There is a difference between being an idiot and being an optimist. You are not an idiot, you just want someone who you loved to love you back the with respect and caring. This man doesn't respect you and you have to accept that. If he can't treat you with caring, kindness, respect, and love then he isn't worth your time. Those are things that make a great love. We have to realize as women, that we can't fall in love with the right man if we don't have self esteem or know who we are. This is the dangers of jumping from one bad relationship to the next. It isn't the men it is us---but what I mean by that is that we pick jerks as a way of punishing ourselves. Our negative self talk becomes self prophetic and we act out our negativity through loving the wrong men. There are plenty of loving, caring, genuine men out there, but we have to have the self esteem and self confidence to attract them and be attracted to them. So work on yourself first, work on being a loving and good parent to you child...then look for the love of a good man.
@o2bfree (225)
• United States
16 Feb 08
Thank you very much for responding Bonnie....I have taken all of these things into consideration. I do feel like I had in the last bit of the marriage/separation started doing exactly what you suggested that I do. The x was very disconnected during that time so it allowed me to have all the time in the world I needed with just me and my children. It is in fact what gave me the power to say I am done with this I am moving on!!! When I moved out I was full of self confidence and esteem, which is what allowed me to find a genuine man. Then the X started up with his pursuasiveness and while I did not "fall" for it, it was definately pulling at my heartstrings. Which in turn, caused the demise of the relationship with the genuine man. He deserved better than the turmoil I was putting him through because of my conflicted heart. So yeah, now I am just trying to figure out how to deal number one with the fact that the x could lie to me all the while trying to prove his love. If there could possibly be any sincerity in it???? At the same time realizing we were toxic for each other to begin with. I deff. moved forward too fast after the first divorce. But honestly feel like I ended up with 2nd husband to help me grow through these insecurities and such. But now to add insult to injury is what he did during this time and the fact that I have obsessed over it for a week...You know HOW COULD HE? As of today, I am considering going to counseling with him that he has set up for Wed. All be it, I truly feel in my heart of hearts no matter how painful, it is OVER! The only reason I am considering going is so he will finally accept that it is over and for a better understanding of why I allowed him to do me this way. I know I want/deserve better. And I refuse to settle for less! I just want to move on with my life bottom line! I want him out of it, but like you said we will always have the child, which he has used as an in time and again. I need strength and clarity regarding this. As to waiting to involve other men, I know you are right. I feel like I will know when I am ready. It is very lonely during this time, but I know the most healthy thing for all involved. I am 38 and feeling like I am losing my edge, so there is somewhat a sense of urgency in my mixed up head. But mostly I have a grip on reality and knowing that the life I have now will not always be. Everyone (most everyone) desires, love and companionship. So why does it make me so wrong to want to move ahead with that part of my life? Patience, is most deff. not my virtue...LOL Thank you again for taking the time to respond. I truly appreciate your advice.~C
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
16 Feb 08
You are not losing your edge. If anything, it seems to me, you are finding a different one but no matter. You are NOT to blame for your confusion, though, and nor is any of it your fault for sending the wrong signals or anything. Going to counselling is the right thing to do for the reason you stated - to get HIS head sorted out. Moving on with no regrets, yet with the ability to cherish good experiences so that they don't make you feel guilty that they weren't the WHOLE picture, is an art and a state of mind. It has to encompass the fact that others may still find things to regret and different things to cherish.
@o2bfree (225)
• United States
16 Feb 08
Thank you for taking the time and having concern enough to respond. I do find what you say to be encouraging, as lately I have felt pshycho! Knowing that someone else can recognize this is normal and affirm that to me, helps me not beat myself up so bad. During this time of loneliness and confusion I do know that I am "figuring" things out I have never realized about myself before. Thank You again for sharing~Be Blessed~Cheri
@subha12 (18441)
• India
19 Mar 08
First of all stay away from any one. why are you again with that abusive person? I think you will never find happiness with him. he is there to cheat you and hurt you. say him goodbye and never fall for him.