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-   -   To the people who say to do NC (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=165276)

  • Dec 23, 2007, 01:30 PM
    wot2do
    To the people who say to do NC
    Today after splitting up for about 1 month, not seen/spoken to my ex-gf in 2weeks, I went over to my ex-GF house gave her a enveloped letter saying how I felt and briefly spoke to her for about 20mins just about how she is doing/ how I am before saying I must leave. She was surprised to see me but was very happy. She obviously missed me a lot as she hugged me a lot and I didn't iniate anything. I asked her what she was doing for new years eve - she said nothing, which I was kind of glad of and noted. Anway, I gave her the letter and told her to read it after I left.

    About an hour later, I phoned her. My plan was simply to ask her if she would like to do something on new years eve. She said she thought it was'nt a good idea, we would be getting drunk, things mite happen - bugger, the letter obviously did not have any miraculous effects.

    I asked her how she felt now - did still feel the same? Did she need more time still - I told her how difficult it was for me not to phone or see her but I am doing it out of respect for her. She told me she keeps nearly making up her mind up about us, but when she sees me she's not sure again. At first I was thinking this means she has decided to end it, but sees me and is unsure. I questioned her about and she says no, instead, she misses me so much she keeps thinking she wants to get back together, but when she sees me she gets so upset again and hates being this upset. I asked her if she would consider couples counseling - she said she would but is v embarressed about the idea. I told her I would find out more about it. She is calling me tomorrow. This is a good step don't you think?

    NC does not always work! Do not blindly follow what other people tell you to do. The reason my girlfriend split up with me is because I did not pay her enough attention, it seemed I wasn't that bothered about her. How wrong she is! Hopefully counseling can sort that out. She says she still loves me and will always love me - I have to believe that is enough to get us through this.
  • Dec 23, 2007, 03:28 PM
    Suelle383
    Good luck! Of course every relationship is different so yes, if you're girlfriend broke up with you because you didn't pay her enough attention than of course NC wouldn't be right for your situation. I think when people say do "NC" is it usually because (1) the relationship is definitely over or (2) the reason for the breakup was that one of the partner's needed space because the other partner was being too needy/clingy, etc.
  • Dec 23, 2007, 03:45 PM
    little firefly
    Well for me, and a lot of others here, doing N/C is a way for us to heal our hearts and be able to move forward with our lives. I'm not doing it to try to get mt ex boyfriend back, I'm doing it to get my life back, and to rid myself once and for all of the feelings of hurt and pain that I've felt for far too long. I'll admit that in the beginning I broke N/C several times and all it did was take me back to square one in my healing. Now it's been almost 2 months of N/C and I'm feeling stronger than I have in a really long time. It's thanks to several of the other posters here that I did N/C, and I'm so thankful that I finally listened to them! :)
  • Dec 23, 2007, 04:04 PM
    s_cianci
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by wot2do
    NC does not always work! Do not blindly follow what other people tell you to do. The reason my gf split up with me is because i did not pay her enough attention, it seemed i wasnt that bothered about her. How wrong she is! Hopefully councelling can sort that out. She says she still loves me and will always love me - i have to believe that is enough to get us through this.

    Be careful. Women rarely tell you the real reason for their breakup. Actually you probably smothered the sh_t out of her and gave her no space whatsoever. See, I once had a girlfriend break up with me with pretty much the same story as yours. But as I look back I have to admit that I smothered her to death and was way too clingy and needy. Naturally it was a big turn-off to her. The only irony is that her excuse to me was almost the exact opposite of what was really on her mind. I think you may be facing a similar situation here. Writing her letters and saying "don't read it until I leave", suggesting couples counseling, etc. are going to be seen by her as signs of weakness, even if you have good intentions. Those options may make sense from an "academic" point of view but I doubt that she's looking at this from an intellectual approach. No contact really is best. It'll make her realize that you can be happy with or without her and it'll also make her realize that if she wants to see you, she has to work for the opportunity. Women like a challenge in relationships and when you're always there and always available to them 24/7/365, that's no challenge and they get bored. Being needy and clingy were bad habits for me during my bachelor years, not just where this one girlfriend is concerned but with most of them. But you know, in breaking up with me, not one of them ever said "you're too needy, you're too clingy, you don't give me any space." Perhaps they weren't fully consciously aware of it themselves, in which case you can hardly expect them to verbalize it. Now you can pooh-pooh the advice that's given on this forum but it is the voice of experience and, in a lot of cases, even academic research on the subject.
  • Dec 23, 2007, 04:09 PM
    Fr_Chuck
    I would say get back to us in two months, if you have now already got your hopes up, starting to make new plans, and nothing happens, you are back to day one of heart ache and have not one step forward to getting over her. NC is to get over someone, not a way to get back with them, if you want to get back with them, of course you have to have contact.
  • Dec 23, 2007, 04:17 PM
    Jiser
    Pretty much same here s_cianci, although there were lots of other reasons to.
  • Dec 23, 2007, 07:36 PM
    talaniman
    Keep us updated.
  • Dec 23, 2007, 08:51 PM
    George_1950
    This is what I call "Whistling past the graveyard." You are confused; she just doesn't want to hurt you.
  • Dec 23, 2007, 09:10 PM
    talaniman
    I see the confusion here, Wot2do. You think you can correct your past mistakes by being attentive now? Women don't work that way, and I think you should accept, that its to little, to late. They get so pissed if they have to tell you something you should know, if that's the real and only reason for the break up, which I seriously doubt.
  • Dec 24, 2007, 03:22 AM
    wot2do
    Maybe you guys are right, that I am setting myself up for a fall. But maybe she is generally confused, was unhappy in the relationship, loves me more than anything but at the moment can't see a way for the relationship to work. This may be where counselling will help.

    Although - I am getting very mixed messages. For example I also asked her if she would like to go out on new years eve (because she said she wasn't do nethin when I asked her when I went to her house) and she thought it was a bad idea because we would be getting drunk and things mite happen. Clearly she doesn't want to jump right back into a relationship where things were the same before. But when I talk to her about how I feel and tell her I never realised little things I did before that made her upset but I do now I think maybe I am getting through. She was getting upset on the phone - I was calm - and I asked her are you getting upset for me or for yourself ? Because if she is crying over upsetting me clearly she has already decided its over - I am still not sure on that answer.
    Anyway I also asked her is anything I am saying/doing making a difference? And she said it was. I said to her that I really don't want to not see her anymore and how does she feel about spending sometime together. She said she really wanted to do that - and said about after new years she has a week off. I said I was worried because I don't want her to start seeing me as just a friend. She said she will never see me as just a friend so I should not worry about that. Also a confusing statement.

    My biggest problem at the moment is I am doing my finals at university, exams, coursework - I'm major behind - I was a top grade student and now I might not get the grade I want. Not talking to her did not help, talking to her - well I'm not sure if it helped.. depends how the conversation tonight goes. At the moment I feel able to concentrate, but if she changes her mind tonight which I'm worried about... arg. I love her too much to not try - I really think it will just be a slow process, gaining her trust, and trying again in the future. I wander what the couples counselor will say - 3rd party may help untangle what she is really thinking.
  • Dec 24, 2007, 03:32 AM
    JoeCanada76
    I didn't iniate anything

    You sure did by going over and giving her an envolope. No contact works and apparently you have not seen how contact has hurt you and her. It is over, and she obviously can not make up her mind. The moment you showed up, guess what ended up happening. You ended the no contact. Now your in deeper then before. It is not going to work. Stop iniatating contact.
  • Dec 24, 2007, 07:52 AM
    talaniman
    A relationship is over when one partner, for whatever reason, is unwilling to work with the other partner anymore. At that point, there are NO fixable problems. Its over. And until you accept that FACT, you will spin your wheels in confusion, and false hope.
  • Dec 28, 2007, 04:16 AM
    wot2do
    I am really finding this hard and need some words of encouragement. My (ex?) girlfriend and I have been txting lots over xmas; although she does take a long time to respond which is really annoying!! Should I read into it?

    Secondly, she said she wants to spend some time together, but she still needs more time - wth does that mean? TO WOMAN: what does she need this time to think about? Surely the only question she should be asking is 'Is my life better with this man in it or not?' End of story. It's already been a month since we broke up - she says she keeps thinking she wants me back but then get upset when I am there. Will som1 shoot me now please? Now she already said she would go for counseling so maybe I am just being very selfish and trying to move things on faster but god dam this is so hard.

    What should I do? Am I single? Its new years eve soon - should I go out on the pull? I honestly don't want anybody in the world but her and I'm not attracted to anyone else at the moment - which is odd because when I was with her for the first 3 years I was always thinking I could do better. Although I realised I loved her and wanted to spend the rest of our lives together and she is perfect and I don't want anyone else. DAMMIT I Want to SCREAM - IM GOING CRAZY!!
  • Dec 28, 2007, 07:01 AM
    George_1950
    I think you are working it way too hard. She takes too long to respond? You are being too demanding. She says she need more time? Give her eternity, my man. You need peace and be able to rid yourself of confusion. In my humble view, it is absolute NC for her; go to the internet, library, or book store and read everything you can on this subject while you are interested in it.
  • Dec 28, 2007, 07:56 AM
    little firefly
    My advice... Go out, hang with friends, live your life, concentrate on you. Give this girl the time she needs to think, and maybe by the time she figures it out you'll be past it and happy either enjoying the single life or in a new relationship. Believe me I thought my world would end when my ex broke up with me (just read my previous posts to see how pathetic I was), well guess what, my world didn't end and I'm feeling happier and more at peace than I have in a really long time. Please trust me, things WILL get better, with OR without her! :)
  • Dec 28, 2007, 08:06 AM
    ISneezeFunny
    Dude...

    Everyone here tells you... back off. Give her space. Don't do anything. Fulfill your own life.

    ... you come back the next day and go I SAW HER AND IT WENT BADLY... or... I CALLED HER AND THERE WAS NOTHING... well... duh?

    You guys are broken up. It's over. You're single. She's single. You're entitled to COMPLETE freedom, so is she. The only reason she's talking to you is because she doesn't want that void to happen. Obviously, you meant something to her in her life. With you completely gone, she has to deal with the void. So she doesn't. She wants to remain friends. This way, she doesn't have that big gaping hole, but she's also single.

    If you don't want to hurt, quit seeing her... quit talking to her... quit texting her... quit EVERYTHING.

    Go on about your life like she doesn't exist. 2 things can happen this way:

    1: she'll miss you so much... and come back (from what I can tell... that... is kind of unlikely. You've beaten the dead horse... and then burned it)

    2: you two will move on. And the NC thing will help you move on that much better.

    If you continue to contact her, 1 thing can happen:

    1: you will push her away even further into the friend zone. Sooner or later, she'll be annoyed/frustrated with you and she will stop contacting you. She will find someone new (or remain single) but in either case, you will be upset. Nothing good will come out of this.
  • Dec 28, 2007, 08:24 AM
    wot2do
    Isneezefunny - We are not over - she has said that she wants to go to couples counseling - thereby she has not lost hope in our relationship. She said she loves me and will always love me, said she keeps nearly calling to get back together but she is having trouble getting over the things I've done in the past to upset her (ignoring her needs completely) and is worried I won't change and things will go back to the way they were. This is not a simple case of she's dumped me get over it. We have been together nearly 4 years and for the last year I've practically ignored everything she wanted to do because I was not sure how I felt about her anymore. The last few months I realised she is the one for me but obviously this has taken its tole on her.

    Maybe she will never forgive me thereby there is no way we can move on but I believe a independent 3rd party can at least separate these issues - us and the relationship. Either way it is hard to give her the time she so obviously needs now and true what I must do is concentrate on myself, my exams and my health to stop myself going crazy in the mean time. This is not a lost cause, I do not 'do' lost causes.
  • Dec 28, 2007, 08:35 AM
    talaniman
    Your basing all of this on "she said". What does she do, besides talk??
  • Dec 28, 2007, 08:42 AM
    George_1950
    Another symptom: "Maybe she will never forgive me". You are taking the blame. There is a reason why all is not well. I hope you can find it, sooner rather than later.
  • Dec 28, 2007, 08:55 AM
    wot2do
    Your so right talaniman! At this moment in time it is all talk. I mean when we see each other she if very touchy feely but in essence all she is doing is agreeing to things I am suggesting. I know the path I am on is very self-destructive and many have fallen before me on it but I can't give up on her yet. I keep going through in my head things she has said to me like never being apart, she was saving up for a house for 2 of us, she even asked for some plates and cups for us ready when we do eventually get a house for her birthday like 2 months ago from her mum. Always asking when I would marry her, I remember several occasions she would say 'your never going to marry me are you' and I would say yea one day if your lucky - make a joke out of it. I think I tried to make her insecure about us but I don't know why :( I feel so stupid for not seeing this coming. And now I feel like everyone can see what's happening but me and I'm too stupid too realise but she gives me hope sometimes - little things she says, the counseling is a huge part of that actually. I have to believe - I don't want to feel like I did again when she first broke up with me.
  • Dec 28, 2007, 09:20 AM
    kuulski
    I feel for you w2d but you have to understand as long as you push the issue she will walk further and further away. I would ignore most of what she is saying because she is confused and she will confuse you more. All the talk of gettign a house 2 gether etc.. Is common my ex said the same types of things. Be very careful go NC right away for u! If it will work itself out if she ends up wanting you back BELIEVE me you will know it will be obvious and you will then have a decision to make. Good Luck!
  • Dec 29, 2007, 07:28 PM
    wot2do
    I can't take it anymore - we have been txting over xmas but she is so slow to respond to text messages - the last one she asked me if I wanted to do do somin on sun night (I txted her a while before asking if she would like to do somin that wknd), I replied to 5hrs later to give her a taste of her own medicine + I was out at my cousins, she has not replied too 24 hours +later.

    I think she is not interested in counseling, in me, in giving it a go whatsoever. I just wrote a text message out which I have yet to send please help - should I send it ? It goes like this : "i think its obvious you are not considerin getting back together at all, i can't take all this waitinf for yout txt or calls anymore, its not fair. I do not want too force u 2 meet with me or go too couples councelling as i think u do not want too. I love u so much its killing me but i can't force you 2 b with me or prove i can change. I said this before but im goin too try and move on. I think this i s what u want deep down and its just too hard for you too admit. I thought I was your one. xxx"

    Is this OK or not please respond.
  • Dec 29, 2007, 08:09 PM
    allswell
    Please do not send that text, for your sake. You have already said everything you need to say, and then some. It has gotten you nowhere. This last text won't do anyone any good either--but it will make you feel like a sap when she doesn't respond the way you want her to. If she responds at all. I think it's high time to cut your losses, and start moving along. 2008 is just around the corner and may it bring clarity and peace of mind to all of us here.

    You started this thread saying NC wasn't the best option for you. But, as I read through, I witnessed your emotional turmoil time and time again for the past few weeks. Perhaps if you had gone the NC route you would have saved yourself this anguish. Granted, sometimes we have to make one last attempt, give it one more try, just to make sure that it's not going to turn out differently this time.

    Men, women, it doesn't matter--people are really quite simple. If they want to see you, be with you, talk to you, feel you, smell you, they will--and nothing will stop them. She doesn't want to do any of those things, and her semblance of trying to work things out is just a way for her to assuage her guilt, to not feel like "the bad guy".

    Suffice it to say, it will suck, but you are not alone. I was dumped about a month ago and have been in agony. Have I picked up the phone? Absolutely not. Have I tried to make any kind of contact? Hell no. And I work with him. Imagine how difficult it is trying not to think of someone only to be constantly reminded of their presence.

    At the end of the day, I have my dignity, and self-respect. I am not crawling after anybody who is not able to realize what a great person I am. Do I want to hold him by the collar and tell him what an idiot he is? Of course I do, but I'm not giving him that satisfaction.

    Like I said, it is sheer hell, but at least you'll be able to hold your head up high and say "I don't deserve this. Good bye."

    Good luck.
  • Dec 29, 2007, 08:13 PM
    talaniman
    No, its not okay.
  • Dec 29, 2007, 08:14 PM
    George_1950
    Try this: https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/relati...sh-114179.html

    And the hot links at the bottom of Talaniman's signature.
  • Jan 1, 2008, 06:01 AM
    wot2do
    Well guys I should have listened to you all earlier lol. She still had not txted me back about whether meet up - (she was the one who first sugggested it may I add). So 24hrs later I txted her one last chance saying "do u want to come out or not, uve not txtd". Unsurpisingly her phone was off (again!) so I thought okay clearly her actions are speaking far louder than anything she is saying. So I txted her saying 'You clearly are not considering us getting back together, I'm sure you are not trying to hurt me. I'm going to move on." When she turned her phone back on she txt back saying this: "I'm so sorr 4 hurting you. I really hate myself so much. I do want to see you and meet up with you but I'm not ready to get back together and I don't think its fair on you. I just don't know what to do. I want you to be happy which I now is stupid to say as I've upset you so much. Xxx" I have not and will not respond. I am on NC, I've removed her from Facebook and her friends so I can't check up on her, deleted her emails and moved away her photos. I've even applied for a job in the USA (im from UK) which starts this summer. I see now I was deluding myself but my god the things she used to say still eat me up inside. Why do woman say these things if they don't really mean it? Anway I'm moving on and I'm not looking back. Thanks for your advice all.
  • Jan 1, 2008, 07:30 AM
    George_1950
    Thanks for your update. You said: " my god the things she used to say still eat me up inside. Why do woman say these things if they dont realy mean it?" Perhaps, in many instances, females understand the game, the contest, better than males.
  • Jan 1, 2008, 09:19 AM
    talaniman
    She may of mean't every word she said to you, but we all know females can change their minds.
  • Jan 1, 2008, 09:24 AM
    George_1950
    A lady doesn't leave the man she loves confused or with a sick stomach. Neither does a lady with a man she hates, for that matter, unless she be after something else.
  • Jan 1, 2008, 10:18 AM
    wot2do
    Do you mean you think her actions suggest she's after som1 else? I asked her if she was interested in som1 else a while ago in one of our conversations she said no. But who knows? I don't suppose she would tell me if she was - she hasn't exactly made this break up easy for me (telling me she loves me and will always love me, and needs some time and maybe she will want to get back together or maybe not was her words originally or something like that). She defintely is not the type of girl to cheat on me but maybe that's why she broke up with me. If she does start seeing anyone else I imagine I would find out through a friend of mine eventually... If true then I'm going to have so much trouble trusting another woman because my ex, ex kind of cheated on me too.

    In reality I guess its none of my business anymore what she does; and is all the more reason why I must stay no contact. Also why I want to america for a year or 2 and get away from it all lol. I hope I'm not acting to rash.
  • Jan 1, 2008, 10:26 AM
    George_1950
    You wrote: " If true then I'm gona have so much trouble trusting another woman cus my ex, ex kinda cheated on me too."

    Please do not put your gf's problems onto the next women in your life. This is one experience that you can learn from and grow through, if you are willing. Those girls are tricky and like to test you. You need to work on relationship skills. Do some research, but do not settle on the first thing you find; check multiple sources.
  • Jan 1, 2008, 10:41 AM
    Maggie83
    By moving away your just running from your problems and the distance won't make them go away! I was similar to you I applied for jobs I didn't want just to get away but I quickly realised it wouldn't make a difference.

    I also have had my doubts about N/C because I would still like to get my ex back in all honesty. I received a chain text from my ex two nights ago, now I don't know why she sent it to me but I ignored it and I've heard nothing since to say happy new year or anything but I'm happy if id replied id have got a few texts then been back to square one emotionally!
  • Jan 1, 2008, 10:55 AM
    talaniman
    Love those links George.

    The time is past trying to figure her mind and motivations out. The thing to do now is allow the healing process to work. Love yourself, and be happy with who you are.
  • Jan 3, 2008, 04:34 AM
    wot2do
    Why am I still getting upset every day? I am revising, I am going to gym, going out every night - yet every day I get upset and keep thinking of the little things we used to do together like sing these little silly songs too each other. Im so worried about my exams :(
  • Jan 3, 2008, 05:53 AM
    Maggie83
    Worry about your exams, that's the most important thing right now. Your doing all of the right things I know I've been there when I was at uni/college but this is your future and your career don't let one person destroy what you've already worked so hard for!

    In time you will see that you have no power to change things by getting upset, do what your doing and avoid contact where possible... or at least until your exams are over
  • Jan 3, 2008, 07:27 AM
    talaniman
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by wot2do
    Why am I still getting upset every day? I am revising, i am goin to gym, going out every night - yet every day i get upset and keep thinking of the little things we used to do together like sing these little silly songs too each other. Im so worried about my exams :(

    Its only withdrawal that your going through. Don't give in to the craving, and time will heal you. Its supposed to hurt, because you cared, and this is a great loss to deal with.
  • Jan 4, 2008, 06:01 AM
    wot2do
    Thanks for your support guys you've been great. I was wandering when you think I should start dating again. I mean how do I know when I'm ready? At the moment I feel rejected and kind of worthless. So I've gone abit crazy and registered for about 10 different dating websites lol just too see if I can get any interest or if it is actually me. I don't know whether I would go on a date yet but maybe I just want some attention. Is dating like this wrong? Ive never been in a relationship for nearly 4 years before so I don't know protocol. I still would take my ex back in a moments notice so I'm defintely not ready for another serious relationship but is dating OK?
  • Jan 4, 2008, 06:24 AM
    Maggie83
    I would give yourself a little more time, if you feel worthless then what do you expect you'll be like on a date! If your heart isn't in it don't do it, any dates will be horrible they'll go badly and you'll miss your ex even more!

    I know you want to feel wanted and that you are attractive (im the same) but going on dates isn't the way to get yourself worth back the only person who can do that is you and you alone.

    That's just my opinion others may take a different view
  • Jan 4, 2008, 06:48 AM
    talaniman
    At least you recognise your feelings for attention, but for now love yourself and be happy who you are, and let the healing process work. You'll know when your ready by how good you feel about yourself. People who jump into dating so soon after a break up, fall for anything, and rebound relationships usually end in disaster. Be patient.
  • Jan 4, 2008, 06:59 AM
    George_1950
    You wrote: "So i've gone abit crazy and registered for about 10 different dating websites lol just too see if i can get any interest or if it is actually me. I dont know whether I would go on a date yet.... Is dating like this wrong?...I still would take my ex back in a moments notice so im defintely not ready for another serious relationship...."
    Developing 'coping strategies' is very important because you need some activities, some things to do. I think dating websites is a good place to spend some time each day, looking to develop friendships. As long as you are not trying to get acutal dates, you can make friends many miles away, only don't fall in love that way!

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