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-   -   Nine years isn't long enough. (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=345021)

  • May 8, 2009, 01:53 PM
    Lonelyandbroken
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ajGambino View Post
    Thanks for your advice, it's been really hard for me. I sort of took a step back emotionally and keep thinking of what's never going to happen anymore. I think about the good things and the bad, it's just that the good things seem to heavily out-weigh the bad things about the relationship.

    Ugh, I just want to move past all of this.

    Yeah I just want it to be over and done with too. Maybe your looking back with rose colored glasses. I know at times I do. Sometimes when I have a decent day I even feel guilty about it. I'm really not sure why I feel like that since I was the one dumped.
  • May 8, 2009, 02:22 PM
    ajGambino

    I think the reason you feel guilty about having a good day, is because we're still in the beginning stages and living through a 'good day' without the ex makes it feel abnormal in a way. I'm also trying to get over that too.

    There are so many problems to get past, I can't even count. I look at them as a challenge, as I'm a very competitive person. I feel as though I'm competing with myself. I think that's my little edge on NC.
  • May 8, 2009, 08:04 PM
    joshdom

    It's a trivial issue to ask or have to be asked to go somewhere. My ex never used to put the phone down or stop texting unless I asked her if she wanted to stop, but would then moan about me being too controlling! The problem is she isn't putting the effort in. if it is just one of you it can't work, but if she wants to go somewhere she is perfectly capable of asking. Otherwise it becomes circular. She says you should ask her, you can say you need to ask me. It is circular and achieves nothing. Whilst you put in the effort she isn't and it won't work while it stays this way
  • May 8, 2009, 08:53 PM
    ajGambino
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by joshdom View Post
    its a trivial issue to ask or have to be asked to go somewhere. my ex never used to put the phone down or stop texting unless i asked her if she wanted to stop, but would then moan about me being too controlling!! the problem is she isnt putting the effort in. if it is just one of you it can't work, but if she wants to go somewhere she is perfectly capable of asking. otherwise it becomes circular. she says you should ask her, you can say you need to ask me. it is circular and achieves nothing. whilst you put in the effort she isnt and it wont work while it stays this way


    I see what you're saying. It was that way for a while actually. I would always be the 'fix it' guy because she had a lot of problems about me. Come to think about it, I didn't try to change or tell her how to do anything. But she would be getting after me and judging the hell out of me. I could give so many examples about how she would tear me down and I did nothing but walk away. She's even said things about my parents to me that is so disrespectful.
  • May 9, 2009, 01:00 AM
    BigUps
    Your story has a lot of similarities to mine. My relationship was much shorter, only two and a half years, but the emotional rollercoaster you're going through pretty much sums up mine too.

    Unfortunately I've taken up smoking again since the break up too. It's not good, but I feel I need the crutch at the moment until things start feeling bit better.

    My NC started April 24th and has lasted so far. There a good days and very bad days. I think things will eventually get better for both of us. Good luck with it!
  • May 9, 2009, 02:58 AM
    ajGambino

    Yeah man, the pain sometimes is overwhelming... but I try to cheer myself up as much as to try to get excited about the NBA Playoffs. When I watch basketball, the pain is still there but I'll get distracted more often.

    I'm not even looking forward to being happy again, that's going to take forever. I'm waiting for the "I don't care anymore" phase... I just don't want to physically feel the pain anymore.

    I use to be the hardest, most productive worker at my job... Now? I'm probably the least productive one. I don't know when I'll start to be as hard working as I use to be... at least at work. All my energy is going to this crap. You'd be surprised how much the mental pain takes a tole on you physically. Err... I'm guessing some of you posters here won't be as surprised as I think.
  • May 9, 2009, 06:57 AM
    Lonelyandbroken
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ajGambino View Post
    Yeah man, the pain sometimes is overwhelming...but I try to cheer myself up as much as to try to get excited about the NBA Playoffs. When I watch basketball, the pain is still there but I'll get distracted more often.

    I'm not even looking foward to being happy again, that's going to take forever. I'm waiting for the "I don't care anymore" phase...I just don't want to physically feel the pain anymore.

    I use to be the hardest, most productive worker at my job... Now? I'm probably the least productive one. I don't know when I'll start to be as hard working as I use to be...at least at work. All my energy is going to this crap. You'd be suprised how much the mental pain takes a tole on you physically. Err...I'm guessing some of you posters here won't be as surprised as I think.

    Yeah I agree. I don't care about being happy. I just want to be in the I don't care what she does phase myself. And yes mental things can take a huge tole on the physical. And it really really sucks.

    I had a decent day yesterday but a horrible night. Kept waking up and thinking about crap. So that in itself affects the physical. Still going NC although I have a huge urge to break it for some reason. I'm scared to not break it yet I'm terrified to find out something else that will hurt me.
  • May 9, 2009, 11:10 AM
    ajGambino
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Lonelyandbroken View Post
    Still going NC although i have a huge urge to break it for some reason. I'm scared to not break it yet i'm terrified to find out something else that will hurt me.


    I feel the same way. This is one of many reasons I'm staying NC. I had a dream last night that toar my heart comletely apart. I was literally hurting from my heart. Oh my god I feel like it just set me back to the beginning.
  • May 9, 2009, 01:19 PM
    Lonelyandbroken
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ajGambino View Post
    I feel the exact same way. This is one of many reasons why I'm staying NC. I had a dream last night that toar my heart comletely apart. I was literally hurting from my heart. Oh my god I feel like it just set me back to the beginning.

    Yeah I have problems sleeping to. I wake up and have this same conversation over and over in my head with the girl. It just sucks cause I feel tired and it just bugs me. I know I just want her out of my head.
  • May 9, 2009, 03:36 PM
    ajGambino

    I have different dreams, but it ends up all the same.

    Last night I was dreaming I was at the beach with my family and I was thinking to myself, "it's been so long since you started NC, don't break it now." Well, I broke it and called her. She answered and told her how I really missed her and how we can make things work out. But no matter how much I was trying to hear her speak, noise in the background would get in the way or noise where I was at kept making me miss what she was saying... It was weird.

    Night before that I was dreaming that I went to her house but her dad said she wasn't there, she was at her uncles. I went to her uncles and he said she was at my house. I went back to my house and my mom said she just left to go back at her house. I went back and her father answered the door, telling me she doesn't want to see or hear from me and wouldn't let me in or even see her face.

    Even in my dreams I can't get a hold of her.
  • May 9, 2009, 04:22 PM
    Lonelyandbroken
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ajGambino View Post
    I have different dreams, but it ends up all the same.

    Last night I was dreaming I was at the beach with my family and I was thinking to myself, "it's been so long since you started NC, don't break it now." Well, I broke it and called her. She answered and told her how I really missed her and how we can make things work out. But no matter how much I was trying to hear her speak, noise in the background would get in the way or noise where I was at kept making me miss what she was saying...It was weird.

    Night before that I was dreaming that I went to her house but her dad said she wasn't there, she was at her uncles. I went to her uncles and he said she was at my house. I went back to my house and my mom said she just left to go back at her house. I went back and her father answered the door, telling me she doesn't want to see or hear from me and wouldn't let me in or even see her face.

    Even in my dreams I can't get a hold of her.

    I just dream about me telling her. That she disrespected and made me feel used. That she cheapened our relationship by the things she said. And that if she couldn't do it in person because she would talk herself out of it that she has no idea what the hell she wants.

    Course then my night is pretty much shot I just replay that over and over.
  • May 9, 2009, 04:25 PM
    kctiger

    Dreams come and go. It is still fresh in your mind and unfortunately it is something you have to deal with. Your mind and heart is going through the process of emotionally detaching from someone, and that takes time. Nothing you are experiencing is abnormal, and it will continue for sometime.

    Be patient, and continue on the NC path of healing. Once you get through this, you will have an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and you will see what being truly happy feels like, again.
  • May 9, 2009, 04:49 PM
    ajGambino
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by kctiger View Post
    Dreams come and go. It is still fresh in your mind and unfortunately it is something you have to deal with. Your mind and heart is going through the process of emotionally detaching from someone, and that takes time. Nothing you are experiencing is abnormal, and it will continue for sometime.

    Be patient, and continue on the NC path of healing. Once you get through this, you will have an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and you will see what being truly happy feels like, again.


    Yeah, I appreciate your input on the topic. Hopefully the accomplishment will come sooner then I expect. Considering my condition and situation, I don't plan on being happy for quite some time.
  • May 9, 2009, 04:51 PM
    kctiger

    Took me at least five months, after 4 1/2 years. Takes patience. It sucks, but you will get there. No worries!
  • May 9, 2009, 05:01 PM
    ajGambino

    Five months isn't that long, considering you were with him for 4 1/2 years. Good for you, you've overcome some pretty tough odds there. Just hoping I can stay strong and do the same.
  • May 9, 2009, 05:04 PM
    kctiger

    You will do the same. You will get through this, and you will be happy again. Trust me, I know you will. I was in your position and believe me, I never thought I would be happy again, but time passes and things change.
  • May 9, 2009, 05:15 PM
    ajGambino
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by kctiger View Post
    You will do the same. You will get through this, and you will be happy again. Trust me, I know you will. I was in your position and believe me, I never thought I would be happy again, but time passes and things change.


    Good to hear KC, that's what I need to hear. Thank you for your support and believing in me. My parents aren't really affectionate and sympathetic when it comes to personal problems with me. This is a good place to gain some confidence back and look at the situation in a good way.
  • May 9, 2009, 05:18 PM
    kctiger

    I am usually not a very sympathetic dude, but I know how much this heart break stuff hurts. Support makes this sucky process better. You will come out of this a totally different person. This website is a great place for guys like you. I came here in October a mess, and now I am sticking around helping others. Paying it forward, so to speak.

    Just keep the faith man.I know it is hard, but we are all here for you, and always will be. Keep your head up!
  • May 9, 2009, 05:31 PM
    ajGambino
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by kctiger View Post
    I am usually not a very sympathetic dude, but I know how much this heart break stuff hurts. Support makes this sucky process better. You will come out of this a totally different person. This website is a great place for guys like you. I came here in October a mess, and now I am sticking around helping others. Paying it forward, so to speak.

    Just keep the faith man.I know it is hard, but we are all here for you, and always will be. Keep your head up!


    Appreciate it man, will do.
  • May 9, 2009, 05:31 PM
    Romefalls19

    I can definitely say, KC was a WRECK when he came here, looking for a quick fix to get his ex back. After giving all our advice no thought, he finally listened to us and hasn't looked back since. I am very proud of the progress he made.
  • May 9, 2009, 05:34 PM
    ajGambino

    It's good to hear others positive progress throughout the struggle. At the same time, I'm also sorry for the pain and suffering everyone here went through. Feeling like how I am lately, I would never wish this upon someone. Not even my worst enemy.
  • May 11, 2009, 03:20 AM
    ajGambino

    Quesion:

    I understand I need to keep strict NC and think about rebuilding my life according to what makes me a better, happy person.

    I sometimes think about my ex doing things to me that were wrong, as I think that's a proper way to view things.

    Is that OK to do?

    Should I be thinking about other things so I don't stop my process of moving on?
  • May 11, 2009, 05:28 AM
    kctiger

    It is only natural to get angry at your ex for things you now see she may have done that weren't very nice. That is part of the grieving process. It also doesn't mean your ex was a bad person. No one is perfect in a relationship. I know I wasn't Mr. Wonderful. So long as you stick to NC things should progress on an even plain.
  • May 11, 2009, 05:31 PM
    ajGambino

    I see what you're saying. I know I wasn't the best boyfriend either and maybe I should have done some things differently.

    I hate to think about what I could've done differently and I think about what if I did this or that... I try to block those 'what ifs'.
  • May 11, 2009, 07:58 PM
    jmw0713

    You will go crazy thinking about all of the what if's. Chances are, no matter what, this everything would have happened anyway. People who are committed to each other will almost work through anything. So it wasn't the few things you did that may have been bad, it was her and her feelings that changed.

    Trust me, if you were that bad of a BF, she would have left a LONG time ago. She just changed and along the way, her feelings for you did too.

    Don't beat yourself up over this. Just recognize what you want to change about yourself and don't repeat your mistakes.

    At least you know you can maintain a very stable and long term relationship with the right woman.
  • May 11, 2009, 09:22 PM
    tree56
    I can understand completely what you've been going through, I am in the same position over the last 3 weeks.. She dumped me for silly reasons, just because she want to "open her wings, explore the world"... And guess what? We were planning to get married next year!!

    You know what's worse? That she gave little to no signals before her decision! Everything happened soooo fast, you can't even imagine! One day telling me HOW MUCH she loved me, that I was her soulmate, the person she'd want to have children with, next day deciding to break up because of a stupid fight & saying "i've had enough", and not even want to listen to me, despite me asking her constantly to work on our relationship!

    At least, if she could give me some signals, just to prepare me!

    Buddy, you're not alone.. What I learned from my case, is that women tend to be much stronger than men.. Just count the ratio between male/female posters on this forum.. Plain statistics, you'll be surprised..
  • May 11, 2009, 09:29 PM
    BigUps
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by tree56 View Post
    You know what's worse? That she gave little to no signals before her decision!! Everything happened soooo fast, you can't even imagine !! One day telling me HOW MUCH she loved me, that I was her soulmate, the person she'd want to have children with, next day deciding to break up because of a stupid fight & saying "i've had enough", and not even want to listen to me, despite me asking her constantly to work on our relationship !!

    At least, if she could give me some signals, just to prepare me!!

    Hi tree, I know EXACTLY what you mean here, I can empathise with you completely mate. My Ex did the same thing. Everything seemed to be fine, we had plans and dreams together, she said she loved me and things were good.

    Then out of the blue, BAM "goodbye, I don't want to be with you anymore". I've had the same thoughts, like I wish she could have given more indication so I could mentally prepare myself.

    It's the toughest thing I've ever been through so I kind of know the pain you're feeling.
  • May 11, 2009, 09:34 PM
    Synnen

    Honestly?

    She probably gave LOTS of signals. TONS of them.

    I've noticed, though, that you can't give signals to guys. Unless you say it straight out, or bash them upside the head with it, they're not going to see ANY signal most girls would give out.
  • May 11, 2009, 09:40 PM
    tree56
    The problem is that what YOU women consider a signal, in fact is NOTHING compared to what you SHOULD show to your partner.. You expect us to be expert mind readers, and catch even the slightest signal you give.. Whereas what you would have to do is to be much more open, communicative, and be able to express what you don't like in your partner, so he can change it.. What you women do is so unfair.. Why do we always have to tell you what's wrong so you can have the chance to change, whereas you never do the same thing?

    Who do you think we are? Sigmund Freud?
  • May 11, 2009, 09:41 PM
    ajGambino

    Yeah, that's how things were and wound up in the end. Out of the blue, things just happened so fast. No warning, everything was great. I couldn't understand where this came from.

    What made it worse was all the faults she was giving me, as if I've been such a horrible person all along. Even when I would try to talk to her about it, she would blow it off and tell me how she's tired of this and that.

    She wouldn't let me talk, she was just trying to shut me up and never talk to me again as if I did something horribly wrong to her.
  • May 11, 2009, 09:42 PM
    BigUps
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Synnen View Post
    Honestly?

    She probably gave LOTS of signals. TONS of them.

    I've noticed, though, that you can't give signals to guys. Unless you say it straight out, or bash them upside the head with it, they're not going to see ANY signal most girls would give out.

    Well woman SHOULD say it straight out that there's problems then, if the signals aren't getting through. Then work with their partner to try to resolve the issues.

    Dropping subtle hints and then just giving up without putting any effort in is just gutless and pathetic.
  • May 11, 2009, 10:02 PM
    Synnen

    Yelling "you suck at everything that you used to do to make me happy and if you don't change I'm leaving" isn't exactly very constructive, hmm?

    Signals include, but are not limited to:

    "Why do we never go out anymore?"
    "I miss how we used to be when we were first dating"
    "I wish you'd pick up more after yourself"
    "Why do I always have to be the one to set up our social calendar?"
    "I can't believe you forgot (insert birthday, anniversary, Valentine's day, etc)"
    "I wish you'd spend more time with me and less on that video game"
    "You work all the time and never make time for me!"

    Other signs are a disinterest in sex, a disinterest in taking care of you in any way, and a disinterest in doing anything with your family.

    Believe me, most girls DO come right out and say something about what's bothering them. However, due to an argument I had with my husband this weekend, I've realized that men and women really do communicate on different levels. He was mad that I wasn't being appreciative enough of the extra things he's done around the house lately, and I was mad that he wasn't more supportive of the OTHER things I'd been doing lately (we're buying a house, and it's really more time consuming than you'd think). NEITHER of us had any clue WHY the other was mad about it. Neither understood that the other WAS mad about it, until it blew up pretty horribly.

    I'd BEEN telling him that I needed him to take up some of the things I usually do (dishes and cooking in particular) and he'd BEEN telling me that he didn't mind doing it, but hated that I was crabby about it if it didn't get done and that I didn't say anything when it DID get done. To me, it was a give and take thing--I didn't have TIME to do those chores plus the house stuff... and he didn't understand why I was mad that he wasn't helping more when *I* was doing all the work to get us into a house.

    So... BOTH of us thought we'd been communicating and that the other was just ignoring it.

    Can you HONESTLY say that there was absolutely NO change in your girl before she broke up with you? Can you honestly say there wasn't SOMETHING she'd been trying to convey to you that she was unhappy about? Frankly, I'd find it very weird for her to be deliriously happy with you on Wednesday, and breaking it off with you on Thursday with no other signs.
  • May 11, 2009, 10:12 PM
    tree56
    Synnen, I don't know if it's pure coincidence or you're a psycho or something ;);) but you got the days correct: it was a Wednesday when she was saying how much she loved me, and a Thursday when she decided to break up, haha ;)

    To be honest, I could see over the last 2-3 weeks that something was bothering her about our relationship.. BUT, I kept on asking: "I can see that there's something bothering you, can you please tell me what's it? Is there any way I can help you?".. One day she was depressed, the other day seemed happy, etc.. :confused::confused:
  • May 11, 2009, 10:24 PM
    BigUps
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Synnen View Post
    Signals include, but are not limited to:

    "Why do we never go out anymore?" No.
    "I miss how we used to be when we were first dating" No.
    "I wish you'd pick up more after yourself" No, I already picked up after myself
    "Why do I always have to be the one to set up our social calendar?" No.
    "I can't believe you forgot (insert birthday, anniversary, Valentine's day, etc)" I didn't forget b'days etc
    "I wish you'd spend more time with me and less on that video game" If she had an issue with my leisure activities she never indicated it
    "You work all the time and never make time for me!" Again, No

    Other signs are a disinterest in sex she liked it more than I did, a disinterest in taking care of you in any way she was very supportive up until the end, and a disinterest in doing anything with your family. We had great relations with each other's families

    So errr no, I don't call these things "signals", I call them "her wanting to talk about the problems". This is the issue, if these kind of warning signs were apparent I would have done everything I could to address them. You don't seem to be able to comprehend that none of these things came up.

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Synnen View Post
    Believe me, most girls DO come right out and say something about what's bothering them.

    Well how lovely that is that most girls do that. Myself (and I believe the other guys in the topic who experienced the same thing) DIDN'T get that, or a chance to work on the issues.

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Synnen View Post
    Can you HONESTLY say that there was absolutely NO change in your girl before she broke up with you? Can you honestly say there wasn't SOMETHING she'd been trying to convey to you that she was unhappy about? Frankly, I'd find it very weird for her to be deliriously happy with you on Wednesday, and breaking it off with you on Thursday with no other signs.

    The only change was after the night that I suspect she went out and cheated on me.

    Frankly, I find it very weird too. Trying to understand it is one of the reasons we post here.
  • May 12, 2009, 09:45 AM
    jmw0713

    I agree with Synnen, woman do drop these hints. However, they are so subtle and far in between that we don't pick up on them. Women will mention things in passing and then won't bring it up again until much later, all the while we think everything is OK.

    Women, unlike men, remember things... EVERYTHING. Small, trivial, unimportant things, that keep building and building until it reaches a point. Then it's out to the curb for you.

    It's a point system. +1 point for something good. -2 points for something bad. The problem is, we never get to know the real score!

    That is why we get blind sided.
  • May 12, 2009, 09:55 AM
    Synnen

    It has NOTHING to do with dropping hints or being subtle or bottling it in.

    It has to do with the fact that guys do not communicate the same way that women do.

    SHE thinks she's bashing him over the head with a problem, HE thinks she just hinted around it.

    The other thing is that (most times) women "discuss" and men "fix". To most men, ONE conversation about something, with a planned resolution, is all that should happen with a problem--and they'll argue THEIR fix to the point where many women are like "whatever, we'll do it your way" then are quietly miserable because they've ALREADY discussed it with you and you haven't budged from your original stance.
  • May 12, 2009, 10:00 AM
    Romefalls19

    I agree with Synnen, a relationship only works with good communication and a lot of compromise. You can't go into a relationship thinking everything is going to be your way, it just isn't logical. Sadly that is a mistake a lot of people make, they go in to the relationship with one vision and that's it. Most problems take more than one discussion to resolve, you have to work towards a resolution together.
  • May 12, 2009, 10:18 AM
    jmw0713

    That's the thing. You never get your point across assertively enough to get a Neanderthal, like me, to understand how big of an issue it is.

    The problem is the "whatever, well do it your way." You give up to easily, because you don't want to hash it out. Before the issue even sinks in, you give up the argument and go along with our way to avoid further argument or discussion on the issue.

    Quote:

    ONE conversation about something, with a planned resolution, is all that should happen with a problem
    Yeah, because women will never want to continue the discussion later. When we bring it up, its always "I don't want to talk about it right now." You never let us compromise and work it out, when we finally understand the problem. Just as much as you may think we don't listen, women do the same thing, by refusing to listen.

    Men are always willing to work with you. You just have to get it through our thick heads and not give up when something is really bothering you. AND, when we think for a while to try and understand WHERE you are coming from, you have to be willing to discuss the issue again when it finally clicks in our head.

    See communication ain't so difficult!!
  • May 12, 2009, 12:25 PM
    Synnen

    I've managed to work through all of that crap over the last 13 years with my husband.

    HOWEVER--we STILL have days when we're on different wavelengths!

    It takes WORK to make any relationship work--and I just personally do not believe that ANY relationship ends with NO signs of problems.
  • May 12, 2009, 01:20 PM
    jmw0713

    I agree. I'm glad we came to a compromise on this situation.

    I can sleep good tonight...

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