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-   -   Girlfriend wants a break. I need some help. (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=548033)

  • Jan 29, 2011, 09:59 PM
    NukeNC

    Okay, okay. I get it. I understand what your saying and your right. I'm simply a jealous guy. I don't know why. I've never cared for someone like I care about her and I don't want anything to happen to us. And the recent break has me on edge about everything ten times more. But, your right... it was nothing. Just a stupid thing people do when they drink.

    Thank you Wondergirl. This actually helped a lot.
  • Jan 29, 2011, 10:10 PM
    Wondergirl

    If you do go to that college where she is, how will you control her drinking and partying then? Or is she the one who needs to be "controlled'?
  • Jan 30, 2011, 09:05 AM
    talaniman

    As I read this whole thing it occurred to me this isn't about your girl, or being away from her, its about you and your issues and how you handle YOURSELF>

    You both are in a transition period, that's what learning and growing is all about. That's what moving from the protected time of high school into the first time freedom is about. That's what your break was about, her dealing with her new found freedom, and you having to deal with her and her new found freedom. I understand how much it takes trying to adjust your thinking to what you are going through. I really do, but recognize that its not about what she does but how you handle it, and despite YOUR fears, she is going to explore her new world, and you have to let her. She has been honest so far, and that's a good thing, as even through the break she still shared and cared, and that's another good sign so far.

    What you need to do is learn to cope with your feelings in a more positive way for yourself, and not let them get you carried away or act or talk impulsively. People will do what they do, especially when they are young and learning and growing. Don't make issues , or worry about what could happen, just be focused on what does happen. I know its hard to let go of some feelings, we all have no control over them, but what's most important, is what we do about those feelings that counts most.

    Now you can let the jealousy take over, and dictate your actions, or you can think twice about why are you jealousy? Deal with that before you project it into your actions.

    Anyone with a female they were attached to would be jealous just because you are not there and you fear what she is doing, or what others are wanting to do with her. Yes jealousy, has its roots in fear, and no matter what you feel, you are just like the rest of us because we all have those feelings. Everyone of us humans. Some cope better than others.

    You will cope better as you grow, once you have learned about yourself and how to deal with yourself. As a very emotional guy, I can tell you that even now, I sometimes struggle with making sense of my feelings, and not let them get me so carried away that it adversely affects my thought, words, or actions and stops me from seeing the reality that has to be dealt with, in a calm thoughtful way. This allows me to see reality and judge what has to be done, from FACTS, and not just feelings.

    I guess my whole point, is get facts, and give them a lot of thought, BEFORE you act, or speak. Just like you make mistakes and have to regroup and learn from them, you have to figure so will she and sometimes we can't prevent that, only deal with it. You are a lot luckier than most though, as such transitions from high school to college is a relationship breaker, yours has not been, so just take it one day at a time, and keep yourself under cool, calm, control, at all times. So you can deal with reality, and not just be fighting a losing battle with YOURSELF. Things change all the time, whether we want them to or not, and you have to change also, and make the right adjustments to your thinking, and actions, so you can survive.

    Life is but a process of events that you have to deal with, and self discipline is the tool to cope with whatever changes you have to make, and the feelings that ALWAYS comes with them. That means if you see things about yourself you don't like, be willing to change them. If you don't want to be jealous, change it in yourself.

    Its all about how you deal with YOURSELF, because that's the only thing in the whole wide world you have any control over. You are totally powerless to control anything but YOURSELF.
  • Feb 9, 2011, 10:44 PM
    NukeNC
    What a dumb move.
    Threads merged


    So, Me and my girlfriend both have the ability to log onto eachothers Facebook accounts. We have always allowed this to happen, because we trust each other and want to be completely open. Anyway, I hadn't logged onto her account in years and today she mentioned that her room mates were talking about how our arrangement for our accounts is weird and she disagreed. So, my curiousity got the best of me and I went on... Now, don't say this is me being untrusting or anything. It was a brief thing, no longer than five minutes. I don't really care what she is talking about to her friends and such, if it was a big deal she would talk to me about it.

    ANYWAY, as luck would have it about 2 hours before I logged on I saw a message from a guy who said that he thought she was cute. She has never really talked to this guy, he was in English with her and they recently began talking in groups with her room mates and her friends. Nothing weird, just one dinner and a conversation on Facebook between three of them. So, because I can't control my jealousy I decided to be dumb and tell her it was bothering me. She wasn't mad about the me going on her Facebook part, she was mad how I reacted and that I thought it was a little strange. She freaked out at me, I apologized, she was still obviously mad when she logged out.

    Now, I have no doubt that this will simply blow over tomorrow. But, I just need to know... Did I have the right to be jealous a little? Was it a smart move to tell my girlfriend that this was bothering me? And how can I cope with little bits of jealousy like this in the future? I trust her, its just I can't help but being jealous. I've always struggled with this issue.
  • Feb 10, 2011, 08:40 AM
    answerme_tender

    COMMUNICATION!!

    You need to sit down with your girlfriend and have a heart to heart conversation. Explain that you understand that she is going to have conversations with other guys, her girlfriends, etc --however that you just don't feel comfortable with her having conversation with some guy that obviously feels he can come right out and say she was cute. That there are boundries to every relationship. I am sure she wouldn't appreciate you having conversation with any woman who has come right out and state she tought you were cute.

    Then if I was you--I would stay out of her personnel Facebook account!! I would tell her that she needs to change her password so you don't feel the need to step over that line again.

    I will say this that I have seen more couple break up due to one or the others insecurities oh like Jealousy!!

    Take care
  • Feb 10, 2011, 08:41 AM
    sjaydee
    I think it's wonderful that you and your girlfriend are open, honest, and communicative.

    Perhaps you overreacted, and if you feel like you did you should tell her so and apologize. However, if you felt jealousy or discomfort, you have a right to at least examine the reasons via introspection. If it's something you feel you should explain to her after you've examined your feelings, then you do have a right to say so and to feel the way you do.

    Sometimes people have irrational emotions, but the key is to find out for yourself why those feelings are there and be able to rationally express them if they need expression. It's when you express yourself while you're still feeling irrational that it becomes a real problem.

    Best of luck!
  • Feb 10, 2011, 08:58 AM
    NukeNC

    She apologized this morning about the whole thing, and explained that she didn't know why she got all worked up over the situation. I was pretty calm when I talked to her, and I was probably over analyzing things. I mean... Its not like she said he was cute, or did anything that would betray my trust. She can't control what other people say, so unless something like that happens I'm not going to worry about it.
  • Feb 10, 2011, 09:47 AM
    Cat1864
    I would have been very upset too if my husband made me responsible for what another person says. I would be upset if my husband even implied that I was not to receive compliments from anyone but him. I love it when he gets compliments. We even give compliments to others. It doesn't take away from what we share between us and if it brings a smile to someone else then that is terrific.

    You are bothered about one acquaintance/new friend telling her she is cute because the person is male. Are you going to check to make certain that all of the females who compliment her are heterosexual? What if he turns out to be homosexual? Sounds kind of silly doesn't it?

    Do you really expect her to go through life only complimenting you?

    You have jealousy issues. Do not make your insecurities her responsibility. Accept that there are things neither of you can control such as what a third party says. Keep the lines of communication open between you. Trust that she has the ability to tell-off those who need to be like she probably does everyday. Do not ask her to tell you about every person who gives her a compliment. Don't get upset if she tells you about one that made her feel good. Be happy that she is and agree with it. The friend says she is cute-tell her that 'yes, she is' and if possible give her a smile to show you mean it.

    I am glad you are working things out. However, do not dismiss her feelings or sweep them under the rug because she apologized. Her 'over-reacting' means that there is some irritation with your show of jealousy. It may be that she has been picking up on it and you have been letting it show more than you realize.

    Good luck.
  • Feb 10, 2011, 10:30 AM
    pandead
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by NukeNC View Post
    So, Me and my girlfriend both have the ability to log onto eachothers facebook accounts. We have always allowed this to happen, because we trust eachother and want to be completely open.

    Nope.
    Trusting each other would be not knowing the password and not caring about it, let alone logging on. I'd give it a try.
  • Feb 10, 2011, 05:00 PM
    acciosnivellus
    I agree with pandead, if there's so much overwhelming trust in this relationship, why do you feel the need to see what's up in her Facebook? That sounds more like validating your trust. Like.. "okay, there's nothing suspicious on here- I trust you!!" I don't agree that that's the ultimate definition of trust, but to each their own I suppose. Either way, you do have jealousy issues with such a simple compliment! It wasn't her fault, and you did overreact here. It'd probably be best to change each of your passwords to prevent any further jealousy issues from happening in the future. It's pretty simple, if you trust each other, then you trust each other. No need to get all fancy about it.
  • Feb 10, 2011, 05:20 PM
    talaniman

    Quote:

    Now you can let the jealousy take over, and dictate your actions, or you can think twice about why are you jealous? Deal with that before you project it into your actions.
    This is what I posted before on this subject. I think had you just given it some thought you would have let it go. This wasn't worth a reaction, or a second thought, and even though she apologized, its to many events such as this that can make nothing into a big ole argument about... nothing.
  • Feb 27, 2011, 10:37 AM
    NukeNC

    So, it didn't work out. A week ago, she came to my house and told me that this wasn't working for her anymore and that she wanted to break up. She was very firm in her decision, and said "I would like to get back together at some point, but you said you don't know if you want to if this happened" which is true. And part of the reason I'm not hung up on her, I mean... of course I am. But, its not going to stop me from moving on. My real reason for bothering with typing this is... after you've heard the whole story throughout this thread... do we really have a chance to get back together? Or did she just tell me that to make the blow a little bit easier? I'm sure as hell not going to wait until summer and then take her back. I'm not going to be the guy she can come crawl back to, after she had her fun. **** that.
  • Feb 27, 2011, 10:52 AM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by NukeNC View Post
    do we really have a chance to get back together? Or did she just tell me that to make the blow a little bit easier?

    We girls are taught by our parents and even have this innate desire to not be mean, to want people to like us, to not be the bearer of bad news (without lacing it with a bit of honey). So, yes, she said this to make the blow a bit easier.

    She will always remember you and the good times you had (and may someday have to really dig into her memory bank in order to remember why you two broke up). She'll remember your full name and your good points, but she has moved on with her life.

    Remember her with the same good feelings, but you move on too. And thank you so much for coming back here to tell us the end of the story! We hear so many relationship woes and fling ourselves into a poster's thread and his very life, but never find out what happened. We know you will be okay and wish you well.
  • Feb 27, 2011, 02:27 PM
    NukeNC

    Honestly, I'm not ready to give up yet. We haven't talked since the break up. I'm not ready to accept this. I know, this isn't the best way to go about things... but after a month passes, I want to talk things out and see if there is a chance to work things out. I want to see if time is what she needs, I plan to go completely NC during this time and see what happens.

    If she still feels the same way when the time comes, then this will be over for good. Its not fair to me to stay around for when it convienent for her. I know that I probably shouldn't do this, but I don't feel like I have closure by hearing her say that she wants to get back together. I need to know. Surely you can understand that? I'm not going to beg, I'm not going to cry, I'm going to simply tell her that I miss her, and still love her. If she isn't ready... then I'll cut my last thread of hope.

    I know deep down, that this isn't the best way to go about doing things and I should move on. But, after 4 1/2 years... I can't just move on without being 100% sure that we are over for good.
  • Feb 27, 2011, 02:29 PM
    Wondergirl

    Okay then. You'll report back at the end of March?
  • Feb 27, 2011, 02:33 PM
    NukeNC

    Yeah, she comes home for vacation on the 21st. I want to do this in person... not over the phone. So, yes... Sometime at the end of March, I'll tell what happened. Maybe not right away, depending on the results though...
  • Feb 27, 2011, 03:06 PM
    Wondergirl

    Why not right away? You're not going to hold out on us, are you, and make us sweat?
  • Feb 27, 2011, 03:35 PM
    NukeNC

    No, I just meant that I didn't really feel like doing anything when she broke up with me. I've slowly been beginning to return to my normal routine. I may not be online for a few days and such, while trying to get over it. But, I'm not counting my chickens until they hatch. We'll see how it goes when the time comes.
  • Mar 1, 2011, 10:30 PM
    NukeNC

    So, I have a new problem that has arose... A buddy of mine that goes to college with my ex called me up today, they are friends and he asked her to dinner at the cafeteria to see if he could figure out what went wrong. Keep in mind this was his doing, I in no way influenced it.

    She told him she still loves me and wants to talk to me but, doesn't want to end up making things worse. But, the way she said things... it doesn't seem like she has any intention of getting back together. She said things like "I would like to get back together some day but I can't see into the future" and it will be awkward if he ends up coming here for college. Now, I know that if I don't talk to her... we don't stand a chance. But, if I do talk to her there is a good chance nothing will change and I'll just end up regressing back to day 1, not that I've made a lot of progress anyway. I want to work things out so badly... but, if there isn't a chance of us getting back together what's the point of throwing myself out of the line again?
  • Mar 1, 2011, 11:06 PM
    talaniman

    Doesn't matter what she told him, you know what she told you. So forget the third party update. Tell your buddy to stay out of your business.
  • Mar 8, 2011, 08:31 PM
    NukeNC

    Wow. I am losing it. I have been feeling a little better lately but I keep getting what I can only describe as flashes, which instantly remind of our relationship and something I really miss about it. Whether it be the time we sat in the park or a time we were intimate. It really sucks to have to think about these thoughts.

    16 days so far... I really wish I could just move past this.
  • Mar 8, 2011, 08:37 PM
    talaniman

    The flash backs are normal, and as long as you don't do anything foolish, you will get beyond them because the condition is temporary.

    16 days, keep it going.
  • Mar 8, 2011, 10:44 PM
    amicon

    And when you wake up tomorrow it will be day 17-keep going.
  • Mar 13, 2011, 11:58 AM
    NukeNC

    I am trying so hard to let go of her, for some reason... the past 4 days have been really hard. I don't know what it is, I try to stay off her Facebook because I know I'm just going to get hurt from what I see. But, I'm always looking for a sparkle of hope that I know is never going to be there. I'm not thinking about getting back with her anymore, because I'm beginning to realize that its not going to happen. She doesn't want to be with me, so why would I want to be with her? That's just the thing. I do want to be with her! And its terrible! I thought this was getting easier, I was even going to make an entry in here and explain that I'm moving on and it would be my last entry. But, no... things keep popping up in my face. I keep trying to tell myself to stop worrying, she won't move on that fast. But, she is... she is leaving me behind, and that's what she wants so I can't do a god damn thing to stop it and its killing me inside.

    I wish I could forget her. I wish we would have broken up when we took that break sophomore year that long 3 years ago. I don't want this, I never wanted any of this. Why did she do this? After all the love, caring things I did, always treated her as best I could, put her before me in every situation, why did she hurt me like this? I just don't understand. I don't think I ever will. I know things will get easier eventually, and I keep telling myself to fight it off. But, I can only fight off so much... I always feel this pit in my stomach trying to hold my feelings for her back and let her go. I want to talk to her so bad, but I know it will just bring pain on. I know I can't... It will just make things worse. But, I truly don't know what to do anymore... I'm lost. I wish I could close my eyes and this would all go away. She told me that this is incredibly hard, well... she can't imagine what its like for me. She broke my heart, and no matter how much I resent her for it I still want to be with her. No matter how much I don't want to want that, I do.

    I know its over... I know things aren't going to fix, and there isn't a damn thing I can do to change that. I think that's why I've had such trouble accepting this the past few days, because I'm finally after 3 weeks... accepting that. I just wish it didn't hurt so bad...
  • Mar 13, 2011, 12:09 PM
    talaniman

    Just curious as to your strategy with coping when those bad feeling arise within you? Other than writing about them?

    Its tough in the early days for sure, but that means you have to be even tougher.
  • Mar 13, 2011, 12:10 PM
    amicon

    Stay off FB,going cold turkey is very painful,but you're better off feeling the pain and working your way through it here and now.

    And you'll find that day by day it gets less and less until one day it'll be nothing more than a memory.

    The thing is to keep busy and do the things you enjoy,even if you feel like not getting out of bed.

    Acting as if you're OK helps even if you feel like you've hit rock bottom.

    Most of us here have been where you are now and we worked our way through it.
  • Mar 13, 2011, 12:30 PM
    NukeNC

    I keep a journal to write about it excluding writing about it on here. It went from me writing in it every day, to every three days, and now once a week if that. I also try to talk to some close friends about it, but I have a feeling that they are getting annoyed with it because its all I talk about.

    I feel like she is moving on too, there was this one guy who I suspected she had a crush on when we were still together and now she is having him over to her dorm and becoming friends with his brother who doesn't even go to the school. I know it's a mixture of paranoia in there as well, but god damnit... it sucks. Its been three weeks. Now, I've heard it all before the whole "she's moving on, so you should too." but I don't feel ready to move on at all. I'm still completely broken up about it, and I don't want to rebound some girl off my past relationship either. So, I'm forced to just watch.

    The thing is, I don't want to keep holding on like I am. I want to let go, so I can stop feeling this way. But, I can't. I'm trying to keep her as far away from the center of my attention as possible... but for some reason.. even though when I make a pact to stay off Facebook, within an hour or two of saying it I will cave and get back on. I don't want to be like this at all. I want to forget. But, I don't know how to handle this in any way.
  • Mar 13, 2011, 12:47 PM
    amicon

    That's when keeping busy and staying away from your laptop helps-go to the gym?
    Go for a run?
    Do stuff with your friends and find other things to talk about.

    And it doesn't matter if she is moving on,or how,what matters is that you take the best possible care of yourself and how you move on.

    It's about you,nobody else.
  • Mar 13, 2011, 12:51 PM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by NukeNC View Post
    The thing is, I don't want to keep holding on like I am. I want to let go, so I can stop feeling this way. But, I can't. I'm trying to keep her as far away from the center of my attention as possible... but for some reason.. even though when I make a pact to stay off facebook, within an hour or two of saying it I will cave and get back on. I don't want to be like this at all. I want to forget. But, I don't know how to handle this in any way.

    It is your choice. It's the same as being an alcoholic and wanting to stop drinking. You make the CHOICE to not take that drink, even if there are people around you who are drinking. You choose ice water or iced soda or yummy Pepsi on ice. You steel yourself, and say no to the alcohol. It takes self discipline, self control, mindfulness. But you say no to yourself, to your id, and get on with your life.

    She is your alcohol. She is your snack food when you want to lose weight. She is the wallet that someone left lying on the checkout desk. She is your opportunity to make the right choice and to mature.
  • Mar 13, 2011, 12:54 PM
    talaniman

    TIME FLIES WHEN YOU'RE HAVING FUN

    That's my personal coping strategy for getting beyond the hurt. The options for new friends, new experiences, new skills, new discoveries about YOURSELF, is endless!

    I call it CREATIVE PERSONAL EXPANSION. Be a volunteer, its eye opening, and gets you out of self! Why sit on your butt and re-feel your own misery over, and over again?
  • Mar 14, 2011, 12:14 PM
    NukeNC

    Little update for everybody. I don't think I am going to talk to her in a week like I planned. Its become more and more obvious that if she wanted to be with me, she would be with me. Going to talk to her would just cause a whole lot of heart ache that I really don't need, so I will not be going to see her.
  • Mar 14, 2011, 12:28 PM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by NukeNC View Post
    Little update for everybody. I don't think I am going to talk to her in a week like I planned. Its become more and more obvious that if she wanted to be with me, she would be with me. Going to talk to her would just cause a whole lot of heart ache that I really don't need, so I will not be going to see her.

    Yyyyyyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!
  • Mar 14, 2011, 12:38 PM
    amicon

    Bingo!!
    Keep up the good work.
  • Mar 14, 2011, 12:50 PM
    NukeNC

    I will try. But, as you guys have seen... I tend to be on the ups and downs lately. Today is the first day in 5 days that I haven't been so bad.
  • Mar 14, 2011, 12:59 PM
    amicon

    The ups and downs are normal,but I think you have turned a corner-well done!
  • Mar 31, 2011, 01:17 PM
    NukeNC

    Update: So we talked once again about two weeks ago. And the only notable thing she said was "I'm happier this way." this was really the break through point for me. It made me realize that their really is nothing I can do to fix this. So, its been a little over 2 weeks now since we talked and I have no desire to talk to her. I can't say that I'm completely over her, but I've given up the possibility of thinking I can win her back. I'm going with the sense that if our paths cross again someday, then great but I'm going at this like its permanent.

    Thanks to everyone for your advice! :)
  • Mar 31, 2011, 01:45 PM
    Wondergirl

    I am so glad that you have stayed in touch with us. Too often we never hear the end of the story.

    I definitely wish you well. This experience has been a good thing for you (and for us too) -- good, because it has taught you some important lessons about relationships and life (and has reminded us of how much we have progressed).
  • Mar 31, 2011, 10:40 PM
    amicon

    Thank you for telling us that and good luck!
  • Apr 16, 2011, 11:08 PM
    NukeNC

    So... As everybody who has seen this thread knows, my girlfriend and me broke up about 2 months ago. Honestly, it was heartbreaking for me but I got through it and although I can't say I'm completely over her, I'm a lot further along than I was.

    But, instead of starting a new thread about the same girl... I'll just continue this. We have seized talking, and I've eliminated any chance of us being friends for a very long time. I found this to be the best thing to do for me, as I could never look at her as just a friend.

    The thing is... this girl who I dated for 4 1/2 years is already dating someone new. Now, I know... rebound relationship and all that jazz. But, who does that to a person? It drives me insane to see somebody who I cared for so much, just spit in my face like that. Now, 2 months is quite a chunk of time even though this started started around a month ago... but, 4 1/2 years and jumping into another relationship right off the bat. What's that? I would never do that to somebody, at least not make it public to the world to see so soon. I'm not really upset or mad at this, I'm hurt. I don't even want this girl back, it just sucks to know how little our relationship meant to her.

    Am I wrong to feel this way?
  • Apr 17, 2011, 12:15 AM
    amicon

    There's seldom any wrong or right about feelings,it's how we act,or react to our feelings that can make or break us.

    She's doing what she's doing because that's who she is and you'll never have any answers to your questions.

    Accept that this is what's going on in her life-leave it behind you and keep moving on.

    And,by the way,thanks for sticking to your original thread!:-)

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