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-   -   Need Encouragement to Let Boyfriend Go (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=186916)

  • Aug 3, 2007, 09:28 AM
    ruby07
    Broke up but still in pain :(
    Hi,

    I was with my boyfriend for a year. We were very close friends for about 4 years before he told me he liked me. I had a crush on him for a long long time, ever since high school! Being with him with was basically a dream come true for me. Everything was great for about 10 months. He told me he loved me and gave me so much attention.

    Then we began arguing about petty things. He told me that these arguments scared him. They were issues we could easily sit down and work out but he would choose to avoid doing that. I was the one calling him, he hardly called me anymore. I was falling for him harder and harder at this point. Eventually he decided to take a break from me because he needed space and wanted to think about what he wanted. After three weeks, he calls me and I told him how felt and how happy I was to be talking to him. He came over that day for couple hours. He acted very normal. After he left, I called him and he tells me that maybe we should go back to friendship and build from there. I was okay with that because I figured maybe that will help our relationship. The next day, I called him to chat, and he got frustrated and flat out told me that we can only be friends and there is no possibility in the future that we will get together. He seemed adamant about that decision. He reassured me that there was no girl involved, but it was because of our "differences" that he didn't see a future with me. I asked him to lets talk about it and work it out but he didn't want to do that. I told him I had changed and wanted to prove myself to him, but he wouldn't give me a chance. I was very very hurt because 1) I wasn't expecting him to be so straightforward and insensitive 2) he did it over the phone 3) he basically threw away 4 years of memories in a second without a proper explanation. He wasn't very nice to me when he told me and I feel as if I don't have proper closure. I was very mad and upset.

    I have been depressed since then. He said he wanted to be friends and said he would call me. It has been over a week and he still hasn't called me. I'm trying so hard to get over him, but I keep missing him. I keep recalling all the memories we had together. I can't erase them out of my head. I know I can find someone that will love me and be more sensitive towards me but I still find myself missing him. My friends tell me that he didn't treated me right, but I feel like I messed up somewhere to bring that out in him. I read that you should give yourself time, but its just so hard. I'm just very hurt right now. Do you guys think there is a possibility for us later? How can I get him back? Should I move on, if so how! Its so painful and heartbreaking to go through this. Any advice would help. Thanks!
  • Aug 3, 2007, 09:39 AM
    p_rich91
    First of all, it doesn't sound like you did anything to make him act that way and you can't blame yourself. It sounds like he just got scared or tired of the relationship and wanted a way to get out. Guys can be stupid or mean when they want to end a relationship... usually they don't do it very well, which leaves us girls with a lot of questions and insecurities. But the fact is that it seems he doesn't want to be in the relationship anymore, at least not now. You should try to walk away and rebuild your life. It hurts, but hoping that he will change his mind and want to get back together will just leave you more hurt in the end if it doesn't happen. In fact, if there is one way to increase the chance that he will want you back it is to move on with your life and show him that you didn't need him anyway. Good luck!
  • Aug 3, 2007, 09:44 AM
    GlindaofOz
    This will just take time hun. I would not accept his phone calls because all it will do is give you false hope in getting back together. As hard as it may be you need to have no contact with him until you heal.

    I'm so sorry you are going through this but everyday will get a little easier and then you'll backslide into an emotional mess...

    Try to get up and get on with your life. Spend time with friends and family and try to remember that you are a whole person outside of the relationship I'm sure there were good times but what about when the times weren't so good? Try to focus on that, trust me it helps. Every time I would remember some great time or some amazing thing my ex said to me I'd then counter that with a time he was a real jerk. It helps.

    Don't beat yourself up and let yourself be sad. Let yourself wallow in chocolate cake and Lifetime movies until you feel ready to pull yourself up. (and we are always here on this board for you! )
  • Aug 3, 2007, 10:48 AM
    SAB123
    I was with my ex fiancé for about 5 years. When she broke up with me again I was just like how you are feeling rite now. And believe me I know how your feeling. You are going to hurt for a long time. I'm in my 6 months since she broke with me and TRUST ME when I say this once you LET GO and DO NOT CONTACT HIM or if contacts you leave him alone. I contacted my ex 2 months after she broke up with me and I went rite back to square one. If you keep contacting him you will never heal. I am healing because I let go of her and you will to when YOU decide to do this. And as Glinda said cry when you have to don't hold back your emotions and in time these will start to get better.
  • Aug 3, 2007, 12:13 PM
    ruby07
    If he does call me and I ignore him, will that not leave a negative impression, especially if I'm wanting to fix things?
  • Aug 3, 2007, 12:42 PM
    GlindaofOz
    To be blunt, there is nothing to be fixed by you. He left you need to realize that you cannot do anything to get him to come back right now unless he wants to.

    Part of no contact is that you don't humiliate yourself by begging him to take you back it also forces you to deal with how you really feel and allows you to heal.

    You don't have to do anything you don't want to but if you look at all the other posts about breaking up nearly everyone has the same advice. No contact, shift your focus and try to get on with your life.
  • Aug 3, 2007, 01:06 PM
    Jiser
    Look forward and concentrate on you from now on. Staying busy and improving your life will help a lot... in time. It's best to stay in no contact to let the emotional dust settle. Who knows what the future holds but it's best to get healthy first before reconciliation. Learning what went wrong etc etc...

    Please look at past threads and issues bought up on the forums here, they may bare some similar traits to yours. All the best.
  • Aug 3, 2007, 05:47 PM
    ruby07
    Thank you guys for your advice. This is a great way to get support.

    I have one problem: I have to see him every weekend at church. It was very hard for me last weekend, but I got better as the week went on. I don't think there is a way to get around that but how can I be stronger when I do see him?

    Does time also take away the feeling of wanting to get back together?

    I'm at a point where I can't even cry anymore even if I'm sad. I guess that's considered some progress. I still miss him though.
  • Aug 3, 2007, 05:52 PM
    GlindaofOz
    Time will melt that away too... I remember I wanted to get back together with my ex so badly until I cut off contact then after about 60 days I find myself going what was I thinking?

    Well at church just try to avoid him. Stick with your family and friends and if you see him be polite but don't let him engage you in conversation. Remember, you are a strong, confident woman and he is the joker who let you go. You can feel sorry for him but not for yourself ;)
  • Aug 3, 2007, 06:45 PM
    Ash123
    Sometimes people get rude and short when they break up because they get frustrated that there is no way to lovingly break up with someone they love and they get agitated... I doubt he was mad - he was just trying to get a space he'd had on his mind.
    And he felt bad.

    He loves you and cares for you, but wants space, and he is going to make it clearer every time you circle back... So, how do you survive?

    Surround yourself with people that love you and get REALLLY busy for 3 months at least.

    Also, Some people have found this helpful: https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/relati...sh-114179.html
  • Aug 3, 2007, 07:41 PM
    ruby07
    You are right Ash123.
    He did want space and I think I didn't allow him too have that space during his "break" because I texted him twice. I don't think he liked me very much after that.

    I'm willing to give him space. I hope that allows him to clear his mind and heal the pain he went through as well. Hes very stubborn so I don't know if that will change his mind though. Who knows. Its just hard for me because I've liked him for so so long. I hope time will take care of everything.
  • Aug 3, 2007, 07:46 PM
    Ash123
    You are in love.
    That is a tough thing... when it is unrequited!

    Now is it to your soulmate? Only time and trusting life will tell.

    **All I can say is that you may be surprised that someone else who you may love even more is nearer than you think...

    Keep your (probably blood shot right now) eyes open. Life isn't always as cruel as it seems...
  • Aug 4, 2007, 06:01 AM
    s_cianci
    Actually it sounds like he was being pretty honest and straightforward with you. For that you should be thankful, even if it wasn't what you wanted to hear. It's actually more kind than if he had strung you along, making you think there was something there when in fact there wasn't. It would have come out sooner or later and it would have been all the more painful and difficult when it did. If the two of you are simply not compatible, and it certainly seems that that's the case, then accept that fact and move on.
  • Aug 4, 2007, 11:05 AM
    ruby07
    I feel sometimes we aren't compatible but most of the time we were. It was the last two months that things started going bad. I don't want him to judge me based on those two months. He was straightforward with me but I think we could have made it work if he wasn't so scared by arguments and was willing to sit down and talk about it. He came over the day before he broke up and was acting normal. He even made plans to see me in couple days. I called and something triggered him to end it the next day. It was all so weird and confusing. How can someone that loved you so much just not like you instantly? I know he wanted space, and I'm giving it to him now. I just hope he has a heart and misses me as much as I miss him. I still want to make it work.
  • Aug 5, 2007, 08:20 AM
    talaniman
    Your feeling are so normal after a break up and everyone who has responded understands your pain oh so well so you are not alone at all. Get busy focusing on things and people who make you happy WITHOUT HIM. It gets better, just read the stories of those who have gone through your situation, and get busy. You just need time to heal and learn to handle all those fresh emotions.
  • Aug 5, 2007, 09:16 AM
    ruby07
    I agree with you and everyone else that has posted. He was my first love and my first crush. Its just hard after so many years of liking him to just try and forget about him. I see him every week and that doesn't help because that only makes me want him even more. I hope I can be strong and get over this because I hate feeling this way.

    Thank you all for your support.
  • Aug 7, 2007, 03:17 PM
    ruby07
    Hey guys,

    I have some developments that I need advice on. He called me and I caved and talked to him for a little bit. I talked normally, not giving him any notion that I'm sad or still in love with him (which I don't know if I am anymore at this point). Well now he wants to get together later this week. He has been texting me a lot. I do not respond to his texts but he still texts me random stuff (like what he had for lunch! ). I feel like he's feeling the void now and feels lonely. What should I do now?
  • Aug 7, 2007, 03:35 PM
    _Chris_
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ruby07
    Hey guys,

    I have some developments that I need advice on. He called me and I caved and talked to him for a little bit. I talked normally, not giving him any notion that I'm sad or still in love with him (which I dont know if I am anymore at this point). Well now he wants to get together later this week. He has been texting me alot. I do not respond to his texts but he still texts me random stuff (like what he had for lunch!?). I feel like he's feeling the void now and feels lonely. What should I do now?

    Yeah nothing new here. He probably does miss you, but this doesn't mean that he wants you as his girlfriend. He could even miss your kiss, but would rather "choose" to be without you all the same.

    Remember, even if he is texting you, or even if you guys get together and sleep together, don't forget what sort of "choice" he is making. Don't be surprised if he is telling you how he missed you, but that the same choice is there, "where he is just not your man anymore".

    Be the smarter and wiser one. This does not mean that you should be rude or mean to him, but it means that you should maintain a good hold over yourself and not for a second give yourself to someone who is not making it "plain" and clear about whether they "truly want you" or whether they just "really miss you". You don't want anymore heartache and you want to get strong, but becareful because an ex usually is going through their own sorrow and will come back to feel an upper (like make sure that you are still there waiting) all so they themselves can "more easily move on".

    Your job is to show him you have an excellent life despite of him. Guys don't want girls that have great lives and happiness with them, but they want the girl who is even happy and has a great life without them. Now there's a woman!
  • Aug 7, 2007, 03:35 PM
    talaniman
    Quote:

    I feel like he's feeling the void now and feels lonely. What should I do now?
    You may be right, and he may be just making a friendly overture. You did say he wants to be friends.
  • Aug 7, 2007, 03:36 PM
    Ash123
    How old are you all?
    What sort of schoool/career pressures do you have?
    Is this your first break?
  • Aug 7, 2007, 03:50 PM
    ruby07
    I'm 24 and he's 25.
    Im in medical school so I have plenty to keep me busy.
    This is not my first break but it is my first serious break from a serious relationship.

    I agree with what you guys have to say, but should I see him this week?
  • Aug 7, 2007, 04:00 PM
    Ash123
    He's either protecting himself, missing you and confused, or wanting to ease the tension and see what's next.
    I would guess that he's missing you, but the old problems remain.

    BE CAREFUL. A breaking of NC does not a relationship make...

    I would trust your gut... tell yourself you're going to meet up with him and see how you feel about how it will go. If you listen to your gut, and it says take a couple days and get your head together - do it... You have spent a lot of time so I KNEW he would not stand NC for long... the thing is - if you see him- are you OK with it?

    You are in control now. Think about what you want and how much life potential you all have and then meet once you are comfortable and address the space he needs and find a way to accept that... he may find it's not all he dreamed that space would be, but it may be good for both of you... RELAX, he's not going anywhere today.
  • Aug 7, 2007, 04:35 PM
    ruby07
    It does seem like I have some control now.
    I don't want to seem weak and let him walk all over me again.
    I'm going to be strong and not seem so available all the time for him; give him a taste of his own medicine sort of.

    I'm still thinking about meeting up with him. I'll have to weigh the pros and cons.
  • Aug 8, 2007, 05:06 AM
    talaniman
    If you reread your original post, he wants to be friends, and doesn't see a future with you, and he was adamant about it. Not good, that you took the blame as he walked away. Now his texting has you confused, as to his intentions, and your holding hope that he has changed his mind, so of course your more than happy to get with him, and work things out. If you find out he wants you as a friend, you will not only be devastated, your healing will be set back even further. He broke up with you, for whatever reason, and those issues are on the table still, and unresolved. You should focus on you and see things more realistically, before you decide to give him another chance to bring you misery and pain. Don't be in a rush to jump back into the frying pan, while your still confused and hurting.
  • Aug 8, 2007, 06:09 AM
    SAB123
    Like I said in beginning of your post I contacted my ex after 2 months. I told her I still wanted us to be married she said no. Not only did I move back to square one I was also hurt even more because she did she didn't want to marry me. So I agree what Tal says. Heal then if you want to see where you stand then go for it. Although I still miss my ex I see her for what she is, and I will never take her back or speak to her again. That's because I am healing and the emotional dust is now settling.
  • Sep 1, 2007, 01:38 PM
    ruby07
    Likes me but Confused
    Hey Guys,

    My ex and I have been broken up for about a month now. We met once and he told me still likes me but is still confused. I tried the no contact but we do text once in a while. We don't really converse over the phone much anymore. His confusion ends up confusing me. I had told him that I'm fed up with his confusion and that he needs to figure things out before even trying to talk to me, but he ends up texting me like nothing is wrong. I still want him back and I feel like things can work out if we hang out as friends. What do you guys think?

    Thanks.
  • Sep 1, 2007, 06:07 PM
    x2scorp
    Ruby,
    Sounds like he is trying to lead you o, Cut the string, I don't really think he is interested in your true feelings, if he did he would respect you enough to not make you confused. You are better than that. Move on honey.

    Good luck,
    Mel
  • Sep 1, 2007, 06:13 PM
    kt1205
    I think that its best to just not respond to him or just tell him you want him to leave you alone because he's going to just keep trying to talk to you. Unless you're the one going to him. Then you need to stop. Its harder to get over a person when you still talk to them
  • Sep 2, 2007, 04:16 PM
    talaniman
    If you cut the contact you will be less confused. Leave him alone and move on with your life.
  • Sep 16, 2007, 09:38 AM
    ruby07
    Ex as a Friend?
    Hi,
    I'm in need of more advice!

    After a week and a half of breaking up with me, my ex contacts me and tells me he still likes me but doesn't know what he wants. Ever since then we have been in touch with each other. We talk once in a while, but not as often as we used to. Our conversations are great and we act very nice toward each other. I guess you can say we are friends. We avoid talking about the relationship. I want to start new and show him how I have changed for the better. I do slip sometimes but that will take time to change. It has now been two months, and I want to get back together with him but do not want to rush things. What should I do from here? How should I act? Please guide me!

    Also, lately, I have been getting in touch with my ex more often than he gets in touch with me. I know that's a big NO NO, but our conversations are good and he makes me feel comfortable contacting him. However, he said he would call me Saturday, but never did. Last time I stopped contacting him, he would text/call all the time. Last week, I was the one texting and calling, he never called me unless to respond to me. Should I stop contacting him to get a response out of him? To the guys: How does this game work!

    Any help would be appreciated. Thank you guys!
  • Sep 16, 2007, 09:47 AM
    Jiser
    Woha slow down. You have changed in a week? No I don't think so, unless you have been through some life changing traumatic event I doubt it.

    This relationship is over, he's confused and wants you on the back burner. I suggest you go no contact for your own sanity. Or the ongoing pattern of confusion and game playing will prevail over your emotional health - Which is not good. Trust me Ive been there. Ex confused but still 'likes you' or perhaps you're the safety net and habit.

    Time to move on and put this one down to experience. In time with No contact, you will move on and he will be a fading memory. No contact means deleting his number, myspace, Facebook, email and blocking him and all memories away!

    If you fail to do this you will be back here, maybe? - time and time again. You will fail to heal and your emotional and maybe physical health will suffer.

    Concentrate on you now, what you want. Ever wanted to do something? Do it, go travelling, book a holiday, start yoga, go out and party, see your friends more, read a book, learn a little every day, but whatever you do don't break NC. Your be stronger at the end of the day and your ex would have lost out in his own confusion not yours.

    Maybe you will be friends one day but not until the emotional dust has settled. Let it, I advise you!
  • Sep 16, 2007, 09:50 AM
    ConfusedandLost
    Sounds like your in quite a predicament here... if your heart can handle it, I would just take it day by day and go from there. It looks like the two of you are opposite ends of the scale. You want more and he is unsure of what exactly what he wants. If you force the relationship issue with him you will certainly drive him away by pressuring him and causing undo stress. Like I said if you can handle just being friends for now, I would with that... if you can't your going to have to walk away from him until he figures out what he wants. If it was meant for a second time it will happen... just let it happen naturally...
  • Sep 16, 2007, 09:52 AM
    Homegirl 50
    I think you need to just leave it alone. If he wanted you back, he would have said so. He may have no problems being a friend to you, but it appears that is all he wants.
    I think you either need to accept that or just stop talking to him all together. The fact that he is not the first to call you, should tell you something.
  • Sep 16, 2007, 11:18 AM
    ruby07
    Is there no possibility that this can be a SLOW start to getting back together? I feel that we needed this "break" and time to value each other more.

    Also, its been two months, not one week.
  • Sep 16, 2007, 01:10 PM
    Homegirl 50
    If this is what you have after two months, this is all you're going to have. I would think that he has moved on, so should you.
  • Sep 16, 2007, 01:56 PM
    Ash123
    MAKE HIM WORK.

    Geez, what are you his hired phone friend?
    If friends is OK, keep going... if not, consider this:

    You are still on his mind, but you are easy to have as a friend.
    If you want to be more than friends, he MUST contact you.
    And you don't have to answer... At your age (how old are you? )
    Relationships cannot be expected to last forever. So, he is doing what's normal.

    But if you all have any chance left, it's going to take you being a bit more... busy!
    ... go on a trip, a date, a movie night. Try a month of no talking and see what kind
    Of messages you get - you may be surprised. I hate games - but today, I'll share that.

    Just know that games are for kids and relationships are for adults.
  • Sep 16, 2007, 03:51 PM
    ruby07
    I agree with you Ash123. We did avoid talking for a while and he contacted me a lot.
    Once I started contacting him, he kind of just responded back to my messages and calls.

    I am 24 and he is 25. I feel that with time and friendship, maybe we can see where we stand with each other. Maybe we will value each other more as time goes on and learn from our mistakes we made before, which is why I keep in touch with him. But I'm going to try leaving the ball in his court this time. I'm trying to take it a day at a time.
  • Sep 16, 2007, 04:25 PM
    mckenzie134
    Leave him Alone. If he wants to be with you he will let you know.

    If he does not then you will know.

    Don't contact him anyway, be prepared to lose him befopre hen will come back, this is the only way.

    If you only want to be friends, then keep doing what you are doing and calling him cause adventually he will not want you in any way...
  • Sep 22, 2007, 09:21 AM
    ruby07
    Hi Guys...

    I'm not contacting him anymore. You all were right. No matter how much I will try to better myself, he won't change. I am going to try to get over him by not contacting him. Hopefully he'll feel the void.

    If he does contact me, is it okay to ignore his calls and texts? I've never done that because I always considered it rude, but I feel like I really need to stay away from him. It's the best thing for me. I just don't know how.

    Please advise.
  • Sep 22, 2007, 09:27 AM
    Jiser
    Yeh ignore him! Hes in your past. Leave it there for your own sanity. Don't be his safety net. Nc

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