Home › Forums › Dating and Sex Advice › Did he just break up with me?
- This topic has 7 replies and was last updated 1 year, 4 months ago by Zoe.
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Confused-ish
I (35F) started dating this guy (36M) early April. We see each other once a week because that’s all our schedules allow, except for the off chance we both don’t have our kids on the weekend. That’s only happened twice. We became intimate in June and that’s when he asked for me to be his girlfriend (although we had had the exclusive talk a few weeks prior).
Things had been going great up until 2 weeks ago, when I sensed a big shift in things.
Now, I’m not a big texter, and I have a very busy job, and young kids, and so does he. But we always found a few minutes each day to text to say good morning / good night, ask about each others days, share silly stories, etc. And usually once or twice a week we’d talk on the phone to catch up in a meaningful way, outside of our one date night a week.
Then two weeks ago, it changed. I wouldn’t hear from him at all for the whole day, sometimes two. I didn’t blow him up or anything, just sent a message or two to say hope he’s having a great day, good night, casual stuff like usual, but no response even though he’d be online. After a few days of this, I called, no answer, he tried me back hours later and I missed it, tried calling back and nothing for another day.
When we finally talked I asked if he’s ok, and he said he just needed to “disconnect” and “not be on his phone”. He got some disappointing news from his attorney (ex wife was taking him to court for more money etc. he hasn’t gone into detail about it with me, just that it wasn’t good) and he’s been stressed at work (transitioning stuff). I was understanding, but said I was concerned that my attempts at communicating were being ignored and I felt like a nag (which I’m not) and he said it had nothing to do with me and he’s sorry that I felt that way. The whole conversation went respectfully well and I thought we understood each other. The days that followed were much of the same, barely heard from him, maybe once every couple days. I would only message once and if he didn’t reply, I left it alone til he did, a day or two later.
Well, this weekend was to be one of the rare (3rd) weekends that we both were free. We’ve known about it for over a month, and were excited when initially discussed. Today I messaged to confirm and the following took place:Me: Hey babe, just wanted to confirm we’re still on for Saturday/Sunday this weekend? 😊
Him: I’m such a mess I completely forgot.
I’ve just been in one giant cloud.
Me: Ok. Does that mean no? Or..?
Him: I have no idea. I’m stretched so thin and am so mentally and physically exhausted.
I like you. I am attracted to you. We have amazing sex.
Idk what’s wrong with me and can’t even to begin to explain how I feel or anything. You have so much to offer and deserve someone that offers the same right back. I don’t want to put you on hold when I don’t know what’s going on with me.
And I know you over think things and all that but I want you to know this truly has nothing to do with you doing anything wrong or not being good enough. You’re more than great. It’s me that needs to figure my head out.
If you still want to hang out while I figure it out that’s cool but if not I completely understand as I don’t want to hold you back or lead you on.I haven’t responded yet because I don’t know what to say. It seems like he broke up with me? But, also wants to keep me around if I’m willing? Idk. All I know is I really had a great feeling about where we were and the pace we were going, and how he treated me, up until this shift where I felt like he no longer made me any sort of priority (not that I expect to be number one, kids / family / work come first) but it felt like he had zero interest in anything about me or my life because frankly he just stopped asking all together.
Do I give him grace and tell him I understand and still make time for him? Or do I just thank him for his honesty and move on.
Thank you for reading this long post and TIA for any advice.
This sucks.AngieBabyYes, that’s a break-up. If you keep seeing him and having sex with him under these circumstances you’ll be selling yourself short. You’ll be agreeing to accept crumbs. And you can’t complain because he gave you fair warning and honesty about where he’s at.
A lot of men who are in legal proceedings with their ex-wife don’t handle it well. And if he’s got job stress on top of that, he’s not in a good place to be dating. I really don’t think this is about you. I’m sorry, I know this isn’t what you want to hear. But you’re best off taking him at his word and just calling this off. Don’t try to be “friends.” If you want to, you could tell him that when he gets all this sorted out you’d be happy to hear from him, but don’t hold your breath.
How long has he been divorced?
Confused-ishThank you Angie, it’s what I need to hear.
He’s been divorced since 2021, it was contentious, and she’s been filing motions recently for financial reasons.
That’s all I know, he doesn’t go into too much detail and I don’t pry.
I don’t want crumbs. I want something real. Thank you for helping me put it into perspective.How does this sound as a response, “Thank you for your honesty. I don’t think it’s in my best interest to continue to see you when you can’t be committed. I very much enjoyed your company and our relationship, and wish you the best in your journey. When you find your peace please feel free to reach out to me. Take care”
AngieBabyI think that sounds fine.
Ewasomeone said to me once that if a man breaks up with you over text, you don’t respond. you have only known him since April so I guess he decided this isn’t for him. I would suggest , in the future, to find someone who is less busy.
Liz LemonI totally agree with what’s already been said– this is definitely a break-up, and a cowardly one at that, to do it over text after 4 months of dating.
He only divorced a couple of years ago, it was contentious, and he’s still dealing with legal proceedings, so the wound is still fresh. It’s nothing to do with you, I’m sure. He’s just not in a place to date right now.
The conventional wisdom is that a guy decides around 3-4 months of dating whether he sees a future with a woman. That is, he sits up and takes stock at that point, and decides whether he wants to get serious. Unfortunately in this case, he was not prepared to do that. But it’s for the best, if he is a mess emotionally/psychologically and still has drama with his ex.
Very smart of you not to stick around and “hang out” while he figures out his mess. You would just be demoting yourself to FWB at that point. You would have no grounds to have any expectations of him since he made it clear he wants nothing serious. So you’d just be strung along.
I’m sorry! It sucks. At least it happened before you got more involved or got your kids into it.
MaddieWhat Liz said 💯 “Very smart of you not to stick around and “hang out” while he figures out his mess. You would just be demoting yourself to FWB at that point. You would have no grounds to have any expectations of him since he made it clear he wants nothing serious. So you’d just be strung along.”
I once went on a few dates with a guy who seemed really great. Turned out he was either divorcing or too fresh out of a divorce, so we stopped seeing each other. I had reason to reach out several months or maybe it was even a year later and check in. I was hopeful with the passage of more time, he’d be more available and interested, as I was still single despite going on other dates and not thinking much about him in the meantime. We had a brief though pleasant enough text conversation, and then I never heard from him again. So, nothing changed at all, either he still wasn’t ready or interest wasn’t high enough, and it was a very good thing I didn’t allow a demotion or wait around!
I also agree that your text message is fine. Put him out of sight out of mind after, and if *he* eventually comes back around you can see where you’re at.
ZoeI would not say feel free to reach out
He made a decision to break up with you
Not you. There is probably someone else involved no doubt
Do not give him time so he knows you are waiting for him -
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