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Hey everyone

The r/s has officially been over for about 2 months. We still work together, in a very small company. I just realized this week that I have still been letting him control EVERYTHING. I was leaving the amount of contact up to him, and when we went through the short times of work related talk only thought that would last for some reason. But even during those times, he was still manipulating THROUGH work... .

So I realized early this week (with the help of another member--thank you!) that I have still been in a r/s with him. Not the same as before, but I was still letting him dictate everything and still VERY concerned about his feelings and how he will react to things and letting that dictate what I do. On Thursday I reinforced that we not have contact, however we see each other so much during the day, it's very hard.

I did well Wednesday an Thursday and I guess for the most part Friday, but I noticed myself on Friday (after being VERY angry in the morning) trying to make sure things were "ok" btw us. How did I do this? Well if we passed each other I'd smile, or say hi if he didn't. Kind of to get across, I can handle this maturely, don't need to hate each other and kind of to get across to him that I'm fine with it. If honest with myself though, ALSO to get a read on him I think... .

I am wondering, how do I keep clear on my decision to stay LC at work? It was clear to me after the things he did earlier last week, what happens is that after time (and not much time) I start to think it's ok to have little interactions like yesterday. Which maybe those ARE ok, but I fear they will lead to him slowly saying more and approaching me more and suddenly I'll be right back in it.

Thanks!

Hi apepper21

It sounds like you want to stay clear on your decision to keep on LC at work. I'm new to your conversation but I can offer these suggestions. LC is important to you and it's your boundary. Therefore the enforcement and monitoring will need to be done by you.

Therefore, I would handle this fear of yours--


--similarly to how I would handle a basic boundary over time. I.e. you will be the one responsible to maintain it. You can start by writing it down on paper. It will help you remember it since it's important to you.

One way to look at your relationship with him is with two ropes. You have a working relationship with him and a romantic relationship with him. Each of these represents a horizontal rope that is attached to you. It sounds like you're "done" with the romantic relationship and you've committed to detach. Therefore, when he comes to you with a work-related issue, work with him using your working relationship rope. Keep it in your mind that you want to maintain a zero-interaction relationship with him on the "romantic relationship rope". Therefore things like (1) let's get a drink, or (2) come to my house are off-limits. The "gray" area ones like "let's get coffee/lunch/dinner" are best looked at seeing them as "gray" and making a conscious choice not to do it. You seem to know at this point that it's probably going to lead to trouble. And you've already been there.

Another way you can treat your work relationship with him is 'strictly as a colleague'. Envision him in your mind's eye as the guy you want to keep utterly in the friend zone.


I think that's fine. It's consistent with being mature and strong enough to handle a working relationship. It signals a detached past romantic relationship. In fact I would think your behaviour is good because you want to signal healthy (healthy for you) things to him--so why the "but"?

Good luck!:)

Thanks Gotbushels! I really like the rope technique!

I'm not worried about the lets grab lunch, dinner etc things. I'm very clear that those are not ok. The gray happens when he says "can I talk to you?" but even then I think I will be able to say no. It is going to be the even more subtle things like if he shows up in my office in the morning to talk, I have a harder time getting up and leaving. Especially when he starts out with "I don't like it this way, can we work on being friendly at work?" OR even MORE subtle would be if he just starts telling me things about his life or asks me how was your weekend etc.

I think you are right about the smiling and saying hi. I guess I was worried I was sending a message that we can be more friendly than just that. However, I don't follow it up with anything, so I think it's just a normal healthy work r/s to say hi and smile. PLUS I really do think it gets across that I'm ok with this.

Thanks so much!