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Author Topic: Divorced but stuck on old pattern of walking on eggshells  (Read 438 times)
FreeButStuck
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What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Ex-romantic partner
Relationship status: divorced
Posts: 2


« on: May 04, 2025, 09:08:11 AM »

Hello.  This is my first post so thank everyone in advance who responds.

I have been divorced for 6 years from a spouse with BPD.  I have had a lot of therapy over the years and worked extremely hard to get to a great place. However, I find myself stuck in old patterns as I move forward.

I have met a new woman and she seems amazing.  We are starting to build something that could be wonderful.  Recently we had our first conflict and I found myself shutting down.  I lost my voice and she wasn't even mad.  She and I were able to discuss it after and everything back to normal.

I am writing because I am looking for advice and resources to work on moving forward in a healthy manner.  I walked on eggshells for so many years and I want a healthy, open, communicative, and safe relationship.  Never would I have imagined that I may be the one needing help to get there!

Thanks in advance. I would love articles or in a perfect world an online support group.
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EyesUp
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Gender: Male
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Ex-romantic partner
Relationship status: divorced
Posts: 682


« Reply #1 on: May 04, 2025, 11:09:06 AM »

Hello and welcome.

This community is intended to be a peer-to-peer support group, so you've come to the right place.  Personally, I'm a bit over 3 years past divorce with my uBPDxw and I'm also learning how to change past behaviors - it's an ongoing process.

If you're comfortable sharing, can you provide some context...  how long were you married?  Any children? Ages?  Any ongoing contact with your ex?  Are you in/have you tried therapy?  Is this your first post-D relationship?

In terms of resources, many of the exercises and workshops here are structured toward people who are in an active relationship with someone - partner, child, parent - with BPD.  Interestingly, even though the focus appears to be on the pwBPD, all of the advice centers on what we can do to manage our own feelings, thoughts, behaviors.

In fact, that's all anyone can do in any relationship - healthy or not.

Hope this doesn't come across as internet meme / greeting card advice - it can lead to important self-discovery and awareness for some.

If you're looking for a place to start, this is a good spot:

https://bpdfamily.com/content/triggering-and-mindfulness-and-wise-mind

Hope this is helpful.  Again, welcome.
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Pook075
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Gender: Male
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Ex-romantic partner
Relationship status: Divorced
Posts: 1634


« Reply #2 on: May 05, 2025, 03:38:40 AM »

Hello and welcome to the family!  I'm in a similar position; about three years since my marriage fell apart and recently remarried.

I struggled as well at times and in some ways, I still do.  But I also find myself continually shocked at how my present wife responds to things and how we can work together to overcome just about anything in this world.

Sometimes I do remain silent, especially when my wife wants to argue, because part of my brain is so hard-wired not to fight anymore.  But guess what?  Most of that stuff blows over in a normal relationship and there was no reason to argue in the first place.  So even though I wish that I would have expressed more in the moment at the time, my wife eventually apologizes and we forgive each other.

That's the true difference, the whole enchilada.  Your new partner loves you in a healthy way and can actively forgive you.  There's no secret list of misdeeds building up that will eventually blow everything to pieces.  The ability to forgive and move on is literally everything in a relationship...and it's what BPD's struggle with the most.

If you're quiet at times, that's okay.  You're building trust and making something new.  Where you're at today is not where you'll be a year from now, give this time and actually allow healing.  If she's the one, then this will all work out exactly like it's supposed to.
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FreeButStuck
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What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Ex-romantic partner
Relationship status: divorced
Posts: 2


« Reply #3 on: May 05, 2025, 10:51:34 AM »

Thank you so much for responding to me.  Your response was very helpful and encouraging.  I greatly appreciate you taking the time to respond to me.
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