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Author Topic: Third break up in our 6 year relationship, this time it feels very different  (Read 2798 times)
RedBeard93

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What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Romantic partner
Relationship status: Broken Up
Posts: 47


« Reply #60 on: May 16, 2025, 09:10:28 AM »

Thanks Pook. I am feeling better about things but again I know this might be because we're doing things together.

I messaged her today asking if she could book holiday for June and it looks like that's all okay (we need two days off for the event we're going to)

However for the festival tomorrow I asked if I could book the tickets but said there was no pressure. She responded saying that she was nervous as she would be on her feet all day and that she doesn't think she has the money to buy drinks etc.

I explained how I wouldn't mind paying for some drinks and we could do some other bits. I tried to keep her financial independence in mind but not very well in hindsight.

She then responded saying that going later to the festival would be more manageable but that also she really doesn't want me paying for anything.

With the help of my friend and after a ton of editing as I started to write about wanting things like this if we were to have a relationship apart, I reduced my reply to this:

"Yeah I totally understand that and I really get you not wanting me to pay for anything.

However maybe theres something else we could do tomorrow? Cheaper or even free? So it doesn't hurt your bank and isn't like I'm paying for you?"

I haven't got a reply yet but hopefully this reassures her that I totally understand what she's saying and respecting that
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RedBeard93

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What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Romantic partner
Relationship status: Broken Up
Posts: 47


« Reply #61 on: May 16, 2025, 09:37:50 AM »

She replied saying that she has a feeling she might have something on tomorrow that's not on the calendar. She said she probably doesn't but it just popped into her mind.

She asked if one of my friends would be up for going.

I replied just saying that I was only considering going on my own and then was going to not go due to it being a full day thing which wouldn't really be something i'd want to do alone. However it was more about doing something with her as even though we have to think individually about how things might look in the future, I know that having things in the calendar is something that's important to me as I love spending time with her.

I should have maybe included something in the message around saying maybe its too soon to be doing a lot of things together as things are probably still raw but I did add a line just saying absolutely no pressure if you want want to do something tomorrow etc.

I have a feeling that we might now end up doing nothing but I can understand her stance.
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« Reply #62 on: May 16, 2025, 11:29:15 AM »

i think you may still be pushing too hard.

shes not coming out and saying "no", but shes giving all the signs, and saying everything but. youre responding with "well, what about _____". but to her, that may feel like pressure.

after the talk, its clear things are not dead. the possibility and opportunity are still there.

but now is the time to emotionally pull back significantly - not push for more.

edited to add: give the space, not just to her, but specifically, for attraction to re-develop.
« Last Edit: May 16, 2025, 01:19:46 PM by once removed » Logged

     and I think it's gonna be all right; yeah; the worst is over now; the mornin' sun is shinin' like a red rubber ball…
RedBeard93

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What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Romantic partner
Relationship status: Broken Up
Posts: 47


« Reply #63 on: May 16, 2025, 01:27:24 PM »

When she got home she actually said her main worry is money and that also having work today and Monday meant that she didn't really want to go out of the house but she's up for doing something together in the house tomorrow.

She then said that if we wanted to do something together next weekend when she has a longer period of time off then that would be better for her.

It's a really tough one as there has been a lot of stress around our relationship. I know that there's no absolute chance that she'll move out and we'll date and be together etc but for me because I know that's happening now that's my cut off.

She's said a relationship but living apart is something that she would think about and obviously I have to think about it too and she explained how she needs to be in that environment to really know if that's what she would want and that she doesn't just want me to cling to that.

So it really does have to come from her. I know I could be setting myself up for further heartbreak. But either way if we did almost reset the relationship it would need to be taken slow anyway almost back to dating. I have an interview for a second job coming up which will let me pay if debt fast, keep me busy and help me buy a van to convert which is something I wanted to do.

I feel like if she said no to spending time together I'd be fine with that but she's open to it and not saying that she thinks it's a bad idea etc which is good thing.

I think there's also an element of her that wants to be sure that yes its what she wants but also that she's sure that I'm acting on what I want for myself as a big thing for her is thinking she's holding me back / being a burden / ruining my life.

Don't get me wrong in these interactions we're having they're very platonic, respectful and little pressure. Currently if she says something that doesn't sit right with me I hear it and go about my day etc.

The hardest parts at the moment is the shared calendar app we have and the family group chats. I'm still apart of them and she's not mentioned me not being in them. But I see things being booked in with her family and it's things id normally be involved in. Don't get me wrong I'm a little sad but more of the mind that it is what it is. I won't be going and it's her life.

I'm focusing on our cats, my job, getting fit and clearing debt because I realize that regardless of the outcome by focusing on those things it could put me in a really strong place come 3 or 4 months time.

I am hearing you and I'm trying not to push too hard, even leaving her on read when normally I'd try and think of at least something to reply to her.

Whilst she has BPD and has started the treatment journey which will only be a good thing. I feel like she's definitely at least right now not seeing this relationship as her future as she once did and whilst even her own words that it's clear cut for me it's not for her right now and it takes two and I need to respect that.

Thanks for the continued support though. Everyone here has been amazing and I don't know how I'd have coped and also cope with what's coming up without everyone here
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« Reply #64 on: May 16, 2025, 02:32:49 PM »

these are the key takeaways from the conversation that you had with her. they are loud signals. they tell you everything you need to know.

Excerpt
We talked around things in the relationship that she felt were cycles and also how there seems to be real change when there's a threat there like the threat of a break up or not being together etc.

I agreed with this and could only apologize that that was the case and that actions speak louder than words and I would like to put that into practice whether we stayed living together or not.

what shes saying: the relationship is broken. there is no going back. something has to give. ive now had the time, space, and distance, to see that. a glimmer of change wont be enough to return.

nice move with the actions speaking louder than words stuff. it says you get it.

Excerpt
she said she would need to be away and in the living separately space to understand if that's something she would want.

she hasnt let go of the idea of being in a relationship.

she has both considered and experienced life apart from you, and apart from the relationship. she has seen its appeal. shes reaching for it. she does not want that to be deterred.

Excerpt
it would essentially be us dating again and seeing how things go.

she has considered what it would look like to be together again, under the right circumstances. she considers the old relationship dead.

Excerpt
But she did reiterate that she said she would think about thinking about it and that she doesn't want me to hold onto it as it's not the only outcome.

She said I need to go away and really think about what it means for me and if I would be happy with a life like that, which I agreed.

she wants you to do the same thing she has done/is doing.

Excerpt
I think she also doesn't want to just do it because she wants me in her life so much.

all of this tells you one thing:

she has both feet out the door of the relationship. she is holding the door open, hinging on the possibility of real change this time; the hypothetical "dating again" that she has imagined.

shes not "done". but shes done with the relationship as it was. she wants you to be, too.

she wants you to consider, really consider, your ideal life without her. she wants both of you to know that if you were to get back together, that it would be the right thing.

she doesnt want the prospect of getting back together dangling over your interactions. all that represents to her is the cycle repeating. that will make her feel cornered.

thats the problem with pushing to arrange time together. yeah, it sounds nice to her, or she would shut you down rather than hem and haw. but: it puts her in a position shes uncomfortable being in. it establishes a trajectory of effort to reconstitute the relationship. shes not opposed to spending time with you. she is uncomfortable with the terms.

let her lead on that. when shes ready, she will push for ways, both overt and subtle, to spend time together. youll get the best of her, when she does. she already signaled this by, without commitment, saying "maybe tomorrow, or maybe next week when i have more time".

and, at the end of the day, shes practically begging you to create not just the spark, but the fire.

the spark = real change. she wants to see the confident, independent guy; the one that loves her, but doesnt need her. shes reaching for that version of herself, now. the centered guy, who doesnt flinch when she doesnt know what to do with herself.

the fire = the distance, space, and mystery, to re-ignite attraction. to make that hypothetical version of the relationship shes imagined an actual real life possibility, as its happening. the sexiness.

take her literally and figureatively: do some "going away". do it deliberately. put her aside (figureatively) and begin to reach for the life where, whether or not you want her in it, you can imagine life without her, and it doesnt look so bad.

youll begin to feel it. and she will respond to it.

one other pointer: when you have those sorts of chats, do less disagreeing. do less agreeing. im not saying do zero of either one, to the point of being unresponsive, but rather, more importantly, just signal that youre taking what she says on board. you dont need to prove her right or wrong in those moments. she will feel a connection because she will be able to feel that youre listening, first and foremost.
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     and I think it's gonna be all right; yeah; the worst is over now; the mornin' sun is shinin' like a red rubber ball…
RedBeard93

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What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Romantic partner
Relationship status: Broken Up
Posts: 47


« Reply #65 on: May 16, 2025, 03:22:53 PM »

Thank you so much for taking the time to write that.

Honestly you're amazing and that makes complete sense to me. I'll be sure to read that whenever I need it.

I feel more confident to really try and do things for me. I think I'm happy with the things we've decided to do together but after those things I'll let the rest come from her.

I completely agree with the not disagreeing or agreeing in the moment. I need to remember things can't be solved like magic in the moment in a conversation, it takes action over a period of time and she just wants to be heard.
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