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It feels like an eternity....

la_dulce_vida's picture

but it's only been five days.

I had a lot to keep me busy over the weekend. My friends really pulled through for me. Fun Friday night celebrating my BFF's 60th birthday with a bunch of our friends. Saturday was time with my sons, and Sunday was busy with my BFF and watching football.

I was doing really well NOT looking at his stupid dating profile, but my BFF asked to see it Sunday night. I looked and he had whittled it down severely.

But yesterday I did a dumb thing. I logged into my dummy account not realizing I had done a local search near my other house in Baltimore and voila! A whole separate profile for the Baltimore area. He had spent a LOT of time on this one. Lots of pictures and telling prospective dates that he is looking for a good partner. *snort* You had one, dude.

He also added that he's co-located between the city and the mountains and that's why his search range is 144 miles. Kinda ambitious for a lazy dude. He lets the ladies know he's mobile so they shouldn't let a few miles stop them from reaching out. Um, why do they need to reach out to you?

Anyway, I am NOT going to look again. I broke it off. He's lonely, so it's only natural that he's trying to distract himself. Is it healthy? No. Is he ready to be a good partner? No. He's not.

I have to remind myself that even though we had some wonderful times - we really did - the key reasons I broke it off were because of low effort, poor communication and conflict resolution skills, lack of commitment and mixed messages.

He's going to carry his lackluster relationship "skills" into every relationship. If he even had a mind towards growth or self improvement, he has the potential to be a much better partner. I've given him 4.5 years of my life. I couldn't afford to give him any more without a consistent effort to grow.

I'm mostly good. I know I did the right thing, but I love him deeply, so the healing isn't going to be quick.

Comments

RockyRoads's picture

This has to be hard for you. I don't blame you for looking at his profile. I am sure he is doing it for a distraction.  I have thought that when I leave I want to leave a note for the next victim. To let them know what they are really getting into. Of course don't have any advice since I am on the verge of leaving soon and know it is going to be hard. Even though you know it is the right thing to do it hurts. Hugs

la_dulce_vida's picture

My XH2 was/is a scary person. I wanted to warn other women about him, but I decided that we're all adults and the way he works, he would have told any new person that I was crazy. If I had sent a warning letter, it would have supported his story.

My XBF is not a scary person. He may find someone who doesn't expect a lot of effort or great communication. There are women out there who want a weekend or sometimes boyfriend who lives far away.

I'm mostly upset at him for the mixed messages and leading me on, but I can appreciate your comment about the warning. Smile

ImperfectlyPerfect's picture

Best revenge is healing and happiness - go on and heal and you'll see it gets brighter, clearer and happier. He was holding you down.

JRI's picture

You had good times with him but ultimately, his negative qualities made you realize the relationship wasn't for you long term.  He showed you who he was and his profile sounds like more of the same.

You're rigjt, there's probably someone out there who would be satisfied with his level of commitment.  More power to them.

You're on your own, different path.  All is good.

advice.only2's picture

If/when DH and I divorce I know he will move on quickly.  I figured out a long time ago my DH doesn’t want a wife/lover, he wants a companion/caretaker.  I have a feeling your ex is the same way, just looking for a companion to keep him company but he isn’t capable of the deeper connection you needed.

Felicity0224's picture

You are so right about him carrying the same behavior into future relationships. I know it still hurts though! You can know intellectually that you're better off and still feel angry that he's trying to move on so fast. I'm sorry.

In my case, XH has been on and off with the person he had an affair with and a series of 6-7 other women since we split up. I can't tell you how badly it hurt when his affair partner moved in with him months after I kicked him out. But while I was in therapy working on healing and understanding my part in the demise of our marriage, he never even took one day to reflect. And guess what? Turns out the mistress didn't like being cheated on constantly. Nor did any of his subsequent partners. Anytime he bemoans the fact that he's ''not good at relationships' or says he 'doesn't know what he's doing wrong' I just stare at him silently. It's a real mystery, my guy, why no one wants to stay long term with someone who won't even trouble themselves to examine why their pattern of behavior is detrimental to relationships. 

Anyway, it took a couple of years before it didn't sting for me to know he was 'serious' with yet another person. But honestly, I'm alone, healed, and very happy. While his succession of short term situationships makes him miserable.  And I don't relish in his misery, but I truly don't feel bad for him either. He has the same access to therapy that I do and chooses not to exercise it. Too bad.

Rumplestiltskin's picture

Too bad these guys' profiles don't come with a warning label. "Only interested in what YOU can do for HIM - Danger!" "Dead wife's shoes by the door! Avoid!" 

ESMOD's picture

Healing does take time... and in a way.. relationships can be a bit of an "addiction".. (as someone who quit smoking.. I can see some relationships)

1.  The relationship is a habit.. you call X on your way home.. you buy X  oreos at the grocery store because they like it.  They fill the gaps and spaces in your day.. between work and sleep.. they are "there".. to pick up the phone.. to send a text.. and you are in the habit of reaching for them.. when you are lonely.. bored.. etc...   Just like I always smoked when I had a beer.. or in my car.. one of the toughest breakups I had was with a decent guy that couldn't commit after 3+years.. and we talked "daily" right up until he broke it off.. it was hard to go cold turkey.. and have those spaces of empty time.

2.  It's hard not to admit.. but a lot of times we will come to that eventual conclusion.. that while we loved them when we were with them.. we realize that we loved someone that they truly were not.. behind the curtain..   And of course.. we question our own "picker" our motives.. our decision making.. but the reality is that some people are really good at giving us what we want.. maybe even don't realize that they can't but pretend anyway.. and again.. because it's easier to stay than leave.. we often stay longer than we should.. hoping there will be a change.. and most of the time.. there just is not.

I hope you keep busy and engaged with your friends and family.. eventually.. I think it will get better.. and you can still look fondly at some of the experiences you had.. and maybe even forgive him for not being able to be what you needed too

Lillywy00's picture

Healing does take time... and in a way.. relationships can be a bit of an "addiction".. 

You can say that again

When I went through my recent breakup - it felt kind of like how I see in the movies when addicts detox from hard drugs. Couldn't sleep/eat/cold/crying/lack of focus/guilt/sadness/anger 

 

Hang in there it does get better with time. 

Stepdrama2020's picture

Its only human to hit highs and lows after a breakup. Raising my hand, I did for a very long time.

Lows, you check out his dating profile. Dang he is already out there.

HIGHS, as you laugh hysterically as you read he gives a large radius of area from the mountains to wherever. Yea right he will put in the effort. You know he wont. You know him. So laugh at what you really know.

Keeping busy is great. Be kind to yourself in the non busy times.

Youve got this 

Lillywy00's picture

He also added that he's co-located between the city and the mountains and that's why his search range is 144 miles. Kinda ambitious for a lazy dude. He lets the ladies know he's mobile so they shouldn't let a few miles stop them from reaching out. Um, why do they need to reach out to you?
 

LOL @ "He lets the ladies know he's mobile so they shouldn't let a few miles stop them...."

Most men cannot stomach being alone....and they're more thirsty - heck even desperate especially right after breakups. 
 

And why do the women need to reach out? Bc as you mentioned .... he's lazy! And looking for a woman who is equally or more desperate to do all the work so he doesn't have to. 
 

* idk your ex dude personally so this is just my guess based on what you posted 

 

Try not to look at his profile so you don't get triggered annoyed etc. 

la_dulce_vida's picture

I won't be looking again. It's truly pathetic.

You said nothing wrong. He is lazy. And he's selfish.

Thanks. I really appreciate the support.

Rags's picture

I have no idea if my XW has ever had a profile on a dating site. She generally recruited her cheat buddies/next spermdaddy while yanking their wanky during post op sponge baths while working as an RN.

Classy that one.

Not that I have any empathy for whoever she chose to cheat on a husband with.  Her eldest of 3 all out of wedlock children was the product of someone other than her husband of the moment (me) and her youngest is a cheat baby as well. A product of her cheating on granpa sugar/baby daddy who she was cheating with while she and I were married.  Grandpa sugar/baby daddy married her after she had their second oowl spawn.  According to mutual friends anyway.