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We moved in, we moved out - now I really want things to work out but don't want to scare her away!

Tagged as: Troubled relationships<< Previous question   Next question >>
Question - (12 March 2007) 66 Answers - (Newest, 14 November 2007)
A male United Kingdom age 30-35, wigglywood writes:

Ouch, I am writing as a confused 32year old bloke who would value any advice.

Me and my girlfriend (25) have been together for close on 3 years and I moved out of our home a month ago after just over a year of living together. We still see eachother a couple of times a week, kiss and cuddle, text sometimes and phone and we are still very close.

I cooked for us on Valentine's Day and I think that things could be MUCH worse.

So what's the problem I hear you ask?

Well I was pretty distracted in the last few months of us living together, very unsettled and I said to her that I would probably never want to marry or have kids which I think really hurt her as she is an incurable romantic. I am divorced and have 2 children who live with their Mum and I have them with me every other weekend so there's that also for her to consider.

I feel broken and sad because I know that if i'd bucked my ideas up in time I could have tried to sort things out though now living in a flat and being more independent my social life is improving which my girl wanted me to do. Whilst living together she had a social life and I didn't which was another source of pressure. I moved up to be with her so she was already settled but I take longer to get to know people etc.

Anyway, she says that she loves me and that she just wants me to be me, in terms of getting a good social life together and really finding myself and being happy with myself. I couldn't help but try to convince her that the hurtful things I said before no longer apply and I am much more attentive to her now but I don't want to push her away.

Leaving the home has given me a real wake up call and a shock to the system, I realise how much I truly love her and I want to marry her one day and build our lives together with a new family etc.

Of course it's a big change of message coming from me and she says that she wants to see how she feels about life, her and about me before jumping back into the full-on thing again.

Things are not too bad but I desperately want us to work but not in a way that I would push her away. I have read about not overdoing it and my friends tell me to chill out and let things happen, it's a difficult thing to do.

Thanks for your patience with this long text!

View related questions: divorce, moved in, moved out, text

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A male reader, wigglywood United Kingdom +, writes (14 November 2007):

wigglywood is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Hi,

I'm not saying that there is a problem, just don't want to let my insecurities mess things up in a new relationship so any advice would be gratefully received.

I have been seeing my new girl for 2 months and last Wednesday she came round to see me to collect my clothes for the case as we were going to Paris for the weekend (booked it as we are only without our kids once every 6 weeks and her brother lives there too). She had been really upset earlier in the day feeling overwhelmed with life and had left work early to go home with the demands of work being one issue. She is on antidepressants and was referred for counselling the final straw being that they said it will be a couple of months before she is seen. She has a very demanding job and works long hours and as a consequence doesn't get so much time with her 8 yr old boy and she feels guilty about this as well as guilty about her mum doing so much of the running around for her son.

She came round and said she was unsure about coming to Paris in her current state of mind, I managed to show her that a break is perhaps just what she needs, we did go and had a wonderful weekend.

Anyway, on the Wednesday she said that she felt our relationship was like a road, but she wanted a country road not a motorway. We have both been really excited in these 2 months and perhaps said things that we were premature to say ie about one day in the future having kids etc which was partly tongue-in-cheek.

She also asked if I had made big changes to my social life since meeting her. She feels scared of going too fast as she feels she did in previous relationships including a failed marriage though she has been driving as much as I have. We have agreed to ration our phone calls as often we would chat long into the night which compounded her problems of lack of time with work, home life etc. and made her tired.

We haven't seen eachother since Monday and are not going to until the weekend and I have stepped off a little to let her chase and dictate things a little so as not to leave myself "out there" to get hurt.

Should I just be there for her while she gains control over her life? Should I take it personally?

Sorry it's such a long post, at heart I feel that we are great together and as long as I don't let my insecurities get the better of me we have a real chance of a great future.

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A female reader, AskEve United Kingdom + , writes (29 October 2007):

AskEve agony auntI'm so pleased for you. Things seem to be coming on heaps and bounds for you in this new relationship. And you're right, your ex was more familiar to you and 3 years is a long time but now you've moved on and seem to have found yourself a lovely new woman that you have a lot in common with. I wish you every happiness and hope your relationship goes from strength to strength.

Eve

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A male reader, wigglywood United Kingdom +, writes (29 October 2007):

wigglywood is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Well to keep you posted and reassure you that happy times can come after bad times...

I am still seeing the new girl in my life and we are really enjoying the time we get together.

She put on a surprise birthday party at her house last weekend and I had my children up and her 8 yr old boy was there too. Her folks also looked in. It all felt really nice and I am seeing someone who can handle the fact that I have kids and same the other way, it almost enriches us both in the relationship I think. We do make time for ourselves though too.

Yesterday she popped out to the shop, came back and made us both a lovely breakfast and showed how thoughtful and eager to enjoy our relationship she is.

I am really happy, she meets my folks tomorrow.

I saw my ex last week, she popped a birthday card round to me and we chatted. She is moving on too with her dance partner who was always keen when we were seeing eachother. I still miss her in a way but I think it's in the sense of having been together for 3 years so she is more familiar to me. I am confident in my new relationship despite this.

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A female reader, AskEve United Kingdom + , writes (18 September 2007):

AskEve agony auntI'm so pleased for you. It's a true saying, when one door closes another one opens. Enjoy being in each others company and getting to know one another and who knows what might happen. Again, well done! Keep us posted.

Eve

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A male reader, wigglywood United Kingdom +, writes (15 September 2007):

wigglywood is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Hiya,

Just an update and good news to anyone who has viewed this esp Ask Eve!

Last Saturday I 'met' a girl on a dating website and over the next few days we had online conversations for about 10 hours over 3 days.

The conversation flowed and we got on amazingly well, we text eachother a lot and have had a few phone chats. We arranged to meet for drinks on Wednesday night and it was an awesome night. We are meeting up again tonight for our 2nd date.

Now i'm well aware of the danger of rebound relationships, getting carried away etc etc but this really feels very different to anything i've felt before. We both feel like we have known eachother for ages such is our ease with eachother and I am overwhelmed by my feelings for her.

I will take it easy and try to avoid overdoing it!!! But you know, this feels like something big!!!

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A female reader, AskEve United Kingdom + , writes (16 August 2007):

AskEve agony auntI'm sorry it didn't work out the way you wanted it to but at least she was honest with you and you can put closure on it now and move on. Things WILL get better, there are plenty more fish in the sea as the saying goes and with every day that passes you'll feel better. Here is a link that I hope will help you move on.

http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Over-a-Break-Up

I wish you all the best whatever you choose to do in the future.

Regards

Eve

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A male reader, wigglywood United Kingdom +, writes (16 August 2007):

wigglywood is verified as being by the original poster of the question

ok, well I have a new direction to follow in life, and that is one without my ex!

Tonight we met up to see a film, all went well and it was a good evening. I still look at her as a possible match in the future and ended up texting her later.

I asked straight out whether I was wasting my time holding out hope for us in the future to which she replied that she has realised that she doesn't have feelings for me in that way anymore, life's changed for her.

I spoke on the phone with her and basically we agreed to stay out of eachothers way, if I can look at her in the future one day and not feel that I want to be with her then we may be able to be friends but not before.

Feels like the day I was dumped but I needed closure and I couldn't understand how she had fallen out of love with me.

I feel really sad, tired and upset now but I hope that this is the closure I need to move forwards with life, but it's so hard!

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A female reader, AskEve United Kingdom + , writes (10 August 2007):

AskEve agony auntYou see, she's beginning to notice a difference in you. Continue with your Counselling, you'll come on heaps and bounds and most importantly continue to have a positive attitude towards life. Remember, YOU are in charge of your own destiny so get out there, go to the gym, treat yourself to some new clothes, mingle with friends, just keep busy, work hard, THINK POSITIVE and throw it out to the Universe and see what it delevers...

Eve

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A male reader, wigglywood United Kingdom +, writes (10 August 2007):

wigglywood is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Thanks Eve!

Yes que sera sera is good. It's a struggle because at the moment I think of her every day and end up going places we've been before together then feel bad about it.

She has been asking me how my counselling is going and commented earlier in the week on how I was starting to sound more positive in myself and i'm trying not to be needy for her as I know that there is nothing less attractive.

She said as we split up that she'd love to see a new positive and happy me after counselling and seemed to say that she still hopes that if I can emerge from it better then who knows what will happen.

I am doing this for myself though as I know that I must be happy in myself to make anyone else happy.

Just a bit regretful that I have not sorted my head out sooner, and in time to rescue our relationship.

Still, who knows what the future holds? I hope it includes her but at this point in time I can't tell.

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A female reader, AskEve United Kingdom + , writes (6 August 2007):

AskEve agony auntYou will have times like that but hey, you'll kiss a lot of frogs before you find your princess. It may be your ex it may not be and if you're to be together then you will be. Just take one day at a time, think positive, get on with life and if it's to be it WILL be... que sera sera

Eve

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A male reader, wigglywood United Kingdom +, writes (6 August 2007):

wigglywood is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Well I think that my previous hopeful post was a little premature! The girl I met for lunch texted me the other week and made it clear that she didn't want to lead me on and didn't want a relationship so that's that.

I've also been seeing someone the last few days that comes into my work once a week. Finally I plucked up the courage to ask her out for a drink, we've been out a few times and she likes me.

I already feel that I don't want to be around this girl though and I spent all afternoon with her today but thinking about my ex, I have my kids coming up next week so I won't be seeing her again at least for another week but maybe i'll have to just tell her that it's been fun but i'm not ready for much yet.

I went out with the lads on the town last night and ended up bursting into tears (embarrassing!). It may be that the last time i'd been in that bar I was with my ex, or maybe alcohol had something to do with it.

I feel like I did straight after we split a month ago despite being a lot more confident in myself and in my ability to meet and date girls, sad and upset and feel that I just want my girl back, I still harbor some hope that we will be reunited one day.

Maybe it's all part of the healing process, sorry just feel like this is a relapse and it is hurting lots.

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A female reader, AskEve United Kingdom + , writes (24 July 2007):

AskEve agony auntHey I'm so pleased for you! I would say you have a definite admirer there. She seems just as keen on you as you do on her so well done there! See? Your positive thinking has payed off for you. The world doesn't end when your ex wants to call it a day and better things ARE around the corner. Not only will this girl help take your mind off your ex but she may be just who you've been waiting to meet. I always say things happen for a reason, maybe things were meant to turn out the way they did with your ex in order for you to move on and meet this other woman?

I hope you have a great time at lunch. Be sure to let me know how it goes. Again, well done you!

Eve

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A male reader, wigglywood United Kingdom +, writes (24 July 2007):

wigglywood is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Hey Eve,

On Sunday I met with my ex as friends and all went well but at the end I felt empty again. I told her later that I needed to be away from her and that I hopes she finds happiness and has a nice life! I am getting my bike back from hers tonight though so may just say that when i've moved on that we'll perhaps see about the friends thing then.

You said about this may be happening because there is someone just around the corner. I hope you're right.

Last week I met someone for a work meeting (she doesn't work with me)and I have met them once before, I find her attractive. I established that she may well be single and politely emailed her the next day to say thanks for coming down and that was last week and ever since we have swapped emails with yesterday being about 7 or so each which was a lot.

We admitted to eachother that we are both single and have been getting on really well. Both seem to have a similar sense of humour etc etc.

Yesterday I decided to take a chance and asked if she fancied going for lunch, she said yes, either Wednesday or next week. We arranged to meet up on Wednesday.

We also swapped mobile numbers (my sneaky way of getting it was to say it was for if we had a short notice change of plan!). She gave me her number without prompting and I text her last night and we exchanged a few texts.

Do girls who only regard others as "nice people but no hope of anything more" exchange lots of mails, texts and agree to meet for lunch? or does she sound keen?

I will know much more after tomorrow, if all goes well i'll ask her if she would like to meet up for a drink one evening.

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A female reader, AskEve United Kingdom + , writes (17 July 2007):

AskEve agony auntYou're missing her and thinking negatively now. Just get on with things and keep a little bit of her in your heart then when December comes meet up again like you both agreed. A lot can happen between now and then but it will certainly test you both. Keep in touch and let me know how things go okay?

Eve

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A male reader, wigglywood United Kingdom +, writes (17 July 2007):

wigglywood is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Hi,

Well so many people have said to make a complete break from my ex, at least for a while and I thought I knew best!!!

I had felt much more in control for the last week and able to cope with whatever comes. We met up for a drink last night, almost as if to put the past behind us and move on in a new situation.

Needless to say I found it hard and came back feeling dejected and empty.

We agreed to get together in December and review where we are at then. I asked her how she meant and she thinks that we should get on with our own lives, meet up with eachother as friends and if we get to December and realise that we are still really keen on eahother (ie have started seeing much more of eachother) then at that point we could decide to really make it work.

We both admitted that it would be hard to have knowledge that eachother were dating/meeting others and agreed not to tell eachother about it if we do (like normal friends would!)

I know that in a way this is prolonging the agony if I keep my hopes up so I must sort myself out and see how it all goes and only see her again when I feel that I won't be so raw and upset afterwards.

Think she just isn't quite ready yet to say that it's over between us...forever!

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A male reader, wigglywood United Kingdom +, writes (15 July 2007):

wigglywood is verified as being by the original poster of the question

I meant that to read my trust in FATE !

Whatever will be will be and whichever way I will be happy so thanks again for your wise words. Will keep in touch.

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A male reader, wigglywood United Kingdom +, writes (15 July 2007):

wigglywood is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Well I have kind of thought of the alternative view and the more I try to put my trust in faith the more relaxed I am about it all.

Yes perhaps better things are around the corner, whichever way!

Thanks.

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A female reader, AskEve United Kingdom + , writes (15 July 2007):

AskEve agony auntShe will be wanting the break for all of the things that you mention, she'll be wanting to test her feelings for you. I do believe in fate and think that if something's meant to be then it will be, it will find YOU so if you ARE both meant to be together then you will be. Keep thinking positive thoughts too and watch "The Secret" that I gave to you in an earlier thread.

It may be that this needs to happen because there is someone else that is about to come into your life... have you ever thought of that? ;o)

Eve

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A male reader, wigglywood United Kingdom +, writes (15 July 2007):

wigglywood is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Thanks a lot, your words are kind.

I am already getting my head into sorting out the problems behind my fragile self esteem that has haunted me for years, in other words trying to concentrate on me.

Obviously I will still get times when I feel sad about us and I know to expect this.

Do you believe in fate? In it'll all work out how it's supposed to?

I still think that it could be true love between us and that one day we will be reunited but I am not going to put my life on hold to see if this can happen.

Interestingly one of the last things she said to me on Wednesday was that she wanted us to be friends but wanted 6 months to concentrate on ourselves and not fall back into a relationship together, at some time we could review whether it is something we want to revisit and then who knows? Though in the interim period she wants us to have fun apart and see how we go with our own lives, meeting other people etc. Maybe she wants to meet with men and find that they are not special whereas I am???

She also said that its about me and her, think we have both had advice from friends telling us to move on and forget eachother completely!

She could be trying to keep her options open without losing me completely because she thinks I may be the one or she is trying to keep what is familiar close to her to avoid loneliness in a sense though she has many friends.

Time for me now!

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A female reader, AskEve United Kingdom + , writes (12 July 2007):

AskEve agony auntYou sound far more positive and relaxed about things now. I smiled when I read your comments as you seem far more focussed on your way ahead now, I'm so please for you. Like you said, you can both live your lives with freedom of choice.

Keep in touch and let me know how things go okay? I wish you well in your future.

Eve

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A male reader, wigglywood United Kingdom +, writes (12 July 2007):

wigglywood is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Just realised how my last post looks...It looks like I have been lifted just becausee I have something to cling onto.

I see it like this - She admits that she does still hold out some hope (however slim) for us but we both need to be happy in ourselves to make eachother or different partners happy. She didn't want to have a rule about seeing other people for drinks etc as she doesn't feel that she has the right to impose that on me after initiating the split and I guess that she wants to see if we are really that strong together or whether there is better out there, guess I would like to see that too in a way!

The trick is whether I can handle the idea of us feeling happier in ourselves and her meeting someone else she prefers. This is a gamble I guess and I believe that she/we are worth the risk of either of us moving on apart from eachother. By telling her no contact, no friends etc it would be easier in the long run to protect my heart but i'll always wonder "what if" and she probably will too.

I am determined now to focus on myself and if it's meant to be...

Also if I feel that I cannot handle this way of handling things I will tell her and forget it, important thing is that I am not waiting for her approval any more - I will do my own thing and if it brings us back together for a new start then great, if not for any reason then it's not worth it.

Ultimately friends are sometimes hard to come by and she would be a great friend to have rather than blow it all out of the water now just because I am hurt. When I am stronger I will have enough about me to enjoy myself without her and if she seeks a new relationship I will know whether I want her then or not rather than accepting her just because I am being needy!!!

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A male reader, wigglywood United Kingdom +, writes (11 July 2007):

wigglywood is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Isn't life funny?

On Sunday when my (now)ex girlfriend and I met we decided to go salsa dancing as usual tonight and had decided to meet an hour early for a drink (guess at the time it seemed ok to do this). Since Sunday I have been thinking hard about her wanting us to finish and I wrote a long letter to her that explained how I saw the situation and in it I pointed out some home truths that she needs to face about her part in the failure of the relationship.

Tonight we met up and all was nice and beforehand I had got myself ready to tell her that despite her wanting friendship that I was going to tell her that I didn't want her friendship as accepting it would hold me back from moving on.

I told her that I wanted us to refrain from any contact and that she was free to get on and now so was I. She was gutted and admitted that she still had hopes that once we have both individually sorted our heads out and got over the recent relationship troubles that she still hopes that we may one day reignite things in a better place on new grounds. She also thanked me for the letter accepting much of what I had said in it.

As I suspected on Sunday she really isn't 100% sure that she wants a total split but she definitely wants time on her own to figure out what she wants, and now I want that too.

We have agreed to have a complete break where we leave eachother alone for a time save for perhaps the odd text, mail, chat but by and large we give eachother space. We will concentrate totally on ourselves and see how things go over time. She asked if I wanted to consider us meeting ever so often as friends and I said that if I feel up to it then yes, if not then no and we agreed that we would both do our own thing and there are no rules eg not seeing other people etc.

In other words, she still loves me and thinks then when I am happier and she is that we may give it a proper go one day in the future but no promises and I am not going to hold out great hope for that, will just see how things go in terms of casually meeting up and staying in touch. I agree with her but the best thing is that we can now go on and enjoy our own existence as separate entities and in a sense - whatever will be will be.

I feel a sense of relief that I now feel that I have co-ownership of the break-up and end of the relationship and actually I now believe that the right thing to do is leave eachother in the boyfriend/girlfriend sense. Now that I have a choice I can see that it is a sensible one.

I am more optimistic about the future really and in a sense it is like a no-lose situation. When I sort my head out and get back on my feet I will be happy again with no distractions and better placed to see what I want. If we are to work out we will work out but in the meantime we are free to do as we please and who knows we may find happiness with someone else which will confirm that we were not right for eachother. Suppose it's having your cake and eating it and I feel more positive now, this could be the best thing that ever happened to me!

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A female reader, AskEve United Kingdom + , writes (9 July 2007):

AskEve agony auntIt's not fair of her to keep on playing with your emotions, mentioning things in the past (the towel incident for example). She is more or less putting the guilt on YOU here saying she felt pressurised but that to me is an excuse. You get on with your life and if it's to be then it will but don't wait for her. Live your life, be the best you can be and above all remain positive about your future, be it with or without her. You have to do what is best for you now and no one else.

I wish you every success in your future.

Eve

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A male reader, wigglywood United Kingdom +, writes (9 July 2007):

wigglywood is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Thanks Eve.

I am going to be going through the whole grieving process now I think with the 1st part being acceptance that its over. She cried a lot last night and I think it's because she knew she was hurting me. She said that she felt a kind of love for me for the good times we had shared and that she looked at a towel we "borrowed" from a hotel in Barcelona last year and burst into tears. She also felt pressurised to come up with an answer because of the timescale with the break and didn't think it would be fair keeping me going with her not feeling 100% into us.

I have to accept its over, I feel like there is unfinished business because I still don't think we ever gritted our teeth and said "lets see if we can really make this work" but then maybe you shouldn't have to feel like that in the "right" relationship. I feel that it's not over or at least shouldn't be.

Friends will be tough, she says she has missed my friendship but not so much missing me romantically so maybe it's easier for her to move on with the friends thing, she couldn't tell me it was over forever and yet I said that I knew for ages when I left my wife that we were over "forever"

She says that it's a nice romantic notion that if things are meant to be then 2 people can find eachother again. Nice but not a good thing to think if i'm going to move on.

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A female reader, AskEve United Kingdom + , writes (9 July 2007):

AskEve agony auntI am so sorry that the decision she made wasn't the one you hoped for. Things happen in our lives for a reason and maybe you two just weren't mean to be although you won't see it this way at the moment. Unfortunately we can't make someone love us but maybe with time, she'll come to realise there's a big part of her life missing, maybe in time you will realise that you didn't actually love her, you just thought you did.

The "friends" thing I don't know is a good idea just now. I think it would be better to have a complete break, at least for a while. Remaining friends with her will only prolong your pain and prevent you from moving forward but of course that's your decision.

Have a look at this website, it will help you move on.

http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Over-a-Break-Up

If you feel you can't look at it just now then save it and look at it when you're ready. Strange as it may seem to you just now but things DO happen for a reason. Concentrate on YOU just now, being the best you can be, continue the Counseling you have organised, that will help you in your future relationships. You might look back in a few months from now with your life totally sorted and on the right track and be able to admit to yourself that she wasn't right for you, you may even have found someone else... just keep your chin up and you know I'm here if you want to continue talking okay?

Eve

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A male reader, wigglywood United Kingdom +, writes (8 July 2007):

wigglywood is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Hi,

Tonight me and Oni finished after being together for 3 years.

She text me in the afternoon asking to meet later and talk and we met and spent 3 hours in a local bar talking. She has decided that she has missed me as a friend during our break but not more than that and she wasn't getting the feelings she hoped to feel with missing me.

Must admit that I am completely gutted like my world has been turned upside down. She told me only a fortnight ago that she loved me but says now that she was upset and confused.

She says that I have been unpredictable over the last 6-12 months and that she has negative thoughts about me because she never knew whether she would get "happy Mike" or "miserable Mike" and this ground her down to the point that she has lost a lot of feeling for me. I understand this and I have been making moves to address this with counselling starting soon (I hope!)

We have left it that we will remain friends and be there for eachother as friends. She admitted that some friends had said that if it's meant to be that you find eachother again and it'll work out! She said she couldn't make any promises or speak positively about us but when I said that if I sort my issues out and be much more positive and more the guy I once was would that alter her feelings for me she half nodded and admitted that it would be much more appealing to her and she couldn't see into the future and wants to see how our friendship goes.

So I guess that friends is better than nothing, who knows what may happen in the future (though I mustn't get my hopes too high) and I always believe that there is hope (however slim). I must concentrate on myself now and making myself happy and everything else will fall into place, whichever way though at this moment I am numb, in shock and gutted.

Sometimes life sucks!

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A male reader, wigglywood United Kingdom +, writes (7 July 2007):

wigglywood is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Hi Eve,

Not sure if I mentioned it in my earlier messages but I have told my girl a few times since leaving the house that I do want to have children and a future family with her. I wrote this in a long letter telling her I was no longer afraid of commitment and verbally.

She commented that it was a big change of message coming from me and I think she hasn't coped with the change of direction so well.

Don't forget that when I left in Feb we thought we were finished.

I don't know what else I can do or what she is thinking over?

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A female reader, AskEve United Kingdom + , writes (6 July 2007):

AskEve agony auntOkay, I read over all of the posts again just to clarify things in my mind. This woman is crazy on you BUT she doesn't want to give you her all and you leave her again. In your very first post in this thread you say this - "Leaving the home has given me a real wake up call and a shock to the system, I realise how much I truly love her and I want to marry her one day and build our lives together with a new family etc." - YOU NEED TO TELL HER THIS!!!! She finds it hard to come to terms with the fact that you have children with someone else but you have told her you don't want any more children! Think about it... she's only 25 and if she chose to be with you then she would never have any children of her own let alone YOUR children as you've put that into her mind. Do you think that's fair? She would have to love you very very much to make that choice to be with you and in doing so, sacrifice the want to have children of her own.

You're not the one on trial here, SHE is! She loves you very much but has to decide within herself whether or not she can be with you under "your conditions". It would take a very special woman to sacrifice motherhood for a man who already has 2 children with someone else and for her to see you all together KNOWING you don't want to have them with her! Can you see where I'm coming from?

I know your reasons, you already have two, their expensive etc etc but look at the bigger picture...

You asked me for my thoughts on the way she acted. She really IS in love with you but she's pulled because of this. If you truly love this woman and don't want to hurt her any more then I think YOU need to rethink, not her! Is she worth that rethink...???

Eve

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A male reader, wigglywood United Kingdom +, writes (5 July 2007):

wigglywood is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Thanks for your answers as always "AskEve", if I describe our last meeting (the Sunday we decided to take a break) I wonder if you can read into it based on what you know, have experienced and on what I have said before on this:

This happened after I told her that I was looking at a mortgage and I valued her opinion on houses as I didn't want to go for a place that if we ever decided to get bakc together she might not like the house. She said that I should concentrate on what I want. I said that she didn't sound confident about us ever getting back together and she agreed that she wasn't. We then agreed to meet and talk and in the meantime I braced myself for what I thought may well be the end.

I got there and she'd been crying, she threw her arms around me and we were cuddling for some time. We sat down, were both tearful and she explained that she felt that we hadn't moved on much since I moved out in Feb and that this was hard as it's not as if we've fought, argued, one of us cheated etc. I then asked her if she wanted to finish the relationship to which she said "no". She later said that we'd agreed to work at things and when I mentioned a break she agreed and I said "4 weeks and no contact". We don't even meet for our Salsa lessons, she didn't want the awkwardness of what to say to eachother etc while on a break.

She admitted that she found the issue of me having children difficult still, but said that she must get used to it.

I said that I felt that I was on trial, she countered that it was her who was on trial.

I mentioned that she hadn't told me that she loved me for a while. As I was leaving she held me, we kissed and she said "I love you, see it's in there somewhere!" and we laughed.

I felt quite upbeat as I left and it's only know that I have time to think that its winding me up.

How do you read this from her perspective? As a woman how does this read? She is clearly still emotionally a little closed up but what can you deduce from this?

Also without being a mind-reader, does this sound like somebody who is likely to let us have a 4 week break then walk in and say "it's over?"

I am clutching at straws a little but any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.

Then I will stop mulling it over and concentrate on myself!

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A female reader, AskEve United Kingdom + , writes (4 July 2007):

AskEve agony auntHere are some sites you can look at, one is to help you "Find Yourself" and the others are to help build up your confidence and self esteem.

http://www.wikihow.com/Find-Yourself

http://www.wikihow.com/Build-Self-Confidence

http://pickbrains.com/how-do-i-build-up-my-confidence

http://www.more-selfesteem.com/self_esteem.htm

http://www.more-selfesteem.com/self_confidence_tips.htm

Have a look at these sites, they should keep you busy for a while. Remember, YOU are in charge of your life and no one else and YOU determine your future.

Eve

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A male reader, wigglywood United Kingdom +, writes (4 July 2007):

wigglywood is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Aaaaaarrrrggghhhhhh! How can I be positive and get on with things when most of my waking thoughts are of our relationship? I have realised that the only reason this is eating me up is that I hate the thought of us meeting up just to part forever. I would prefer that if she decided that's what she wanted that she would let me know earlier rather than string this out.

I had a good chat with my mate last night who told me to concentrate on myself, assured me that i'm a good guy who would not have a problem with meeting girls etc if this relationship was to end. I admitted to having serious self-esteem/confidence issues though lots of people say that i'm good-looking, good company and intelligent.

I just need to find some strategy to take the pressure off me, from the pressure of our meeting in 2 1/2 weeks and concentrating on me and leaving her out of so much of my thinking.

Am I more afraid of being alone than of us parting? No I know that I love her and want her.

Help anyone?

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A female reader, AskEve United Kingdom + , writes (27 June 2007):

AskEve agony auntJust keep busy and keep thinking POSITIVE and the time will fly in. Under no circumstances must you get in touch with her though. If you do then anything positive that's been achieved will be undone. Let her MISS you! ;o)

Eve

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A male reader, wigglywood United Kingdom +, writes (27 June 2007):

wigglywood is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Thanks Eve,

The tough part at the moment is looking at 4 weeks (well 3 and a half) and thinking how far away it is and how it could still all end after this time.

She had said on Sunday that we had agreed to work at things and it sounded like she meant that this break was a chance to work at us.

She just needs space and time to figure out what she thinks of us and it scares me as I feel she could get used to being without me.

On the other hand I could find it exciting by thinking that it's a positive move to move us up another level, I prefer that way of thinking though I could be setting myself up for disappointment.

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A female