Home→Forums→Relationships→Trying to deal with anxiety and loss after relationship break up
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November 7, 2018 at 2:17 am #235763KkasxoParticipant
Morning Shelby,
I had an okay-ish evening last night, full of distractions! How are you this morning? Feeling any better?
November 7, 2018 at 3:41 am #235771ShelbyvilleParticipantKkasxo,
Im glad you had a reprieve last evening and were able to keep distracted.
I managed to get a 4K walk in which I felt good about. However, I’m feeling quite low again this morning. He texted me last night, just to thank me for a sympathy card I sent his parents for his grandma who passed away.
After my phonecall that weekend, I was devastated he hadn’t told me about the death, when we had only just split up. He hadn’t told family we split at the time of the funeral, so it just looked like I didn’t make an effort to attend.
Anyway, I really adored his parents and so just a card after the phonecall. I was not expecting to hear from him. He basically just said thanks and it was appreciated.
It didn’t change anything and I guess I nearly wish he had left it and not said anything because I’m doing my best to survive but when there is any contact and betraying little flame lights again.
Im off today, to attend the dentist. THESE are the lengths I am now doing to for the sake of distraction…..THE DENTIST!!!! My life is tragic!
How are you doing today? Did you go to work?
November 7, 2018 at 4:25 am #235773KkasxoParticipantHiya,
It really knocks you off guard doesn’t it, when you think all is done and you’re doing your best to go through your days in survival mode and then they contact you – I know this all too well!
He really could’ve and should’ve refrained, I could be wrong but if he is anything like my ex he used the card as an excuse to open up a line of communication with you. When me and my ex first split and he was adamant there is no going back ever, refused communication etc he did have two moments of weakness where he txt me about a product I put up for sale on his ebay account months ago, he contacted me to tell me it has been sold and he will transfer me the money and then another time to just nonchalantly ask about my ‘mental well-being’.
Both times he used an excuse just to get in touch with myself.
Did you respond?
Hey think of the confidence boost with your new healthy and glowing set of teeth! 🙂
I am okay-ish today. I did indeed go to work and welcoming the distraction as always. My life seems to be in a constant phase of confusion and sadness but I just have to get through this part too! I cant lie when I say that the current situation with my ex is confusing the hell out of me! He is definitely adding to my misery although not intentionally.
I will have to come to some sort of decision sooner rather than later!
November 7, 2018 at 4:56 am #235775KkasxoParticipantAlso, how could I possibly miss this one out! A 4K walk?! Girl that is incredible! Honestly!
Well done for that!
November 7, 2018 at 6:25 am #235793ShelbyvilleParticipantWell I survived the dentist, but my teeth are super sensitive now, especially in this cold weather! Also I met a male friend after and we did a 7K walk!! Wohoo! He’s a really old friend and we literally talk about everything, he calms me when I’m in his company.
I’m treating myself to a nice toastie for lunch now. That’ll expend another hour I hope! The struggle continues.
I wasn’t going to respond to my ex, but I knew I would spend days or weeks on end agonising about it and seeing it as an opportunity at any stage to contact him, so I said I better just get it over with. All I said was basically ‘it’s no problem’. I left it at that and he didn’t respond thereafter.
A tiny part of me, of course, will always imagine that he might have been trying to open the line of communication but I know him better. He is known as a gent, very mannerly and polite, always doing the right thing. He would have just sent that text to continue in that vein of being polite.
Also, he would hate to think anyone hates him or he’s let anyone down so I imagine part of it was him trying to assuage his own feeling that I’m not ‘off’ with him and he can sleep better knowing ‘we’re on good terms’ or some rubbish like that.
You’re right, it does throw you for sure.
I feel such empathy for you going through your situation. I know it’s difficult to make a decision cos then you have to be prepared to deal with the consequences of that decision. It seems from your posts lately that you have a lot of less than positive feelings towards your ex, despite loving him no doubt. My priority for you, but be to look after yourself first and foremost. Whatever that means, it might mean being alone to try and heal and process the trauma. But if it means reconciling with your ex, there is absolutely no judgement, just support. I promise. You do what you need to do and if we can help, in any way, consider it done!
November 7, 2018 at 7:01 am #235801KkasxoParticipantIt is nice that you have a friend that you can rely on like this in times of need. I always find it is nice to get some perspective on the situation from the opposite sex (someone who can perhaps relate to our ex’s).
To be honest, your ex sounds so much like mine in that description of wanting to somehow be sure that you are on ‘good terms’. How can you possibly be on good terms in this situation is beyond me! Nontheless, you’ve done your bit and you were strong enough to respond and still go on! That’s progress! I do still think that it was his way of opening up a line of communication, he was just shut down by your short response and perhaps that’s why he didn’t reply to it. I guess we’ll never know!
At the moment I am in a state of confusion about everything. Its almost as though the healing from my trauma is completely separate to healing from my past relationship, although inevitably they are closely linked together. The trauma healing is all about learning to accept that was indeed a part of my life, learning to deal with the feelings of hurt, loss and grief around this. Healing from my past relationship is more so about forgiveness. On one hand it is just the simple aspect of heartbreak, that alone is difficult. And then the other is all about learning to forgive and let go of the fact that he did play a major part in the trauma itself. It’s strange and I don’t know where to start with my approach.
I did chase up my counselling appointments but it appears I’ve got at least another month of waiting unfortunately.
November 7, 2018 at 9:38 am #235835ShelbyvilleParticipantI’m so sorry you have to wait so long for some help, it’s not fair. What’s the point of having these services, if not at a time of need?
But you have made it this far, so hopefully 4 more weeks will go by as quickly as they can.
My ex is not into contact, he barely responds to the 5 messages (max) he would get a week from family! I think he was just trying say thanks, and be the good guy and Liverpool were playing soccer yest eve and he would have had a couple of pints watching that, so he was probably just a bit more casual about the communication. It’s sad that i still feel I know him like that.
It must be so difficult to try and process so much stuff by yourself. So many varying emotions at play. What is your instinct? Take away all the psyche thoughts and process developments and strip it down. What do you feel? Are you extremely hurt and broken after your trauma which your ex contributed to?
What does your gut say? Does it say, this has been bad and it can’t work out now or does it say, I’m strong enough to heal from this within the relationship? I wish I could offer more advice but I’m just working off the info I do have.
Maybe if you try the meditation again, it’ll eventually slow down the train of thoughts that constantly occupy your mental space?
What are your plans this eve?
November 7, 2018 at 11:48 am #235879KkasxoParticipantI know right! It’s only when it’s affected me that I realise how little there is to offer for those who require some kind of mental help in the U.K.! God forbid one of those dark times actually followed through, I could’ve been gone a hundred times over having waited over two months!
It may be hard to believe it at the moment but I reckon your ex will find several more meaningless reasons to reach out to you at some point.
If I’m honest, my initial thoughts are those that too much has happened and things just cannot work now. But that isn’t just regarding my ex, that’s a general overview of life. I feel as though I can’t go on… So this doesn’t help with my ex situation. I’m in a constant state of absolute confusion and I’m hoping that sooner rather than later I am able to get some clarity on my life in general.
I actually went to B&M (I didn’t even know this shop existed) and it is an absolute bargain. I bought various cleaning products, scents and candles and now I am happily cleaning away and actually very excited about it – how sad!
How are you this evening? Are you up to much?
November 7, 2018 at 12:18 pm #235885ShelbyvilleParticipantAh B&M! A Mrs Hinch fav! I’m quite proud of myself because my dishes have been destroyed by a white chalk residue in recent months & I bought several bottles of white vinegar today and scrubbed all the white off! It’s the small victories at this point! I’m glad you’re excited, it’s so funny but cleaning is the only thing that I feel good doing these days!
As for my ex, I doubt he will contact again. The last text wasn’t out of the blue in his eyes, he would see it as responding to my sending of the card to his parents. (He lives with them) It’s so exhausting trying to make ourselves feel less awful every single day though, isn’t it?
It’s such a confusing time for you. It’s not fair that you’re in a sort of limbo where you need a little guidance or help and you still have to wait. But you’re surviving, albeit not happily, but neither am I.
I do hope people around you, including your ex know your true value. You seem like an extraordinary person. Tough as boots and kind and caring at the same time, so make sure the company you keep appreciates that!
Im currently involved in a couple of games of scrabble on Words With Friends. Again, my life is pretty sad right now!
November 7, 2018 at 12:28 pm #235887KkasxoParticipantHaha yes! I have successfully ‘hinched’ the place this evening! I do feel quite happy with myself, everything smells amazing!
Yes it is exhausting to say the least! But look at time flying by anyway? Misery or no misery it keeps going forward and maybe that can give us some kind of hope!
Thank you for your kind words. Unfortunately I don’t quite see those attributes in myself right now although I do think I’m quite good at putting on a front so those around me may well think I’m much stronger than I actually am!
I must say though, you do sound a lot better since starting the medication. I’ve actually been thinking about this and I reckon I will need a little help (medication) too once my counselling sessions begin and I have to really open up wounds which are nowhere near healed anyway!
Hey, any distraction at this point is welcome! Be it cleaning or a bit of scrabble!
I’ve got a gym session scheduled tomorrow so hopefully that’ll take me through to the evening and then I’ve got my sisters birthday on Friday! So not a bad end to the week! Busy busy!
Have you got much planned?
November 7, 2018 at 9:52 pm #235929ShelbyvilleParticipantI love the smell of a clean kitchen! Well done!
You’re right, I’m a lot more rational with the medication and I hope to just be on it until the Spring, sometimes we just need a helping hand to get over the slump. As that book explains too, the withdrawal is to do with brain chemistry too so sometimes, it’s beyond our control to just think our way out of sadness.
Having said that, I miss him every moment of every day. I dreamt of him again last night. I don’t know when that will change or fade, or even if it will. I’m accepting it for the moment, but if I’m still the same in a year, it could mean trouble.
Well done on planning the gym and the birthday. I’m in no mood for parties at the moment, so you’re being very strong. Plus, as you say, more time passes.
I’m going to try and get another walk in later to burn off any anxious reaction I have. While I’m grateful for the reprieve – I couldn’t sustain that intensity of pain in my body- I kinda feel I should cry a bit more or something. I don’t feel the urge to at all now which is weird.
Again, it’s draining trying to come up with plans for the approaching weekend, but I know I have to do it. I’m a bit scared that this is my life now, sad and unfulfilled I guess.
November 8, 2018 at 5:19 am #235951KkasxoParticipantShelby,
I genuinely don’t think you’ll be in the same place next year. As everyone around us keeps saying, time is a healer and you mentioned yourself due to not seeing him the memory of him is slowly fading – imagine what that’ll be like this time next year!
Sometimes having a cry is good for us. Although yes I’ve mainly shed tears over my trauma rather than my ex recently.
Our lives may be sad and unfulfilled right now but hopefully they won’t be like that for much longer and we can begin to enjoy the simple things in life once more.
I am still in a complete sense of confusion and I just cannot seem to make sense of how to approach this stage of my life.
So I guess another day will pass in confusion.
November 8, 2018 at 5:32 am #235953ShelbyvilleParticipantKkasxo,
I think that’s one of my biggest fears…..that I’ll never get over my ex. That he’ll always be up there on that pedestal that I could never reach and that I will always feel the loss of him. I hate that I’m not with him now, it just pisses me off. But again, I can’t change it, even though I’d love to. He is happy to stick to his decision. I have a feeling he might go travelling soon. If he did, maybe I would relax more if I found out, knowing he was far away and I’d never hear much about him again.
I’m sorry you’re co confused. I wish I could help. It seems to me the relationship is nearly off the table until you can figure out everything that has happened to you? But I could be completely wrong. Work is keeping me going today, as in….it’s a distraction at least.
I’m going to try and do another 4k walk this evening with my friend. She suffers from anxiety too and had heartbreak several years ago so she’s pretty understanding. Well done you and planning to go to the gym, maybe boxing a few punches on a punchbag will help get some frustration and anger out!
I might visit my sister and nephew later for another distraction, are you getting as sick of planning distractions as I am?!
I always feel better though knowing I’m not alone in the heartbreak boat!
November 8, 2018 at 5:56 am #235957KkasxoParticipantShelby,
I know what you mean. It’s so frustrating that two people can go from everything to complete strangers within a moment! But ask yourself this question, taking into consideration every aspect of the relationship including this period of heartbreak, what would you actually do if he came back and said let’s give things another try?
Would you feel comfortable with saying yes to that? Or would you continuously walk around on egg shells in a state of confusion and anxiety like I am right now?
Planning distractions is exhausting but a part of my daily routine now hehe! I’m slowly running out of ideas as I exhaust the gym (most days I can’t even be bothered to go) and my Netflix series are coming to an end! May just indulge in some winter deep cleans or something!
You may be right in suggesting that the relationship should be off the table as I figure things out. It seems I have gotten myself in a bit of a pickle. Although things with my ex right now seem to be good (on the outside) and he is actually ‘trying’ it just doesn’t seem to be enough. After everything that’s gone on I literally cannot trust his words, actions or intentions towards me. It’s almost as though I’m waiting for him to walk out once more. Oh and then there’s the whole journey to healing from trauma!
I honestly don’t know where to start. All I know is that I need to keep going forward. There is a big feeling in my tummy which tells me I NEED to get away from him because he is hindering my healing progress in regards to the trauma. But then rationally I know that in order for me to move past that he will need to be a part of this healing at some point, whether it be now or further down the line. He has also been quite good at taking all my shit in the process, surprisingly. I can’t aftually fault him right now he is trying his best to understand and support me but I guess there’s just that constant feeling of it just isn’t enough. The damage is done now.
November 8, 2018 at 6:42 am #235965ShelbyvilleParticipantKkasxo,
If my ex came back tomorrow, I would be extremely anxious, who wouldn’t be I guess? He has hurt me so badly, I would be completely fearful of that happening again. I realistically know that we could only work out if he felt he wanted the same future as me, with me. I cannot see that happening, which is such a shame, because we really got on so well together and there was so much respect and kindness.
A deep clean might be a good plan, I should probably do the same. Lots of advice says to change things around in your room to disrupt the reminders of your ex, but I haven’t done that yet. We’ll see.
I do fear the damage has been done with your ex alright and I’m glad he’s being good about things now. Would you get back together with him and see how it goes? See if you can work on it together? My only concern is that I wouldn’t want to see you hurt again and left in a terrible place. But happy to support you with whatever advice I can give whatever you decide to do.
Once you actually get therapy, hopefully it’ll be someone good, they really do help figure out what’s happening and where you can go moving forward, so let’s hold tight for another couple of weeks!
I don’t have much therapy this week as my counsellor is away, but I think I’m managing a bit better with medication. However, I might speak to him next week about whether I should be ‘feeling it out’ a bit more. Perhaps I should be grateful for the reprieve and stop being so over-analytical!
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