Tug of War...with myself
 Talk About Marriage
  The Marriage Advice and Relationship Help Forums
  right
Forums - Online Counseling - For Therapists - Link to Us - Advertise  

    A Public Forum Provided by The Family & Marriage Counseling Directory
Register FAQ Community Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Going Through Divorce or Separation A new addition to our forums, a place to go for sharing and support for those going through divorce and separation.

Like Tree2Likes
  • 1 Post By lamaga
  • 1 Post By justabovewater

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 05-19-2012, 10:47 PM   #1 (permalink)
Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 41
Default Tug of War...with myself

Today I finally broke my silence to one of my closest girlfriends that my husband has moved out. I had only told my parents before now. I guess I didn't know what to say or how to say it to my friends so I just hadn't said anything before. She reminded me that sometimes one door must close in order for us to get something better behind another door. I felt somewhat strong when I talked with her. I told her that I still loved him very much but I didn't think I could go back because of the hurt. I told her that when he was here I overlooked or bypassed some of the bad things he did or said to me. Now that he is not here I think about those times and try to figure out why I let him get away with his yelling at me and his hurtful words. This was this aftenoon. Now it is hours later and I wonder if he would come back and say that he made a mistake and wanted us to try and make it work would I let him. Sometimes I feel like this is the right thing to do...to move on without him. Other times I feel like I want the marriage to work and I want him back. It is like tug of war with myself. The really messed up part is that he has not given me any indication that he wants to try again so why am I even doing this to myself.
Bitter+Sweet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2012, 10:54 PM   #2 (permalink)
Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 163
Default Re: Tug of War...with myself

You're doing it because you love the man. You can't just turn that off, even when all the signs are pointing you the down the path that says that's the best thing for you. Sometimes we love things that are not necessarily good for us. As hard as it may seem, let go of the "what-ifs." That is a losing game. Focus on the here and now, what you can change and what you cannot. He will give you an indication of his intentions soon enough. Until that time, all you can do is focus on yourself. Trudge on as if you can assume he is not coming back. That way, if he doesn't, you'll have already begun making a new life for yourself. If he does, then you'll be more in tune with yourself when a lot of soul-searching will be required to make the right decision.
SoVeryLost is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2012, 11:46 PM   #3 (permalink)
Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 423
Default Re: Tug of War...with myself

I would agree with what SVL said, and add that you are certainly not alone with these types of feelings. Now that I am a litle over a month with an IC, a whole lot of things are really starting to make sense to me about my relationship with my wife, and I beginning to understand the damage that I have caused in this relationship, but the hardest thing for me right now is accepting the fact that I am not the only one to blame. Sure, she has had her share of problems, but trying to accept the fact that they were not all in response to something I did...that is the hard part for me, and this gets back to your tug-of-war description, which is wonderfully accurate by the way, because some days, I have felt like I would run back there in a heartbeat if she asked, then other days, or hours for that matter, I wouldn't, not without a lot of changes.
samyeagar is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 05-20-2012, 05:40 PM   #4 (permalink)
Member
 
MyselfAgain's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 478
Default

I also flip flop, usually many times each day. In some ways I am having a harder time now after six weeks than during that first week, I guess because the reality is sinking in...he hasn't called and simply is not going to. Today was our anniversary. Hard to be mad at him today, but hoping tomorrow it will be easier.
Posted via Mobile Device
MyselfAgain is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2012, 04:52 PM   #5 (permalink)
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 286
Default Re: Tug of War...with myself

I am almost 12 months into my separation and I STILL flip flop. I mostly flip because I do wish he'd come back, but there are times when I competely flop and think there is way too much time that has gone by, too much water under the bridge and there's no possible way it could work if he did come back. Both scenarios are scary to me, living with him or living without him. I still cry alot if days and just when I think I'm getting past this I get slapped with emotions and feel like I'm starting all over again. Divorce is definitely a tug of war, see saw, back and forth process, isn't it?
justabovewater is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2012, 04:57 PM   #6 (permalink)
Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 423
Default Re: Tug of War...with myself

It sure is. Are you having more good days than bad days? If you are, hold onto that. Have your bad day, and look forward the the coming good ones.
samyeagar is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2012, 04:58 PM   #7 (permalink)
Member
 
lamaga's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Austin TX
Posts: 2,543
Default Re: Tug of War...with myself

What everyone else said --- you're human, you have emotions, and that's ok.

I want to zero in on something else, though -- you just now told your closest friend?

Your best ally in this horrible process is friends. Please don't keep hanging on to whatever shame you think you should feel. Tell your friends. Tell them you need them, and let them support you. That is what friends are for.
lamaga is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2012, 05:21 PM   #8 (permalink)
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 286
Default Re: Tug of War...with myself

Iamaga is so right. I live 500 miles from anyone on my side of the family, 3000 miles from my dearest and closest friend who, herself, is going through a divorce. She has been my rock through this whole thing. Bitter sweet, your friend is right, we have to go through the bad to get to the good. Lean on her, let her be your rock. I ALWAYS feel better when I get off the phone with my mom or gf. They always seem to say the right things.
justabovewater is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2012, 08:52 PM   #9 (permalink)
Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 41
Default Re: Tug of War...with myself

I am so scared to tell other people for some reason. A part of it is shame. I wanted my marriage to work. Another part is I don't know what/how to say it. I know they will ask questions and it is so hard to try and pinpoint reasons without going through a big spill. He told me he wanted to separate on April 18th and still hadn't told his mom the day before Mother's Day. I wanted to wish her a Happy Mother's Day and knew she would ask what "we" were going to do today because she didn't know. I didn't want to be the one to tell her about his decision especially on that day. So he was kinda forced to tell her. He came by Monday to get some of the stuff he left and he said that he hadn't told any of his friends yet. I don't get it. If I was such a bad wife that you didn't want to be with me any more I would think that you would be telling others as soon as possible so they wouldn't be asking about "us".
Bitter+Sweet is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off


Member Area

Find a Therapist:


Sponsor Ads





Get The Family & Marriage Counseling Directory Help Guide via Email:
Name:
Email:




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:48 PM.



Copyright 2007 - 2013 © Talk About Marriage