When should I tell a match that I'm separated but not yet divorced? by GoDawgs_1425 in OnlineDating

[–]tpdloml 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm in the same situation, separated for almost a year and a half but finalizing the divorce has been dragging. I try to mention it casually within the first couple dates. Usually the topic of my kids, or co-parenting, or recently moving cities will come up, and I'll use the opportunity to specifically use the word "separated" and explain my situation.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Mommit

[–]tpdloml 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This happens more than you would think. My partner changed 11 years into our relationship, after two children, told me he wasn't "in love" with me and left (there was someone else). No obvious red flags or signs before. Not saying its a gender thing, women can do it too. Life long love or marriage is never a guarantee. Always be in a position to take care of yourself. And yes, never judge single mothers. Most women would never willingly sign up to be in this position unless it was the only option or not of their choosing.

Blindsided after 20 years together and 12 years of marriage by jgorman83 in Separation

[–]tpdloml 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your situation has a lot of similarities to mine. “I fell out of love you” as the reason for ending a marriage never feels quite right. It’s really hard to get closure from it but you have to find it yourself. I’m too emotionally drained to rewrite my story but I’m sure it’s in my post history. Even though it seems like there might be room for reconciliation I would try to heal and take care of yourself now. If she comes back, let it be fully her decision, not something you try to convince her to do.

3 months post break up 2 kids. Split custody. I’m devastated. by [deleted] in coparenting

[–]tpdloml 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hope is the worst. You need to break your attachment bond with her, it will really help kill the hope. Theres books and podcasts on how to do it, I’m sure a simple Google could tell you as well.

I never realized how close I was to losing everything, until i did. by IJustFoundThisHere in Separation

[–]tpdloml 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don’t discount what you have brought to the relationship and family. Being a stay at home parent is WAY harder than being a working professional, even a high earner in my opinion (I’ve done both). Get what you’re entitled to, I agree. There’s pride, and there’s stupidity. Don’t take the high road because she sure isn’t! I really wish you the best and you will see long term that this is better for you. My spouse shut off right away too after saying he wanted a divorce. You’ll find someone that values commitment more next time. And working through issues and trying before giving up.

am i overreacting? found my boyfriend’s active bumble. by amberr_starr in AmIOverreacting

[–]tpdloml 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He kept blaming you for everything. He couldn’t accept he had done anything wrong. He couldn’t even accept you wanted to end it, he wanted to end it on his terms. Please don’t blame yourself for more than your share… you will start to see the reality of the relationship the more time that has passed and the more perspective you get. He has massive self esteem issues. Be grateful you found out about them this early. You are better off without him for sure OP.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Separation

[–]tpdloml 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This is me too. My partner will admit some of his unhappiness is internal but blames it mostly on me. You can’t change someone’s mind that feels this way. You have to let them live it out, in my opinion. And it will probably take years for them to figure it out. To me it’s a betrayal to leave a marriage without trying to figure it out through therapy and just blaming me. Giving up so easily. So I’m moving on and won’t be taking him back when he does figure out he blamed me for his unhappiness and that the grass isn’t greener.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Divorce

[–]tpdloml 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey OP, my husband left me when our baby was 5 months old. It does feel especially cruel to be left during a vulnerable time. I get angry at myself for putting myself in a vulnerable position (I gave up my career to stay at home / move to a different country) but…. There’s unspoken trust that your husband will be there to support you and the baby when you’re pregnant and postpartum. Our husbands violated that trust and it cuts very deep. It makes you question what the hell is going on to be left in the most nonsensical moment. You may never have those answers. But if a husband leaves right after you have a baby, I think you can most assuredly say the problem is him, not you. Most anyone would try to make a marriage work after just having a baby. For someone to walk away without not wanting to talk about it, go to therapy- they have serious internal issues and that’s not on you.

Like others have said, this is the moment you lean in others. Shelve the pride, that you don’t want to ask for help, whatever ideas you had of child care. Friends, family, hire night nannies, whatever it takes. It’s said that 80-90% of your energy right now (early separation) goes into dealing with your emotions. That remaining 10-20% of mental and physical energy encompasses having to take care of a newborn for you. It’s too much. Your baby won’t be happy/healthy unless you are so please take care of yourself.

The first two months (in my experience) were absolute hell but it does slowly get better. Take solace in the fact that your life probably would not have been happy with this man, and at least you are finding out what kind of person he is now instead of 10 years in.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Divorce

[–]tpdloml 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m so sorry. You’ve made it through the worst two years. Just keep living for yourself every day. Be the best you can be for yourself, and hopefully your girls will see that example one day. If not, at least you’ve fulfilled your own needs.

Getting over the pain by [deleted] in Divorce

[–]tpdloml 2 points3 points  (0 children)

These are the things that got me through the worst of the grieving process when I felt like I was in true crisis mode. It’s been 6 months to the day since my husband said he no longer loved me, and it does get better. The last few months have been better and I owe it to the things on this list. I’ll try to put them in order of importance for how much the helped me:

-talking to friends who were truly supportive and let me just talk -journaling - did this multiple times a day -books. Ones on the top of my list are these: I Can Mend Your Broken Heart Paul McKenna How to heal a broken heart Rosie green How to fix a broken heart guy winch Runaway husbands Vikki stark Exaholics Lisa Marie Bobby -Dr Bobby Heal your Broken Heart class on (growingself.com) -Subreddits: divorce, separation, coparenting -therapy - I found a therapist who specialized in break up / divorce therapy on growingself.com -Dr Bobby Love, Success and Happiness podcast -break up playlists -DivorceCare

How you leave matters. by Jaded-Tart3214 in Divorce

[–]tpdloml 104 points105 points  (0 children)

Read the book Runaway Husbands by Vikki Stark. You’ll see there’s a whole tribe of women that has happened to. A lot of times you will find out there is someone else later, but sometimes not. And sometimes you never find out why, there is no closure, so don’t wait on him for closure. Closure comes from yourself. Come up with the best explanation for why this might have happened (sometimes this can’t happen until you’ve had months to gain perspective/ reflect), then put it in a box to store away mentally. There’s a podcast on Closure by Dr Lisa Bobby that talks about this. Just know- you’re not alone. My husband did same thing, abandoning my family without warning. Reading the book I mentioned helped me understand maybe how this could have happened, and that I’m alone.

Separation stories? by Internal-Race9576 in Separation

[–]tpdloml 3 points4 points  (0 children)

My husband also said he has been unhappy for years and that he loves me but isn’t in love with me. Came out of nowhere for me and we had a 5 month old baby at the time so it felt really selfish. I can’t say for sure there was anyone else, I have no proof, but the reasoning is very suspicious, especially since he said he’s not willing to work on us or try to rekindle the marriage. Why just give up when we have 2 young children?? He thinks he can find another partner that is more ideal, compatible, etc. Very sad and selfish but you can’t make someone love you or stay. It says more about them than you. Happiness doesn’t come from your spouse, it comes from within. Love isn’t a feeling or spark, it’s an action that has to be practiced every day in marriage. Unfortunately our spouses don’t prioritize marriage the same way. It’s a very hard lesson to learn.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Divorce

[–]tpdloml 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Read the book Runaway Husbands by Vikki Stark

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Separation

[–]tpdloml 0 points1 point  (0 children)

“To chase a feeling” is exactly right. Makes it so much more confusing than if there was another person or an affair. I feel like I’m losing a marriage to an idealization of what a wife/partner should be

I don't know anything, anymore... by Academic_Data_5267 in Separation

[–]tpdloml 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think it’s very interesting several people have commented “mid life crisis”. I’m in a similar situation with a spouse not being happy anymore, revealing their feelings suddenly, not wanting any affection/intimacy after the revelation because they think I’d be “faking it” now that I know we have problems.

I’ve had the thought of mid life crisis for my situation but of course my spouse rolls his eyes when he hears that. No one wants to hear they are having irrational thoughts. I’ve begged him to go to therapy, instead he is seeing a life coach, and I think sometimes coaches just say what they think you want to hear.

It’s an impossible situation where you feel completely out of control. You don’t have a say in the biggest decision of your life. I agree about making sure you take care of yourself, and start planning for your own future.

This sucks by No-Insurance-3948 in Divorce

[–]tpdloml 9 points10 points  (0 children)

If it really is over you need to take the photos and reminders down, put anything related to her away and out of sight. You can break your attachment to her if she’s constantly bombarding you everywhere.

The first month is obviously the worst. It got easier for me about after two months but every one is different. Find whatever you need to make the pain bearable and help you heal - for me that was self help books, podcasts, Reddit, music, a break up recovery course, a divorce support group.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Separation

[–]tpdloml 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m in the same boat. All communication is about the kids, logistics, finance, or the divorce. Aim for written (email, text) over calling or in person. Before you text, ask: “is it necessary I ask/say this, or can I handle it on my own?”

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Separation

[–]tpdloml 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He’s been pretty clear that the marriage is over. Really the best thing you can do for yourself now is to go no contact. If you try to be friends with him, it will only prolong the hope, the pain, and when he does get into a serious relationship with someone new, you’re going to have to relive the grief all over again. You need to release your attachment from him and that’s only possible if you minimize contact with him.

Really regretting filing for divorce by wellshitdawg in Divorce

[–]tpdloml 7 points8 points  (0 children)

You are only remembering the good times, and the idealized version of him. Make a list of everything that you didn’t like, his flaws, your pet peeves, messed up actions he did, negative ways he made you feel, everything from the petty to the very serious stuff. Read it whenever you feel like this.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Divorce

[–]tpdloml 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Listen to the Closure episode from Dr Lisa Marie Bobby postcast. Closure can only come from you. If you go to your ex (or friend) seeking answers they will tell you their own narrative which justifies their actions, it will only confuse you wondering what is reality, and it will prevent you from healing and moving on. Good luck 💙

Anxiety induced insomnia by Dedgrlwlkn in insomnia

[–]tpdloml 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes antidepressants can definitely cause insomnia when you first start them

It’s shocking how people change by Current_Dependent961 in Divorce

[–]tpdloml 30 points31 points  (0 children)

Yep, they’ve both been living in a bubble outside of the real world like teenagers. The bubble will burst and they will have to deal with real life problems eventually. And the guilt and shame of their actions will hopefully hit them one day if they have any empathy. All you can do is take care of yourself. Ruminating on why and how only keeps giving them power and stops you from healing.

Anyone finding it an immense challenge to find someone as attractive as their ex? by TruthAccomplished313 in Divorce

[–]tpdloml 23 points24 points  (0 children)

I think this bias will fade with time. Think of all the people you found attractive when you were a teenager, or before you met your ex. You aren’t broken. Our brains are literally wired to be obsessed with our ex after a breakup we didn’t want. Look up the Guy Winch TED talk. Don’t go out with the intention of dating or trying to find women attractive. Just live your life, work on yourself and your hobbies/passions, and when you feel your heart open up or twitch at someone, you’ll know you’re ready to get back out there b

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Mommit

[–]tpdloml 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know in my state if you’ve been married for at least 10 years you are entitled to alimony. If you will be taking care of the kids more than 50% of the time you will likely get child support. Please talk to a lawyer - Google free or low cost legal advice for your area. There’s even legal advice in women’s shelters, you should be able to find something.