Tuesday, 17 March 2009
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My BF Has Done A Total 180 Since Our Break Started
I have separated for two weeks with my boyfriend of three years. We have had a pretty stable relationship - we were one of those couples that our friends thought would last forever. We met in university and we were in the same program and classes, so we did spend a lot of time together in and outside of class. When our friends saw us drift apart, everyone was surprised.
I am still in shock. It started about six weeks ago when we were working on a project together and I had gotten irritated because he had decided that my ideas weren't any good without discussing with me. Yes, in hindsight, it was not something worth getting frustrated about, but I did. So, I had given him the silent treatment and he attempted to explain his thoughts to me, I didn't budge. Seeing this, he decided to give me some time and space, but of course, I started to question his feelings. With that, he decided that we needed to talk through our "landslide" arguments. Our talk turned into a yelling fiasco with no end to the screaming because neither of us were really listening anymore, and that ultimately made him say "let's go on a break". I tried to tell him that we just need time and effort to sort it out and a break is just the same as running away. But he insisted he needed a break. Two weeks into the break, he says we should talk.
We didn't talk; he just said he didn't want someone to worry or care about him and that he is tired and exhausted. He says he's reached his limit and just wants to be single again. He said we might be better as friends, just chatting once in a while and without any more late night phone calls.
So over the past two weeks of being "friends," he has not said anything to me in class. If I attempt to talk to him, he always replies with phrases that are conversation closers. We are also in the middle of working on a group project with two others and every time he talks, even if he's facing me, his eyes are looking down.He's changed a lot, too; he's become more inconsiderate with others (I saw this when we were doing the group project). One day he drove a few of us to dinner after class and he had major road rage - he never used to drive like that! He's out until dawn, which he never really did before. His sister has been so concerned with his impoliteness and bad temper at home that she's asking me if he's been like that at school too. It seems like he did a 180 on everyone around him.
Of course, I still care a lot about him; three years of feelings don't just get tossed out the window. And I really want to talk to him about our relationship and what we can do to work on it. I'd be happier if we even talked and concluded that we can't do anything. I am scared I’ll push him away, but at the same time, I can't help but think that I initiated all of this. It was me that led him to change into someone that no one seems to know anymore.I really want another go at this relationship, but I don't know how to approach it. I don't know if he'll listen to anything I say. What should I do?
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Comments (27)
Maybe you could try an e-mail or a letter? Normally, face-to-face would be best. But if he's not giving you a chance, what other choice do you have?
In my opinion i think you've completely lost him...
the behaviour change is without a doubt related to the break up..and the way he's acting is trying to show you that he doesn't care...By isolating himself from the world.
Its not that he doesn't feel for you anymore, im sure he does. But out of personal pride, i think he'll refuse to have another go at the relationship.
Move on mate. You may have lost a friend as well.
I think you need to step back a little and let him have his space. It's not your fault that he's acting like a jerk and you're not responsible for the way he acts - he is, so let him take the fall for it. It may be that he's just feeling really frustrated and irritable as a result of you two going on a break, but he needs to tell you that if he wants it to end.
If he decides that he would rather work through his issues with you instead of walking away, then I'm very happy for the two of you. If he decides he's done then nothing you can do will change how he feels. With time, he may come to miss you more than he thinks he will.
Good luck.
If you're the religious type, prayer.
If you can't think of the words to say, maybe read this to him, or show this to him. Whatever you do, I think he needs to know that you care about him. It's really way too easy to get into a situation like this (that he's in) and instantly think the whole world absolutely despises you and doesn't want to have anything to do with you.
Maybe that's not how he feels, but like I said, it's too easy to get there. I'll reiterate: knowing that he is genuinely cared for is a huge help... at least, it would have been for me.
If he won't talk or listen to you, do what @yourkbear@xanga said. Write him a letter or an e-mail. You can express yourself clearer and a better way in an e-mail or letter. If he don't want to deal with that either, just give him some time and space to deal with the situation. He may be acting up as a result of his decision on ya'lls relationship status but you are not responsible for his actions; he is. He chose to act that way and he chose the decision for ya'lls relationship.
talk to him once, (even if he doesn't talk back) and tell him how you feel and that if he decides he wants to talk, he can. give him some space to calm down. communication goes both ways. not yelling also helps.
Wow I'm sorry dear. This is a tough situation. Possibly try as the other's suggested and write him a letter. Talk to his sister maybe she can get the scoop or have a heart to heart with him.
I hope everything works out.
I honestly have no idea, but I am very very sorry. =(
I hope everything works out for the best!!
I agree with the letter/e-mail idea. That gives you enough time to think about what your going to say so he doesn't take it the wrong way.
The only thing you can do at this point is explain yourself &your feelings. If he doesn't accept that, then its best to move on. (I hate saying that to people. I know how hard it is, but its the only option.) If he's not going to give you the time, dont give him the time. One letter. Thats it.
A "break" is one word short of "break-up."
ouch... i bet it's hard seeing him change so drastically. maybe he just needs time to cool off and get his act together.
I have been in the situation that he is in, and trust me you need to talk to him. Yes he is going to be stubborn and what not, but be persistant. Keep trying to talk with him until he gives in and finally agrees to talk. Then let him know how you really feel and what all is going on. Let him know that there are people that are worried about what is going on with him and that you would like to help him. Explain to him that you want to give it another try.
And trust me that really does work. If he is feeling anything like I was with my last relationship that ended kinda like that then he wants to talk but it's a man thing that we dont talk. And we wont talk until we finally have someone in our face telling us that we are wrong for not talking.
You have not lost him. You just have to get back to a level playing feild with him again and make him see what you see.
I think he's being aggressive because he's frustrated with your deadlocked relationship. Talking to him gently and explaining how you feel in a very polite way might make him see that you still want to be with him and maybe he will not be so pent-up with rage.
yea...i become a jerk sometimes and i do it purposely...especially when something hurts really bad and i try to cover it up by acting like Im fine i dont need you or this is pathetic Im too good for this...It maybe that he's just hurting....iono what to really suggest
@Neclon@xanga - i agree with you. dont let it go until you've done all you can and fought thru...ppl are stubborn but sometimes all they want to know is that u care about them unconditionally.
Tell him how you're feeling (via email/letter since he's not up for actually talking) and then let him have his space. Its not your fault he's acting this way, so don't let yourself get all upset about it. Its his decision, not yours. If all else fails, move on and try to ignore his childish behavior. Either he'll realize what he's losing and shape up, or he's not worth your time. Hope things work out *hugs*
sounds like something i'd do... haha
"It was me that led him to change into someone that no one seems to know anymore."
-trust me, i've gone through this over & over thinking, just as you are, that i was the one that caused my ex to change. nobody can make someone change, they change on their own. it isn't your fault. & i would say just give it some time. keep your head up.
Wait
Maybe there's something else going on with him as well? Depression or some unresolved issues from the past?
Honestly, you simply don't have the power to have "changed" him into anything. People do what they want to do, and they don't do what they don't want to do. HIS current attitude is not, has not been, and will never be dictated/controlled by you, or anyone else. People choose how to respond to things, and change THEMSELVES accordingly.
And believe me, I know you've probably pondered about how the break up could possibly be ALL your fault because you "made" him mad or something of the sort, but again, nobody can MAKE anybody feel anything. HIS temperment and the way HE decided to handle his emotions in a situation were all him. Not you.
If he needs some space, then the only possible thing you can do is give it to him. You can't convince or talk him into wanting to work on the relationship if the willingness just isn't there. And even if you may have felt that the relationship was completely stable before 6 weeks ago, then why would a mere 6 weeks out of the 3 years you were together completely destroy the entire relationship? Just the fact that one or both of you have felt that taking a break was the best option shows that the cracks were already there. And if he's going to run away and treat the relationship as if it's disposable after 6 weeks of hardship, then that shows his true colors... Which isn't a very good foreshadowing of what will happen if more serious arguments ensue (and they always do).
Don't get me wrong, there ARE couples out there who have tried again and succeeded, but they REALLY had to put their all into it. And if your boyfriend isn't willing, there's absolutely nothing that you can do to change that. HE has to want to change for HIMSELF. Just like he can't force YOU to meet him halfway if you weren't willing.
You really need to confront him. Nothing will get resolved if you just sit back and let him manifest thoughts about the situation. Honesty works best here. Send him an Email, or sit down with him alone somewhere and have a heart to heart. If you believe in the relationship, don't leave it like it is.
as sad as it is and as hurtful as it might sound, sometimes sorry isnt enough. you broke that poor man and now you've pushed him away further than one can come back from. fortunately, this doesn't prevent you from moving on and finding someone else, but sadly, he isn't going to come back to you nor let you go back to him. at this point in time, i would seriously discourage you from trying to "confront" him about this problems. people who suggest a confrontation is necessary during heightened emotional periods are asking for trouble or dont have experience interacting with other humans. if hes that angry at you and at the world, he isnt going to be open to understanding your side of the story. any confrontation is only going to push him away more and leave your relationship in a place that will forever be a scar to him and you. i say you sit back. if hes willing to work things out, he'll tell you. until then, just give him space.
hmmm sometimes when peoples attitudes change drasitically there are other thing going on
Talk to his sister/fam and see if he can get evaluated by a counselor or therapist
That way you know he's not depressed or possibly doing drugs
Dont say I KNOW he's not doing those things - you'd be surprised how easy it is to hide things from people...
It may seem amateur but maybe you should email him some or most.. or all... of what you need/want to say to him. I mean think about it, who can resist opening an email when it is coming from someone you care about when there's a rough spot at the moment, and I'm more than sure that he still cares for you as you do for him. So just try an email... it doesn't even have to say too much. Whatever and however much you feel should be said, to get his attention to talk to you in person, say it in the email.