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Self confidence self distructing my relationship

Self confidence self distructing my relationship

Three years ago my 9 year relationship with my ex husband and father of my son came to a horrible end. Things hadn't been ideal for a while but I was willing to try and make things work for us and my son. My ex met someone else and rather than telling me he had he made life at home unbearable so I would leave. This included daily verbal abuse and towards the end physical abuse. The last time he was physical towards me I ended up bruised and bloody so I left.... I never reported out of fear (I was a stay at home
Mum studying part time). I was happy the relationship ended but never dealt with the abuse mentally. I indulged in unhealthy habits when my son was at his fathers - drinking too much, sleeping with men too much. The next man I entered into a relationship with ended up cheating on me as well. My self esteem was at an all time low when I met my current partner. He is everything I want in a man. He's handsome, sweet and smart. He's also great with my son. A year into our relationship I was on cloud nine, conversations about moving in together began and I felt like karma was in my favour. I had questioned him about old photos he had of his ex fiancé one night out at dinner and then asked if he still spoke to her. He said no and I left it at that - knowing he was acting strange. That weekend he left me at his house to finish watching a documentary on his computer while he went out. I got curious and noticed he'd left his emails open. I searched the name of his ex and found a large amount of emails between the two. Now they had spilt up 5 years ago and she was engaged to be married. The bulk of the conversations were harmless although he still lied about talking to her. But the most recent conversations the last was a week before were very hurtful to me. He had commented on her latest Facebook profile picture and said she looked "cute" she then replied that he looked happy in his (which was with me) to which he replied "I'm not sure I am". The conversation then went into saying how much they both missed each other and wished they could still see each other. I was heartbroken and was ready to end the relationship then and there. He deleted her from all social media connections and then wrote her an email which he let me see saying I'd seen the emails and it was time to go their separate ways and not
Contact each other in anyway as I was hurt my the emails. It took weeks for me to decide to give things another go but I believed he deserves a second chance. He is a good man and has done all he can to try and build my confidence in myself and our relationship back. I do love him. Since then we have been on two overseas holidays and had many good times but it's nine months later and I still can't help but feel that those conversations happened because he really does miss her and how can I be enough if that's the case. She is very beautiful and must of been a nice person to of been with him. I know that im not horrible looking but not as beautiful as her. I know I'm a good mum and I'm well educated i look after sick people as a job. I know I'm a good person and deserve to be happy but I cannot for the life of me shake my insecurities. I've been depressed post my marriage break down and now suffer from anxiety so bad that I've come
Close to taking my own life. I just don't know how to build my self confidence back again...... I just want to be happy. Not sure what I'm asking but I feel so sad about myself so much. Sorry for the long post

16 replies

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In response to: Self confidence self distructing my relationship

Re: Self confidence self distructing my relationship

I Had A Friend Who Left His Job As 'A Uniformed Police Officer'

Because Of 'The Walsh St' Shootings

Two 'Uniformed Police' Lost Their Lives

In response to: Self confidence self distructing my relationship

Re: Self confidence self distructing my relationship

Happyness. If you have had a traumatic childhood, it is hard learning how to trust and give love. You love your parents (they're the first people you meet), they can't/don't return your love unconditionally. You grow believing you have to 'prove' you're worthy of love and being loved. You build defence walls to protect yourself against further hurt. The defense walls become 'part' of you, to the point they stay there unconsciously. Then you meet who you believe to be 'the one', slowly the walls start disintegrating. Something happens, the relationship crumbles, the walls go up. This time, they build higher to prevent further hurt. You almost vow to yourself, it's not going to happen again. Unfortunately, men and women are 'wired' differently, what might hurt a man, a woman wouldn't worry about. A woman gets upset, the man tells her not to worry. Jealousy affects everyone differently, it's likely the relationship your partner had with previous partner wasn't as close or perhaps closer than yours. Either way, you and partner need to really sit and talk about what you both hope to gain from each other. If you are unable to discuss, perhaps suggest a 3rd independent person, who may be able to 'translate' what you and he are trying to say. If you are talking at cross purposes, it is hard to clarify what you both want and need.

In response to: Re: Self confidence self distructing my relationship

Re: Self confidence self distructing my relationship

Happyness. I understand how distressed that would make you. When someone joins police/prison etc, they're warned about the hazards. It's part of their job. My ex was a prison officer for over 25 years, he faced abuse/assaults etc on a daily basis, before that he was a policeman for over 9 years, so I do understand. A lot of prison officers/police take 'early' retirement through this type of stress, some suffer PTSD through the job. It seems you are allowing what happened to your friend, to 'get' to you. Sorry if that offends, but if I had crumbled with my ex's job each time he went to work, both of us would've been 'basket' cases. When we hear about assaults/robbery with violence/murders etc, we have to mentally stand back and try to accept this is life today. I agree it's not right, but until someone comes up with a way to stop this unnecessary destruction, there's not a lot we can do. The courts and justice system don't seem to know how to stamp out this. My personal view is to reinstate capital punishment. I have friend who agree, but till something is done to eradicate crime, we just have continue fighting for better justice.

In response to: Re: Self confidence self distructing my relationship

Re: Self confidence self distructing my relationship

Thank You For Your Thoughts

Ive Started Been Hyper-Vigilant When In Public

And

Watching My Surroundings Closely

Im Confident I Can Control It

I Hope Being Watchful In Public Is a The Right Move

Thank You

In response to: Re: Self confidence self distructing my relationship

Re: Self confidence self distructing my relationship

Happyness. Totally get where you're coming from, watching. However, remember, people can get a bit funny if they feel you watching them. You may think they're not aware, but if someone suspects they could be being watched, they could get a bit feisty. I do understand, but everyone has the right to be 'free', including you.

In response to: Re: Self confidence self distructing my relationship

Re: Self confidence self distructing my relationship

Hello @MC84

I hope you are feeling a bit better and things are settling.

There is a time when being "cute" or "hot" or "cool" seems important .. but it sounds as if you are both past that ... if he is smart he will choose the longer term and realise that many of his feelings are just about growing up and not necessarily all related to how he feels about you .. sometimes good enough is better .. than hankering after Hollywood dreams...

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