Ignored my gf due to feeling depressed, now she has new bf

Postby FindingMyWay » Fri Jun 02, 2017 6:16 pm

Hi, everyone, this is my first time here, thank you for reading in advance. I have something that really bothered me all along but even more severe now and would really appreciate you guys' inputs. I know this could be a little long because this is the size of how much I am being depressed about so I hope you guys can really help me, thank you again.

The situation is this:
I had an argument with girlfriend over text back in middle of November of 2016 over something quite trivial but I have been having stress and depression problems that she may not know of. I never said anything about breakup or even hint it. I ignored her a few days, she sent a message asking do I want to talk to her talk face to face, all I said was "I dont know what to say, please give me some space, I want some time alone". She then want to confirm that if I meant want some time or wanting to break up with her. She then apologized and know it was her fault, but I didn't have the mood to reply. I have checked up on her social media from time to time during my alone time because I care about her, she did make some posts her thoughts about sad she was from time to time and she went out with her friends to have fun because I know she just want to occupy her pain. I feel bad she is sad too but I just didn't say anything to her. Then until this month, 6 months after our argument, I have learned she has gotten a new boyfriend, and I feel like sh**, because all I wanted is just be alone for a while, not a breakup.

Some background about my mental health is I have always been someone who could get sad easily or just all of a sudden, but it never bothered anyone so I never looked into this problem.

She is my first and only girlfriend, because I dont find girls just because I am lonely or for the hell of it. I love her and all but she did mentioned about wanting to get married and have kids before 30(she was 26 when we argued). This gives me stress more or less, but I never thought about backing out because I want to marry her, but I feel like there is a time constraint. Me being just graduated from college, working on my low pay entry level office job, on top of that, I couldn't even take care of myself yet, the idea of expensive ring, wedding, houses and kids is overwhelming. This gives me constant worries, what if I am powerless to fulfill those promises? what if I am wasting her time and youth?

Therefore, I work really hard, working 6 days, sometimes even 7 days a week with part time job on weekend waiting tables, try to save as much as I can to buy a house, or whatever expense I need for our future, as well as paying back college debt. Working so much also makes me feel exhausted.

English is not my girlfriend's first language, as a matter of fact, she is bad at it. So when she has problem with her school work that involves English, she pretty much depends on me with that. That means after work, or sometimes when my only day off when I only worked 6 days a week. I told her that she should put effort into learning English but she doesn't take it seriously. This also makes me feel exhausted and disappointed in myself because as her boyfriend, I want to see her grow and improve to be a better version of herself, and I failed.

I am the type of person that think I have responsibilities for all my girlfriend's problems and our future because as her boyfriend and as a man, it is what I should do to give her happiness, and this is just the way my mind works. But when I think I can't do it, I will have self blame, and thinking that I am useless, stress, and unhappy. This self-blame characteristic really took its toll on my mood and mental health on top of my tendency to suddenly feel sad. Besides the marriage stress, and the "if I can fulfill her goal" stress, I have other stress that I can't help to give myself.

For example, one time she has to go to New York City with a female friend of her to attend a nursing lesson. I have to work so can't go with her but I was really worried about her going to such a complicated place, even a female friend with her wont do much. That time I will have a feeling that I am useless and can't protect her.
Another scenario is when she goes to school in the city, my house is way closer to her school compare to her house (my place is around 15 to 20 min while her house takes an hour or more with traffic). She tried to look for an apartment in city near her school but its really expensive, but ultimately she found a place that isnt close but still in the city. She doesnt really like her roommates there though. When she comes to my house instead, I like in a small room so my bad is small, a twin size. So when we both sleep on it, it is not very comfortable. I told her to sleep by herself while I sleep outside the couch. She refused and want to sleep with me even it is not comfortable. This makes me feel useless and sad because I can't provide a place of comfort for her.

Because her parents are not living with her but over sea, she has siblings but some moved away while some come back very rarely. So she is pretty much living alone. She has to cook herself, but she, being an art student, her homework is time consuming. This is also why I always help her art history homeworks and online exams because the English stuff can take her hours. She is just so busy that she doesnt eat healthy and stress on her school work. She has become skinnier and skinnier, and this also blame myself that I can't ease her problem. I am also under the impression that I can't make her happy, I just can't help but feeling that way.

Because all of these stresses, which isn't her fault, makes me look unhappy in the relationship. She sometimes complain why I look unhappy. I just tell her that's the way my face look like. But in reality, I just sad that I feel so useless that I can't help her with anything, but I have been hiding my feeling because I know no woman want a useless guy. I feel it is a turn off for my girlfriend to show weakness and securities and saying how useless I am. I also didn't tell anyone because it just doesnt look good for me. Another thing is I don't want my girlfriend to think she is the problem and say things like if it is so stressful, then breakup. That is why all she see is me being unhappy, but she never know the why, and I am terrible at hiding my expression.

Before our break up, it was my brother's wedding, and I can see how stressed my brother is preparing it. Physically and financially. This inevitable project my ability to deliver the marriage to my girlfriend and this has been on my mind. On the day of our argument, I was working 6 days a week as usual, but I got a flu and really not in the mood. After I finished work from the restaurant, she want me to help her with her art history homework, I told her I am sick and can't do it. She wanted someone else to do it, I tell her she really need to do something about this English problem. We went into an argument, she said she isnt a good student and her talent is limited and I told her it isnt about is she school material, just want her to at least mediocre level, and all and all, I was really upset feeling that no matter how hard I try, nothing is getting better. Then I just lose it and say screw all this and ignored her, and makes me have no mood in the relationship but just want to take a break and be by myself. This is how it began. I had been ignoring her, but I still havent forgotten about her.

During my alone time, I was also got laid off from my job. The reason why I work so hard in this job is hoping I will get promoted from entry lever, so my salary raise, a step closer to our future. I even didn't take much optional vacation time because I want to show my employer that I am capable. The week before my layoff, I still got compliments from my manager and supervisors, it is like I am heading to the right direction to my goal. Then the next week, my position got selected to let go. That really hit me, my effort is all gone, feeling disappointed and I feel my goal of our future has become more distant. This really bring me down,with my mood being so unstable that make her unhappy again, I also feel I dont have anything to offer since I am unemployed. This made our silence even longer because I dont know what to say, not because I really want to ignore her. Knowing her has a new boyfriend further hit me.

I usually hide my feeling but I really feeling lost so bad that I can't help it but told my sister about it. She think I just feel jealous after knowing her having a new boyfriend, otherwise I would have contacted her before I know. This is not true, but I feel she would think this way, because it does look like it from outsider's perspective.

What do you guys think I can do now? Do you think she will think the same thing as my sister? Is it possible that I can get back to her if she know my perspective? I feel she really loved me but moved on, thinking I dont love her so I ignored her but that is not true. I really just dont know what to say and just wanted to be alone, that's all. I feel everything is too late now. Is what I did the wrong way to put my alone time in practice? I told her I want sometime alone, and in I just want to be alone, not like I want to be single. This really gives me a lot of regrets.
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#1

Postby hopefulcheese » Sat Jun 03, 2017 5:11 am

Hi FindingMyWay,

Your story makes me so sad because this is what's going on with me right now. My bf ignores me a lot, he is depressed and I think it's severe.

How long did you ignore your girlfriend for? I know you said she got a new bf 6 months after the argument, but was there a point in between when you attempted to contact her? How long were you together for before this argument?

When we are being ignored, especially when we don't know the reason why, we're more likely to think that the other person doesn't care. I'm not saying this is your fault, but speaking from the side who's being ignored, she possibly could've had issues herself when she needed your help. Since there was no communication going on, it's easy to assume that you just bailed out on her. What would make it worse is if there are people around her telling her to just forget about you. She may have felt betrayed, abandoned... I'm sorry I'm not saying these things to make you feel guilty, just wanted you to have an idea about the possibilities so you know what to do or say. If your gf trusts you, she may look past what happened. But you said that she now has a bf.. is this a serious relationship or just someone she's casually dating? I don't know... maybe you can talk to her but don't expect anything (maybe she will get back with you, maybe she won't). If you are in the position of the other guy, you wouldn't want someone doing this to you, right?

If she does take you back, are you sure you can commit to making efforts not to let it happen again? I think that's also something you should think about. I know depression is difficult, but you should at least communicate this to your partner. This will work to your advantage trust me. My bf didn't talk to me for 5 months but I know he is depressed. He texted me once in a while during that time but they were very few and far in between (they were empty one liners too). Knowing what he's going through helped me understand the situation and that's what made me hold on. He's very slowly coming back but still not what it used to be.

I think you should be kind to yourself too. You shouldn't carry all the responsibilities yourself for a partnership -- this is why you have a partner. Communication is key.
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#2

Postby FindingMyWay » Thu Jun 08, 2017 3:44 pm

Thank you for the reply. Didn't expect someone would reply, thanks again! No, I have no contact with her during this 6 months. We are together for 2 years but I am pretty sure I want her to be my future wife, and I tried to give the best of everything to her but I no I am not capable to, that is why I always have this self blame, but I never told her what is going on in my head, because it will make me look weak and incapable and at the same time, don't want her to think she is the problem. Now thinking about it, I should have told her everything instead of just hiding everything in my heart for all these 2 years, and at least I should have told her during these 6 months because all I really wanted was to. I was even too dumb to realize that 6 months is actually a pretty long time. I really not sure this is a personality thing or a psychological thing, since I just happen to have this feeling, this urge to blame myself. I wish I can see a psychiatrist but now that I got laid off and unemployed and no insurance, guess I will have to figure it out. The main problem is she now has a bf, all I can wish now is fate and luck, because having a new boyfriend this quick could be a rebound.
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#3

Postby Richard@DecisionSkills » Thu Jun 08, 2017 11:29 pm

FindingMyWay wrote: I am pretty sure I want her to be my future wife, and I tried to give the best of everything to her but I no I am not capable to...all I can wish now is fate and luck,


You believe yourself "not capable". Until you believe that you are capable, you are not ready to be involved in an intimate relationship.

After two years with someone and a breakup, would you be motivated to get back with them if they said, "I'm not sure yet if I want you to be my life partner, I'm like 80% or pretty sure your the one for me. Would you like to get back together so I can maybe be with you?" It sure as heck wouldn't motivate me. I would wish that person a good life and recommend they go fix whatever underlying issues they might have. Life is too short.

Work on becoming more capable. Stay out of intimate relationships until you have addressed your issues.
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#4

Postby hopefulcheese » Fri Jun 09, 2017 5:59 am

@FindingMyWay --

I agree with Richard that you need to address your own issues first before you try to get back with her (if that's possible) or getting into another relationship. However, you also should understand that you don't need to carry ALL the weight in the relationship. You may fix issues now, but things are not always going to be perfect after that. When you encounter problems again in the future, what are you going to do, withdraw again? I need space myself too from time to time.. but 6 months is like... FOREVER. Whatever events that transpired that led to you withdrawing was a test to your relationship... and well... you already know how that turned out. This is the problem when people are depressed, right... they don't realize they're pushing people away. But at the same time you also were "in need". Had you communicated this to your gf at least, then she could've decided whether she could attend to your need or not.. relationships are not one sided... it's give and take.
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#5

Postby FindingMyWay » Fri Jun 09, 2017 2:50 pm

hopefulcheese wrote:@FindingMyWay --

I agree with Richard that you need to address your own issues first before you try to get back with her (if that's possible) or getting into another relationship. However, you also should understand that you don't need to carry ALL the weight in the relationship. You may fix issues now, but things are not always going to be perfect after that. When you encounter problems again in the future, what are you going to do, withdraw again? I need space myself too from time to time.. but 6 months is like... FOREVER. Whatever events that transpired that led to you withdrawing was a test to your relationship... and well... you already know how that turned out. This is the problem when people are depressed, right... they don't realize they're pushing people away. But at the same time you also were "in need". Had you communicated this to your gf at least, then she could've decided whether she could attend to your need or not.. relationships are not one sided... it's give and take.


I am trying to fix my problem. I will have a meet with a therapist to see what I can do with my tendency of self-blame. As I self-blame more, I feel depressed and unhappy (on top of my stress), then makes her unhappy as well. It is a cycle. I really regret what I did, but I feel as much therapy, I will it won't fix my damage that I have pushed a good woman away from my life. Even hypothetically speaking she isn't with her new boyfriend, I am not sure will she accept me....
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#6

Postby Richard@DecisionSkills » Fri Jun 09, 2017 6:54 pm

FindingMyWay wrote: Even hypothetically speaking she isn't with her new boyfriend, I am not sure will she accept me....


Would you accept you? It doesn't sound like it. You can't expect someone to accept you, when you don't yet accept yourself.

Learn to accept yourself first.
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#7

Postby FindingMyWay » Fri Jun 09, 2017 8:29 pm

Richard@DecisionSkills wrote:
FindingMyWay wrote: Even hypothetically speaking she isn't with her new boyfriend, I am not sure will she accept me....


Would you accept you? It doesn't sound like it. You can't expect someone to accept you, when you don't yet accept yourself.

Learn to accept yourself first.



I will accept my mistake and learn to be the better version of myself as I can. As much as I want to give her or anyone happiness, I need to change myself in order to do so. I have to learn to communicate with people, instead of hiding my feeling.
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#8

Postby in_limbo_land » Tue Jun 13, 2017 8:45 pm

I am so sorry this happened to you.

To your girlfriend it may have looked like this (i might be wrong, just saying how I would read those situations): you say you want to get married some day, but never talk about it and you get anxious when she brings it up. When she stays at your appartment you are sad, say nothing is wrong and then sleep on the couch. She wants to go to New York with a friend, but you really do not want her to go and become really unhappy again. You get angry with her for not learning English, say you need alone time and that's it.

If you did not share your feelings, fears, emotions in these scenarios she will have no idea how to read the situation. It may have looked to her like you don't care.

I do think you understand that now and I am confident you will learn to communicate your feelings better.
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#9

Postby FindingMyWay » Fri Jun 16, 2017 6:20 pm

in_limbo_land wrote:I am so sorry this happened to you.

To your girlfriend it may have looked like this (i might be wrong, just saying how I would read those situations): you say you want to get married some day, but never talk about it and you get anxious when she brings it up. When she stays at your appartment you are sad, say nothing is wrong and then sleep on the couch. She wants to go to New York with a friend, but you really do not want her to go and become really unhappy again. You get angry with her for not learning English, say you need alone time and that's it.

If you did not share your feelings, fears, emotions in these scenarios she will have no idea how to read the situation. It may have looked to her like you don't care.

I do think you understand that now and I am confident you will learn to communicate your feelings better.


Yes I do...but even if I have learned to communicate, it always hurt when I know it is already too late now. All I want is to be a responsible man giving my other half happiness...but all these negativity building up inside me all this time...just made it backfired...and I lost her instead...even now, i still couldnt fall asleep, even when I do, still awake in the middle of the night
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#10

Postby snpchan » Thu Oct 05, 2017 4:31 pm

Hey find my way, hope you don't mind me commenting on an old feed of yours. My situation is really similar to yours, and wondering how has it been going for you during the past few months?
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#11

Postby bloodclartfam » Sun Oct 08, 2017 12:43 am

simple, unless u are someone that constantly moans and goes on about yourself and all your problems ( yawn) then she obviously doesn't give a sh** and you are better off without her mate. good luck and chin up.
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#12

Postby laureat » Fri Nov 10, 2017 5:56 am

Do not overthink about it; try other things in life

I dont know If you think there is still hope for you guys: you can call her and ask her how is she doing and what is possible However, i dont really think there is too much left there

i mean think about it: you have abandoned her for months what were you thinking? now she has a new bf? to me this sounds like its over and all you have to do is move forward with your life

You should trust onself you will do good and wish others all the best: and thats it
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