advice and quick please!

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#1 Dec 28 - 7AM
littlelantern
littlelantern's picture

advice and quick please!

I believe my ex may be a N.or a passive aggressive - or just strong traits of both.

After 18 months of living together he dumped me over the phone and now acts like nothing has happened. now through emails Tells me i am the only woman hes ever trusted and wants to be friends. ive emailed him once saying i love him and does he want to work it out, to which i got no response. He then emailed me the day before my birthday saying he wanted to call, but didnt know if he should, and he hopes i get everything i ever wanted etc. I felt he was still clinging on so i texted him saying does he want to meet for hot chocolate - ( i thought well at least we could discuss it face to face) nothing. Then calls me three times on the morning of my bday and talks about superficial stuff, when i broached the subject of meeting he makes excuses of work - as usual. i feel let down and hurt - as usual.

I got paranoid towards the end of the relationship as i found pics of another girl on his laptop. Checked his phone and found flirty texts between them. When i asked him about it all he just called me paranoid, crazy and all he can still say is i should never have gone down his phone. Granted i feel ashamed for that, but this guy has cheated on every girlfriend he has ever been with and lied to me on numerous occasions. I just allowed my healthy paranoia to turn to unhealthy and now i feel completely stupid about doing it and am questioning myself.

He would bend the truth all the time. A week ago he even denied breaking up with me over the phone????? the usual 'no i didnt' came out. I cant tell you the amount of times ive heard the 'i didnt say/do that' line. he has me hook line and sinker. AT 33 he looks like a little boy and even when he did used to say im sorry it was with the little boy pout and im so silly and i just dont know why i do the things i do".

Every time he contacts me he asks me what im up to, and then proceeds to tell about how wonderful his life is, when i dont respond enthusiastically he will counter that by saying something he wants me to feel sorry for him for. Like, but my business hasnt done well this month.

The other day (6 weeks post beak up) he asked me how i was doing and i said, really rubbish, this break up has been hard for me to deal with and i feel angry that you dumped me over the phone and then just cut me off. His response was one of shock 'really?' i mean is this for real - do poeple like this really exist? i feel like ive been the one living in a fantasy for not seing it and finding it hard to accept.

When i asked him why he didnt respond to my email on us maybe getting some space and working through this together - he just said - what did you expect me to say? i didnt just do this for some break. I dont want to hear how angry you are.

he used to verbally attack me all the time, for even the smallest of things. The first time it happened was because i scraped my tooth on a folk. He went ballistic at me. swore cursed. I left and then came back. This was the start of it. Ive been called a 'f*&king idiot", :dramatic, mental, having father issues, a cry baby, the list is endless and got worse when we moved in. He had me pinned to the floor once with his hand around my neck.. when i tried to talk to him about this later he said - 'oh come on, we were both violent - we wind each other up." i have never been violent - i have been wound up when he used to shun me (put his hand in my face and tell me to 'shush, blah blah blah, you go on to much') i just wanted to explode and i shook him by the shoulders.

I have countless emails from me apologising to him and trying to get him to see even cm of my point of view. Some i got responses to, but most not. Just ignored. Last week i was told that he doesnt want to hear about how i feel.
In fact - when we broke up - he said - you cant say anything - this isnt about you. This is right for me.

Anyway - i stupidly emailed him last week asking him to stay out of my life, that he is one of the most insensitive people ive ever met, to stay out of the flat (which he has contributed zero to since he left) and to give me a months notice on when he wants to pick up the rest of his bits. Also asking to return the keys.
Of course i heard nothing. Its been nearly a week and ive just had an email from him asking when he can come and pick up the bits that he needs for new years and he hopes i had a nice time with my family over christmas? then his nickname with a kiss at the end???

Does he really expect me to be friendly after the way he left and not angry???

i feel like the crazy one - i dont know what to do? am i reading way too much into everything? advice would be great.

How do i respond to him? ive ignored it for a few hours, but this gos against who i am - ignoring and not responding.....i know not to send anything remotely emotional - i just dont want to play these stupid games....

Dec 28 - 6PM
fooled no longer
fooled no longer's picture

Yeah, sounds like the kind

Yeah, sounds like the kind of MINDFUCK games Narcs love to play. This is just the kind of crap they deal in, causing you to go crazy and question your own judgement. Two things all Narcs have Passive Agressive lack Empathy STRIKE TWO THE NARC ALARM IS SOUNDING LOUDLY Im glad you called him EX. all the best A
Dec 28 - 2PM
Briseis
Briseis's picture

Welcome Littlelantern

Welcome Littlelantern :) Whoa! You got yourself a live one there lol. Trying to make sense out of his behavior is what is making you feel crazy. I don't love him or care about him like you do, so I'm pretty objective here. He's a nutjob. A complete committment-phobe. It's not in the details you describe that informs me. It's the process beneath the emails. The push and the pull, how he baits the hook and then reels you in (only to throw you back out into the water). How he pretends to be clueless about the break up, or about whatever he's decided in his distorted reality doesn't exist. Classic Narc, honey. Classic waste of your precious life. They cause us some serious damage, trying to follow them around, "get it right". It's temporary, but it's real. It feels "normal" right now to relate to him as if you just don't "get" him, but seriously, have you ever had to work this hard with anyone else in your life? This board is about recovering from these horrid, brainwashing relationships. Yep, I used that term on purpose. Spend enough time trying to keep up with a Narc and pretty soon your head is turned inside out. Your relief from this nightmare of a relationship is going to be No Contact. It will free you from the fog and confusion and thinking YOU are the crazy one, but first you will feel guilty and cold and unloving. You'll get through that, we all feel it, and then fall on our faces and thank GOD we did it. A couple of weeks of NC will clear you up enough that you will be wondering what in the world you were even thinking. It will show you just how far down the rabbit hole these Narcs can take us. I am so glad you are here. One more escapee :D !!! Please feel free to post as much as you want, no question or comment is ever considered "stupid" here. No amount of yearning for him in spite of what he's done to you will be frowned upon, we've ALL been there. Never feel ashamed of what goes through your head, it's gone through all of ours. It's the nature of the beast, I'm afraid. Best of luck to you, jump right on in :)
Dec 28 - 3PM (Reply to #17)
ewa
ewa's picture

Yep i agree with Briseis,

Yep i agree with Briseis, after reading only half of your post I can say is 100% clasic N :(
Dec 28 - 3PM (Reply to #18)
Journey
Journey's picture

Briseis knows

And expressed it perfectly. Read, read and read some more on this site and you will come to know too. It can be a long process for the truth to sink in and we are all at different stages of recovery. You will come to see how similar all our narcs are, not in the specifics necessarily (though often eerily so), but in the overall destruction they leave in their wake by their words and actions. AND, it seems they always leave things behind at our houses as if that is okay, like we have been reduced to their personal storage locker because it is more convenient for THEM to leave suddenly and it just becomes another way for them to keep us connected even when they say they are done with us. This site has helped me immensely and you'll find the support and understanding you need here. Welcome. Journey on...

Journey on...

Dec 28 - 10AM
littlelantern
littlelantern's picture

thanks so much guys - i cant

thanks so much guys - i cant tell you how good it is to have people understand! its hard with friends sometimes as they either havent been through it this bad, some are still fooled and some just brand it as 'just men' ! Quick question - what does NC stand for?!
Dec 28 - 10AM (Reply to #15)
Happy1
Happy1's picture

NC

NC stands for NO CONTACT. I hope you have a better day!
Dec 28 - 10AM
Happy1
Happy1's picture

He is a complete NARC and I

He is a complete NARC and I would do anything I could to not meet him for his things. Leave them somewhere for him. Stay far away from him. He's a big time NARC. Please believe the people here. They are so good and honest and they won't steer you wrong.
Dec 28 - 9AM
Hunter
Hunter's picture

Hello, this guy is a narc.

Hello, this guy is a narc. Leave his things outside your door and begging NC ASAP. Read the stories here and join the club. It's hard at first but you need to do this for you. Stay away.
Dec 28 - 10AM (Reply to #11)
littlelantern
littlelantern's picture

Thanks! Getting used to all

Thanks! Getting used to all the abbreviations - what does NC stand for???!!!
Dec 28 - 6PM (Reply to #12)
Hunter
Hunter's picture

No Contact ,And we mean it.

No Contact ,And we mean it. :)
Dec 28 - 9AM
Ava
Ava's picture

Littlelantern - you are not reading way too much into

anything & you are CERTAINLY not the crazy one. You are in the twilight zone of a "break-up" from an abusive relationship with a disordered person. And it is absolute twilight zone. A lot of what you've written here reminds me of the "break-up" with my ex - and that random friendliness after the fact & expecting friendliness in return is one of the things that made me feel the craziest. Mine walked out of our house to go to work one day & just never came home - after 5 years of living together, leaving all his belongings behind. The night before I'd confronted him after finally finding out he was having an affair - he cried, told me how much he loved me, begged me not to leave, etc blah. Within a week he had moved to a different state & moved in with her. Ignored all my attempts at contact for almost a month [even the ones where i was just trying to find out if he was still alive!] & then started sending messages that were super friendly, chatty, & signed with nicknames & kisses - like I hadn't just spent 4 weeks having a complete meltdown after finding out he'd been cheating for months & then him disappearing & like he hadn't just walked out on our life together to live with a 21 year old. Its a complete headf##k. And its NOT you!! My advice re. how to respond to him - take control. Mine left ALL his stuff in the house & ignored ALL my messages to come & pick it up. And he would use it to play games with me - say he was going to come over on x day & pick it all up, and then never show up. Or say he wanted to come over to pick up a few things only, but would want to leave most of it where it was. This went on for months & months & he never actually came to collect anything & never gave me an address where I could ship it all to. Its the perfect thing for them to use to keep a foot in the door, to make sure we can't get rid of them completely. I would seriously predict that yours will do similar. I'd tell him that he can come to get what he needs for NY, but that's his only chance - he collects it all then AND he returns the keys. If he argues that, stand firm. If he ignores it, ok - start making moves to get the locks changed & throw out his stuff. I truly understand that this all goes against who you are, I truly do, but I'm almost certain he will use this to keep playing stupid games with you - and now is the time to start looking after YOU. I'm so sorry to hear you're in this situation. I'm sending many big hugs your way xxox Ava xxxxxoxxxxxxx

Ava

Dec 28 - 8AM
MovinOnUp
MovinOnUp's picture

Littlelantern

Whatever the label, he sounds like a very abusive playmate. And I think you should forgive yourself for seeking answers. I don't think the word paranoid really fits when there's every reason in the world to be suspicious. He expects you to be friendly. Of course he does -- because he is incapable of factoring in anyone's feelings but his own. He is the only one who matters in this equation. You are not reading too much into this. He's an abuser. He's abused you physically, verbally, and emotionally. I forgot financial abuse. It sounds like he's left you holding the bag on a flat I'm assuming he agreed to help pay for. He'll never see your point of view. And trying to get him to will only drive you a little closer to the edge because you're not dealing with normal. You're not crazy -- but he is capable of driving you there. I'm so sorry he has hurt you so badly. I don't think the month heads up is a good idea as far as getting his stuff goes because it keeps him in your life on his timetable. Translation, he still has all the control. I'd like to tell you to tell him to get all his stuff out before new Years because you are done with him and changing the locks... but I don't know if he is listed on the lease agreement for your flat and if that would be legal. So all I can do is send you a BIG HUG and validate the belief that you are involved with an abuser... and tell you that you do deserve better, LittleLantern.
Dec 28 - 9AM (Reply to #8)
littlelantern
littlelantern's picture

god thank you so much - this

god thank you so much - this support is brilliant from people that get it!! i cant tell you! Yes he left my financially up the spout so to speak. His name is on the lease and he wont pay anything towards it until the lease runs out. He told me 'you have savings, you can use those'. How kind. Yes i really spent the last ten years saving hard to bail myself out of you walking out overnight! Whats sad is it all feels like a very big dream right now, but you guys are great 'cause i keep waking right back up! Thank you
Dec 28 - 8AM
DitchHisAss
DitchHisAss's picture

Ditch Him

Be wise - Be Smart - Be Well - Be You! It sounds to me like he has no respect for you and your feelings. If you don't want to play games anymore then leave the playground. Stop engaging him. He is verbally and emotionally abusive. If I were you I would pack up his belongings and mail or deliver them to his doorstep and leave. Then change your locks. You don't have to wait for him to pick up his crap or return your key. Take control. I know it hurts right now - but trust me you are saving yourself a lot of hurt in the future. Do you really want to spend a life time with someone who calls you names and belittles you? Someone you can't trust, someone who takes and takes and never gives? You will be sitting on pins and needles waiting for the for the other shoe to drop. You deserve better! Keep reading on this board and you will see your story is not unique. I don't think you will find anyone telling you to go back to him.

Be wise - Be Smart - Be Well - Be You!

Dec 28 - 8AM
peaceatlast
peaceatlast's picture

It is not you!

Gosh, My best advice woud be to not even to try to 'get into his head'. Do not attempt to understand why he behaves as he does...he is a Narc and therefore this is not about dealing with another human being who plays by normal rules. By applying all your care, compassion and logic to an inherently disordered individual you will end up thinking that you are indeed going mad. Please don't do it; i know as it has taken me five years to 'get it'. Nothing makes sense as he can change the rules whenever it suits him to do so. If you continue to try to fathom him out you will end up even more damaged. My advice is to read, educate yourself about npd and then run screaming for the hills as far away as possible. I am a well educated caring woman who attempted to understand the narc i was in love with for five years even when i had educated myself about his disorder. Trust me. Once you internalise what he is and know he will always 'play' you you will then be able to move away from him and begin to see ' it ' for what it was . Not normal. Not love. Pure pathological disorder. Get out now dear friend!! I hope this helps; i know it is hard to read and even harder to do but read everything and then you will be stronger and in control. The only thing you can do is to change your reactions and not try to resolve it or have closure. Just get away. Big hugs and take good care. peaceatlast
Dec 28 - 8AM
agnesmurphy17
agnesmurphy17's picture

His Expectations

Who cares about his expectations? He will take as much as you're willing to give. Why is it so hard not to respond? Do you respond to every man in a bar who wants to sleep with you? Is that so hard to refuse? Why is predator different from the other? If you want "no contact" then you will have to implement the plan. Blocking his e-mail would be a good start. Change your phone number if necessary. And, to a man who has treated you as you write above, you are not even obligated to tell him why. Drop off the face of the earth. It has worked for men since the beginning of time -- it can work for you too.
Dec 28 - 8AM (Reply to #2)
littlelantern
littlelantern's picture

to both the above - yes yes

to both the above - yes yes yes and thank you. So easy to caught in our own heads. I guess as its only 7 weeks after being cut off on his end, im still grappling with the thought that what i am/was in love with is one lie. This guy has everyone thinking poor him. I cant tell you how much he even looks like a lost little boy - its unreal. really! and this im discovering is how he uses people to feel sorry for him. He is telling people he is suffering from anxiety attacks since the split. He told me in the past he had them. However - in the 3 years of being with him, i never saw one??? he just told me about one after hed had it over the phone? could these be a lie??? wow - im glad i found this site thank you
Dec 28 - 8AM (Reply to #3)
littlelantern
littlelantern's picture

PS - and funnily enough -

PS - and funnily enough - the last 8 months of our relationship thats what i used to say to him. Its one set of rules for you, and another for everyone else....not just me
Dec 28 - 8AM (Reply to #4)
peaceatlast
peaceatlast's picture

Re ps

You have got it!! You know in your heart he is bad news. Now the challenge is to listen to your inner voice and take notice of yourself. Be strong. Do not attempt to explain his behviour away or to justify it. He wll always rewrite history to put you in a bad light. I totally understand your pain though. It is awful when you realise it wasn't love. He can't love as he is a Narc. Keep going!! Peaceatlastx