jdb
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Post by jdb on Aug 17, 2018 21:44:01 GMT
New here and been trying to figure out what the heck happened over the last two months so I poured over a ton of attachment theory and found myself here. Everything I read here has been quite eye opening and really helped me understand the confusion that has happened and why it happened. Thank ya'll for that. I'm hoping some of the long-time FA's and posters can help shed some light here.
So, I'm pretty much a secure type with some AP tendencies which probably throws me back and forth like a ship depending if my AP side gets activated (which is usually in situations where the aspect is unknown). But my ex is definitely using the FA playbook perfectly. But here's the background albeit long: In the initial 3 months of our 6 month relationship, she was extremely AP and I was able to soothe her when needed. For example, she brought her puppy over and he crawled under my bed and pooped. I basically moved the bed and we cleaned it up. She told me that she was worried that I was going to break up with her because of it. I laughed and told her it's a puppy and that's what puppies do along with telling her I had zero intention of breaking up with her and I would talk about our problems first. I made it very clear that if there was ever any problem, we'd talk about it. This happened three times from what I recall for various reasons. Our relationship was going great, saw each other 2-4 times a week, great chemistry, connection, values, interests, sex, you name it. She would even proactively try to find extra days to spend together. We took trips and met each other's parents around the 4 month mark or so. She would constantly tell me things like "Are you real?", "You're so supportive and good to me", and "I'm glad we found each other". She would also say things about how attractive I am (she was way more attractive than me) and other somewhat self-depreciating aspects. Somewhere around the early 4 month mark is when she started pulling. I would tell her something sincere and sweet and she would just ignore it (a lot over text). After a few weeks when we were spending time together, I brought up the ignoring of my comments. She would respond that she was not as comfortable reciprocating by text. I followed up with her asking if I should stop it. She told me "No, I like what you say, it just may take me some time to be just as comfortable". Told her to take the time she needed and I liked watching her open up to me more and more. She even told me she kept a book of the most sweet things I ever said to her. Found it romantic at the time. The pulling continued but every now and again, I'd get a response that was positive. I just saw it as her getting closer to me. Of course, I would point it out and say I'm proud that's she's opening up more. Basically supporting her throughout. We had a bit of a rough patch where she had to cancel for various reasons (all legitimate). Things like she had to go to a different state because a family friend died, her father showed up unexpectedly, things outside her control. I always told her to take care of whatever it was and we can talk later when she has time. Every time she'd tell me how supportive I was. The last time I physically saw her, she was telling me that I was so good at communicating my feelings and she was wanting to know how she could do the same. It was late at night (2am) and I gave a pretty lame answer like I was single for a long time. I do remember telling her that I thought she was scared about opening up and this relationship was getting more serious than it already is. She told me that I was so perceptive. This is probably one of the biggest FA aspects I saw in the relationship - her worry that I would drop her because we weren't at the exact same place. Now, we usually spend the weekend together and this Saturday she texted me saying she couldn't come over because her dog was lethargic and she needed to take him to the vet (he ate a sock). Told her to take care of her dog and we'd talk later. That night we were texting like normal (we usually texted from noon to midnight). We have been making some future plans but this night was looking at houses for ideas for our 2-3 years in the future and talking about designs. She would use terms like "Our bathroom" and "our bedroom", etc. Before we go to sleep I tell her to let me know if she's coming my way or not Sunday. She agreed. The next day, I texted her a couple texts and got no response. Waited around and nothing figured that something may have happened with her dog. Around 4pm, she finally responds. I ask how the dog is doing (he's doing well) and we talk a little bit. Around 5pm, my father called me to tell me he was walking away from fighting to keep his house. Now, I was paying the lawyer bills so I was furious that $4,000 was essentially thrown away. My ex is still texting me like she doesn't remember to tell me if she's coming or not. I let my frustration flow out of me on to her. I didn't cuss her out or even tell her she was a bad girlfriend. I basically said that her waiting until 4pm to text me back without letting me know she's not coming over is not cool and it's common courtesy to let me know. Basically, I was stuck in this waiting limbo and I wanted to spend time with her but she just left me hanging. I was a little harsh and a little condescending (I could have been way worse). I could tell she was shocked by this text and took the defensive that she's still taking care of a sick dog and didn't know what to tell me. I pushed harder that I wished she would be more proactive and she shouldn't be afraid I'd react badly (I'm generally extremely patient). She told me that she was going to take care of her sick dog and she'd text me later. I figured we just needed some cooling off time so I left her alone save maybe a couple texts (hope her dog is doing ok and goodnight). No response. Monday rolls around, I realize that I've pushed way too hard. So, I order some flowers to be sent to her house (she works from home) and wrote a very apologetic text. I didn't explain the situation with my father as I felt that should be done in person/phone. At this point, I start looking at therapy because I know my AP side is getting activated. Still no response. I let it simmer for a few days and Wednesday afternoon I text her again saying that I miss her and can we talk about this. I finally get a response "I'm not ready to talk yet. Still need more time to process. I hope you understand". I told her to take the time she needs and I'll be waiting with open arms. I also said that I think some aspects got misunderstood by text. I let the weekend roll around and on Monday, I just texted her a thinking about you, how are you doing (My therapist recommended this). This was just to check on her. No response. Thursday rolls around and my AP side took over completely. I decided to be insane and record a video saying we need to talk about this and she can't omit herself from a relationship. I told her that I think this should happen sooner rather than later and we should shoot for this weekend and it's important to me that we discuss what's going on. Not to determine who's wrong or right, but to further understand each other. And some other stuff to say that I want to keep working towards "us" along with saying we should have this discussion in person. Suffice to say, it was a 3 minute video but for the most part, I kept it about the facts. No begging, pleading, or emotional throes (except for my final sentence was just a romantic statement). The weekend rolls around and nothing. I decided that I need to just give her space and she'll reach out when she's ready. Two weeks roll around. At this point, I realize this relationship is over and I have gotten ghosted. I go to my home city to be with one of my close friends for a week to help heal and resume my stable tendencies. Spend time with my mother and go to my friends for support. Basically, trying to keep myself busy and not dwell on it. Of course at the time, none of us knew she was FA or about attachment styles. About a month after my frustrated text, I get a package at my door. It's from my ex. I opened it and it was all my stuff I left at her place. Just the stuff. No note, no explanation, just mailed it to me. This destroyed all my healing and really set me back and reactivated my AP side. The next day, I packed up her stuff and dropped it at her doorstep with a note explaining the extra items (Bought some stuff for her birthday and felt like she should still have it and I'm here if she ever needs anything). Didn't ring the doorbell, didn't knock, just left it. Made sure I went with a friend. Two weeks after that (6 weeks since my text), I am trying to date again and just see where things go and I stumble on her profile in Bumble (dating app). Once again, my AP side rears it's head. The next morning, I decided to call her and leave a voicemail saying I didn't like how things ended, it was abrupt and confusing, we had a great connection, I would like us to try again or at least talk about it, with boundaries and some things different, and I don't think you'll respond but I'm betting on hope. Again, kept to the facts. No begging, pleading, or emotional throes. Of course, no response. Right after leaving that voicemail, I deleted her number. This way I could move on. I didn't block it because then it'd be saved in my phone and I may have a moment again and could look it up. This was the point where I realized I didn't want to be with her anymore despite saying that I wanted us to try again. So, it's been two weeks since I left that voicemail and two months since I sent the original text. So here's my dilemma. Since she's been a textbook FA (at least I think so, but it's hard to see all the trees in the middle of the forest but if she's something else, let me know), I'm afraid that she'll be reaching out when her AP side comes back. I've realized I deserve better than this and I don't want to go through this emotional roller-coaster again. So, I have to ask, what are the chances I'll be hearing from her? I know everyone is different and isn't an exact science, but she has obviously kept a few doors open (ghosting, not blocking numbers, etc) and I didn't help with keeping my doors open (note telling her that I'll be there for, calling her to try again, etc). And both of our birthdays are coming up in late August (we're three days apart) so I don't know if that's going to trigger her AP side or not. I'm trying to move on and continue my life but I know I need to have some kind of plan in place so I don't fall into a potential pitfall. If she does contact me, should I just keep no-contact or will she escalate her attempts as she is being rebuffed? Should it be a direct break? What can I do here that'll be the best way for both of us?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2018 3:01:23 GMT
i'm not FA, so i don't know what she might do as far as type goes- but a clean break sounds most beneficial, for both. you don't owe her any remedy for her attachment style, to let her down in any certain way- she's in pattern it seems and you've broken yours. You're doing the work to move on after she stopped contacting you, and it seems really advantageous to build on the time you've had apart rather than to step back in front of the dysfunction bus. not that it's all her, or all you- your dynamic together didn't work out. it can be that simple. so- blocking, remaining severed, would be my advice. but that's just my opinion, as earned secure/dismissive.
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jdb
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Post by jdb on Aug 19, 2018 3:32:02 GMT
Thanks for the insight. From what I've read (even some in these forums), FAs can really escalate their need to be recognized when their AP tendencies come back around to the point where they'd show up to your house uninvited. My concerns is when she does reach out again (which seems to be a well-documented aspect of FAs), not responding may prompt her to try other avenues and/or escalation. So, I guess when this happens, the best thing I can do is tell her it's over, not to contact me, and then block her after that. Now, I've always been the type to help people. It's my core nature so this is kind of where it gets muddy for me because I want her to eventually be successful in life and relationships, even if it's not with me. We had a close connection and she knew things some of my closest friends didn't know. Not to mention that she even told me that I was her best friend (5 month mark - no love bombing). But that is probably just a "hey you need help with your conflict resolution and I really implore you to seek it" in my goodbye message.
PS - This is our first breakup so I really don't have context about her coming back or not.
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Post by alexandra on Aug 19, 2018 5:57:38 GMT
Honestly, I wouldn't really worry about it right now. Just focus on yourself and don't think about it. If she does come back, it's very unlikely she'd start with just showing up uninvited somewhere. It would be a Facebook like or a text or something that's a small poke and not setting her up for a possible big rejection. Worry about it if it happens, because you may be in a different mindset when it does.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2018 10:23:22 GMT
Everybody is different but I wouldn't be back. I come back when I run away on my own, or when I mess things up by pushing you away. What you did would make me think you'll abandon me when I make a little mistake/be myself. Also that secure/AP mix would suffocate me a bit. It triggers my avoidant side, I'm more likely to chase another avoidant since they keep distance and it feels more "safe". But that's me.
If she comes back just tell her you're not interested anymore(although, tbh, you seem to be hoping for this), judging by her behavior, she won't pull. Maybe she'll reappear but I'm guessing you'd have to pursue her.
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jdb
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Post by jdb on Aug 19, 2018 11:11:54 GMT
That's an interesting insight christie.
Throughout the relationship, I made sure she knew that communication was a big aspect for me along with the fact of telling her a few times that she'd have to do something absolutely out there for me to consider breaking up: such as massive cheating, major illegal activity, etc because of our connection and what we were working towards. And even then, I told her if it did come to that, we'd talk it out and see if we could work it out. I know what I did was very out of character for me but it was due to outside aspects that made it kind of a perfect storm. I think my biggest regret here is that I never got to tell my side of the story and explain that this would be something that would rarely happen if ever (couples snap at each other, right?). There were quite a few instances where I told her I loved who she was I didn't want her to change.
You're right about her dating DA's though. All her previous relationships had that dynamic but she complained about that lack of close connection. And when she had the relationship with me, she pointed out the differences and how much better it was regarding our relationship. Seems like a vicious cycle that will never end well in my view.
Finally, you're probably right that I am hoping for her to come back. My head and my heart haven't completely gone back into sync and I am at some deeper level hoping she reaches out for me to gain closure, explain what happened on my end, tell her I'm sorry that I scared her, and I'm sure there is a subconscious desire to actually try to get back as my AP side still exists. I figure the last voicemail I sent is probably a pursuing behavior but who knows if I'll actually get a response or push her farther away. And the note I left in the box of her stuff saying I'd be there for her if she needed to talk/needed anything.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2018 13:06:10 GMT
That's an interesting insight christie. Throughout the relationship, I made sure she knew that communication was a big aspect for me along with the fact of telling her a few times that she'd have to do something absolutely out there for me to consider breaking up: such as massive cheating, major illegal activity, etc because of our connection and what we were working towards. And even then, I told her if it did come to that, we'd talk it out and see if we could work it out. I know what I did was very out of character for me but it was due to outside aspects that made it kind of a perfect storm. I think my biggest regret here is that I never got to tell my side of the story and explain that this would be something that would rarely happen if ever (couples snap at each other, right?). There were quite a few instances where I told her I loved who she was I didn't want her to change. You're right about her dating DA's though. All her previous relationships had that dynamic but she complained about that lack of close connection. And when she had the relationship with me, she pointed out the differences and how much better it was regarding our relationship. Seems like a vicious cycle that will never end well in my view. Finally, you're probably right that I am hoping for her to come back. My head and my heart haven't completely gone back into sync and I am at some deeper level hoping she reaches out for me to gain closure, explain what happened on my end, tell her I'm sorry that I scared her, and I'm sure there is a subconscious desire to actually try to get back as my AP side still exists. I figure the last voicemail I sent is probably a pursuing behavior but who knows if I'll actually get a response or push her farther away. And the note I left in the box of her stuff saying I'd be there for her if she needed to talk/needed anything. Regarding communication... since I've learnt a lot and I need emotional bond before I even consider being in a relationship with you, I'm all yeah about that. But I do not like pressure, I like when it happens naturally, when there's an issue I want to hear about it but not to have a forced discussion, lectures or therapy sessions. I don't like too many emotional assurance because it makes me feel smothered. Short, firm statements when I'm triggered are fine. I understand your side though, it's about her though. She understands you side probably, but it's a reaction and as sad as it is, it doesn't matter. To get her back you'd probably had to reunite on a neutral ground, not in a form of chasing and trying to fix it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2018 13:37:12 GMT
you don't have an AP side you have an AP core. this thread is super manipulative and misleading n my opinion- you weren't clear about your motives and intentions from the beginning, you said initially that you want to end it firmly. then you squished all your words and motives around to finally get to the heart of it. so you're really conflicted and communicate in a very twisty turny way , depending on the feedback you get it seems. that would be a major point to address in your recovery as you work on yourself. emotional intimacy requires clear and authentic communication. i'm not attacking you- but i am confronting the ambiguity of your approach.
so, just keep working on your AP issues and wait and see what happens, no one knows.
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jdb
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Post by jdb on Aug 19, 2018 14:17:01 GMT
Thanks juniper. You may be right and I've wrapped that core into a secure wrapper. I am definitely conflicted, no two ways about that. The two months before this I was desperately searching to understand how someone you can be so intimate to the point where you're planning a future together with could just disappear like nothing and then coldly mail your belongings back. Hence finding these forums, as I'm sure most people have as well. After I left the voicemail, I did delete her number and decided it's time to move on but I still ruminate from time to time about what I did wrong, why a simple text ended a close relationship, etc. I'm trying to get better about letting go and not go through this dance again, but it sometimes feels like a pendulum with my emotions. Usually, I'm pretty direct in my communication but this whole thing has gotten me bent out of shape. Add that to my need to understand what the heck happened really throws wrenches into it despite just wanting it to be a clean break.
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jdb
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Post by jdb on Aug 19, 2018 14:18:49 GMT
That's an interesting insight christie. Throughout the relationship, I made sure she knew that communication was a big aspect for me along with the fact of telling her a few times that she'd have to do something absolutely out there for me to consider breaking up: such as massive cheating, major illegal activity, etc because of our connection and what we were working towards. And even then, I told her if it did come to that, we'd talk it out and see if we could work it out. I know what I did was very out of character for me but it was due to outside aspects that made it kind of a perfect storm. I think my biggest regret here is that I never got to tell my side of the story and explain that this would be something that would rarely happen if ever (couples snap at each other, right?). There were quite a few instances where I told her I loved who she was I didn't want her to change. You're right about her dating DA's though. All her previous relationships had that dynamic but she complained about that lack of close connection. And when she had the relationship with me, she pointed out the differences and how much better it was regarding our relationship. Seems like a vicious cycle that will never end well in my view. Finally, you're probably right that I am hoping for her to come back. My head and my heart haven't completely gone back into sync and I am at some deeper level hoping she reaches out for me to gain closure, explain what happened on my end, tell her I'm sorry that I scared her, and I'm sure there is a subconscious desire to actually try to get back as my AP side still exists. I figure the last voicemail I sent is probably a pursuing behavior but who knows if I'll actually get a response or push her farther away. And the note I left in the box of her stuff saying I'd be there for her if she needed to talk/needed anything. Regarding communication... since I've learnt a lot and I need emotional bond before I even consider being in a relationship with you, I'm all yeah about that. But I do not like pressure, I like when it happens naturally, when there's an issue I want to hear about it but not to have a forced discussion, lectures or therapy sessions. I don't like too many emotional assurance because it makes me feel smothered. Short, firm statements when I'm triggered are fine. I understand your side though, it's about her though. She understands you side probably, but it's a reaction and as sad as it is, it doesn't matter. To get her back you'd probably had to reunite on a neutral ground, not in a form of chasing and trying to fix it.
Most of my reassurances were reactions to things she said and not brought up out of the blue or anything. But your insight is helpful and makes sense.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2018 14:20:50 GMT
Thanks juniper. You may be right and I've wrapped that core into a secure wrapper. I am definitely conflicted, no two ways about that. The two months before this I was desperately searching to understand how someone you can be so intimate to the point where you're planning a future together with could just disappear like nothing and then coldly mail your belongings back. Hence finding these forums, as I'm sure most people have as well. After I left the voicemail, I did delete her number and decided it's time to move on but I still ruminate from time to time about what I did wrong, why a simple text ended a close relationship, etc. I'm trying to get better about letting go and not go through this dance again, but it sometimes feels like a pendulum with my emotions. Usually, I'm pretty direct in my communication but this whole thing has gotten me bent out of shape. Add that to my need to understand what the heck happened really throws wrenches into it despite just wanting it to be a clean break. Sadly, they were not plans but a fantasy... playing with possibilities.
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Post by tnr9 on Aug 19, 2018 14:44:32 GMT
Thanks juniper. You may be right and I've wrapped that core into a secure wrapper. I am definitely conflicted, no two ways about that. The two months before this I was desperately searching to understand how someone you can be so intimate to the point where you're planning a future together with could just disappear like nothing and then coldly mail your belongings back. Hence finding these forums, as I'm sure most people have as well. After I left the voicemail, I did delete her number and decided it's time to move on but I still ruminate from time to time about what I did wrong, why a simple text ended a close relationship, etc. I'm trying to get better about letting go and not go through this dance again, but it sometimes feels like a pendulum with my emotions. Usually, I'm pretty direct in my communication but this whole thing has gotten me bent out of shape. Add that to my need to understand what the heck happened really throws wrenches into it despite just wanting it to be a clean break. Sadly, they were not plans but a fantasy... playing with possibilities. That is my experience as well....I think every type can get excited about a "possibility" but then change their mind. I think at the core of any insecurely attached individual is the need for the other person to accept them as they are and give them enough space (with love) to "experiment with possibilities" that may or may not end up being the case. But it can be very crushing when such possibilities are interpreted as being a real plan for a real future that does not materialize.
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