RelationshipsDec 11, 2019
FactSetjavadev4me

Any advice appreciated

The past six months have been really hard and I was hoping to get some advice. I'll be the first to say I'm not innocent and I'm not looking for sympathy. Any honest advice would be truly appreciated. I met the most perfect woman a couple years ago and started dating her. I was blown away and wanted to do all I could. I got a few job offers and we decided to move across the country and get married. I'll admit it wasn't smart, I had multiple offers and we hadn't planned to move but when I laid out the offers we decided that the extra money was too much to turn down (I was making about 100 and the local offer was 150 while the offer across the country was 200). Anyways things got bad really quickly and I always felt I couldn't do enough. We definitely married in the honeymoon phase. Anyways fast forward a year and a half and things had become absolutely awful. We both had super stressful jobs and I remember getting our tax return and seeing a number (270, I know it's not the most in tech but it's more than I ever thought I'd see) and I was living in motel 6's for three weeks. The reality that money isn't everything hit me hard, I had always thought it was and I've truly come to realize what is important and what isn't. I thought leaving the job would help as we could both take a cutback and focus on our marriage. However my wife saw it differently, she saw it as I lost a job she'd moved across the country for me for. Two weeks after leaving the job we got in a fight on the highway while I was driving and the cops got called. I got arrested for assault 4 dv. There was a no contact issued and I was lucky enough to find somewhere else to live. I'd later found out that she'd made a lot of false and untrue accusations although some where true. Then two weeks later my sister got a DUI and attempted suicide. A month and a half later my grandmother had a big stroke. I've always been a hard worker and so for the two months did all I could on the legal front (community service, mental health eval, character references from people like my ex and our couple's therapist, treatment, etc). I'll finally be done with the six month treatment in a month. After three months I was told my wife left the apartment and I was able to move back. She took everything we'd purchased together (through dating and marriage) but she did leave all my stuff from before the relationship, much to her credit. I then focused on getting a new job and was able to get four offers after two months of interviewing. I'll likely make more than I did before. I realize now though it doesn't matter at all. It's been six weeks and every day night I wake up with horrible dreams, crying, or worse just lie there. I miss my wife so much, my friends and family tell me I'm crazy and I probably am. They say I only remember the good and don't consider the negative and toxicity of the relationship rationally. The case still hasn't settled, should be soon, and (due to my wife hiring an attorney to tell the state off and the work I'd done) the outcome looks favorable. My sister is doing better and my grandmother is slowly recovering. My mother is with her and she was a nurse who retired last year so the timing worked out well. It's been the worst six months in the last 15 years since I was fifteen and lost my father and both his parents within a year. I thought I'd had my life planned out and thought I was hot shit. I thought money was everything. I realize how naive, narcissistic, and ignorant I was. I haven't heard from my wife and assume we'll be getting a divorce - reconciliation doesn't seem like something she's interested in and I can understand that. I get that I'm lucky as every week in my group I see someone break down having lost their house or not having seen their kids in years. We didn't have kids or property so things should be simple enough. Everyone around me tells me things are going to get better and that they already have but I literally feel the exact same. I don't care about the jobs, apartment, any of the crap. In any prior breakup I rebounded super quickly, I met and started dating my wife a month after my ex and I broke up, but this has been completely different. I have no interest in anyone else. I just want to fix my life and wish every time I saw a high porch I don't wanna have the urge to jump off it. I'm sure I'll get a lot of comments on here telling me what a piece of shit I am. I'm simply hoping to get anyone's advice who's been through something like this and would be willing to lend an ear and their experiences. I really appreciate it.

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SAP ndj56 Dec 11, 2019

Flagged. This is not funny

Amazon vuskrhiwdj Dec 11, 2019

Get a job and your woman back. Just keep trying

FactSet javadev4me OP Dec 11, 2019

I don’t think it’s gonna happen. I appreciate that but I don’t even know where she is anymore, we haven’t spoken in 6 months.

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Psynaptic Dec 11, 2019

Disagree. Do not get the woman back. You married once during a honeymoon phase. Do not make the same mistake twice.

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Bjwa82 Dec 11, 2019

If I hit my partner they would leave. Not sure what specifically happened in your case but it sounds like it didn’t help. There are lots of wonderful amazing ppl in the world, you absolutely will meet someone else who you can build a great life with - learn from your mistakes and become a better person. Best of luck.

FactSet javadev4me OP Dec 11, 2019

It didn’t we started fighting over the gps and she started beating on me. I was driving a big suv on the highway at about 80mph and needless to say it was swerving. I tried to get her off me but did end up hitting her to get her off me. I was wrong and should’ve not done it. Thankfully there were no marks of any sort but I get that this doesn’t in any way make it ok, as I said I’m not innocent and I am wrong. As I also said it was a really toxic relationship. After I left the job pretty much every night was either being hit, stuff getting thrown at me, or being yelled at. Again I can factually acknowledge all of this but it doesn’t help the emotional side and longing to be with her. Needless to say I plan to find a good therapist after the treatment program and focus on becoming the best I can be before bringing anyone else into my life.

SAP ndj56 Dec 11, 2019

So sorry to hear this, OP. Clearly, you went through a lot too.

Netflix Strngethng Dec 11, 2019

Hey buddy, no real concrete advice but hang in there. It sounds like the worst is over, it's time for recovery. Take your time and try to avoid a rebound relationship, get used to being on your own for a bit first. Glad to hear your family is better, spend time appreciating them while you have them and keep rebuilding your life.

Intuit Toodooz Dec 11, 2019

Being alone can be tough but in the long run maybe this was not the best relationship to stay in. Many people are going through hard times that people are not aware of because we show another face to public. Hang in there you’re not alone!

LinkedIn FUqX85 Dec 11, 2019

It's heart breaking to read your post. Sorry you find yourself at a low point. I don't have much advise on whether you should try to get back with your wife because you have not given much detail on what happened. But I will tell you this - you need to take it easy on yourself and others. If you can't change the outcome, you have to let the situation play out for itself and accept it. Quit worrying over everything happening to everyone in your life. Second - though not the most important, money is important. How much depends on the individuals. Nothing right or wrong about it. Lastly, faith in a love and force greater than the mortal world, has helped me get through many storms in my life.

FactSet javadev4me OP Dec 11, 2019

That’s a good point. Yea before I thought I was in control, now I realize how little control I have or ever had. If nothing else it’s been really enlightening. You’re probably right going to a good church wouldn’t hurt either.

Uber bckfcal Dec 13, 2019

Great wisdom from LinkedIn :)

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dunca Dec 11, 2019

What an amazing second chance you got! Move into a new apartment, forget about your ex, and start fresh.

FactSet javadev4me OP Dec 11, 2019

You’re completely right I should feel extremely blessed. I understand I’m super fortunate. I just don’t feel it. As I said I literally hate my life and every day wake up, go to bed, etc completely miserable. People have said time but nothing has changed. Other have said get under someone to get over someone, I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else-the thought makes me sick. Do you have any advice on how to actually be able to do this?

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dunca Dec 11, 2019

Mental changes are the hardest, you have to make changes in the four parts of your being (physical, cognitive, spiritual and environment). You got a new job that's a start. I would try one or more of the following tactics: 1. Start volunteering for a non profit and a cause you care about. There are tons of inner city after school programs, animal shelters, museums, the Opera, community charities that you can get involved with. 2. The therapist will help you with the cognitive stuff. Friends, new ones especially can be helpful here too. 3. Don't discount the spiritual option, once a week do something that feeds your spirit. Just being in nature can do it... But everyone is different. 4. Change your environment. This is where a new apt, a new favorite coffee shop, a new neighborhood I know it's easier said than done, but stop your self when you find your thoughts going to your ex. Train yourself until it becomes easier. Or just let it be and get really busy until you naturally forget her.

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IWantPI Dec 11, 2019

This is life, lots of good and bad shit. At least you have a chance at a fresh start now. The fact that you’re owning up to your shit and acknowledging things means you’re at least self-aware and reflective. Take this opportunity to start anew and set yourself to a better and more positive road ahead for yourself. Best of luck.

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Psynaptic Dec 11, 2019

Jesus. What a shitshow. This is beyond anyone here's advisory expertise. I think the best we can do is press F to give our condolences. Also... Why is it to your wife's credit that she didn't take anything from before the marriage? Is it possible to get credit for being a human being with a shred of decency?

FactSet javadev4me OP Dec 11, 2019

A lot of times the other person will take everything. It shows she’s not vindictive or a bad person, at least to me. She easily could have disposed of everything and chose not to.

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Psynaptic Dec 11, 2019

Yeah, but taking everything is not the neutral position. What your wife did is. She deserves neither credit not debit for her actions. Had she left you more, she deserves credit. Had she taken more, she deserves debit of blame

SAP drdrp Dec 11, 2019

You seem to be in a good path. I've been to an ugly divorce myself - with kids and estate - after 18 years. My ground disappeared under my feet. I'm doing better than never now. It's been 10 years. The path was therapy, friends, and a tough journey into self-knowledge, getting to know who I really am, and what makes sense for me. I read a book by a Colombian guy called Jaime Jaramillo, maybe you find it in English, it's called sth like "I love you but I'm happy without you". Hang in there. Search inside yourself and write your own story, one that makes sense to you. It'll be worth it! :)