Home › Forums › Dating and Sex Advice › Taking a two week break
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gama.
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Juliette
Hi Sofia,
I absolutely agree with you,
We as women can’t wait forever. We have our biological clock and no matter how much you love a man it doesn’t matter if you’re ready and want to build a family while he is not ready to do this.
In this case you need to move on and find another nice man who IS ready for this, and they exist!
But I understand how hard it must be because now I believe that the problem of “moving in together” is only second important. The most important question to ask yourself now is, if he already panics over this, will he be ready to talk about marriage or children in 1 or 2 years?
I think when you see each other, at first talk about what he has been thinking about the move but then don’t forget to voice your concerns and that you are looking for someone to built a family with and that he should tell you if he’s 100% sure he’s ready or not:
It is NOT selfish to think so. Love is important but if your life goal (or one of your life goals) is to have children you should not put this on the back burner for a man. YOu will regret it (and he can leave you when you are 48 for a younger woman when he decides he actually now wants children )Don’t get me wrong, I don’t say that your guy is like this, but those are just thoughts that come into my mind and that are worth discussing.
I hope you are doing well and please keep us updated! :)
Amz
HI Sofia, just wondering how it’s going? When will the two weeks be up now? Shouldn’t be too far away.
I hope you’re doing ok and continuing to support yourself… Love and light!
Juliette
I don’t know if my views are right or maybe too radical but I just think about all those cases (that are quite frequent) where women wait 7 or more years for the man to make a real commitment (marriage, engagement) just to be left for someone else (The One)
Sofia
Hi Juliette,
Thank you so much for your input.you aren’t beeing radical. urging this break I have been think of all the points you make.
Unfortunately sometimes even in there are good feelings and good comparability if both people aren’t on the same page in terms of their desires it’ll never work.
We have discussed family and it was clear that we both would like to be parents at some point. In my case I had stressed before I’m 40.
I will not be staying if we can’t take this baby step forward because precisely as you say I wonder what sort of break he’ll need for the leap.
I’m giving him the space he needs because our relationship was good so I want to respect the silence and give him the benefit of the doubt to face his insecurities. But even if we proceed together now I have certain insecurities that I’ll need to address as time moves along and I won’t let it linger.
Nor am I trying to give him a hard time. I’m just trying to give myself all the opportunities possible to build the type of relationship and future I would like.
Will keep you posted.
Sofia
AMZ
Thank you for checking up on me.
The break is soon coming to an end and we are meant to meet on Saturday.
I have been feeling lighter and a lot more sure and less scared. By sure I mean that I believe it’s important to take this step so possibly we can move forward. We’ve never had to make any serious decisions him and I.
I’m not defending him in any way I believe he is sincere and genuine but if he can’t take this step forward it’s a bad sign and unfornutely it may have to be the end.
I feel sad to think like that but i want to stay as realistic as possible.
I will keep you posted. I am still very tempted to each out as the weather is great and taking a walk together tonight or having a meal on the pay so would have been perfect after a long day at work but I’m not reaching out. I’ll be doing exactly what I just said but with my y sister instead.
Thank you so much for all the support.
sofia
Just a side note and something I have beenthinking about these past few days.
Shouldn’t he have broken the silence? I know he requested it but in a way if he has the answer he was lookin for shouldn’t he have reached out?
from all I read expecially on here I keep thinking that it’s not a good sign that he hasn’t but then again it doesn’t necesarrily mean it is a bad one either?
What are your insights on this?
Newbie
Ho Sofia,
Yes i was thinking the exact same thing and thats why i dread the end of this threat by now. I would have expected him to come running back after a week or so if he wanted to continue. But not all men are alike and only he can give you the answerAmz
Saturday is pretty close now! Although I know it probably feels like ages away.
I think you’re doing well and have done so to keep up NC. You should be proud of yourself, no matter what the outcome.
I don’t know about your comments that he should’ve broken the silence by now and whether that’s a bad sign or not. I’d try not to think about it too much as you just don’t know what he’s thinking until you actually hear from him. I know that’s a lot easier said than done though!
You’re in the home stretch. Not long to go. I’m just wondering, do you guys have actual plans to meet on Saturday, or will you wait until you hear from him that day?
Patti
One thing that strikes me. You had asked for a month to move in. He either ignored the discussion or said no. Now he needs two weeks? He already had four weeks! What is going to change in two more weeks? You aren’t asking for marriage. Just a move in. There is no additional responsibility. In fact he would have help paying bills and taking care of the house. I think he just wants everything on his terms. And I think asking for two weeks may be his way of determining if you are really the woman he wants to settle down with. And that’s not good in my opinion. You were just fine when he had his own place and could see you when he wanted. But now that you ask him to really be all in, and he has to figure it out? I think you would be foolish to move in even if he asks. This man might budge on living together but wait till you decide you want marriage.
Pandora
I am not sure the Saturday meeting will resolve everything…. I just dont want you to hung up on this Saturday as an end result, like = everything settled, movin in together, definite answers
2 weeks are not really enough in this situation…. I would remain no contact and stay no contact…
to tell the truth, I would be very offended and frozen by his decision to have this 2 weeks… I mean, it could end well, and I hope it would end well, I just dont see it happening on this Saturday….
Maybe if you change your mindset, he will be eager to follow you… but now you are tooo focused on Saturday, you are too focused on moving in together, to have a family…. if you ease yourself, and let the dynamics change (now he is pressured, and from your posts is clear you think only about your biological clock – not attractive at all)
Can you remember the times you fell in love together? what he loved about you? if you are so determined to get him, then try to focus on your positive side and let slip this control thing
if you can change your mindset, you can get this man… if you can give this a few months and be the attractive and positive yourself and a bit detached, he may want to move in together himself
what are the other options?
1. you change your mindset and he will possibly follow you – few months maybe, just be feminine, positive and stop nagging, be like you were at the beginning – you can still move on afterwards, if its not helping2. move on and find somebody else, if you are so desperate, because of your biological clock – you can find some other desperate individual, and you can get a family in 1 months, or you can try to look for a long time
If you really want him and not only a “family”, you will try to change your attitude
my opinion only and I hope everything will be fine
Sofia
All the comments and questions each one of you has posted on here are interogations and things I have thaught about these past few days as well.
But I am trying not to think on his behalf. I don’t know what is going on in his mind and I don’t want to sit here and guess. I have to wait and hear him out and than make my own conclusions from there.
There are a multitude of probabilities bad and good. He may want out entirely because he is too worried about what he loses, if in he may also just function differently where he needs to take baby steps and be sure. For me it is a 50/50. Ultimetly though at this point it is not so much about the moving in. It is more about his fears and perhaps personal issues he needs to deal with solo.
He has been reliable on many things in the past but as I mentionned we have never had to take/make big decisions. I don’t know what he is thinking and my position now is not to try and guess. It’s to just understand what I want and to be ready not to agree to anything that doesn’t suit me.
I don’t feel angry or in a “fight” mode. I feel more like hey this is where I’d like my life and relationship to be right now are you on board or will we each have to sail our own ships from here on.
I had been making subtle comments about us moving in together for the past month indeed but never spoke about it seriously. it was more stuff like my granmother’s mirror would look good there. Or my antique lap would fit perfectly there. Or we’d have to buy an extra drawer for the rest of my stuff. I had never before said to him my lease is ending in july I won’t renew it. Perhaps it was a bad approach on my end but it is in the past and done. Now i have been clear and I will give him the chance to be clear as well.
As for Saturday I had no intention to confirm or reach out to him prior to our meeting time. I am planning on showing up. I do believe he will be there, I don’t doubt that and if he is not so be it. A clear answer.
I will be keeping you posted.
Thank you for all the feedback.
Pandora
Sofia, can you please react to my post before? mainly, what made you two fall in love in the first place?
Sofia
Pandora thanks for your comment but unfortunetly you are off completely. I have not nagged, I have not begged, I have not pleaded or cried. There has not been any drama there have been conversations stating what I want. And to me that is beyond attractive.
I don’t know you personally but with your mind set you can stay in Lala land eternally. This is not about a clock this is about beeing on the same path and knowing what you want out of a relationship.
An I am not trying to “get” him I am trying to build something together. It is not an ego game to me. And the person I want to be with needs to have the same goals as I do and family is one of them but not something I have requested from him in the immediate future. You try to be the best you can and all in with someone and it may or may not work. And all in for me is Heart and Head cuase I am sorry to say Heart alone doesn’t always make the cut. This is not some Holywood movie.
But to each his own. you do it your way and I do it mine. Best of luck to you as well.
Hayley
Hi Sofia, apologies I tried to post before but my comp crashed so this may be a duplicate!!
Two years ago my exhusband asked for a two week break; it was out of the blue and rather shocking. I did no contact and when we met for ‘the chat’ he said that he didn’t want to be married anymore. We split up and months later he came back to me saying that he loved me and it was all a huge mistake. Unfortunately for him it was too late, I had moved on. I’m not trying to scare you with this, only to highlight that in the context of a long term relationship two weeks really is no time. He may need longer and he may end it with you because he feels pressured under the weight of HIS OWN time limit. My suggestion (which someone told me about long after the split) is to say something akin to;
‘I love you and our happiness is paramount, whether that be together or apart. If you need to be single right now then please do that, if in the future you would like to revisit us and if I’m still available (that is important) then we can talk about it then. But for now I wish you happiness and think that no contact is the best way to go’.
You need to say and mean these things. It works on a lot of levels
1. you are keeping both yours and his dignity in tact
2. you are affording yourself space and time to move on
3. you are demonstrating you don’t need him in your life – sometimes men feel pressured when they think their partner isn’t independent enough / they have to look after their partner.
3. he will see what an incredible kind and loving person he is letting go of
4. you set the boundary that you won’t be waiting for him, showing him you respect yourself.In doing this you have nothing to loose. You will have the space and time to move on; if he does come back then its on terms that work for both of you. If he doesn’t come back then you have dodged a bullet, you weren’t the one for him and he isn’t the one for you.
I am really hoping he has seen the light and you don’t have to use my line!!! Its just in my experience when men say they want a break it is usually their way of buffering a break up. I will keep everything crossed that for you this is just a small blip on your road to moving in and future happiness.
alia
I like your mindset. Thing with men in my experience has been – they will not value you if you are not the walk away kind of woman. If you want to gain respect, you walk. And I think you may have just gotten there now. His issues are silly, I’m sure you’re a lovely woman and it’s insulting of him to assume you’d be a drag to live with. Like I said I would have already walked away, two weeks ago. It is gracious and empathic of you to hang in there.
If I was in your circumstances, I would not go to this meeting and would be done with this man. 1.5 years is not too much wasted. My advice is to walk away.Jia
My ex BF asked for a break. During this break he hooked up with women, he said he wants to see if this is what he wants. He denied hooking up with women but his mom told me all. In two weeks time period I left him. He came back begging me, threatening me, showing up at my house. But I told him I am done. He said I just wanted a break to see if this is what I want or not but I missed you in this time. My reply was if you couldn’t miss me the very next day…I don’t believe you love me.
Until now I have heard he hasn’t been able to move on. It is going to be a full one year. I walked away because I valued myself. If he knew I am sitting, waiting for him he wouldn’t have ever learned his lesson. I am positive he is not going to repeat the same mistake again when he falls in love with someone.
sofia
Thanks Alia for your kind words and encouragement. I haven’t walked because I do Love this man but as I mentioned just above love isn’t the only requirement for a relationship to work. And to answer Pandora what made me fall in love with this man is his genuine consideration of my needs and those of others, his loyalty towards the people that he cares about, are common interest in music, activities and also are ability to talk about everything and nothing. And this is why I am giving him the benefit of the doubt. however I am not in any sort of illusion that all we be rosey if this ends up beeing just a small road block that we overpass. It’s been an eye opener that efforts will be required.
And Hayley thank you! Yes this is something I am definitely ready to do, walk away. And the way you’ve worded it is perfect. If need be this is how i will proceed. And I will not be doing it out of ego, nor to hurt anyone or because i have a biological clock. I will be doing it because I am not confused and because ultimetely I want someone by my side with whom I will be able to move forward and build a future together.
sofia
Hi Jia,
thanks for sharing your experience. I am not a fan of breaks. i had never been with anyone where we needed to do this and this is why precisely I am on here since this started for some insight. I don’t know what kind of rules where established and your reasons for taking a break with your ex man when you did but in my case this is not about another woman or a desire to get more experiences. On this aspect I am sure. This is really his issue with the full commitment and what comes next.
I will keep you posted. Most important is that you have no regrets on your decision and you are moving forard as you wish.
Kayla
I’m with you Alia. I would be insulted and turned off if a man said he needed two weeks to make up his mind. What is it that will magically happen in two weeks? Is he going to all of a sudden get his bachelorhood out of his system?
It will be interesting to see what happens. I can already see that th OP is losing patience and interest herself. It’s deflating to think a man you have been with this longall of a sudden doesn’t know what he wants. I have to say, I would have walked that same day and just told him to get in touch when he makes up his mind. But be aware, I might no longer be interested. I know that’s easier said than done. But it’s not like he is buying a new car. What is there to think about at this point. He was practically living with her, had all the perks he wanted, but now that he is asked to be ‘responsible?’ It’s an issue?
Fran
Sofia, I am thinking of you. I admire your poise and grace in this, it’s inspiring.
Carolyn
Sophia I think u have handled this situation very graciously. I believe it demonstrates true love when u can give the other person what they really need. You put his needs ahead of yours. He needed and wanted this break, for whatever the reason. I believe in a relationship there is never a real 50/50. Sometimes one is more needy than the other. You r giving him what he wants and needs right now. You will know the outcome very soon.
I don’t think it’s easy to find and have real love. I’m 62 and I have had three men that I have been in love with. Treasure that love because it’s not always easy to find. Two weeks is just a drop in the bucket. I have so many friends that settled and live in a world of regret. Give him a chance. Maybe more folk should seriously reflect on serious decisions, instead of acting impulsively.Lisa
Men nowadays need to grow up. They are all ageists and want to be like George Clooney and be single until they are 50+ and then decide they want to settle down and have a family and end up with a 30 year old who can bear their child(ren).
I think us women need to stop falling for the older men and give them a taste of their own medicine. Women are made to feel unwanted and unviable after the age of 40 by men and society, past their prime and child bearing years. If the younger women stop with the older men, the older men can wind up Spinsters like women do and feel unwanted and unloved.
I am a single 44 year old woman and I reject all these older men (55+) who divorced their same aged wives after 20+ years of marriage and now want a younger woman. I tell them “you want a younger woman, well guess what? I want a younger man.” :)
Anon
What is the point of dating if you are so cynical?
Men don’t solve women’s problem. You solve your own problem before meeting any decent man.
Rachel
wow Lisa!!! I agree that some men go through a mid life crisis and start going after young women, however I was married for 16 years to someone I met at school. we split 4 years ago and I CHOSE to go out with someone older (only 6 years) as I found men my age (36 at the time)still wanted to have children, or at least didn’t know if they did or not, and it was a definite no no for me having got 2 already! I don’t think you can write off every poor guy just because he happens to become single later in life!!!
Sofia
Hi everyone,
Just reaching out because tomorrow is the end of the break.
It makes me very nervous.
We have had NO CONTACT. It has been hard I will admit. I’m feeling hopeful but also trying to tell myself that the outcome may not be the one I wished for.
As I mentioned before I simply plan on showing up at the spot we agreed upon. I don’t intent to contact him prior.
I still feel peaceful and calm but from time to time a little voice of worry creeps in.
Any support/ advice/ encouragement for these last few hours ould greatly be appreciated!
Xx Sofia
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