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I Live In a Sexless Marriage

I Am Confused

By: notalright
Written on July 6th, 2012
I am upside down and turned about today. So, very confused. I finally told my H that I wanted to move out and he is so upset and he doesn't want me to leave and he is willing to do anything. It is all my fault because I am not recognising his efforts to fix the marriage. He says he only understands now what I want. So, he asked me out on a date. I was shocked, I stumbled about and said sure, (that was yesterday). I thought about it overnight and told him today that I would really like to go and now he says he doesn't think it will be fun because we will just talk about our problems all the way to the movies and then it will be no fun for him. He says he has been really trying, doing little stuff, talking to me about the book he was reading, listening to the news so that he could have a discussion with me about it, buying me a birthday present this year. He has done those things, yes. It just doesn't seem like an effort.He also says that thinking about me is difficult for him because the things of life get in the way and he forgets. He also says he really doesn't like to be with me right now. So, what does he want? He also says he doesn't know if he can actually change, been this way for too long. He says he thought he was being nice to me by not having intimate relations because he didn't think I would want to do what he wanted to do. Then he says he is not really even sure if his fantasies would be what he wants because after all they are just fantasies. I finally, got him to tell me one, nothing out of the ordinary at all. I am so confused. He says he avoided *** and refused to be kind??? I telll him it is not a loving thing to refuse someone and he says he didn't see it that way. Then he says he doesn't find me attractive that way. Then he tells me he has fantasies about me. So, which is real? Why is this happening? People around me are telling me that he is very controlling. Is this what it is about? My EP friends please help.
By: notalright
Age: 51-55
494 people have read this story

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21 responses
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    GibbySan
    GibbySan

    "People around me are telling me that he is very controlling."



    The people around you are right.



    K9sportchick above is married to a narcissist and it sounds like you are as well. Please look up "gaslighting". An example of this is when he asks you out on a date, you agree, and then he says he doesn't think it will be fun.



    Everything he says is meant to keep you confused, guessing, and questioning your own sanity.



    People like this DO NOT CHANGE.

    Jul 7, 2012
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    Warriorpoett
    Warriorpoett

    Big song and dance routine just designed to keep you confused and not making any moves toward the door. He's a bullshit artist of the first order. But he did give you one piece of truth I think by accident.



    "He also says he really doesn't like to be with me right now."



    "Then he says he doesn't find me attractive that way."



    Those statements are the absolute truth which I think he screwed up and admitted to by mistake. Either one of those statements says "I NO LONGER LOVE YOU" quite clearly. They say I am tolerating you in this house because you provide valuable services such as maid and laundry and cooking and other sundry services. It's up to you to get out your bullshit detector and start seeing the truth. You are being played now because if he can keep you off balance then he can keep you hanging on to hope and keep the services in place which is a primary goal.



    Deadwood **** is controlling you and pushing you around to keep you in play on the field when you should be running like hell for the exit. Get smart tell yourself the truth about what's going on and kick this jackass to the curb and get on with life there's nothing for you in his clutches except servitude.

    Jul 6, 2012
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      notalright
      notalright

      Thank you for your reply. He says that he loved me in part because of the way I loved him. And now it seems that I don't believe in him any more. So he is hurt and upset. How could he not love me and be so upset about the idea of me leaving. It can't be just maid services and such. Ouch.

      Jul 6, 2012
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      Warriorpoett
      Warriorpoett

      That maid service and all that other stuff is important but the major thing you do is make him appear normal to family and friends. His cushy little life will come to an end and he will have to take responsibility for himself and refusers for the most part just absolutely hate that. Also the secret that he is a Dickless Wonder will be out and that will really mind **** him. So keeping you in your place is critical to keeping his crap under control. He's also a narcissistic ******* he loved you because of the way you adored him how awful for you.

      Jul 6, 2012
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      notalright
      notalright

      Thank you, again, I have learned so much from everyone here. Often painful stuff, but I am grateful. Even when it hurts I like reality better.

      Jul 6, 2012
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      Warriorpoett
      Warriorpoett

      Look way back into my back stories and you will find an article that I wrote about Narcissists maybe it will help you understand what you are dealing with.
      http://www.experienceproject.com/stories/Live-In-A-Sexless-Marriage/1448007

      Jul 6, 2012
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    k9sportchick
    k9sportchick

    I have followed your stories here and I am beginning to think we married the same man, or at the very least they use the same “play book” when communicating.



    Of course you are confused and, he likes it that way. Confusion fosters guilt and self-doubt and so will prevent you from acting in your own best interest in regard to the relationship … or so he hopes. Everything in your post (attributed to him) is either a re-write of reality (gas-lighting) or an attempt to blame you (deflection, defensiveness) or whining-baby “but I thought I was being nice” drivel. HE IS MANIPULATING YOU! And how about this passive-aggressive gem … “I really want to go” on a date but I don’t “think it will be fun” because you will want to “talk about our problems”? MORE MANIPULATION!



    You asked “what does he want” … he wants a “perfect wife” which means a woman who will always reflect his imaginary perfect self-image back to him, an adoring/agreeable woman who has no emotional needs of her own and therefore will not require anything of him. He is most certainly a narcissist, devoid of empathy; he does have emotions (mostly rage and shame) but you will never see them (except through displays of self-pity or anger) because he ruthlessly ignores them.



    I don’t mean to be harsh and I am truly sympathetic to your situation, however you need outside perspective to see the truth because narcissists are expert pretenders and spin-doctors and will manipulate you to the point where you doubt your own sense of reality.

    Jul 6, 2012
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      notalright
      notalright

      Thank you for your reply, I am glad you are harsh. I get all muddled up when we talk. I just get feeling like I have a good path and he does this reversal and guilt talk. And I feel bad. You really are right on the nose with your comment of what does he want. Are you still with your H? What is going to happen when I leave?

      Jul 6, 2012
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      k9sportchick
      k9sportchick

      Of course you get “muddled up” (anyone would) because you are conversing with a person who is “making it up as they go”, i.e. inventing reality in real-time. And, if your narcissist is very intelligent (as mine is), then he will be exceptionally good at this. Your best bet is to not engage him in any relationship talk at all and continue with your plans to leave. Or, if you find yourself entrapped in one of these conversations, at his first statement that you know is not in line with the truth say “What?” (insert incredulous tone of voice) and then walk away, refuse to engage in further talk, go and do some other activity, leave the house if you have to.

      I cannot tell you what will happen when you leave, all I can say is that one of two things usually happens with a narcissist … they either immediately find another partner (victim) to give them the adoration they crave or they will stalk and plead with you to return to them.

      Jul 7, 2012
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    nyartgal
    nyartgal

    I think this as a clear case of DTMF (Dump the Motherf*cker) as I have ever heard in my entire life. He does not want you, and he never will. I'm sorry. You could do better than this if you were married to a houseplant. DTMF! Life will improve instantaneously.

    Jul 6, 2012
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    riley7253
    riley7253

    The excuses and promises never stop.

    Jul 6, 2012
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    paxetlux
    paxetlux

    Excuses, excuses, and even more excuses. Nothing but excuses. It gets old. If he could just listen to himself he would be embarrassed. Maybe.

    Jul 6, 2012
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    nonookie
    nonookie

    If your husband is anywhere near as bad as you describe him, why do you consider the marriage worth saving?



    He wants brownie points for talking to you, and buying you a birthday present? On top of that he isn't interested in having sex with you and doesn't find you attractive. Is there anything redeemable about him that keeps you from throwing in the towel?

    Jul 6, 2012
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    bazzar
    bazzar

    This is essentially the same story as last time - that time,about the counselling.



    At that point he did all these same things then and was "going to improve" and did **** all, like the time before, and the time before that.



    Here, in the face of a REAL threat to his cosy existence, he reverts to type. Again.



    I think it would be wise to withdraw from the date - after all, he could take one of his many stick books with him and twang off under the table instead.



    It would be wise to re-state your position, wiser still to carry it through.



    And people tell you he's a bit controlling ??? Geez, d'ya reckon ????



    Tread your own path.

    Jul 6, 2012
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      notalright
      notalright

      Thank you for your comment, I am so grateful for your insights. I know this is not quite believable but I never actually thought of him being controlling, the counsellor first suggested it. I just thought he was a bit of a perfectionist and wanted things done well and he knew how to do things well. The control is subtle and put in the light of just caring about what I am doing and making good decisions. I wonder if the refusal part is about control mainly, but the why is still alluding me. And from all the stories and comments I have read may always allude me. The counsellor says that whys don't matter as long as the behaviour changes but, I don't think you can change a behaviour that you don't understand. Is that true?

      Jul 6, 2012
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      bazzar
      bazzar

      I'd say that it probably is true. I'd also say that it doesn't matter a real lot whether its true or not. He IS a manipulative controlling *****. That's the fact. Knowing "why" he is a manipulative controlling ***** doesn't actually advance YOUR agenda in any way. Getting out is what advances YOUR agenda.

      Jul 6, 2012
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      notalright
      notalright

      thank you again, is it always like this, so confusing. How do you ever really know if you have tried hard enough. He keeps saying I am impatient and not giving him enough time, and I admit, I am protective of myself. I want to leave because it is painful here, I am losing hope he will ever change.

      Jul 6, 2012
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      bazzar
      bazzar

      It is good that you are losing hope. As far as this relationship goes, hope is your enemy. And he is playing on your 'hope' with everything he's got.

      Jul 6, 2012
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      notalright
      notalright

      Is there any pattern to what will happen next? So, when I tell him I have found an apartment, what is he going to say/do? I don't have a clue how he will react. If I find an apartment should I tell him I am leaving the day before? Or should I give him time to adjust? I am really nervous.

      Jul 6, 2012
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      bazzar
      bazzar

      This is a personal opinion only. I would tell him precisely nothing. If possible, not even the address of my new place. I would want a clean and definite break and I would not want to see him, talk to him, or have any contact with him at all until such time as I felt that I could have a relationship with him - as my ex - on MY terms. But again, that's me. I ain't you. As regards what will likely happen next ? He will redouble his efforts to bring you back under his control. That is, IF YOU ENGAGE HIM. I would not engage him. He is pretty good at this manipulative stuff. Way better than you are at resisting it.

      Jul 6, 2012
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      notalright
      notalright

      Thank you bazzar, I really appreciate your reply, unfortunately we have a business together so there will have to be contact but, I will take your advice and keep my mouth shut about moving until it is time. You are absolutely right I am not at all good at resisting the manipulation. I want to make it right even if I leave. Well, in a way I have to find a way, as I said we work together, Thanks again so much

      Jul 6, 2012
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