I screwed up again... loneliness ruled my heart

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Replies

  • DMZ_1
    DMZ_1 Posts: 2,889 Member
    I for one don't think someone should be written off just because a divorce hasn't been "officially" signed off on. It's just paperwork. I have been seperated and living apart from my wife for over a year now. The financials have been sorted out and paid in full. Now it's just waiting for the court system to "process" the paperwork so I can have a piece of paper telling me I am no longer married. I've dated on and off since our split, I've done the rebound thing and now I am ready to start looking again. I would hate for someone to pass on me because I am, for all intents and purposes, still "legally" married.

    This is a very interesting point of debate. I have not encountered this particular situation much in my own dating experience, as divorcees usually are not in my target female audience. It is somewhat rare to find divorced women under 30. Bad marriages take a lot of time to run their course. But I digress.

    Anyway, I imagine the divorcing period of time to be difficult from a dating standpoint. In a lot of cases, by the time divorce papers are even filed, the marriage has likely in effect been over for a long time (the zombie marriage phase) and people may be ready to move on. Divorces usually take more than 6 months, and sometimes more than a year to complete. That can leave someone in a limbo like state for a year plus, and often times, a person is ready to move on and date someone else while the lengthy paperwork process is going on.
  • jenbit
    jenbit Posts: 4,252 Member
    I for one don't think someone should be written off just because a divorce hasn't been "officially" signed off on. It's just paperwork. I have been seperated and living apart from my wife for over a year now. The financials have been sorted out and paid in full. Now it's just waiting for the court system to "process" the paperwork so I can have a piece of paper telling me I am no longer married. I've dated on and off since our split, I've done the rebound thing and now I am ready to start looking again. I would hate for someone to pass on me because I am, for all intents and purposes, still "legally" married.



    Hmmm I never realized this was such a big issue...I'm technically still married. My (ex) husband and I seperated over 6 years ago. We never had any property and the only thing we share are the kids so neither of us was ever in a big hurry to get divorced. In fact I was in a 5 yr long term relationship after this and he and his GF have been together 6 yrs now. We are finally pushing the divorce through cause they just had a baby and I think they want to get married. But I always introduce myself as single and We introduce each other to people as the ex so and so...No one has ever commented on it and it certainly has never slowed the guys down
  • poncho33
    poncho33 Posts: 1,511
    Don't think you should worry too much... how could you have known he was married till he told you? Forget about him/don't fall into that pattern and find a good available guy!!
  • Prahasaurus
    Prahasaurus Posts: 1,381 Member
    You did nothing wrong. Nothing. And you're human - letting your hormones take over now and then is a fact of life. It's what makes us human.

    In general, I don't agree with some here that you necessarily need to wait until the divorce is finalized. Many marriages are long over before the divorce process even starts, and that can take 1-2 years. On the other hand, I can see where some men would use this as an excuse, so you need to tread very carefully.

    But it seems the real issue is his inability to commit. Or, rather, needing a lot of time to get over his failed marriage before he's ready to commit again. Timing is so important, and in this case, things aren't looking good. It may be years before your goals are aligned.

    In any case, I think you have the right approach. Good luck.

    --P
  • AnnaPixie
    AnnaPixie Posts: 7,439 Member
    You did nothing wrong. Nothing. And you're human - letting your hormones take over now and then is a fact of life. It's what makes us human.

    In general, I don't agree with some here that you necessarily need to wait until the divorce is finalized. Many marriages are long over before the divorce process even starts, and that can take 1-2 years. On the other hand, I can see where some men would use this as an excuse, so you need to tread very carefully.

    But it seems the real issue is his inability to commit. Or, rather, needing a lot of time to get over his failed marriage before he's ready to commit again. Timing is so important, and in this case, things aren't looking good. It may be years before your goals are aligned.

    In any case, I think you have the right approach. Good luck.

    Yep! this^^ I'm really not sure what you're reproaching yourself about OP. You made a quick decision that this guy isn't the 'one' after a quick fumble in the hay! So what? It's just a kiss and you owe him nothing :flowerforyou:
  • SweetBasil35
    SweetBasil35 Posts: 126 Member
    Thanks for the support guys. I think some of you are getting things confused a little bit. I don't take issue at all with someone who is divorced. I'm 35 - I am totally fine with someone having a past... it's inevitable at my age. My issue is only with the "availability" of someone who is going through a divorce. I have never been married, I have two teenage children that I've raised on my own ENTIRELY. I have found my inner strength in having been a single mom, employed full-time. I have mended my broken hearts, I am ready to meet someone whom I can fall in love with and begin building a life together - I've never had that with anyone.

    Sexy Boy, on the other hand, is six months into ending an eight year marriage. When I asked what he learned from it, his response was "I should have never married her." That's all fine and good, but come on - after eight years, that's all you learned about partnership? When he said he thinks all marriages are doomed for failure, that he's never seen a successful marriage and he doesn't see himself every marrying again.... red flags went off for me, and I think it's easier to end it now then after I develop feelings for him.

    I felt rotten about having been so affectionate with him... but Poncho, Prah, Anna, and the rest of you - thanks for making me see things more objectively! I feel a little better already.
  • Carl01
    Carl01 Posts: 9,307 Member


    Sexy Boy, on the other hand, is six months into ending an eight year marriage. When I asked what he learned from it, his response was "I should have never married her." That's all fine and good, but come on - after eight years, that's all you learned about partnership? When he said he thinks all marriages are doomed for failure, that he's never seen a successful marriage and he doesn't see himself every marrying again.... red flags went off for me, and I think it's easier to end it now then after I develop feelings for him.


    I am single,never married but I suspect that may be a bit of an unrealistic expectation that soon into a divorce where there may be a lot of bitterness still.
    That is a very deep and involved question that takes some time to wade through and can be extremely personal.

    However if you want marriage and he adamantly opposes it then you are at loggerheads so really no point in going on farther based on that alone.

    So learn about yourself,what you want,how you want to be and move on. :smile:
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    i keep reading this as loneliness ruined my shirt
  • DavetheHYNIC
    DavetheHYNIC Posts: 318 Member
    Hey guys - I could use some cheering up, but I'm not sure I deserve it. Met a cute a boy a week ago - I made the first move, we talked for hours, I kissed him that same night... a bunch. We texted over the past week... flirty, sexy, but nothing overt. I met him for a beer last night and he confesses that he isn't divorced yet. My #1 rule is no entangled men. (My lifelong pattern is dating and falling for men who are emotionally unavailable). I played it off for the remainder of the night (even kissed/hugged him more), but it hit me this morning that I'll be walking the same line of falling for a guy who isn't able to give me his whole heart, if I continue seeing this guy. (He also admitted that he doesn't want to be married again and thinks that all marriages are doomed to failure... I've never been married and want to build a life with someone more than I want ANYTHING else).

    We were supposed to have dinner tonight, so I sent him a text telling him that "I'm sorry I have to cancel, please call me when you have time to talk." I wanted to talk face to face, but I won't be able to stay strong if I do. He hasn't called yet.

    I feel HORRIBLE for leading him on... I didn't mean to, but I should have waited for all the sexy/huggy/kissy stuff until I knew him better. I don't know that he'll accept my apology, but I know I owe him one.

    I'm so sad that I let him think it could work, (by lying to myself) even for an evening.

    How do you guys not let your loneliness get in the way of making good choices?

    To answer your question I can't relate cause I'm not lonely.


    Don't beat yourself up over this. He's a guy and it was only one date he can't be that emotionally invested. He's probably just pissed that you cancelled on him short notice and he can't find another date that quick. Men(generally speaking) don't get devastated after going out with a female once, it comes with the territory.
  • La_Amazona
    La_Amazona Posts: 4,855 Member
    After my separation and a bit after my divorce I said I'd never ever marry again. That has changed since. I wasn't in live with ex at all, I was completely over him and the marriage but the new freedom and adjusting to just you is something that takes time to process.
    His response saying he should have never married her is typical of someone who hasn't healed or processed everything. Good for you for seeing that as a red flag. My ex husband says similar responses (he cheated) and he is now remarried. Again, typical of someone who didnt get it.

    I had done a lot of work on myself before deciding to divorce him and even then, I put myself in therapy for help with the transition and talked to friends and family. I was too afraid to keep things in and end up bitter. I also reflected a lot on how I went wrong during those 11 years.

    Anyway, good luck! Don't feel bad. Live and you learn!
  • SweetBasil35
    SweetBasil35 Posts: 126 Member
    i keep reading this as loneliness ruined my shirt

    Had I let things go too far while making out with him... it could have ruined my shirt. :wink:
  • SweetBasil35
    SweetBasil35 Posts: 126 Member
    After my separation and a bit after my divorce I said I'd never ever marry again. That has changed since. I wasn't in live with ex at all, I was completely over him and the marriage but the new freedom and adjusting to just you is something that takes time to process.
    His response saying he should have never married her is typical of someone who hasn't healed or processed everything. Good for you for seeing that as a red flag. My ex husband says similar responses (he cheated) and he is now remarried. Again, typical of someone who didnt get it.

    I had done a lot of work on myself before deciding to divorce him and even then, I put myself in therapy for help with the transition and talked to friends and family. I was too afraid to keep things in and end up bitter. I also reflected a lot on how I went wrong during those 11 years.

    Anyway, good luck! Don't feel bad. Live and you learn!

    Thanks La - I've done a lot of work on myself too and I appreciate hearing that you agree about his lack of healing. It's nothing against him... it takes time, and there's nothing wrong with where he's at in the process. It's just not where I'm at.
  • pa_jorg
    pa_jorg Posts: 4,404 Member
    I for one don't think someone should be written off just because a divorce hasn't been "officially" signed off on. It's just paperwork. I have been seperated and living apart from my wife for over a year now. The financials have been sorted out and paid in full. Now it's just waiting for the court system to "process" the paperwork so I can have a piece of paper telling me I am no longer married. I've dated on and off since our split, I've done the rebound thing and now I am ready to start looking again. I would hate for someone to pass on me because I am, for all intents and purposes, still "legally" married.

    Hmmm I never realized this was such a big issue...I'm technically still married. My (ex) husband and I seperated over 6 years ago. We never had any property and the only thing we share are the kids so neither of us was ever in a big hurry to get divorced. In fact I was in a 5 yr long term relationship after this and he and his GF have been together 6 yrs now. We are finally pushing the divorce through cause they just had a baby and I think they want to get married. But I always introduce myself as single and We introduce each other to people as the ex so and so...No one has ever commented on it and it certainly has never slowed the guys down

    This is a really interesting topic. I think I'm pretty open minded in general about dating, but I do not want any part of someone who is still married - whether it's because of a technicality or not. I'm not judging here, but I hope those who are still married are at least up front about that fact because I do see it as a potential deal breaker.
  • MissingMinnesota
    MissingMinnesota Posts: 7,486 Member
    This is a very interesting point of debate. I have not encountered this particular situation much in my own dating experience, as divorcees usually are not in my target female audience. It is somewhat rare to find divorced women under 30. Bad marriages take a lot of time to run their course. But I digress.

    Where I currently live most people are usually on their 2nd marriage by 30. Marry their highschool sweet hearts, have a couple kids, divorced by 25.
  • SweetBasil35
    SweetBasil35 Posts: 126 Member
    I for one don't think someone should be written off just because a divorce hasn't been "officially" signed off on. It's just paperwork. I have been seperated and living apart from my wife for over a year now. The financials have been sorted out and paid in full. Now it's just waiting for the court system to "process" the paperwork so I can have a piece of paper telling me I am no longer married. I've dated on and off since our split, I've done the rebound thing and now I am ready to start looking again. I would hate for someone to pass on me because I am, for all intents and purposes, still "legally" married.

    I understand what you're saying, but if I were dating you and you said that you NEVER wanted to be married again - that sort of trumps everything, if that's what I want for myself someday, right?
  • craigers13
    craigers13 Posts: 241 Member
    I for one don't think someone should be written off just because a divorce hasn't been "officially" signed off on. It's just paperwork. I have been seperated and living apart from my wife for over a year now. The financials have been sorted out and paid in full. Now it's just waiting for the court system to "process" the paperwork so I can have a piece of paper telling me I am no longer married. I've dated on and off since our split, I've done the rebound thing and now I am ready to start looking again. I would hate for someone to pass on me because I am, for all intents and purposes, still "legally" married.

    I understand what you're saying, but if I were dating you and you said that you NEVER wanted to be married again - that sort of trumps everything, if that's what I want for myself someday, right?

    Oh I completely agree. Everyone has thier deal breakers and it sounds like this guy hasn't got his emotions sorted out yet. I'm certainly not opposed to getting married again but it's not a must for me. I'm just saying that all people who are still technically married under law aren't necessarily "emotionally unavailable" :)
  • SweetBasil35
    SweetBasil35 Posts: 126 Member
    Oh I completely agree. Everyone has thier deal breakers and it sounds like this guy hasn't got his emotions sorted out yet. I'm certainly not opposed to getting married again but it's not a must for me. I'm just saying that all people who are still technically married under law aren't necessarily "emotionally unavailable" :)

    I suppose that's true... although as someone who seems to have a radar for the "emotionally unavailable" man in the crowd, I think it's still a bad idea for *me*. But, I can appreciate that sweeping generalizations aren't very fair. Thanks for that.