I apologize for my lengthy story. I am new here and hope to benefit from your collective wisdom. Brief History Married 11 years; known each other for 20+ years (have known each other since elementary school; started seriously dating in College) -Me: 35 Husband: 36 -Had what I thought was a fairly good marriage with normal ups and downs. Got along well; did lots together. I now see that we were both conflict avoiders and made lots of marriage 101 mistakes that have led to our current situation. -No children
Chain of Events
Dec 2010- Had miscarriage after several years of trying to get pregnant and undergoing several rounds of infertility treatment. We are both in mourning and devastated by our loss
Jan/Feb 2011 - Husband begins to show signs of depression. He sleeps a lot, even during the day. Is always tired. When I express my concern he dismisses it. Says he is not depressed and doesn't know what's wrong. I urge him to seek medical treatment. Everything turns out ok except for mild sleep condition which he gets treatment for.
Mar-May 2011 - He becomes for withdrawn and distant. Starts working long hours and seeks weekend assignments. Gets home late. Acts indifferently towards me and begins to act more distant with my family members and starts avoiding family visits, etc. My heart tells me something is wrong, but I am in denial and rationalize thinking that he is just stressed out from work because of all the long hours. When I ask, he says nothing is wrong, just tired.
June 2011- Husband begins avoiding sex with me. On one ocassion becoming impotent for the very first time in our marriage. After a couple of weeks of wondering if he is having an affair, I ask him. He denies it, but begins sobbing uncontrollably. Says he doesn't want to hurt me or my family. Says I was the best thing that happened in his life, but he doesn't love me anymore. That he should never have married me. That he has been unhappy for a long time and kept hoping things would get better. I asked why am I hearing this now? He says after 11 years of marriage I should know him well enough something is wrong. He says he was never in love with me. Says he doesn't know what he wants. I reiterate my love and desire to make things better. I suggest counseling and he agrees.A week later he packs his bags without warning and says he needs "space". Says he is going to his mother's house and doesn't know when he will be back.
July 2011- Returns a week and a half later saying he wants to do counseling and try to reconnect with me. We begin going to counseling. He hates it. During the sessions I learn that he feels we are not compatible, that I am boring, etc.
August 2011- He announces he is moving out again this time with another relative. Says he needs a break and space from me. We agree to see each other twice a week (one for counseling and one to do things together). I begin suspecting an affair. I snoop and find evidence of affair with co-worker. I confront him and he admits to affair. I am willing to forgive and ask him what he wants. Says he wants to do the right thing and will break it off with OW and come back home. Is home only 4 days when he announces he can't do this anymore and needs to be with OW who meets his emotinoal needs. Moves back out with relative. I break off non-essential contact with him.
Sept 2011- He gets apartment with OW. People at his work find out about affair (she is also married). Rumors are rampant. Due to type of job, boss demotes him due to lack of ethical behavior. He becomes further depressed.
Oct 2011- He breaks it off with OW. Gets his own apartment. Begings living like bachelor. Gets several tattoos, goes out to clubs, bars. Gets drunk a lot. Begins to hang out with lots of female friends and starts casually dating one of them. He begins to seek me out. We begin talking once more and meet a few times. Says he is confused and doesn't know what he wants.
Nov 2011- Continues to date new person. We continue to talk and do things, but with no R talks. He is hot/cold with me, sometimes alternating between both in a matter of hours. OW reaches out to him saying she is miserable without him and that they still have a chance to have a happy ending to their love story. He is "hooked" once again and they are is constant contact. He becomes more distant from me and begins avoiding me.
So that is the summary. I had a DB coaching session today and was told to begin a mild LRT (less frequent contact) and to GAL. I have a few questions. Does this situation sound like an MLC?
Also, I know I need to GAL because up to this point most of my life has revolved around my husband. When he left for the OW, and I had limited contact I began GALing. I started going to the gym more frequently, took swimming and dance lessons, got a new wardrobe, etc. However, once he broke it off with OW, I became obsessed with him again and stopped doing all these things because I just wanted to be with him. Now that the OW spark has been reawakened, I know I need to GAL again and this time be consistent with it no matter what he says or does.
This is my dilemma. I plan to take up the dance classes again (swimming lessons were only for several weeks) and go to the gym more. However, i don't know what else to do to fill up my time. I don't have many friends other than relatives who know about our separation and are very hurt by my husband's actions. Every day I struggle with what I can do to get out of the house. I tend to be introverted by nature, so it is hard for me to make friends. I would appreciate your advice on my situation as well as GAL for someone like me.
Thank you so much!
M:12yr 06/11:IDLYA 07/11:Moves out 08/11:PA disc(began in May) 09/11:Moves w OW 10/11:Breaks up w OW;gets apt 11&12/11: Touchngo w me 1/12: Comes home-PA resumes 2/12: PA disc; PA ends Today: Piecing