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AIBU?

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Original poster

Sad or sulking?

59 replies

RhubarbAndFlustered · 09/07/2024 19:30

I'll preface this saying I am was by nature a bubbly chatty person. I love to have a good natter, or to share something I find funny, or to make people laugh. I'm popular with the clients at work (I work in a care role) as far as I can tell, most colleagues too.

Two people close to me said something that's just broken me. Really, broken. As in I'm now unable to chat. My 'natter' just doesn't work anymore.
My chest has a constant pain in it and I feel so damn sad. I don't want to talk. I have no words to say now. They're gone. I don't feel thrilled when my teens tell me something great. I just say, "oh. Okay". Or "that's nice".
As you can probably guess, it was two family members being less than nice and smirking about me telling them something I'd found interesting/funny. It just stopped me in my tracks and I had to leave to find a chore to do or something.

I genuinely feel like I'm being silly and being a sulky cow but I don't mean to. I don't want to be. I just have a constant painful ache in my chest and I don't want to talk. I can't bring myself to strike up conversation or even reply more than a word or two.

I feel like everyone is sick of me and don't want to hear what I have to say.

What can I do? It's been over a week. My son, 12, (who also joined in a bit of the meanness too) has noticed and is trying to strike up conversations and has even apologised so he's well aware of what's taken my voice. I feel even worse now that I can't fake it for him.

Any advice? Aibu to feel this way?

OP posts:
Original poster
RhubarbAndFlustered · 10/07/2024 08:15

GoneFishingToday · 09/07/2024 20:33

I think we really need to know what you were saying if you want us to judge whether they were being unfair to you OP.

I'd laughed at a reel and DH looked up questioning what so I started to describe why it was hilarious. DH, late teen (and early teen son to an extent) basically told me to stop talking and started smirking and holding back laughs with each other when I went quiet. It wasn't just them saying shut up but a few sentences about me going on and basically how they're not bothered etc.
for some reason it's made me paranoid about anything I say and unable to speak knowing that I just get on everyone's nerves.

OP posts:
Mouswife · 09/07/2024 21:32

You are hurt OP and it’s taken away your bounce. You will get over it, but it’s ok to be reeling a little when you have felt disrespected and hurt.

you’ll be back to yourself eventually, you just need to remind yourself their issues are not your issues, but you have to get over the hurt first.

SeeingRainbowsInTheGloom · 09/07/2024 21:18

YANBU to feel that way. People close have the power to hurt us the most. Hopefully, with time, it will start to fade and I'd encourage you not to do or say anything to further damage the relationship. I don't know who it was, but I imagine there have been times when your children have been talking about something they think is interesting but you've had no interest, and have just part listened. Unfortunately your relatives have just been plain rude rather than feign interest, and that's their failing not yours.

nutbrownhare15 · 09/07/2024 20:57

I'm sorry that happened. If they are family members can you tell them how upset you have been after their comments? It sounds like they are jealous of your popularity.

Tbskejue · 09/07/2024 20:42

It sounds like you need to talk to them and tell
them how you feel although if it was teenage children then you still should tell them but it’s worth with teenagers having a thicker skin

WhichEllie · 09/07/2024 20:34

I think to really say we need to know what was said and who said it. If it was, for example, your husband and child sneering at you for making chatty conversation then I’d imagine that your confidence would have taken a big knock and you’d feel down and insecure about being your usual self around them.

GoneFishingToday · 09/07/2024 20:33

I think we really need to know what you were saying if you want us to judge whether they were being unfair to you OP.

LoveWine123 · 09/07/2024 20:33

What did they say exactly?

nootropics · 09/07/2024 20:30

OP that is one hell of a reaction to 2 twats smirking at you