Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think my relationship is okay?

59 replies

O6bftdff · 14/12/2024 22:29

Just curious really after a conversation with friends.

I’m 36, and for a fair few years now I’ve had a very casual relationship with someone who started out as a good friend. We both own our own houses and have no thoughts of living together. We text several times a day, but only see each other every couple of weeks where we usually have a few drinks, play quizzes, darts, pool or whatever and stay at one of our houses. We never argue.

I’d walk away if I found out he had cheated, and I’m sure he would me. It started out a lot more casual fun maybe ten years ago, and a couple of times it’s been broken off because I’ve met another man who seemed to want a more conventional relationship. I always end up regretting it, the relationship fails and I go back to this man. After the last time it seemed to get slightly more serious and we wouldn’t see anyone else now, we go on holiday etc, but it remains casual.

I am happy. My friends think it’s not a real relationship and I should be demanding more of him, but honestly I’m happy with things as they are. Am I being foolish and will look back and regret not getting myself on Tinder to find someone who wants to do the whole living together, marriage thing?

OP posts:
TTPDTS · 14/12/2024 23:24

Personally it doesn't sound like a relationship to me - more of a strong friendship? But if it makes you happy and fulfills what you want, I don't see why it can't be a relationship for you!

I'd probably make sure a real life friend in your situation was genuinely happy and if they were, not have a second thought.

arethereanyleftatall · 14/12/2024 23:20

Op, gently, you're being bonkers.

If you're happy with it, then you're happy with it

Whether your friend or whether society thinks you should be happy with it or not is irrelevant.

Heres my list of things that many in society can't seem to handle that for some people it's preferable;
1, being single
2, only wanting casual relationships
3, preferring to be home rather than out

  1. Being alone
raysan · 14/12/2024 23:18

I think it sounds lovely. Quiz, drinks, good chat & a bit of action. Without the irritation of cohabiting.
Maybe it won't last forever but who says it has to? Neither do traditional relationships (that meet your friends' definitions)

Endofyear · 14/12/2024 23:13

I think if you're happy and it works for you, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks! Are you in love with him? Would you like to see him more often? Only you can decide if what you have is enough for you.

O6bftdff · 14/12/2024 23:05

MuddyPawsIndoors · 14/12/2024 22:39

At 36, yes I think you might regret it.

You've just described my friend's relationship but they're both in their 60s.

Does she regret it?

OP posts:
O6bftdff · 14/12/2024 23:05

Nodlikeyouwerelistening · 14/12/2024 22:37

You’ve missed out the crucial detail. Do you want marriage, kids, the usual shebang at some point in the future, or is it a hard no? If you don’t then who cares what anyone else says? If it’s bothering you what your friends are saying, is that because on some level you do want those things and know it’s not with him?

Don’t want kids, indifferent to marriage. It doesn’t bother me as such, it just had me pondering it - whether it’s okay to be happy with things as they are or whether I’m being stupid not to try and find something more traditional.

OP posts:
MuddyPawsIndoors · 14/12/2024 22:39

At 36, yes I think you might regret it.

You've just described my friend's relationship but they're both in their 60s.

Nodlikeyouwerelistening · 14/12/2024 22:37

You’ve missed out the crucial detail. Do you want marriage, kids, the usual shebang at some point in the future, or is it a hard no? If you don’t then who cares what anyone else says? If it’s bothering you what your friends are saying, is that because on some level you do want those things and know it’s not with him?

AlertCat · 14/12/2024 22:31

Do you want to live with someone, get married etc? If not why would you ever regret not doing it?

sounds like this thing works for you, fair play, enjoy it!