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Were you happier single? Fed up with lazy partner

64 replies

Skyscrapper · 02/01/2025 21:09

I have been living with my partner for just over 4 years now. At the beginning of the relationship he was quite helpful with housework. He would see me cleaning etc and he would join in-happy life. Fast forward one year, I had to ask him for help with housework- this would result in him moaning and saying I was taking his day off away from him, that he needed to rest, not a child to be told what to do , that I have OCD etc etc . I have pointed out many times that we are both FT workers and we BOTH need to rest but his selfishness is blinding; will always find a way of turning the argument against me labelling me as a moaner and the selfish one.

Fast forward 4 years, argument after argument over this as I became less tolerant of it, he will wash the dishes after eating and change the odd bulb...will cook sometimes and wants praise each time he does it. He does not see a relationship as a partnership and I think that's where the problem starts. I can tell he is confused as to the little work he does should be seen as a BIG help, a favor he does to me whereas I think it's only 10% of the work to be done...I don't get any praise for the 90% I do day in and day out. There is an imbalance in how the roles for each person are perceived in the relationship but it is pointless as he won't acknowledged it. He mentions that the previous generation of women were " the real women" and didn't moan.

As much as I don't like to be by myself and need company in my life, this situation is taking my peace away. I find myself having sleepless nights over this as I am so annoyed at his laziness. I now leave his washing for him to do which he called me selfish for; I cook what I want, which he called selfish for; and I am cleaning less which I hate as I cannot cope with a dirty house; he would live in a zoo and wouldn't notice.
I am slowly detaching (85% I would say) from this relationship. I had more rest and was happier single....even looked younger. Anyone in similar situation? Were you happier single?

OP posts:
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Gogogo12345 · 05/01/2025 18:00

And how well are all these blended families working? It wasn't my sons dad's responsibility to support my other 2 kids anyway. He did support his own child - was had true 50/50care And if id sold my flat and movEd in with him then we had split up if be up shit creek without a paddle. And he only had 2 bedrooms so where would my DC sleep? I had 2 bedrooms also but mine was large enough to divide a section for DS the nights he was with me

We managed perfectly well.

MyLoftySwan · 05/01/2025 16:28

Skyscrapper · 03/01/2025 11:44

Thank you so much to everyone for your replies. I have read every single one and can see things with clarity now. Your responses made it very clear to me that he is an a**hole and I'm just wasting my life and my health with him.
Although I will feel lonely at times (which is probably why I haven't left him yet, afraid of loneliness as I have no family in UK), my peace is so much more important. Just reading your words about the freedom, the extra time for myself, the peace...SOLD! I'm even breathing better, more relaxed just thinking about it. I will organise my finances and start a new life. Find myself again, the happier me on my own. No men allowed in my life for a good while :D
I appreciate you all, thank you for helping me out ❤Gosh, I love Mumsnet 💚

You won't be lonely as you'll have the time to pursue your hobbies and interests.

GivingitToGod · 05/01/2025 16:28

Gogogo12345 · 05/01/2025 16:01

That's society pressure though. And people have homes before living together surely. ?

I never lived with my DSs dad. We were still a couple for the first 6 years of his life. When we split his life was less affected that those kids going from living with 2 parents to one

And I already had 2 DC of my own. What was I meant to do with them if I was to live with DSs dad? Move them out of their home or move my boyfriend into it ( which seems frowned upon here)

I'm pleased that you were able to support 3 children on your own. As for moving in together (wherever that might be), most people in blended families do that. Each to their own

Gogogo12345 · 05/01/2025 16:01

GivingitToGod · 04/01/2025 19:57

Well most people can't afford to run 2 homes when they have kids. And most people choose to live together when having a family

That's society pressure though. And people have homes before living together surely. ?

I never lived with my DSs dad. We were still a couple for the first 6 years of his life. When we split his life was less affected that those kids going from living with 2 parents to one

And I already had 2 DC of my own. What was I meant to do with them if I was to live with DSs dad? Move them out of their home or move my boyfriend into it ( which seems frowned upon here)

nonbinaryfinery · 05/01/2025 16:00

I am way happier single. I don't have to answer to anyone, and the peace and quiet is everything.

Gogogo12345 · 05/01/2025 15:56

GivingitToGod · 04/01/2025 15:15

But not if you have children

Why?

Ilovethatbear · 04/01/2025 20:19

I have been married twice, for seven years and for 14 years (7 year itch anyone?)

I have been happily single for fourteen years now and can honestly say I will never live with a romantic partner again. I never get lonely, I am very happy with my own company.

He sounds awful OP.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 04/01/2025 20:14

Sorry just re read 'oh just shut up and clean' that is horrific and enough to LTB just for that

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 04/01/2025 20:13

It's so nice when all their man crap like big gaming computer is gone from your home

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 04/01/2025 20:11

He sounds selfish and misogynistic but let's give him the benefit of the doubt and consider he just has low standards for mess and cleanliness (was his house a mess before you moved in together?) then if you really love him and think he's a great caring partner in other ways you could just live separately- some people can be great romantically but are awfully mismatched in terms of living companions

GivingitToGod · 04/01/2025 19:57

Cloverforever · 04/01/2025 18:45

Why do you say this?

Well most people can't afford to run 2 homes when they have kids. And most people choose to live together when having a family

TwistedWonder · 04/01/2025 18:51

GivingitToGod · 04/01/2025 15:15

But not if you have children

My sister was with her ex 21 years, they have 2 DD and they both had their own homes. It works for some people

Cloverforever · 04/01/2025 18:45

GivingitToGod · 04/01/2025 15:15

But not if you have children

Why do you say this?

FinallyHere · 04/01/2025 17:35

a favor he does to me whereas I think it's only 10% of the work to be done

Please don't think that the options are limited to a lazy partner or the single life. Please consider what he is adding to your life? It sounds as if he adds to the burdens you carry rather than to your enjoyment of life.

If that is correct, why would you allow him to continue that role in your life ?

Having read your updates I'm glad to read that your are seeing his role more clearly now, that you have realised the high cost of his presence in your life. Focus on ditching him and then on building up your circular of friends, people who add to your life.

All the best

Jaehee · 04/01/2025 16:22

I’ve had three live-in LTRs and none of them felt they should have to do any housework. Like your ‘partner’, they expected high praise for what little they begrudgingly did.

I stayed in each relationship for different reasons. One financial, one because I was afraid of being alone and the other I don’t know what the hell I was thinking.

There was definitely an adjustment period after each one ended. The quietness made me feel anxious and I had wobbles where I thought I’d made the wrong decision, but it didn’t take long to pass. I love living on my own. By far the happiest, calmest periods of my life have been the periods spent single. This is the longest stretch (coming up to four years) which has been entirely by choice.

Some things I would recommend to help you adjust:

Radio while pottering (R4 is my preference) or podcasts. I also listened to podcasts to help me fall asleep. Most apps have a sleep timer feature

Decluttering sessions

Redecorate a room and/or get some new stuff even if it’s just a new bedding set

Get a cat. They make far superior companions and much less mess.

BCBird · 04/01/2025 15:55

You will feel so much better without this absolute asshole in your life. Peace and no resentment on the horizon for you OP

LadyLindaT · 04/01/2025 15:54

"Just shut up and clean"? Isn't this a perfect example of "When they show you who they are, believe them"?

arethereanyleftatall · 04/01/2025 15:47

He answered : "ohhh just shut up and clean!"

Oh op, he is absolutely vile. To the point that this is almost a joke thread of how vile can you imagine a bloke could be. I'm so happy for you that you're leaving. Count those days down with secret glee as you get ready.

GivingitToGod · 04/01/2025 15:15

Dillydollydingdong · 04/01/2025 00:47

The.best way seems to be to have a partner or boyfriend, but live apart. Then you get the best of both worlds.

But not if you have children

GivingitToGod · 04/01/2025 15:12

JHound · 02/01/2025 23:19

I think people’s response to this will depend on the quality of their relationships!

I am happier single as I don’t think I have the emotional energy to date.

But somebody in a very supportive relationship would think very differently.

I never get people who would prefer a poor quality partnership to being single though. It’s very odd to me but each to their own.

THIS
Being single and independent can be enormously liberating but can be lonely at times with no one to share the load (if it is shared).
And single parenting is extremely lonely too (IME}
But overall, being single is better than being in a substandard relationship

TwistedWonder · 04/01/2025 15:08

I’ve lived with 2 men. The first we were too young and immature really and he was a lazy shit. We only lasted 2 years before he bought me out.

My ex H was very domesticated and everything was pretty evenly split. We didn’t keep count of who did what, both just did what needed doing as and when.

Since my divorce I’ve lived on my own and now been single for 5 years. I could never ever imagine sharing my home with anyone again. If by any chance I did meet someone, it would be both keeping our own homes and staying over some nights. Best of both worlds

JWhipple · 04/01/2025 15:03

I work full time and do 100% of the housework and admin stuff. Sometimes it's about balance; does this arrangement make you happy?
To be fair though my cats appreciate it all it seems and I am rewarded with chirrups, purrs and little fluffy faces smushed against my legs.

They are not grown men, they don't act like revolting teenage boys. They don't have weird temper tantrums when asked to do the bare minimum.

They do make me happy though.

Your RP (ridiculous partner) sounds like he is adding sod all to your life. Get rid. You'll have more spare time, better sleep and the opportunity to maybe meet someone who makes you happy. Why wouldn't you choose that?

Also cats.

Skyscrapper · 04/01/2025 14:52

Thank you all for your input ❤

Just to make it clear to some: the reason I stuck with him was mainly for companionship. Luckily, I earn enough to look after myself. It's just that I don't like going solo to places and being alone at home, I like to talk face to face and share my day etc I don't have family here, just a few friends so the partner becomes your main source of socialisation, which is dangerous if he's an idiot.
I believe each case will be a different one as to why we stay in a relationship like this (financial, emotional dependency,personality, culture etc).

I've reached my limit. Yesterday I nearly left him but it was past 10pm and need to do it safely and well planned.
I'd cleaned the shower room in the morning only for him to come in the evening and get the sink all full of hairs after his beard shaving. I gently said sighing 'gosh, you wouldn't believe I cleaned this sink this morning'. He answered : "ohhh just shut up and clean!" I had to count until 10 and clean it. Why? Because I have to use the bloody sink.

The constant resentment and angst is eating me inside. I'm leaving latest next week. Enough is enough! Thanks to you
all I can see now so clearly what I'm sadly doing to myself just to have someone, a presence. Erm, no more!
I now look back and think.... What was I thinking!!?!

OP posts:
Grannyinnwaiting · 04/01/2025 09:53

Wrong wrong wrong - why do men do this! ?
My DH splits tasks equally with me 50/50 and he is cooincidentally a really good person

Passwordsaremynemesis · 04/01/2025 01:08

Well I’m introverted and earn enough money to look after myself, but I’m very happy living with my husband of 28 years. But that’s because he isn’t a lazy arsehole! I would have dumped this guy ages ago, especially after the ‘real women’ crap, and I am very glad to hear you are cutting him loose. You deserve better!

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