Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Ended marriage and ex is thriving…. but I’m not

262 replies

Starbanger · 19/04/2026 19:54

Three years ago I ended my marriage. DH didn’t do anything wrong, I just started to feel
differently after DD was born. We’d become housemates, intimacy all but stopped, and platonic friendship started to turn to irritation. To me, it seemed obvious that my life would easier and better alone, so I ended it.

The split was amicable enough, and he’s a great dad - we have 50/50 time with DD, and he does his fair share of parenting.

The issue is that he’s absolutely thrived since the split. He’s lost about 4 stones in weight. He has a two bed flat that is lovely. He’s built an active social life, attending gigs, hiking, and travelling when he doesn’t have DD. Whenever I see him he’s just noticeably happier, healthier, better dressed, better looking, and in a better mood than he ever was when we were together.

To cap it all off, last week I found out he’s been tentatively seeing someone new. For reasons I can’t explain I text him quite angrily to say I was shocked he’d introduce someone to DD without my agreement. I got a very measured and reasonable response back saying he’d not introduced anyone to DD and had no plans to do so, but would tell me if that changed.

Then there’s me. I haven’t really moved on since the split. Same job. Single. Same situation, just without a husband. I just feel so empty and aimless, just like I did before we split up. I feel like my diagnosis of why I felt that way was the marriage and it clearly wasn’t that at all. And seeing him doing so well makes me think the problem was me.

I know I’m being unreasonable but I just don’t know what to do next or what to do or how to move on in a situation of my own making.

OP posts:
iamfedupwiththis · 20/04/2026 10:02

Dweetfidilove · 20/04/2026 10:00

@iamfedupwiththis are you fed up yet? I have a feeling therapy will feature many more times today 😂😂.

Hahaha - yes I am fed up with it - what is the bloody obsession??

FourOfUs4 · 20/04/2026 10:02

This makes me wonder why you broke up with him in the first place, was it because you were happier without him around or because you wanted to punish him? It shouldn’t matter if he’s thriving, it should matter if you’re happier not having to put up with him anymore. If that’s not the case then it sounds like you broke up with him for the wrong reasons. Perhaps you’re not enjoying motherhood and you blame him for that. You need to get to the bottom of your unhappiness, you won’t find the solution until you do

steff13 · 20/04/2026 10:01

BunnyLake · 20/04/2026 09:33

I think it’s unfair to say he couldn’t be bothered when we don’t know. Women are applauded for glowing up after they’ve been dumped by their husband, not berated for it.

I agree. My husband left me because he wasn't happy. I've had a "glow up," but it wasn't because I couldn't be bothered to take care of myself when I was with him, it was because I was so focused on him and the marriage that I didn't take the time to take care of myself. I was devastated when he left, now I'm happier than ever. He's still unhappy.

Weregoingtothefuckingmoon · 20/04/2026 10:01

It sounds like when you split you wanted your ex to suffer and watch you thrive. He has done the work on himself. I think you need to work on yourself to find out why you're feeling unhappy. Fill your child free time, figure out what makes you happy.

Dweetfidilove · 20/04/2026 10:00

@iamfedupwiththis are you fed up yet? I have a feeling therapy will feature many more times today 😂😂.

Ophy83 · 20/04/2026 09:59

Sounds to me like you were both stuck in a rut, which wasn't anyone's fault. It can happen with life circumstances/young child to care for etc. Unfortunately you blamed him for causing the problems for both of you and now you are blaming yourself. Whereas the reality is that everyone is responsible for themselves and for their own happiness (in most situations bar abuse/infidelity etc).

It sounds like he took the feedback when you ended things and got himself sorted. Because you saw him as the problem you didn't make similar changes. The good news is it isn't too late - take advantage of the free time you have when your ex has your daughter and make a list of things that make you happy e.g.

Fitness - what appeals to you? E.g. Couch to 5k, pilates class, gym membership, hiking or rambling group, padel, paddleboarding, yoga

Arts/creativity - you could join a book club, do an art, pottery or cookery class or even go on weekend courses in France or Italy, go to more live music events or simply go to the theatre or cinema a bit more

Appearance (only if you are dissatisfied): this could include losing/gaining weight or getting stronger, having your hair done, overhauling your make up collection, getting a facial or your nails done, or refreshing your wardrobe

Home: you mention your ex has a lovely flat. Are there any refreshes you can do so you love your home? If not, could you move?

Dating: do you want a partner whether now or in the future

Relationship with your daughter: think of things you will both enjoy when you have her, can be as simple as going for walks/bike rides/baking together/crafting to going to Disney or on a city break or to something like dinosnores at the natural history museum

iamfedupwiththis · 20/04/2026 09:59

ScribblingPixie · 20/04/2026 09:56

Cognitive therapy specifically.

So that exactly is this and why will it suddenly give the OP the kick up the arse she needs?

He has moves on - she is jealous - what will sitting in a therapist chair change about that?

MojoMoon · 20/04/2026 09:56

So what do you do when you don't have your DD?

Life isn't going to magically change for you in one sudden moment - you have to take control and make small steps towards what you want g to achieve. Little steps every week.

ScribblingPixie · 20/04/2026 09:56

iamfedupwiththis · 20/04/2026 09:52

Therapy again, the answer to everything!

Cognitive therapy specifically.

Newyearawaits · 20/04/2026 09:54

DiddleyDeeDee · 19/04/2026 20:01

You are unhappy about something and need to make some changes to your own life to also thrive. You said there was no issues in your marriage really and that housemates stage does happen with young kids but its important to.power through and find not only each other again but also yourself. It reads like you thought splitting up would help you find youself but it hasnt.

Do you look after youself? Have hobbies and friends? Are you seeking a new challenge at work etc? Your only going to live the life you want if you actively go out and get it.

And seperately...why did you send that message about the "girlfriend" when you didnt know if he has introduced to your dd or not?

This and I not being unkind when I say that the situation you were in prior to split is typical of many couples.
Parenting overturns any semblance of previous relationship and I know several friends who admit to really struggling with the early years.
I do feel like you need to find yourself again. Step by step and who knows what the future holds between you?
Take care OP, please don't beat yourself up. You are dealing with so much.

iamfedupwiththis · 20/04/2026 09:54

Strawberry53 · 20/04/2026 09:53

That sounds hard. Have you done any therapy? I think you need to find a good therapist and start looking into how and why you feel this way and what changes you can make. Feeling happy starts with doing work from within and then you’ll see things shift and your perspective changes. It sounds like something has clicked for you in terms of how you are responsible for your own happiness and that’s great as you now have that awareness and can do something about it.

Therapy again???

Strawberry53 · 20/04/2026 09:53

That sounds hard. Have you done any therapy? I think you need to find a good therapist and start looking into how and why you feel this way and what changes you can make. Feeling happy starts with doing work from within and then you’ll see things shift and your perspective changes. It sounds like something has clicked for you in terms of how you are responsible for your own happiness and that’s great as you now have that awareness and can do something about it.

Epidote · 20/04/2026 09:52

The issues that doesn't let you be happy come from within not from outside in this case. Work in that.

Dweetfidilove · 20/04/2026 09:52

Flowersforyourchocolateprettyplease · 20/04/2026 09:48

True, when a man leaves "for no reason" it's always, forget him, he did you a favour.
Good to see most posters giving sound advice and not blaming him for a change.

People fall out of love, that's fine, but own it and don't begrudge the other person for moving on.

True. The poster breakup female glow up is a whole thing. Lose weight, get your hair done...
He's done just that.

iamfedupwiththis · 20/04/2026 09:52

ScribblingPixie · 20/04/2026 09:51

Cognitive therapy?

Therapy again, the answer to everything!

ScribblingPixie · 20/04/2026 09:51

Cognitive therapy?

GreyCarpet · 20/04/2026 09:49

Tortephant · 20/04/2026 09:34

Writing this demonstrates you have started to love forward. Recognising you are your problem is the first and biggest leap forward. You have articulated it and can now leap forward

Tbh, that's not the impression I got from her post at all.

The problem is that the OP is pissed off that he is doing OK and, rather than focusing on herself and seeing him as inspiration or evidence that they are better off apart or taking the opportunity to improve her own situation, she's just angry and bitter that he isn't suffering.

Flowersforyourchocolateprettyplease · 20/04/2026 09:48

Snoken · 20/04/2026 09:16

Isn't that exactly what has happened here? She left because she didn't feel it anymore even though he hadn't done anything. It seems to have been the making of her exh. It's not depressing at all actually. Everyone deserves to be with someone who doesn't think of them as meh and it's better to leave and give the other person a chance to find actual happiness in that case.

True, when a man leaves "for no reason" it's always, forget him, he did you a favour.
Good to see most posters giving sound advice and not blaming him for a change.

People fall out of love, that's fine, but own it and don't begrudge the other person for moving on.

Dweetfidilove · 20/04/2026 09:48

One of the worst MM 'trait' is that folks always try to downplay any positive in another, to boost the OP. @Starbanger , don't latch on to the negative/doubtful spin on your ex's improvement, as that just keeps you stuck for longer, waiting for his progress to unravel.

@Arlanymor post gives good advice. What you need now is to make the choice to move forward, and that starts with you.
You too can thrive.

iamfedupwiththis · 20/04/2026 09:47

katepilar · 20/04/2026 09:36

I'd suggest therapy to understand your issues.

So, are you a therapist or in therapy?

iamfedupwiththis · 20/04/2026 09:46

katepilar · 20/04/2026 09:39

Thats all issues therapy helps with.

So nobody can make any decisions without the assistance of a therapist?

Nobody can make any changes in their life without therapy?

No one can take up a hobby or do something fun without therapy?

iamfedupwiththis · 20/04/2026 09:44

katepilar · 20/04/2026 09:36

I'd suggest therapy to understand your issues.

Therapy again!

Surprised people aren't advising ringing 111

rwalker · 20/04/2026 09:44

Concentrate on your life not his
he took the opportunity for a fresh start you haven’t crack on

the text thing wasn’t great that was done out of bitterness not concern for DD

katepilar · 20/04/2026 09:39

iamfedupwiththis · 20/04/2026 09:25

Counselling, therapy, the OP doesn't need any of these, she just needs to stop bloody maudling around and get a bloody grip, not sitting in an arm chair for the next 3 years discussing her feelings!

she is jealous, he has got his shit together and she hasn't!

Thats all issues therapy helps with.

usedtobeaylis · 20/04/2026 09:37

Also there's absolutely fuck all wrong with being single and still working the same job. Fuck. All. Wrong.