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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not feel the same about DP anymore?

37 replies

Gretasmyname · 17/05/2026 07:42

To my shame I've found a similar thread of mine(but worse) from 10 years ago!! Been with DP many, many years and have 4 Dc. 3 teens , one older.
Overall happy. He's a good bloke, if a little grumpy. Works hard. What you see is what you get.
Affectionate to me, pays me compliments.
I love him. He loves me. I'd say he's happier with me than I am with him😏
He just seems to have zero interest in much. Not in a depressed way. Just nothing he's crazy about doing. I don't think we would go anywhere if I didn't suggest it. He likes family holidays but only sunshine breaks, nothing too far flung or adventurous. I ant to see the world!!!! Doesn't really like going out as such.

He hasn't made much effort over the years to please me or accommodate my interests. Although as the kids are growing up, he is changing a bit.

I just feel that I do my own thing more now . Go away with my siblings and friends for the things that i like.
I kind of think that this is okay and we get different things from different people.
But I do worry about the life that we will lead once all dc leave home.
I don't really want to do things as a couple, which sounds bad.
I'm not unhappy and I don't want to split up.
I guess perimenopause is adding to this.
Is this how relationships go after 30 years. I can't work out if I am unreasonable or not.
And whether I will overcome this.
If i tried to talk he would say he's OK. He's happy. And I'm making a fuss about nothing.

OP posts:
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ThePeppyOpalScroller · 01/07/2026 17:47

People change. That's OK, some people don't change, that's OK too. What do you actually want? The one thing I've learned about people is that you can't change them. Your DH won't change just because you want him to. You could leave, but what then? Do it all over again with another man you can't change? Stay on your own? I think it's fine to have different interests and want to do different things. Why can't you travel on your own? Let him be, go out and live you life doing the things you enjoy.

LittleJustice · 01/07/2026 17:46

My ex was like this. I left him a few years ago, it was the right decision for me. I felt like I was just existing rather than living my life.

It has been like a rebirth I have to say I even managed to find myself a really lovely bloke who likes to do all the things that I like to do. We have such a full and adventurous life together now

I realize that it's very lucky to find that because I'm in my mid 50s. I do think that I would have been fine on my own if I hadn't found him - there is nothing lonelier than being trapped in a bad marriage.

Minasama · 01/07/2026 17:37

Gretasmyname · 17/05/2026 07:51

No he's definitely not stopping me doing anything. I just wish that he would compromise more and do some things that I like to please me.
I'd happily go along with anything he likes or wants to do. Except there is nothing that he wants to do!!!!!

Men often seem to be much less good at doing things they don’t like to please their wives than women are at going along with things to please their husbands.
Maybe just enjoy doing some things by yourself/with other friends and meet in the middle with him?

Gretasmyname · 19/05/2026 18:46

Newyearawaits · 18/05/2026 19:18

This
I think you have a good set up OP.
And I go on solo holidays where many people have left their partners at home. Very common these days.
You describe a good marriage Imo.
Nobody has everything.

I suppose! I just feel a bit sad about it that's all.

OP posts:
Gretasmyname · 19/05/2026 18:45

I wouldn't consider relationship counselling
Well I would, but he wouldn't go. He doesn't think that there's an issue. Of course there isn't for him.
I know that you can do it alone but I don't feel that I need counselling. I know the things I'd like to get from a relationship and he doesn't want to compromise.

OP posts:
Newyearawaits · 18/05/2026 19:18

ThatJadeLion · 17/05/2026 08:17

It sounds to me like you have a good man there. Nothing is ever perfect and grass is never greener. At least he sounds like the kind of husband that doesn't mind you going off and doing your own thing.

This
I think you have a good set up OP.
And I go on solo holidays where many people have left their partners at home. Very common these days.
You describe a good marriage Imo.
Nobody has everything.

MyLimeGuide · 18/05/2026 19:10

I think you need to book up some relationship counseling.

Thebigarsedbitch · 18/05/2026 19:05

The sad thing is that so many man are just very boring. If it doesn't involve their own tedious interests, they aren't bothered about making any effort at all. I'm in the same boat as you OP but 30 years further on. There has been no sex for 25 years and no affection or even touching.
We've had separate bedrooms for years and our only joint interests are our DC, DGG and the dog. That's it. There's no joint social life or holidays - he's simply not interested, but gets quite arsey when I do things with friends. Sadly, it's too late for me to change anything now, but in your place I'd seriously consider my options. The alternative is living a half life until one of you dies.

MegMortimer · 17/05/2026 14:54

I think that, like my ex, your DH sounds incapable of growth, experientially and intellectually. I do remember that nagging disappointment when I realised that he was not going to change and develop at all.

Gretasmyname · 17/05/2026 14:02

@alpenguin
Thank you.
I am content to a degree but I'm resentful. I feel sad that he has no consideration for me and my feelings. I'm not going to change him though.

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alpenguin · 17/05/2026 13:59

I could’ve written your entire post OP. If you’re content going about life independent of him and he you but you’re still in a loving relationship then just keep doing that. There is no relationship normal. It would be nice to have a proactive partner but some men just aren’t like that and the alternative is to leave and see how that works.

Gretasmyname · 17/05/2026 13:58

Maybe I could look at some solo trips. However, I really hate forced activities or making friends. I just want to be with people that I know!
I do have friends and family to go with but there are limits. My mates aren't going to come long haul with me when they families and Dh that go with them!!!

OP posts:
Gretasmyname · 17/05/2026 13:54

user1486915549 · 17/05/2026 10:54

My husband was similar. He didn’t want go out anywhere ,to travel anymore, or do long haul
I went to various clubs and societies with friends. Then I started travelling with solo travel companies. Lots of ladies in the groups in a similar situation!
I’ve traveled the world, and he was happy that I had stopped trying to persuade him to go places.
OP ..life is short. Just go off and do things you want to do. I’m sure your DH would be happy with that too.

Thanks for the replies. I guess you're right. I suppose I can still do the things that I want, but not with him. I wish I'd known then what I know now. I'd never have committed. But now I'm settled i suppose.
I just think if he does start agreeing to do more once kids leave then I won't be happy though. A bit like too little too late

OP posts:
Gretasmyname · 17/05/2026 13:54

Thanks for the replies. I guess you're right. I suppose I can still do the things that I want, but not with him. I wish I'd known then what I know now. I'd never have committed. But now I'm settled i suppose.
I just think if he does start agreeing to do more once kids leave then I won't be happy though. A bit like too little too late

OP posts:
user1486915549 · 17/05/2026 10:54

My husband was similar. He didn’t want go out anywhere ,to travel anymore, or do long haul
I went to various clubs and societies with friends. Then I started travelling with solo travel companies. Lots of ladies in the groups in a similar situation!
I’ve traveled the world, and he was happy that I had stopped trying to persuade him to go places.
OP ..life is short. Just go off and do things you want to do. I’m sure your DH would be happy with that too.

Stoprightnoww · 17/05/2026 10:53

I could have wrote this post a few years ago. Everyone I told blamed perimenopause. I decided to leave. He was heartbroken but I had to put my feelings first. I feel happier now

JLou08 · 17/05/2026 10:31

You love him, he loves you, your happy, you don't want to split up. You get to do the things you want to do, just not with your DH.
It sounds great to me, you seem to be really overthinking it.

Gretasmyname · 17/05/2026 08:22

Politicszz · 17/05/2026 08:18

Are you peri, OP? Sounds like a bit of peri-restlessness.

Yes I am
I'm on HRT which somewhat helps.

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Gretasmyname · 17/05/2026 08:21

@MegMortimer
Thats exactly it.
A half life.
I feel mean
He's not done anything bad.
I feel he thinks by being generous, steady, reliable , complimentary is enough.
Even that I should be grateful that he treats me well ,almost. I could do worse.
I'm definitely planning a life along side this with friends. As he really doesn't meet my needs in some areas.

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InterestedDad37 · 17/05/2026 08:20

Maybe you're just bored with each other, and maybe he's just a chap with not much 'get up and go'. But bear in mind that as a middle-aged man, he too will be adapting to (gradual) hormone changes, chiefly 1%decline in testosterone per year, from about age 40 onwards. The following is from the NHS website:

Common Symptoms
When testosterone falls below a critical threshold, it can lead to a variety of changes affecting multiple bodily systems:

Sexual Health: Reduced sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and weaker, less frequent erections.
Physical Changes: Loss of muscle mass, increased abdominal fat, reduced bone density (osteoporosis risk), and feeling physically weaker.
Mood & Energy: Constant fatigue, insomnia, poor concentration, irritability, and a general lack of motivation or enthusiasm.
Metabolic Changes: Increased cholesterol levels and a higher risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes
I

Politicszz · 17/05/2026 08:18

Are you peri, OP? Sounds like a bit of peri-restlessness.

ThatJadeLion · 17/05/2026 08:17

It sounds to me like you have a good man there. Nothing is ever perfect and grass is never greener. At least he sounds like the kind of husband that doesn't mind you going off and doing your own thing.

MegMortimer · 17/05/2026 08:17

I think you've outgrown him, OP. If I'm reading you right, you want a different kind of companion now that you're mostly free of the child-rearing years. You'd prefer someone stimulating, adventurous, intellectually challenging. What you actually have is your DH.

I don't know what the answer is. If you split up with him, the chances are you may regret it, as you say he's basically a decent bloke. However, what you have now is a sort of half life. The middle ground is what others have suggested, I suppose: Start doing your own things more - try to find a group of friends who stimulate you more and who will go on holidays with you.

I do know how you feel, OP.

Boxoffrogs21 · 17/05/2026 08:16

Gretasmyname · 17/05/2026 07:59

I feel a bit like you but not as bad.🙁
We don't have separate rooms and we do still have sex, but quite infrequent compared to how we used to. I've lost my sex drive very slightly but that could be improved! He does show me affection but then i get very annoyed at his lack of consideration in other areas and that puts me off.
It's not that I wouldn't do things as a couple (like holidays). I just can't see it happening. If he has no interest now, I cannot see him suddenly, once retired, being enthusiastic. If anything, he will be less so.

You might be surprised.

Does he have quite a high pressure or busy job? Is he generally quite an introverted person?
My mum was very worried about my dad retiring and doing nothing, while she was definitely a lot more outgoing and adventurous. In fairness, the first 6 month to a year were as she’d feared! But then it was like he’d had time to recharge from 40 years of work (and he’d had a high pressure job that didn’t appear to be a problem for him, but evidently took all his energy!) and suddenly he was ready to do stuff. He got involved in lots of the community things my mum had been involved in and he’d never shown any interest before. They’ve been on lots of trips he’d never have considered before, including some longer ones.

So it could go either way - some people do just let their world shrink in retirement, but not necessarily.

Gretasmyname · 17/05/2026 08:09

@PersephoneParlormaid
I think that you're right. I can't see him suddenly, once retired wanting to travel the world if he can't be arsed now.

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