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My life is a big fat mess-how do I move forward?(long)

15 replies

PotatoesAndJelly · 14/02/2019 09:27

Name changed.
If anyone reads this let alone replies they deserve a medal!

I live in a house by myself, that is too large for me and I cannot afford.

I feel as if I have completely lost myself, but one thing about me that sticks and has made me begin this thread is, I have always been in control of my adult life, and I have always been careful with money.

I moved away to university at 18 and stayed there until my mid thirties. I always wanted to eventually move back to be near my parents, who also live near my sisters. I felt I was missing out on family life.

I am gay. I've always known, but hid it by having relationships with men that I could cope with, while having relations with women* disclaimer, never behind anyone's back-was always clear.
Eventually I met a woman I fell in love with and we began a relationship. I never told my family. I did however make it clear that one day soon I would want to move to be near them.
My partner told me she wanted to come with me, but to not come out to family until she'd formed a good relationship with them and we would both be accepted as a unit.

My family bought a house (4 members together) and told me they'd bought it and it was mine to live in if I wanted. I wasn't sure-it was expensive, I've never paid rent, I'd bought a cheap, almost derelict house some years before with a friend, done it up to a liveable condition and lived in it with friend very cheaply. When I had met partner, she moved in too. It was scruffy, but I was happy there. I worked part time and studied. I had always believed in work smart not hard . I had ambitions I wanted to follow and I had always beleived free time was more important than money.

But, I have always had a strained relationship with my Dad-and it was him who ordered me to come over and see a surprise. The house. Mine if I wanted it. Prior to this I had told family me and my 'friend' (partner) would move over to be near them soon. I also said partners daughter would move in with us. Partners daughter was in state care at the time but coming up to an age where she was able to live with her Mum again. Me and daughter (T) had a great relationship.

Also, in the months running up to it I visited family several times who said that they did not want 'S' (my unbeknown to them partner) around, joining in with things, visiting etc once we moved. I see now they were planning to buy the house but did not want her to be in their lives. I didn't see it at the time having had no idea of their plans. I alwyas responded the same 'Well that will isolate me, me and S do everything together'.

I was too scared to say no to my Dad so we moved some months later. I feel my family were negligent in buying the house for us to rent, based on a number of factors;
-Neither of us had jobs in the county
-Partner did not have valid I.D so was unable to claim benefits.
-Regarding her daughter, nobody mentioned this to my dad who didn't know about her

I feel I was to blame for not being openly gay. I wasnt, because I was afraid I would be disowned. My family had been openly homophobic all my life.

Well, we moved. We struggled to find work. I was still paying the mortgage on my existing house plus rent on he new place.Partner couldn't find work at all, and couldn't claim benefits. I was told that her daughter wasnt allowed to move in and I put my foot down saying that all bar my Dad knew about her, and I didn't know about the house so hadn't thought mentioning her to him to be important. Someone who did know about both, should have told him.

Family were awful with partner when she moved. Disapproved of some of her behaviours (sleeping in late, not keeping the house as nice as they wanted, not doing the garden to their standard). Partner did not behave in a way I felt was good to me either and we began arguing. We'd seldom argued before-I see now that S was deeply unhappy.

S tried to commit suicide some months later. While I was back and forth to the hospital she told me not to tell my family, they already disapproved of her. Fair enough, I feigned she'd accidentally ingested something she was allergic to. In the midst of this I learned of sneering about this, laughing about it , she's lied to us how dare she-basically they all knew she'd tried to overdose BUT rather than be sympathetic, they were affronted she'd dared lie 'to' them.

Once I had dealt with the scenario and knew she would be okay, I was livid and disgusted with them all but was too wrapped up in caring for S to say anything at the time. When I eventually did, I was told I should have said that at the time It's too late to address it now, which find laughable why did they believe that reaction was acceptable?

Someone had almost lost their life, and all they cared about was that she'd lied. It was none of their **ing business. I feel utter disgust toward my family about this. I have also been treated awfully by them since I moved, examples

Dad threatening me over a mistake S made in the garden, Dad shouting at me when I visit if I make a simple mistake such as drop something or do something wrong. Going to a family gathering and being actively blanked by them all.

After 7 months, partner got a job. She was 'demoted' to part time after the company didn't do well, within a couple of weeks. I got a part time job that had a long, fulltime, intense training period. T and S at home. I was stressed and unhappy but glad to be working. I am still working that job part time, and doing my self employed work alongside, which was the plan

Eventually, we argued too much I felt stuck in the middle. Daughter moved in and quickly out, partner moved out and back to my house where we used to live. We split up because I would call her, upset and lonely and would get told to shut up.

S and daughter T no longer speaking.

Now, I'm for the first time living in a place by myself that's too big and I cannot afford, despite the rent being cheap for the area with my being family. I suggested to my family that I get a lodger, but they will only knock £100 off my rent if I do this and I am some £500 overdrawn at the end of every month.

I miss S like crazy but she won't take me back. The period of the last year has been awful and at times I feel I've lost my mind.This causes me intense stress as someone who's always made sure they have enough money and has always been mindful to be careful.

I cannot go back to my own house because S lives in it and we've split up. Also, I spent time and money cultivating this place into being a family home and It's full of furniture (all second hand, mind!) photos, books, all T's stuff, a lot of S's stuff.. Where the F would I put it all??

My own house is much smaller with zero room.

I have equity in that house and could feasibly release it and buy another BUT I cant because my friend who I own it with's credit rating is absolutely dire so my broker says it's impossible.

Also the one thing I have managed to do right is my job I got here, I love it and its my field and I had struggled to find a job like it before.

I am drained from the emotional abuse from S and T, ( I can go into further detail if anyone wants but it was bad!) I am stressed because I wanted to be near family and now I am no even sure I like them any longer, and I cannot afford to live here but can't see a way out. The only option I can think is, I move into lodgings with a friend in my old town , commute and stay with parents while I m working (as mentioned I m part time) and put all our things in storage. I could also kick S out of my house and go back there-again problem of storage and I feel this is all my fault and I do not want to be horrible when she's eventually happy.

AS another spanner in the works, T is trying to get in touch with me and I love her to bits despite all the nasty things that went on toward me, but S isn't speaking to her because of all that, and I dont want to cause more issues. I supported them both through the her being in care thing for 6 years and now Im insolvent, unhappy, lonely and alone. I really don't know what to do next.

My Dad is very unhappy and I feel sorry for my family too-they really thought they were doing a great deed by getting this house.

Not to drip feed, when I was very annoyed with my family I did eventually come out. It turns out that if I had have been out, they wouldn't have done this plan with the house. They didnt know I was in a relationship and they expected us to live separate lives and meet other people and it would be entirely different. So I blame myself for that too. I wasnt open because I had tried before several times and been met with sinister reactions.

However, my parents were the only ones who didn't suspect. I feel one family member at least could have been open about this when discussing this plan , and said 'right is this a good idea, its pretty obvious they might be actually in a relationship' or 'Is it a good idea to do this without telling potatoes maybe we should ask first if she'd want it'. Nobody did though. So I'm stuck in this position.

I know nobody around here apart from family. I am mourning the loss of a relationship, the loss of someone I saw as my daughter, and the loss of the life close to family I hoped for.

WTF do I do. Sorry. That was cathartic though.

OP posts:
Sukochicha · 14/02/2019 09:32

What to do?

Get the fuck away from your horrible father and move back to your little house that you own.

Give a shit that S is innit. She doesn’t own it. Is she even formally renting it from you? If so serve notice properly, but make plans to move away.

PotatoesAndJelly · 14/02/2019 09:39

She has a formal contract yes. I don't charge her enough though . Thank you for your reply. Food for thought. I may have sounded 'sort of' together in that post but, I am a complete mess if I am honest.

OP posts:
MollysLips · 14/02/2019 09:49

I feel really sorry for you, and completely understand why you're so upset. It's like your family turned your life upside down, shook it like a snow-globe, then left you spinning around inside.

What would make YOU happy? This mess has all happened because you went along with other people's plans for you. Maybe you feel that doing what's best for you is selfish? It's not. Everyone in this story has done what was best for themselves. It's time that you did.

So, your job is the only tie you have (a positive tie, I mean) where you're living now? Could you not find a similar job back near your own house?

If not, why not get a room in a house-share near your job, serve S a year's notice so she has time to sort her life out BUT you also have a date when you can relocate back to your own property, and cut contact with your family down to the bare minimum.

Racking up £500 in debts every month must be killing you. Being good with money is something you've also taken strength and pride from, and now it's gone, and it's not your fault.

That's what I'd do. But I totally understand that its easy for me to type this, and much harder to do.

You will be OK. You really will. Please start putting yourself first.

Blooto · 14/02/2019 09:50

If the house was a gift then it's yours to dispose of. Sell it then use the money to move far away from all this toxic baggage. Life is too short and it's time to make yourself the priority!

0ccamsRazor · 14/02/2019 09:50

Op take a look at the 'stately home' threads, the people there will help you to detangle your life from your toxic father.

I would move back to your own house and forge your own path away from your toxic family.

Flowers
RescueRemedy21 · 14/02/2019 09:50

Give S notice asap, and prepare to move back to your own home. If she refuses to leave you can evict her.
Get as far away from your toxic family as possible.

Doyoumind · 14/02/2019 10:01

Get out of that house. If you love your job, find a house share or lodgings that you can afford nearby until you are back on your feet financially. Keep an eye out for a job closer to your old home with a view to moving back there eventually.

Your relationship with S and T is over. Accept that. Try to get out and meet people.

Accept your DF may never accept who you are.

PotatoesAndJelly · 14/02/2019 10:01

mollyslips (GREAT song btw!) Thankyou. I have actually said something similar about this, that I feel someone took me out of my life and put me into a different one.

I get what you're saying, what would make me happy-that is important. Unfortunately after the last year of turbulence I really can't answer it-I don't know !

I could try to find a similar job-I keep saying that to myself. It isnt impossible. I do well at it now, but I've done it less than a year and I know the unofficial thing is 2 or 3 years before someone will take you seriously, so I've heard. And yes I have always done that, prided myself on sacrificing some things, to make sure my life is easy financially. My parents see this as 'lack of ambition'. I don't see it that way. They're very much into their wealth-I've always to just have enough and be able to do things important to me so I think I am ambitious but in my way not theirs. You sound very wise and I appreciate your input, thank you.
bloo I dont own this house, they do. They bought it for me to rent from them. Sorry if I was confusing.
Razor I have read those before. They do help. I will go there again though. Thank you
Rescue I still love her that's the issue there. I always wanted her to be happy. I'm from a much more privileged background and I am so glad shes happy despite and because of me and the thought of throwing her out... I don't know :(

OP posts:
PotatoesAndJelly · 14/02/2019 10:02

I must say to anyone replying that I worked a night shift, and finished at 8, and I must sleep soon. If anyone else is kind enough to reply, I have not disappeared. Thank you

OP posts:
PotatoesAndJelly · 14/02/2019 10:11

DoYouMind can I ask, do you really think that-genuine question? About her daughter. Should I not bother with T any longer because of the things that occured with S? She's 18 now and I had a good relationship with her until we were all together? I will admit her last message to me was asking for money (which I always had before, but now I don't ) .Thank you for your input. I realise I will never be a real person to my DF.

OP posts:
StripeyChina · 14/02/2019 10:19

Didn't want to read and run.
My life is also a mess so don't know how qualified I am to advise...

But i agree that you need to work towards getting out of the family house and back into your small house you can afford and where you were happy.

If your family cannot cope with you being 'out' that is their problem.
S and T will need to work out there own relationship.
I hope you can move back and focus on yourself for a bit.x

Doyoumind · 14/02/2019 10:20

I think trying to have a relationship with T is going to be difficult because of S. Might it not make a reconciliation between T and S less likely? If you feel they aren't going to make up and T needs someone to support her then stay in touch but where will that relationship go? Do you see yourself being a mother figure to her in future years or will it eventually fizzle out anyway?

0ccamsRazor · 14/02/2019 10:21

Sleep well op, it sounds as though you need your rest.

StormTreader · 14/02/2019 10:33

It sounds like you were pretty financially secure and happy before your family pulled you into living in this big house thats far too expensive for you to live in.
You own your little house, you need to move back there. S will have to find somewhere else to go.

You are labouring away tying yourself in knots trying to do what everyone else wants and ignoring what you want and need. While you are running around after your family, S and T, who is running around after you?

PotatoesAndJelly · 15/02/2019 08:57

I was hoping that perhaps I could get a lodger and pay significanly less. £100 less isn't enough though.

I keep spendng time in my old hometown whenever I can, all my friends are there. I am not hurting as much as I was when she first left, I was quite bitter if I am honest because she was back with all our friends and our old life, she got her old job back and was back to no worries and contentment while I soldiered on here. I am calmer now.

doyoumind yes perhaps. She's her daughter not mine. But I do mourn for that little family unit we seemed to be a times. I did want to always be a 'mother figure' to her. She's called me step mum since almost day 1 (entirely her choice), we gelled so I thought. But now,, am not sure. She pretty much estranged herself until the past few days.

Dont get me wrong this house is lovely and it isn't that big. It's got three reception rooms, two bathrooms four bedrooms... One single person here seems a bit of a waste. I feel I have hurt everyone, even though my family have royally pissed me off with their behaviour at times, they thought they were doing something nice. I am not great with surprises nor being out of control, though. That's something I should maybe try to get to the bottom of but , I felt exactly like a poster above has said. Someone has taken my life and shook it up. They dont seem to understand nor care a jot about the family I feel I've lost, or my lost relationship or how I feel the carpet has been pulled from under me. They didnt like her, or her daughter, or the whole thing and that's that. In fact when I told them she had moved out, my Dad asked if there was any champagne in the fridge :(

storm that is a good point. I am trying, I really am. Its just difficult to know what to do , I feel I may end up even worse!

OP posts:
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