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I am so upset by my husbands reaction

284 replies

IamAWallFlower · 28/06/2019 13:35

Recently I booked and went for a boudoir photo shoot. I am not a confident person, hardly ever have photos taken in general and it took me so much courage to actually ring up book and go to the shoot.

It’s taken a good few years but I’ve dropped almost half of my body weight and worked my ass off to get where I am now. I needed to do something for me to celebrate my achievement and this was it. Something to look back at and be proud of as I am as I’m sure most of us are, too hard on ourselves. I’m aware this photo shoot is probably not to everyone’s taste.

He knew I was booked in for the shoot last month. The day came and I went and it was totally amazing. My hair and makeup was done and I honestly felt wonderful, the best I have ever felt about myself. My hair is straight and they curled it beautifully, I’ve never had curls before but I loved it. I felt like me but better, they did the makeup similar to how I would but it just looked better like HD almost.

I came home beaming and asked my husband what he thought of my new look. He barley looked at me, just raised one eye from over his phone and just said “I think you should go and wash that crap off your face” I was honestly gutted, I walked away and held back the tears. My husband never pays me compliments, ever. Not once since our wedding day 15 years ago has he said I looked nice.

This photo shoot was never done for him, it was for me. I actually had no intention of showing him the pictures as I didn’t see any point as he clearly doesn’t find me attractive anymore.

When I went back to view the pictures I was amazed how lovely they were so I bought some images and a canvas.

Two days ago I picked up my canvas, he saw me with the box when I came in and asked what it was. I didn’t show him as it’s for me. I was planning on putting on putting it up in my walk in wardrobe, no one goes in there and it’s behind a door anyway.

I haven’t got round to hanging it yet. But he’s opened up the box and had a look and confronted me when I got back from work yesterday. He’s really angry I’ve degraded myself in this way. He was shouting at me that I must be so vain to have that done and I must absolutely love myself. He’s unhappy I bought the canvas and he doesn’t want it put up in the house. Apparently he hates now I’ve lost weight I “ponce about in the mirror now” ( I really don’t, we’ve only recently had a full length mirror put in but I do take more pride in my appearance now)

I am so upset by his outburst yesterday. I just can’t understand it. He doesn’t watch porn because he prefers pictures. I’ve seen them in a folder on our shared pc. I actually bought a few digital images and had considered perhaps in the future sending them to him once I plucked up the courage as I know that’s what he “likes” I won’t be now that’s for sure.

I feel so sad about this all I’m even contemplating leaving my marriage over this.

Sorry for the long post I just needed to vent.

OP posts:
Millie2018 · 28/06/2019 15:40

Firstly, well done on your weight loss. It’s hard and takes strength and determination. You have these qualities. You are gaining confidence. Your husband should be proud of what you’ve achieved. He should be supporting you. Instead he’s feeling threatened.
Your post made me feel so sad. At a time when you should be flying high he is dragging you down.
I would have a serious conversation with him. I would approach it from a calm and considered position. What do you want? Do you still love him? Do you think he can make you happy? Be clear about how you feel first.
After the chat you decide whether you liked what you heard and what you want to do going forward. It’s your feelings that are important. Don’t let him dictate your happiness. You have a choice.

nornironrock · 28/06/2019 15:49

Well done you - what a great achievement, I am sure you are chuffed to bits.

So, as a bloke, I normally seethe at these threads were all the women pile on and say "leave him" and "seems like a knob", but in this case, it really does seem like he's behaved like an absolute prick.

My wife and I both struggle with weight and supporting each other is really important.

I don't really know what else to say. I'm genuinely shocked that a 15 year married man would be so disrespectful to his wife. Knob.

Opossooom · 28/06/2019 15:53

OP it sounds like fear... if his behaviour has changed since the weight loss he might be fearful you’ll become too confident and leave. Some men still haven’t realised some of us woman aren’t as fickle as them. Some people are crazy I bet you looked absolutely stunning and well done on getting where you are xxx

INeedAFlerken · 28/06/2019 15:55

Men who get upset when their wives/partners lose weight and get fit and start taking care of themselves are controlling arseholes.

I would leave him. Take your new found confidence and can do spirit and live your life with people who build you up.

Footyfoot · 28/06/2019 15:57

He’s just an insecure little man who wants to keep you down.

Tell him to sod off . I would dump him .

Drum2018 · 28/06/2019 16:00

Hopefully you have a spare room - move into it and hang your canvas there. Start looking into leaving him. Let him fuck off for himself. He doesn't deserve you.

GreigLaidlawsbarofsoap · 28/06/2019 16:01

I really, really am not in the instant LTB tribe, but he sounds like SUCH an insecure, unpleasant, ghastly nasty wanker, I think you should!

YouJustDoYou · 28/06/2019 16:02

Nasty horrible man. You deserve better op. Well done on the photo shoot too.

MustStopSnacking28 · 28/06/2019 16:05

I never post on relationship threads as I don’t feel like I ever had useful input but your post has really upset me. I can’t believe your husband can be so unkind he sounds almost cruel to you! Maybe he is jealous now you have lost weight and clearly feel great about yourself - as you should, well done you! I would feel the same as you and would not want to stay with someone like this. I hope you are ok and I bet your pictures are gorgeous!

grossed · 28/06/2019 16:06

Congratulations OP. I'm sorry he rained on your parade instead of supporting and celebrating with you. It's a v mean response and I don't blame you for being gutted. It's normal to expect a partner to raise you up, rather than bring you down. He doesn't sound v nice. Well done again.

LittleFairywren · 28/06/2019 16:09

I think you should leave him. Not for the one incident but for everything else your post didn't say about how else he's treated you over the years. I've been on mumsnet long enough to know that a man who never pays you a compliment and is downright horrible to you when you're feeling good about yourself is part of a wider pattern of behaviour.

Sewrainbow · 28/06/2019 16:12

LTB!!!

Well done on doing something for you! He is insecure and jealous - don't let him/his attitude control you Flowers

Justaboy · 28/06/2019 16:13

What an absolute grade A cunt! go and find someone who really loves and cares for you this twat clearly does not:(

Poor you!, have a JBoy bigg hug:-)

Ginnymweasley · 28/06/2019 16:17

He sounds like a complete and utter arsehole. I would leave him tbh. He doesn't like your new confidence etc cause he cant control you anymore. Now you might go off and realise there are more options than the miserable cunt.

Smokeonthewater · 28/06/2019 16:19

What a horrible man you are married to. I felt so sad for you. Well done on losing the weight and on having such lovely pictures. You deserve a lot better than this awful person.

TougheningUp · 28/06/2019 16:20

He was shouting at me that I must be so vain to have that done and I must absolutely love myself.

Do you know what? You bloody well should love yourself. You're amazing. You're gorgeous, and you're kind, and you've worked hard to make yourself the person you want to be.

And it's abusive to shout at anyone.

Your husband is an idiot, and you deserve better.

mama1980 · 28/06/2019 16:23

I am absolutely furious on your behalf. How dare he speak to you like that!
I never say this but LTB seriously, anyone who tears you down you don't need in your life. He's supposed to have your back, defend you, fight for you, respect you.....nothing you've said here suggests he does any of that. You're worth more.

Lifeisabeach09 · 28/06/2019 16:27

He been thrown off balance because the comfortable mumsie old wife has gone, and she's slim, glammed up and looking hot. He feels threatened and worried that other men might like what they see.

^^This.

Leave him. He tears down your self-esteem.

KaliforniaDreamz · 28/06/2019 16:28

Mate, you out grew him.
Time to move on.

Teaandchocolatecake · 28/06/2019 16:29

Congratulations on your weight loss, it must have taken a lot of determination to achieve it. You have every right to enjoy and be proud of who you are, how you look and what you have achieved.

Your husband should be so proud of you but instead he is trying to crush you. Is he overweight by any chance? It sounds as though he is jealous of your achievements and threatened by your new found confidence.

I would absolutely leave over something like this.

MrsMozartMkII · 28/06/2019 16:31

What a nasty arse he is.

Even if it's all too much for him he should be grown up enough to say so. You could then (both) decide the way forward, as it is do you really want to spend the rest of your life with someone like this?

ISmellBabies · 28/06/2019 16:37

He doesn't care what you look like. What he finds unattractive is the prospect of you developing any self confidence. He's doing everything he can to make sure that doesn't happen. I suspect he knows if you realise your own worth there's no way you'll be sticking with an arsehole such as himself.

summerishereatlast · 28/06/2019 16:46

He is going to spend your entire life crushing you, as he has for the last 15 years. You are better than this - I’d leave yes in a heartbeat.

Whosorrynow · 28/06/2019 16:47

to echo everyone else, people with low self esteem are easier to dominate and control, that's why he wants to put you back in your place

IamAWallFlower · 28/06/2019 16:48

The strange thing is, he has been suggesting I loose weight for years. But as soon as I did start loosing it he started to try and sabotage me. Bringing treats/ takeaway home most days. But then occasionally I would over indulge then I get “should you really be eating that” I can’t win.

He’s not overweight no, spends quite a lot of time in the gym. But he’s not vain in the slightest doesn’t care about his appearance too much.

He used to be very vocal on if I had made a effort how nice I looked but that stopped after we got married.

He’s no longer affectionate at all and
In all honesty I feel unloved by him. I have brought this up before and my response was “well that’s your problem then”

I have gained a bit more confidence since having to go out and pretty much completely update my wardrobe I feel happier in myself in my new clothes.

Just a couple of weeks ago I went out to lunch with a friend and had a new top on (all my tops are new) and I had a bit of foundation on and he said “I was too overdressed and tarted up” yet my friend said how nice I looked.

Thinking about it every single time we go out and I get dressed up he manages to single handily ruin the evening in one comment usually a put down of some kind.

Im quite pissed off by it all as it’s just double standards isn’t it. He likes those photos but doesn’t like mine.

OP posts: