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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I know IABU but I'm jealous of my friend's 'perfect' life and don't want to be

231 replies

TougherThanTheRest · 17/11/2011 09:27

We've recently got to know another couple and really like spending time with them but their life appears so perfect that I'm starting to feel jealous and resentful.

He's funny, successful, a great Dad and a thoughtful husband. She's a great Mum, naturally good at things like cooking and entertaining, who manages to have a job she enjoys that also fits around their clever, attractive children. They're popular, well-travelled, live in a lovely house, drive nice cars and have several holidays a year plus weekends away and nice grown up nights out. And on top of all that they're really nice people. (That's a lot of 'nice' but it sums them up).

We on the other hand muddle along like most people, never quite on the breadline (which I am thankful for) but never very comfortable money-wise either. Neither of us hates our job but nor are we especially happy with them. We haven't got as many children as I'd have liked for lots of reasons which makes me sad. My DH is a fairly good Dad and husband but will never be a go-getter (although neither am I so not in a position to complain), mostly we get on well but there are times when I wonder how the hell I ended up with him.

I think generally what I feel is that nothing we have is quite good enough or what I would have hoped for - not just material things but life in general - especially when I compare us with our friends. I'm sure their life isn't as perfect as it appears but there's no area where I feel we can even begin to compete with them (I do know it's not actually a competition) and it's beginning to really get to me.

I know I probably sound like a shallow, ungrateful bitch but this is how I feel. I don't want to but I do. How do I get some perspective and stop feeling dissatisfied with my really not that bad life?

OP posts:
KimberleyClark · 31/01/2023 10:34

This thread is 12 years old.@

ThighMistress · 31/01/2023 19:27

Good Lord I remember this thread Blush . I just had a read and saw some thoroughly excellent posts and realised it was me (with different name) Wink

TheClitterati · 01/02/2023 01:32

Oh it's got everything - LaQueens mass deletions, Xenia banging on about her island, nom nom's, some great old timers, I'm posting under my old fav username, and a Demi & Ashton breakup post to fix it in time.

Bear
nalabae · 01/02/2023 03:17

Nobody life is perfect

StLevanBlackcaps · 01/02/2023 10:40

This is so weird, I posted this thread under an old username. My life has changed a LOT since but I’m still friends with the ‘perfect’ couple, in fact I’m going out with her later 😂

ThighMistress · 02/02/2023 09:27

Reading back my posts, my life hasn’t changed at all Blush but I think as one gets older Sad one does learn to appreciate what one does have. Now the thing of which I am most envious in others is robust health.

Also the smuggery smugs move on. The grade 8 flugelhorners are now providing wonderful grandchildren and the great careers huge pensions for Cornish second homes. And also major house renovations (gyms/cottage-core kitchens etc) “before we get too old and can’t face the upheaval” (tinkly laugh stealth brag).

Meanwhile my dcs are sullenly single, nowt in the pension pot, and my big house reno is getting the garden gate fixed.

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