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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to ask if anyone else hates the idea of being in a relationship

14 replies

iceycage · 17/02/2018 19:38

slight provocative title but hopefully it'll garner responses!

So I'm 24, 25 in June and I've never been in a relationship.

In my whole life I've never felt the urge to be in one. I've had moments where I've thought that I should , because after all most people are in them. But if I were being 100% true to myself I've never felt like I really want a partner nor have I ever met someone that I felt that way about.

I've dabbled with tinder, again more to go along with the social norms. I can find myself in really good conversations with people then as soon as it comes to them suggesting we meet up I run.

I'm bisexual and only fully came to terms with it when I was about 20. I had always been attracted to girls, but I suppose I thought I might be with women for "fun" and only with men for serious relationships. But it was actually watching the shows Orange is the New Black and The L Word that made me full come to terms with my sexuality and I realised I'd consider relationships with women just as much as men.

At first I thought I'd "cracked" it, that I hadn't felt the need for a relationship because in my head it had to be with a man but now I was open to both maybe I'd start exploring more but nope. I remember as 14/15 year old when my friends (I went to all girls) started fussing over boys and were all desperate to get boyfriends and I just sat back confused and bored by all the boy talk but I never thought it'd last! But here I am still bored by all the relationship talk/boy drama.

A big part of it is I just love my own space. If I've had a long day- good or bad- I want to just come home and be alone. I can cook what I want without any compromise, same goes for what I want to watch, when I want to use the bathroom, what I want to do with my weekends. I really do hate the thought of someone else being around all the time. I was like it even at uni and while I did have some fun living with friends I also struggled quite a bit.

What I find most strange in myself is the total lack of desire for a relationship. I know plenty of people will say they're happy being single, but often that's " for now ". There's people who seem always have to be in a relationship and can't be alone then there's those who are fine having periods of being single but I think the norm is to ultimately want to be with someone. I don't really understand why I don't have that desire and actually find the idea really horrendous.

The real shocker is... I've only had sex 3 times in my life. When it comes to sex I wouldn't say I'm not a sexual person, but I'm perfectly happy sorting that out myself if you catch my drift. Again I have no desire to be intimate with others. Well I have huge crushes some actors/actresses but when it comes to reality? Not so much.

So I suppose I'm just curious to know if anyone else is like this or used to be? I wouldn't say I'm worried in particular. It's not like I wish I did want a relationship but sometimes I think life would be easier (for one financially...splitting bills would between 2 would be a dream) Grin but although in this day and age there is n't nearly as much pressure for the whole "marriage and baby thing" I do find that people still tend to not believe that anyone would be single purely by choice. Even if people say they do understand that I'm convinced half the time they're thinking " I'm sure she'd love a partner but can't find one " and the type who can't bare being single really find it completely perplexing. I'm thinking I may be the type who just meets one person and I unexpectedly fall head over heels in love and that's it. But I can't see myself ever being the type to go looking. Anyone else relate at all?

OP posts:
BirdBrain85 · 17/02/2018 21:10

I’m really happy being single and always have been. I’ve just had a baby on my own (with the help of a fertility clinic) and I honestly feel my life is complete Smile. I have no plans to marry or look for a relationship.

Sidelook · 17/02/2018 21:16

I like the toilet seat down, the remote control in my charge, my super king sized bed to myself, answering to no one, going where I want when I want, eating ice cream in just my knickers, driving at my standard. I could list more but generally I like being single.

GrannyGrissle · 17/02/2018 21:27

After 10 years of marriage and a fiasco of a relationship with DD's fsther i am very hapily single. So calm, peaceful and i love the freedom to completely be myself and have DD4 all to myself. I can't see me ever giving this up even though i might treat myself to a bit of cock oneday Grin.

Dontknowwherethelineis · 17/02/2018 21:35

The Idea Of Leaving My Current Relationship Feels Like Absolute Bliss And All I Really Want is to be single - if I manage to extricate myself then I can't see myself ever caring about being in a relationship again. I think it's just something that I wouldn't ever desire or pursue. I've got to forty and all my relationships have been toxic. I just want to be on my own and can see myself being completely content.

JudyLevinson · 17/02/2018 21:36

Meh. I didn't have sex until I was 26 and didn't have a long term relationship until I met my current DP at the age of 40. I'm now in my 50's.

It worked for me, I was perfectly happy before and I'm perfectly happy now.

Riverside2 · 17/02/2018 21:42

I'm 42, realised around 35 I was meant to be single
Unfortunately I fell for social conditioning before that and tbh I wasted the time of some lovely men ...for which I am very sorry, but I spent a long time thinking I would somehow regret not being in a relationship

It's a pants excuse but life, long hours, sick parents etc...it actually took a period of ill health of my own that woke me up to what I really needed, which was to be single and focus on me and my tribe (my name for my friends and family).

YANBU at all.

Sparklesocks · 17/02/2018 21:50

I think as long as you’re happy and fulfilled in your life, then all is ok! And you’re only in your mid 20s, you have no rush to ‘settle down’ with someone and should enjoy your freedom.
It might be as you get older you might change your mind, or meet someone you want to make room for in your life, or you might not. Sex isn’t everything, have you ever considered you might be asexual? Might be worth reading up on it if you’re interested, but there’s nothing wrong with having a low sex drive.
Enjoy your happiness, find out a bit more about who you are, ride it out and see how it goes

UNOwen · 17/02/2018 21:59

Are you me? I could have written nearly all of your post, though I'm a few years older. I've just never "got" the idea of wanting a relationship, or trying to get into one. And the idea of idea of being around someone else 24/7 makes me want to scream.

I also wonder sometimes if I'm gay and still figuring it all out, or perhaps just low sex drive or asexual. Do you find it difficult to talk to people about it?

Athenajm80 · 18/02/2018 21:30

I've had some great relationships, been madly in love, talking marriage etc, but obviously for whatever reason they haven't worked out. Apart from a brief 4 week fling about 3 years ago, I've been single for about 9 years now. I've had some one night stands and fwb arrangements, but for the last 3 years I've been completely on my own. I LOVE IT!!! People at work seem to feel sorry for me, or think that I am pretending to be happy, but the thought of sharing my space with someone again sucks. A friend (actually an ex from many years ago) comes round sometimes in the week to help work on my house or just hang out (nothing sexual or romantic) which is fine, although I do love having my house back to myself when he goes :) I do have people in my life who seem to think that I am on my own cause I can't find anyone, but honestly I cannot be bothered. I have tried OLD but I think I am way too picky, and always find something that turns me off about them. Maybe one day I'll meet someone, but till then I am more than happy on my own (with my stereotypical spinster accessory of cats!)

iceycage · 18/02/2018 21:37

Oh gosh he's so emotional
Bless him.

OP posts:
iceycage · 18/02/2018 21:38

Wrong thread! Ignore previous post lol

OP posts:
TakemedowntoPotatoCity · 18/02/2018 21:41

A lot of your post resonates with me. I do have fantasies sometimes of being in a loving relationship but no desire to pursue getting one. I think I might be on the ASD spectrum as I have had obsessions in the past but nothing really solid to start from. My obsessions have shown no interest in me, and I am not interested in the vast majority of men. Tmi warning - sexual fantasies while doing DIY Wink involve women to the point of climax and then switch to men in the just after bit. I'm weird.

EmpressOfJurisfiction · 20/02/2018 13:02

I'm mid-40s & separated from my ex 3.5 years ago after a 10 year relationship. Best decision I ever made, I was always meant to be single.

I love closing my front door & knowing I have my flat to myself, only having to think about my tastes when I'm buying things, being able to make last-minute plans with friends or decide on impulse to go somewhere random without having to co-ordinate with anyone else. I love spending time with family & friends, but living with someone else would feel suffocating.

user838383 · 20/02/2018 17:55

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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