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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Introverts and Coronavirus

160 replies

didyoueverdancewiththedevil · 26/03/2020 11:20

I am being massively unreasonable at the moment I'm afraid.

I am introvert and when I don't get time alone I feel very, very cross. This is obviously not ideal during normal times but at the moment my DH is driving me crackers. He knows that I need time alone by the way so this is not news to him.

He is now working from home. I am a fee earner dealing with Wills at a firm of solicitors so I am still working as demand is very high at the moment for obvious reasons.

He is there when I wake up.

He talks incessantly about shit until I go to work.

If he isn't talking to me he is talking to the cat.

If he isn't doing that they he is constantly clearing his throat very loudly and saying he has a tickle in his throat - he doesn't. He does this all of the time and it drives me batshit.

He bangs cupboard doors all of the time.

He sings loudly.

Even when he goes upstairs he is banging around.

When I get home he starts yapping away as soon as I step through the door and basically doesn't stop until he fucks off to bed.

So last night I had had enough of the constant noise. I have just gone very quiet and praying he goes to bed so that I can have just an hour on my own to recharge for work the next day. He went to bed in a mood because I wasn't really saying a lot and being quiet.

This morning he stomped off upstairs telling me that it isn't his fault that he has to work from home. The thing is I know it's not his fault but him being there all of the bloody time is driving me slowly around the bend. He won't just let me have any time at all to be on my own. If I say anything he sulks.

He gets cabin fever but he is going for a bike ride every day after I go to work so that gets it out of his system.

I asked him this morning if he couldn't exercise would he feel agitated and stressed. He said yes, so I said well this is the same for me but I have a need to have some time on my own, rather than exercising. He said that that's different.

I might have all of the time in the world on my own soon as I may place him underneath the patio and end up in prison.

Would it be at all unreasonable to shout "shut the fuck up!" when he starts again tonight, which he absolutely will, as he doesn't like being told what he can and cannot do?

OP posts:
Ethelfleda · 28/03/2020 06:50

Ah OP I totally understand. We introverts need time by ourselves like we need air to breathe!

No advice but Flowers

TellySavalashairbrush · 28/03/2020 06:50

I feel exactly the same op. I have noise cancelling headphones,but my dh gets irritated that I wear them a lot. I’ve volunteered to work from our almost empty office just so I can get a few hours per week to myself. As an introvert, I can cope with lockdown perfectly well, but not with the 24/7 presence of my family.

hibeat · 28/03/2020 06:50

Just woke up, numb fingers, and just put on my glasses horrible typos sorry.

Coughcough101 · 28/03/2020 07:01

Just moved in to week 3 here op. İ too am an introvert. DH and 4 kids. Starting to go a bit crackers. DH is obsessed with staying in. İ have said we can go for a walk. We are rural. wouldn't come across anyone and if we did would stay away. I'm talking a 15 minute walk. He has very clearly stated no. He is petrified we will get Ill. İ go in the garden for 10 minutes alone now with a coffee and pretend i can't hear the incessant muuuum and coouuugghh where are you.

MaggieAndHopey · 28/03/2020 07:18

CoughCough unless I'm missing something, can't you go for a walk on your own?

Coughcough101 · 28/03/2020 07:31

İ would but he gets very panicky and worried one of us will bring it home... His mum is a hypochondriac and the vurus is a fuel to her fire. İt has effected him imensley and to have a quick walk that will give him anxiety isn't worth it. He will calm down soon. İ have banned the TV as all they talk about is cornavirus and it's making him very anxious. Luckily we have a decent (not huge) garden and the kids are running around whenever they feel like it there

yousexybugger · 28/03/2020 07:43

Maggie she mentioned she'd rather not, and would prefer to relax on the sofa with a game.

Not sure in the OP's case but a lot of key workers are on their feet all day.

it was my first consideration but then she should be able to have some peace and compromise at home too.

FinallyHere · 28/03/2020 12:27

Walk ... He has very clearly stated no.

@Coughcough101 Why does is his fear allowed to trump your very reasonable desire for a walk?

Mental and physical health are improved by gentle exercise in the fresh air, through the mechanism of the immune system.

he gets very panicky and worried one of us will bring it home

Just because it's caused by health anxiety, doesn't stop it being controlling, against official advice and just ... wrong. I'm very sorry.

yousexybugger · 28/03/2020 13:10

sorry Maggie thought you were talking about OP.

FinallyHere · 28/03/2020 13:18

A lot of extroverts often do not understand how distressing it can be to

I think it's important to distinguish between things we know intuitively and things we can learn. Once someone has said for example ' I need time alone' then it's not about not understanding, it's about not respecting boundaries.

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