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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Husband addicted to hobby - AIBU??

699 replies

Lewem · 27/06/2020 18:57

I have been married just over one year. Not long before our wedding last year, my husband took up a hobby that he used to do long before we met..it was my suggestion to start it up again as I thought it would be good for him. A couple of months after our wedding, he starting becoming OBSESSED with this hobby, to the point I barely saw him. We live quite far away from where I grew up so quite far from all my family and friends, but very close to his, and therefore I ended up feeling incredibly lonely. I told him how I felt and things eased off a bit. However, it's now all started up again.

Despite the fact we recently had counseling and agreed he would only spend 3 days a week doing his hobby, he is constantly making excuses to do it almost every day for 4-5 hours (it involves a particular sport, without being too precise). He's even started making excuses to go on Sundays, which are meant to be our one and only day together. A couple of weeks ago I caught him out lying... he told me he was at work but I found out and had proof that he was actually at his hobby.

Today (Saturday) he went to his hobby first thing this morning, we spent a couple of hours together and he's now upstairs watching his hobby on TV! He said he wanted to go again tomorrow...when I got upset and reminded him we had plans, he got very manipulative and said in a very sarcastic voice, 'ok I'll just stick to the SCHEDULE' then, and that Im trying to control him and stop his hobby altogether. This has infuriated me as it couldn't be further from the truth..I am happy for him to have this hobby, as he says it helps with his mental health, but just to balance things better.

I am constantly feeling bored, lonely and upset. He says I am being unreasonable and that one of the other wives/girlfriends act like this...which makes me even more mad! I don't care about them I only know how I feel. I certainly don't want to be together 24/7 and I actually enjoy a bit of time to myself sometimes, but I feel as tough Im having to beg my husband to want to spend time with me and its really getting me down.

I am questioning whether I am overreacting or if he is indeed being a total selfish prick? Any thoughts? I am currently considering if I want to stay in this marriage :(

OP posts:
Bluebiddy · 01/07/2020 08:31

Happy birthday Lewem, I hope at least you get a big slobbery kiss from the dogSmile WineCakeFlowers

mogloveseggs · 01/07/2020 08:36

@Lewem happy birthday.
He sounds very like my ex husband (but his hobby was drink and losing jobs).
All the blame was pinned on me he refused to accept any blame.
He even "amended" the divorce petition that was sent to him (unreasonable behaviour). Scrawled all over it saying that's not true etc.
Get out now.
It will be a truly bumpy few months but you obviously have good support from your family and you know where you want to go in life.
I wish you (and the pets) all the luck in the world Flowers

Keeva2017 · 01/07/2020 08:36

Happy 40th birthday @Lewem make 41 your milestone and celebrate the strength you have shown in the run up.

Disfordarkchocolate · 01/07/2020 08:38

Happy Birthday @Lewem.

Do something that brings you joy today, you deserve it.

MrsPerfect12 · 01/07/2020 08:48

Happy Birthday! Flowers

Mybeautifulfriend · 01/07/2020 08:49

Oh lovely!

Honestly, I know it doesn't feel like it now, but losing this knobjockey from your life is the very best 40th Birthday present to yourself! Wine Cake Flowers Gin
Have the best possible looking-forward birthday @Lewem

Be incredibly proud of yourself that you realised before it was too late. It was just a few years of your life. Yes, this bit is hard (living with a selfish arsehole is!) but it's short term. This is when your personal growth kicks in & you achieve things you never thought you would. Get that Girl Power cape on Grin and come back at 50 & tell us how amazing your new life is.

billy1966 · 01/07/2020 08:54

Happy birthday Lewen.

You are the only grownup in your relationship.

Take yourself off for the day.

Wishing you well. Flowers

Franticbutterfly · 01/07/2020 08:55

Happy Birthday, let your 40th year be a great new start when you begin to get the good things you deserve. Thanks

bettybluebees · 01/07/2020 08:58

Happy Birthday DaffodilCakeWine

PopPopPopPopPop · 01/07/2020 09:20

Happy birthday OP! Flowers

Sunnydayshereatlast · 01/07/2020 09:27

My exh was into golf and gaming. He ruined my 40th tea party.. He was an ex before my 41st birthday..
Happy Birthday op!

BillysMyBunny · 01/07/2020 09:34

Happy Birthday CakeFlowers

Hope you have a lovely day.

Lostinengland · 01/07/2020 09:38

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! @Lewem

What I didn’t say before was that I had a technically shit 40th as was in the middle of dramatic life change. Now a few years on and treasure the memory of that ‘shit’ day as a stop on the road that gave me the life I really wanted. I’d take that any day over the old discontented life and a box-checking party etc.

I’m passing the life-change baton on to you now! Good luck! God speed! Stay strong! Keep your eyes on the goals on the horizon and just keep on trucking through this shit bit! Cake Flowers Brew

Justtryingtobehelpful · 01/07/2020 09:41

Happy birthday, you're so much better off without him! 🎉🎈

2020nymph · 01/07/2020 09:43

Happy birthday @Lewem here's to a better year x

sunflowersandtulips50 · 01/07/2020 09:43

Happy Birthday! Onwards and upwards

Julie269 · 01/07/2020 09:56

Happy birthday - hope your day is ok and you are. Life begins at 40 xx ❤💞🥳 xx

RedRocketGirl · 01/07/2020 10:05

@Lewem Happy Birthday! Flowers Cake
This is a new beginning.
Life really will begin for you.
My 40's are definitely my best decade so far...

LlamaofDrama · 01/07/2020 10:15

Lewem happy birthday! Cake Wine

ThePluckOfTheCoward · 01/07/2020 10:30

Happy Birthday @Lewem. 🎂💐🍷🍷🍷

Motoko · 01/07/2020 10:30

Happy Birthday! Flowers Cake Wine

CatOnMyLap · 01/07/2020 10:41

Happy birthday @Lewem

How did you decide to spend the day? Everyone on here is rooting for you, today and for the future!
WineWineCakeCakeFlowersFlowers

Nquartz · 01/07/2020 10:43

@Lewem happy birthday, I hope it's as good as it can be CakeThanks

Rainbowqueeen · 01/07/2020 10:44

Happy birthday.

Enjoy your day, you really deserve a great one

UnprodigalDaughter · 01/07/2020 10:45

Happy birthday, but also let's choose a day, and date in the future and declare that your day of birthday celebrations. Come up with four, or forty, or whatever number of things you want to have changed since then. Even if they're 'new duvet set' rather than 'new life'.

Complete papers for divorce, get a hair cut, find new horse, remove xyz from old horse, set up email address for ex emails to go to, go ten days without actually speaking to him, get new trainers, get dog new collar, phone up spern donation place and so on and so on. Then have a day when you celebrate. And your celebration can be anything you would like.