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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think this isn't normal? Really intense celeb crush

371 replies

CrumpetCity · 28/02/2021 16:11

I've been on here for years but name-changed as I'm so embarrassed Blush

To give a bit of context I'm 36, married with a two year old and a six year old and have a busy, stressful full time job that has been made more difficult by the pandemic. I had bad PND and anxiety after DC2 and have mostly recovered but still have my moments. I am also peri-menopausal, not sure if that's relevant but I suppose it might be.

I feel so ridiculous even writing this but over the past couple of months or so I have developed a very intense crush on a particular celebrity and I'm worried it's gotten out of hand.

It started after I had a very vivid sexual dream about them. Prior to that I'd always liked this person's work and thought they seemed nice but not thought about them in 'that' way. But I found myself thinking about this dream whenever I needed a bit of (ahem) 'me time'. I know this isn't unusual in itself but over time I then started day-dreaming about this person too, imagining scenarios in my head involving us meeting and embarking on some sort of passionate love affair. I've been spending too much time looking at their photos and content online, YouTube clips of them etc which is the sort of thing I'd expect from a teenager not a grown woman who is normally quite sensible! This is incredibly embarrassing to admit, but I've even found myself occasionally choosing my outfits based on what I imagine they might like and listening to music I think they might be into (although this does align very closely with my own tastes anyway) which I know is beyond ridiculous.

The fantasy day-dream scenarios are happening daily and have become increasingly detailed. In them I am always single, child-free, enjoying a creative and fulfilling career that is lucrative but also somehow affords me bags of free time and living in a small but beautifully decorated flat (which I could describe in detail at this point!) with no stair-gates, laundry and plastic toys everywhere. This is a far cry from my real day to day life which, although I know I'm lucky in many ways, I confess to having felt somewhat trapped by recently especially with lockdown and everything. I think this started out as a bit of escapism but I'm worried it's making me more dissatisfied with my real life.

To be clear, I know none of this is real. I would never dream of actually trying to contact this person, nor am I operating under some delusional belief that we have a 'connection' or anything! I also know that if our paths crossed in real life (which is vanishingly unlikely) they would not look twice at me, although I used to turn heads when I was younger. Maybe that's part of it, struggling with the fact that those years are behind me and I'm just a frumpy Mum.

Has anyone else ever felt like this or am I the only one? More importantly, how the hell do I make it stop?? I know the obvious solution seems to be "just stop thinking about him" but I've tried that!

OP posts:
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CrappingMyself · 28/02/2021 17:37

Yes OP, I'm very similar. They feel very intense. Usually involves me being younger, single and blessed in the looks dept. Reality is married, 2 kids, fighting middle aged spread, wrinkles and grey hair whilst holding down a full time job!

Love a bit of escapism, but I can feel melancholy about it from time to time as that freedom isn't real.

I'm also aware that whoever is the crush at that moment is a complete construct in my head and they are probably not as wonderful in real-life!

CrumpetCity · 28/02/2021 17:54

Please tell us who it is grin

I will never tell, it's way too embarrassing! Grin I think I'd be less mortified if it was someone who is generally considered a bit of a heart throb, at least then I'd understand it, but it's really quite random.

You've all made me feel reassured I'm not going completely mad. Just googled maladaptive daydreaming and it sort of fits but also sort of doesn't...the level of detail my daydreaming goes into definitely fits and the using it as a coping strategy. But I'm not so deep into the daydreams that I'm forgetting to go to work on time, or to eat or complete important tasks which were some of the examples on the article I read. Or should I say, not yet!

OP posts:
CrumpetCity · 28/02/2021 17:56

I'm also aware that whoever is the crush at that moment is a complete construct in my head and they are probably not as wonderful in real-life!

This is very true. The other day I actually thought I wish the press would come out with some dirt on this person, nothing too sinister obviously, but something that would put me off him!

OP posts:
feistyoneyouare · 28/02/2021 18:04

My last major celeb crush was around the time of my 40th birthday. You're not alone!

ghostyslovesheets · 28/02/2021 18:08

oh I think it's normal - I have a few big celeb crushes and often day dream about my other life (I'm always young with no kids!) harmless stuff unless you start stalking them!

ghostyslovesheets · 28/02/2021 18:09

I wish the press would come out with some dirt on this person, nothing too sinister obviously, but something that would put me off him might not work - my big crush - I know two people who have worked with him and said he was a wanker - but oh no not in my day dreams!

AnneFuckingKirrin · 28/02/2021 18:12

Oh I am so glad this is normal.
My fantasy husbands aren’t even real and they’re dead in their fantasy universe.
In the worlds I am in they live and I rewrite everything in my head for longer than I would admit in rl.

Laiste · 28/02/2021 18:16

@AnneFuckingKirrin My fantasy husbands aren’t even real and they’re dead in their fantasy universe.

Pleeeeeease elaborate! Grin Vampires? Or just - dead?

BaggoMcoys · 28/02/2021 18:17

@greenfrogs1

There must be a million women like this with Cillian Murphy 🤤
Haha I was thinking about him while reading the op!
mnahmnah · 28/02/2021 18:20

If you tell us who it is, I’m pretty sure we could put you off him and solve this problem together Grin

SpnBaby1967 · 28/02/2021 18:21

I'm still daydreaming that Jensen Ackles will wall into my life and sweep me away Grin

If he's busy though, Chris Pine will have to step up to the plate.

I've been known to write some fanfiction myself and as a 40 year old maybe that is a bit on the sad side but fuck it! Life is hard, if a bit of imaginary escapism makes it feel less hard then whose to say it's wrong.

DH laughs at my obsession, even got me a xmas present in the theme of my crush! Blush

MrsOrMiss · 28/02/2021 18:25

I had a very intense sexual relationship last night, the feelings slipped into today too, so much so I didn't want to really wake up. Then I clapped eyes on his picture in the paper - that's way more embarrassing than anything.

And yet, my mind keeps 'reliving' the dream and I wonder if he IS that fabulous irl Blush.

You're not alone OP, but if it's Piers Morgan,
you've a fight on your hands.

Piers bloody Morgan Shock

CrumpetCity · 28/02/2021 18:25

A couple of you have asked whether it "interferes with my life" or not. I'm not
sure to be honest. I'm not neglecting my responsibilities, it's not like I'm forgetting to feed the kids because I'm reclining on the sofa having one of my daydreams or struggling to concentrate at work. But at the same time I think it sort of does interfere with my life because when I snap out of it I possibly feel more frustrated, bored or...I don't even know, just a bit discontented maybe? But I suppose being a bit frustrated, bored and discontented at times is par for the course in lockdown with young children and maybe this crush is my way of dealing with that so it's a bit of a 'chicken and egg' situation.

OP posts:
CrumpetCity · 28/02/2021 18:26

You're not alone OP, but if it's Piers Morgan, you've a fight on your hands.

It's definitely not Piers Morgan Grin That's made me feel a bit better about mine though!

OP posts:
FoxyTheFox · 28/02/2021 18:26

Just googled maladaptive daydreaming and it sort of fits but also sort of doesn't...the level of detail my daydreaming goes into definitely fits and the using it as a coping strategy. But I'm not so deep into the daydreams that I'm forgetting to go to work on time, or to eat or complete important tasks which were some of the examples on the article I read

It can still be maladaptive daydreaming, it's just managed. I've been a maladaptive daydreamer since childhood and my version of going for a quick nap is to go have a quick daydream. It's only problematic if it impedes on your real life.

GreenSlide · 28/02/2021 18:28

I'm like this about whispers Monty Don BlushGrin

InsideNumberNine · 28/02/2021 18:30

Oh god (outing myself a bit here) mine was Jay McGuinness when he was in Strictly. It was well known in my circles and at work how much I loved him. DH was very understanding. If I thought about him enough before bed, I could make myself dream about him. I very upset when I thought Aliona was cheating in her husband with him.

I still like him, still occasionally watch his videos on YouTube but the obsession level has waned over time - thank Christ!

TheCrowening · 28/02/2021 18:33

@greenfrogs1

There must be a million women like this with Cillian Murphy 🤤
Here’s one.

OP I think given you know it’s a fantasy, it’s harmless as long as it doesn’t affect your normal daily life. As you say, it could be a symptom of frustration or boredom and maybe if that’s the case, is there something you can bring into your life to liven it up a bit (not a man!)?

WonkyCactus · 28/02/2021 18:34

I'm 41 and I do this too, I always have. I've spent a lovely day with my current celeb crush in my head. I think lockdown means I'm spending longer in a fantasy world than usual - there's not much to do apart from daydream!

Janegrey333 · 28/02/2021 18:36

Cute and bashful.

Ileflottante · 28/02/2021 18:38

I’m bypassing the point of the thread to ask in shock and horror, peri-menopause can start at 36?!

ChocolateSantaisthebestkind · 28/02/2021 18:41

Try not to worry OP, this is quite normal based on my experience. If you can, maybe try writing it down and flogging it to Mills and Boon! Grin

CrumpetCity · 28/02/2021 18:44

I’m bypassing the point of the thread to ask in shock and horror, peri-menopause can start at 36?!

Apparently, yes. I was surprised too. My GP said you can be peri-menopausal for many years before your periods actually stop and my Mum had her menopause young.

I only mentioned it because my mood and libido levels have been all over the place for the last year or so, also have raging PMS like never before and the daydreaming does seem to intensify the week before my period so wondered if it's connected somehow.

OP posts:
imalmostthere · 28/02/2021 18:50

Please tell us 😂