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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU for thinking these behaviours aren't acceptable?

68 replies

wildingtree · 22/01/2022 14:22

I'm easy going, so don't expect people to all share similar standards or needs, but feel I am approaching end of line with DP of 25 years.
It all just caught up and hit me in the face recently. So, here are the issues.

  1. He never bathes or showers unless I really push it. Usually once per month, always excuses, but does insist he 'cleans' himself regularly (thankfully he is excessively careful of teeth).

  2. Barely any sex life, had low performance confidence and over years it froze me out as i would often get punished for it. I have given as much support as i could but in recent years i am worn out with that so we don't do much. It just sort of slid out of existence, to be honest. If i bring it up i will def get the blame somehow.

  3. Never ever wants to go anywhere or do anything with me. Never suggests an idea or interest.Ever. I take us on a long holiday (only in UK) each year but he would never mention such things if i didn't.

  4. He earns less than me, not an issue, but I pretty much pay for everything. He has his own shopping lists like a bachelor and rarely wants to share things. He chooses deliberately shit shops to purchase food from and we rarely eat together due to this. I love to cook us up fabulous meals (i love sharing my cooking) and he is appreciative but doesn't really seem to care. He is also same with booze - can only have his own and never shares a bottle.

  5. No maintenance whatsoever: I bought most of the appliances and household goods, tv, vacuum, etc. Over years whenever something is faulty he insists there is a way to 'game it' or it has a long life yet. Usually it will just conk out soon after. Carpet behind front door used to leg me up dangerously when coming in, i was told i was 'walking over it incorrectly'. Everything is allowed to deteriorate and nothing is put by to maintain stuff, so when things break i replace them as i don't want to trouble him for money when he has little of it. I wouldn't mind this if he had a sense of caring for things but since he never buys them he doesn't value them i guess.

  6. No shared plans or goals with me. My name isn't even on tenancy because he doesn't like change. We are middle aged, this will likely not change.

  7. Can't smell stuff. Not a medical issue and he doesn't have depression. So often, stuff will get left in bin in kitchen for too long and stink the house out, or he doesn't notice his hair or clothes smell. I gently alert him but i can tell he resents me for bringing it up. What do you even do with that? He is a handsome guy but wont replace clothes. Over years i have had to buy them :( I bought him some great stuff but again he lets it wear right out.

  8. Isn't interested in making any kind of will or instruction for if anything bad happened. Isn't interested if i do either.

  9. He doesn't communicate much, often forgets to tell me stuff like a friend is in hospital, he has an appointment, etc. I seem to do most of the fixing, talking and emotional stuff. If i try to communicate about any of the above he would get either angry or feel picked on. It's so tricky.

  10. Because of stuff not getting cared for, the house is really awful and ugly. Not in a bohemian way, but just depressing. I can't do much about it as i am not the owner, and things that are old, broken don't get reported. He finally started decorating (to prove a point) two yrs ago and stopped half way through. Everything is ramshackle, badly put together, damaged or dirty. I honestly can't keep trying to change this as it is like dealing with a brick wall. I just want to run away at this point to be honest, having invested so much with no return. I didn't grow up like this and don't know anyone else who lives like this. He makes me feel like a snob if I bring it up.

Even though we didn't marry or have any kids, i don't think i should feel this 'single' either. There's a lot of love and trust, but I just don't feel like much of these are normal, even though normal is very subjective.....
Perhaps we are incompatible. That's ok. There are many great things but obvs i have not written them here. But i feel the balance is so off as i get older that this list is like a dealbreaker. Surely i am not U for feeling there should be more to life than this?

I keep waking each day, the past few months, and there's this rush of feeling and a voice in my head yelling at me to get out, to start again, to not put up with it anymore.

OP posts:
Sexnotgender · 22/01/2022 14:25

Get out get out get out.

What does he bring to your life?

Even if you don’t find another partner you’ll be gloriously free of this dead weight.

HermioneWeasley · 22/01/2022 14:25

He sounds revolting and awful. Why on Earth are you with him?

ahcmonnow · 22/01/2022 14:26

Awwhhh OP, that is very hard. To me there would be too much to change, he is too stuck in his ways, he does not value you or your wants or needs.

You deserve so much better than this and deep down you know that. Get out, start over and leave him to his slovenly ways like the bachelor that he pretends he is.

My heart goes out to you.

BritishDesiGirl · 22/01/2022 14:28

I think your voice is telling you what you already know.

You need to leave, you deserve better than this. You only get one life, do you want waste anymore of it with this man.

Leave and start living the life you deserve

Sally872 · 22/01/2022 14:28

Sounds like you don't get many positives ans I expect you would be happier on your own. Why do you stay?

wildingtree · 22/01/2022 14:29

it feels mean saying these things, he has many good qualities, i promise!

but they are seriously depressing me as i get older.

he is not 'revolting' , but the domestication element is fucking too much.

OP posts:
Comedycook · 22/01/2022 14:29

He showers once a month Shock..I'd be thanking my lucky stars he doesn't want sex!

ProudThrilledHappy · 22/01/2022 14:30

It’s so difficult to live with someone who is in a kind of psychological decay, not really living well or caring about life when you have so much enthusiasm yourself. This is not a good way to live, if you aren’t on the tenancy you are also vulnerable.
You are incompatible

Derrymum123 · 22/01/2022 14:30

Listen to that voice in your head.

Ragruggers · 22/01/2022 14:34

This is awful you can’t live like this.He sounds disgusting how can you sleep in the same bed.Make a plan to leave,save as much as you can,stop cooking for him or spending money on him.Save save save you will need every penny to get your own place it is never too late.You have a job,hold on to that no children to worry about.Imagine a cosy place with your own lovely furniture,clean as you want it.You can do this.Good luck.

Lemonweightloss · 22/01/2022 14:37

I agree with everyone here. Listen to that voice and get out.
There is a much better life out there for you. Think about where you want to live, how you want to live, paint a picture in your head and go for it !!

toppkatz · 22/01/2022 14:37

Make a list of all the things you like to happen in the future, and how you want your life to pan out. Then look at each one and work out what needs to happen in order for you to achieve that goal.

He won't change, so what do you need to do?

Crowdfundingforcake · 22/01/2022 14:38

Leave. There is literally nothing worth staying for. You have a bright, colourful life to live - for heaven's sake go out and live it.

wildingtree · 22/01/2022 14:39

I know.

I feel really dreadful listing these faults, i think he is becoming aware of the issue and just looks so sad or secretly angry with me. I put up with it because i have loved him, for the good parts of course. He is cleaning himself regularly, in important places.....but i don't see why proper stuff like bath, shower, etc dont get used. It is like an obstinacy at this point.

I feel guilty to be honest.
I feel guilty for considering leaving, for mentioning it here. It's so very sad.
But i am so unhappy now, not just the things listed, but each day it is like i have nothing to wake up for. I am sure i shouldnt feel like this, but the years have worn it away i think.

OP posts:
Flutterflybutterby · 22/01/2022 14:39

He sounds really unappealing, the lack of washing and cleaning is really 🤢. Your relationship sounds depressing and dull because of him. And no marriage or proper commitment in 25 years?!

Scarlettpixie · 22/01/2022 14:41

What does he spend his money on. You say he earns less, buys food from shit shops (where?) and won’t spend money on clothes/the house/holidays.. Is it that he can’t afford it?

Not showering for a month isn’t good. Are you sure he isn’t depressed?

What do you mean you get punished for it (in your point about him not wanting sex)?

Doomscrolling · 22/01/2022 14:42

Can you afford a small break away from him?

I find a few days somewhere else where I can look at things from a bit of a distance helps me see what I want. And while you’re away, if it’s actually a relief rather than a case of missing him, you have your answer.

thistimelastweek · 22/01/2022 14:43

So, you're living in squalor with a dirty man who won't even share a bottle of wine?

It's a tricky one to be sure.

Scarlettpixie · 22/01/2022 14:43

Please don’t feel guilty for being unhappy with things as they are. Anyone would feel the same.

wildingtree · 22/01/2022 14:45

what is proper commitment though? For me it is loyalty, honesty and living as well as possible. Combining that care and thought.

I never used to mind but as i get older, after losing both of my lovely parents in recent years, it has brought out the stark 'lack' in this relationship. It is as if he is writing a script of poverty and brokenness that he forces to come true. He didn't grow up struggling so no idea how he has developed this. We could very easily have had a good and abundant lifestyle. We do have somewhat different backgrounds though.

OP posts:
HabitsDieHard · 22/01/2022 14:46

read your post back.

listen to yourself.

you know already.Flowers

BitterTits · 22/01/2022 14:51

Ugh, what a life. You can do very much better.

Comedycook · 22/01/2022 14:53

@thistimelastweek

So, you're living in squalor with a dirty man who won't even share a bottle of wine?

It's a tricky one to be sure.

Grin
wildingtree · 22/01/2022 14:54

@Scarlettpixie

What does he spend his money on. You say he earns less, buys food from shit shops (where?) and won’t spend money on clothes/the house/holidays.. Is it that he can’t afford it?

Not showering for a month isn’t good. Are you sure he isn’t depressed?

What do you mean you get punished for it (in your point about him not wanting sex)?

It's odd! He is very single minded. He spends hardly anything to be honest. He used to shop for utter processed crap at places like B&M's (please understand i am not looking down on it, and know many have no choice) or the cheapest stuff at any store. At the same time i was ordering in from ocado and cooking soups and casseroles from scratch, it is a passion of mine which he wasnt interested in. Sometimes it is as though he is a wall of resistance, as if he just has to position himself in...opposition to me. He loves my cooking but wont chuck in to do a good shop once per week. There's no sense of togetherness domestically AT ALL.

It is understandable buying bargains or cheap stuff when you have to. But he doesn't. His income is currently low, but not that low. I often shove some good quality meat into his trolley and offer to pay for it, but am starting to feel like his bloody mother.

OP posts:
Tee20x · 22/01/2022 14:55

His description sounds awful. What are you getting out of being with him :(