Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
ButtockUp · 22/01/2022 21:33

It sounds like you've fallen out of love with him.

Just go love, you deserve a decent loving, supportive, kind and healthy relationship.
He will not give you this. Plus , he's making you feel guilty.

Wafflesnsniffles · 22/01/2022 21:34

You've listed all the things he does that you arent keen on, now list all his positives. All the things you appreciate about him.

Compare the two lists!

DreamTheMoors · 22/01/2022 21:38

@wildingtree

Follow your gut and GET OUT!!!!

It isn’t going to get any better - or change - after all these years.

wildingtree · 22/01/2022 21:52

@Wafflesnsniffles

You've listed all the things he does that you arent keen on, now list all his positives. All the things you appreciate about him. Compare the two lists!
The good bits are obviously why. is has lasted so long -

He accepts me for who i am, and apart from a few areas of weakness, never interferes or tells me what to do.

He is a great listener and will do anything to help people.

He is warm and sweet and quite an innocent.

He never criticises anyone and always judges them by their good qualities.

He is cute, funny and intelligent.

There is sadly a little too much dark insecurity, sexually, that I haven't caused so am feeling too old to put up with that shit. He has also let me down during trauma or life events in the past, so I am wary. I think the areas where it fails are perhaps too pressing now. The good bits are lovely but not strong enough to paper over it.

OP posts:
StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 22/01/2022 22:10

Do you really want to spend the rest of your life like this? Because this is what it will be like. You sound as if youre a sharer, and he isnt. You'll be happier not sharing in a home that is yours and is clean, tidy and fragrant.

Also having been a girl guide for over 30 years I have no time for people who aren't prepared.

Ponoka7 · 22/01/2022 22:15

You aren't responsible for him. You are sacrificing your life for him. Is there something in your childhood that makes you think that you need to stay to fix him, while ignoring your own needs?
I've done it and experience has taught me that people like him are always ok. He won't be sleeping on the streets if you go.
I met my boyfriend and the house was bad, but he had fallen into depression because of debt/unemployment because of Covid. He's been actively and happily sorting the house out with my support. His kitchen/bathroom/bedroom and personal hygiene were spot on, though.
You've lost yourself. You have no control over your living environment. You aren't appreciated, respected and cherished. Get out while you still have the energy.

HPenthusiast · 22/01/2022 22:26

I’m so sorry you’re having to go through this. This isn’t a good way of life for either of you. 😕

I think you need to imagine years / decades down the line and you’re looking back on your life - will you be happy that you carried this ‘relationship’ on or that you could move on and have a more fullfilling life?
It doesn’t sound like he will ever change and you deserve to be happy and appreciated.

whirlycarly · 22/01/2022 22:42

Oh god. I literally said urgh out loud as I read this. He just sounds to be lacking in every way and I think you need to kindly end things and move on before you give him any more precious years.

I can imagine how hard this must be. Thanks

wildingtree · 22/01/2022 23:37

In answer to a few questions:

no, i would not be happy carrying this on years into the future. I think that previously i thought it could change.

The girl guides comment made me spit my coffee, so funny but true!

I had a great childhood, lots of opportunities and a stable home life. No idea how this happened. I did meet him young though, i think i took on his worldview, im sad to say, whilst rebelling against my own.

OP posts:
whiteworldgettingwhiter · 22/01/2022 23:42

Listen to that voice in your head. That's what it's there for.

There is more to life than this!

Any one of those things would be enough to end a relationship over.

You are incompatible.

CatsnRabbits · 23/01/2022 01:10

Walking home tonight after my DP family meal for his 50th. Passed 2 girls about 13 years old going in opposite direction. Girls returned and asked for directions which DP looked at on his phone. The street they wanted was not far from our journey home, at the end of an unlit path through a park which we were going through anyway. DP has had a bad leg and can only go slowly. Me and DD walked the girls to the other side of the unlit park, I made sure they knew where they were going and that they had phones. Me and dd turned back to meet dp coming behind. He was furious and said we'd left him. I explained the young girls were my priority but he was still annoyed.
Got home (my house, he's moved in but still has his own house) and he went straight to bed. I went up to talk to him and he said I was wrong thinking of the girls over him with his bad leg I didn't know where they were going anyway etc. I said they were walking alone in the dark but he didn't see that, I should have made them walk slow at his pace.
When we got home he went straight to bed. I went to talk to him but he said he was going to go home tomorrow for some space.
Is he a total prick? Shall I just let him go home?

Gingernaut · 23/01/2022 01:20

He self neglects, is emotionally and financially abusive and will leave you in the lurch when he dies.

Make your own life without him. Fast.

wildingtree · 23/01/2022 01:56

@CatsnRabbits

Walking home tonight after my DP family meal for his 50th. Passed 2 girls about 13 years old going in opposite direction. Girls returned and asked for directions which DP looked at on his phone. The street they wanted was not far from our journey home, at the end of an unlit path through a park which we were going through anyway. DP has had a bad leg and can only go slowly. Me and DD walked the girls to the other side of the unlit park, I made sure they knew where they were going and that they had phones. Me and dd turned back to meet dp coming behind. He was furious and said we'd left him. I explained the young girls were my priority but he was still annoyed. Got home (my house, he's moved in but still has his own house) and he went straight to bed. I went up to talk to him and he said I was wrong thinking of the girls over him with his bad leg I didn't know where they were going anyway etc. I said they were walking alone in the dark but he didn't see that, I should have made them walk slow at his pace. When we got home he went straight to bed. I went to talk to him but he said he was going to go home tomorrow for some space. Is he a total prick? Shall I just let him go home?
i wouldnt like this. It seems like he can't access empathy. A sort of very narrow focused self centrelines. I would have to bring this up and discuss it. See how it goes? Even my favourite little arsehole wouldn't begrudge that.
OP posts:
wildingtree · 23/01/2022 01:56

i mean it makes my guy look evolved.

OP posts:
Shoxfordian · 23/01/2022 07:21

@CatsnRabbits
Probably best to start your own thread but yes, let him go home and tell him not to bother coming back

Still doesn’t make your partner look evolved op

Trippingslippingx1 · 23/01/2022 10:59

Get him to fuck

Calvinlookingforhobbes · 23/01/2022 19:17

OP, is your plan to martyr yourself for someone who is too lazy to show any interest in you or his own life? Seriously, you get once chance at this. Stop feeling guilty for another adult and their own choices. He is choosing to behave this way (or to not get help to live better). You staying will not improve him or his life. Leave now. Go enjoy life

Stompythedinosaur · 23/01/2022 19:21

Not washing is disgusting and would mean the end of a relationship for me without the rest of your list.

This isn't how people who love each other act. Definitely move on, you don't deserve this!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread