My DH siblings all moved over to the area I was brought up in the last couple of years. At the start I thought great nice to have family close by but my mind has been changed the past year or so. I feel smothered with the constant contact and (trying not to sound like a teenager) copying.
I see them all everywhere now. We all have kids that are similar ages, ours would be the oldest, so now all the kids go to the same school. Despite their being loads of choices locally and closer to their own house. So I see them there.
They have all chosen the same after school activities. So I see them there.
They all chose our family doctor, again loads of choice in the area, so I can see them in the waiting room.
My SIL comes over to our house and will ask oh what paint colour is that as we recently repainted. She’ll then go and paint the same room, the same colour. She won’t say she’s done it I’ll just see it when I call over.
Or I got a sentimental necklace as a present and she didn’t ask where I got it or mention it but next time I saw her she’d the same one. Or she’ll have the same shoes I’ve bought a week later. I could go on.
There is a lot of one upmanship too that I really hate.. we’d get a new TV having had the same one for 10 years but BIL will get a new TV despite having brought one two years ago but his new one will be bigger, or we get a new car they go out and get the same car better spec. They are always sure to point out these differences too with glee.
I’m just feeling fed up and suffocated. I know nothing we are doing is ground breaking but I’m just immensely irritated that I am living this cookie cutter life with no escape and invisible competition.
AIBU?