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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Were you happier single? Fed up with lazy partner

64 replies

Skyscrapper · 02/01/2025 21:09

I have been living with my partner for just over 4 years now. At the beginning of the relationship he was quite helpful with housework. He would see me cleaning etc and he would join in-happy life. Fast forward one year, I had to ask him for help with housework- this would result in him moaning and saying I was taking his day off away from him, that he needed to rest, not a child to be told what to do , that I have OCD etc etc . I have pointed out many times that we are both FT workers and we BOTH need to rest but his selfishness is blinding; will always find a way of turning the argument against me labelling me as a moaner and the selfish one.

Fast forward 4 years, argument after argument over this as I became less tolerant of it, he will wash the dishes after eating and change the odd bulb...will cook sometimes and wants praise each time he does it. He does not see a relationship as a partnership and I think that's where the problem starts. I can tell he is confused as to the little work he does should be seen as a BIG help, a favor he does to me whereas I think it's only 10% of the work to be done...I don't get any praise for the 90% I do day in and day out. There is an imbalance in how the roles for each person are perceived in the relationship but it is pointless as he won't acknowledged it. He mentions that the previous generation of women were " the real women" and didn't moan.

As much as I don't like to be by myself and need company in my life, this situation is taking my peace away. I find myself having sleepless nights over this as I am so annoyed at his laziness. I now leave his washing for him to do which he called me selfish for; I cook what I want, which he called selfish for; and I am cleaning less which I hate as I cannot cope with a dirty house; he would live in a zoo and wouldn't notice.
I am slowly detaching (85% I would say) from this relationship. I had more rest and was happier single....even looked younger. Anyone in similar situation? Were you happier single?

OP posts:
mewkins · 03/01/2025 12:07

JHound · 02/01/2025 23:21

I should having finished the post before responding:

He mentions that the previous generation of women were " the real women" and didn't moan.

I would have ended it there.

Me too. There is absolutely no point trying to change this sort of person.

Caroparo52 · 03/01/2025 12:58

Totally happier without excess useless selfish baggage. You may meet a better partner down the line or not but will be happier without the stress this relationship is causing you

arethereanyleftatall · 03/01/2025 13:16

Skyscrapper · 03/01/2025 11:44

Thank you so much to everyone for your replies. I have read every single one and can see things with clarity now. Your responses made it very clear to me that he is an a**hole and I'm just wasting my life and my health with him.
Although I will feel lonely at times (which is probably why I haven't left him yet, afraid of loneliness as I have no family in UK), my peace is so much more important. Just reading your words about the freedom, the extra time for myself, the peace...SOLD! I'm even breathing better, more relaxed just thinking about it. I will organise my finances and start a new life. Find myself again, the happier me on my own. No men allowed in my life for a good while :D
I appreciate you all, thank you for helping me out ❤Gosh, I love Mumsnet 💚

❤️❤️❤️❤️
Enjoy your peace op. It's bliss

FastFood · 03/01/2025 13:35

You're going to enjoy living alone OP!
I've been living alone for 10 years, and it's bliss. Just me and my little dog.
I have very rarely felt lonely, but when it happens, I just let it happen.
It's life.
I use it as a reminder that when I was living with my exP, I was feeling alone on a daily basis.

SugarPlumpFairyCakes · 03/01/2025 15:13

Yes. I think i am happier single.

No man I have become involved with has made me happier or anything like that.

So I am starting to think it's just better to be single. Not just safer but also more fun. No headfuckery. All my time is mine apart from my dcs.

Much better.

Chowtime · 03/01/2025 15:28

I'm happier being single and living alone too.

I think the women who struggle are women who need another income in order to keep a roof over their heads because they don't earn enough themselves to do so. It's those type of women who seem to have ended up with all the a-holes.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 03/01/2025 15:35

I would not entertain being with your partner ... not a chance

arethereanyleftatall · 03/01/2025 15:56

Chowtime · 03/01/2025 15:28

I'm happier being single and living alone too.

I think the women who struggle are women who need another income in order to keep a roof over their heads because they don't earn enough themselves to do so. It's those type of women who seem to have ended up with all the a-holes.

It's income, but also personality types.
I'm fairly introverted, absolutely crave alone time, so for me loneliness isn't something I've ever experienced, rather I see being along as glorious and peaceful.
But I have friends who need to be around people at all times, and they would far rather settle with anybody than be on their own.

I see being single as an absolute privilege and luxury. I don't need anyone financially nor do I experience loneliness. So it's perfect for me.

SugarPlumpFairyCakes · 03/01/2025 23:45

Chowtime · 03/01/2025 15:28

I'm happier being single and living alone too.

I think the women who struggle are women who need another income in order to keep a roof over their heads because they don't earn enough themselves to do so. It's those type of women who seem to have ended up with all the a-holes.

Shhhh. You're chatting shit.

BoxOfCats · 04/01/2025 00:19

Good for you, OP. You can do this! His attitude is ingrained, he believes domestic stuff is your job so why would that change?

I lived with my ex for 10 years and when we finally split it was wonderful to let go of the resentment of doing 90% of the domestic load. Yes I have to do it all myself now, but there's no angst because now I'm only cleaning up after myself instead of two fully functioning adults!

JHound · 04/01/2025 00:43

Chowtime · 03/01/2025 15:28

I'm happier being single and living alone too.

I think the women who struggle are women who need another income in order to keep a roof over their heads because they don't earn enough themselves to do so. It's those type of women who seem to have ended up with all the a-holes.

I do wonder how it would have been different if I was on a low / average income and had to have a partner to live.

Thank F I don’t!

Dillydollydingdong · 04/01/2025 00:47

The.best way seems to be to have a partner or boyfriend, but live apart. Then you get the best of both worlds.

SnowFrogJelly · 04/01/2025 01:01

LTB

Solent123 · 04/01/2025 01:05

you have a man-child not a partner

Passwordsaremynemesis · 04/01/2025 01:08

Well I’m introverted and earn enough money to look after myself, but I’m very happy living with my husband of 28 years. But that’s because he isn’t a lazy arsehole! I would have dumped this guy ages ago, especially after the ‘real women’ crap, and I am very glad to hear you are cutting him loose. You deserve better!

Grannyinnwaiting · 04/01/2025 09:53

Wrong wrong wrong - why do men do this! ?
My DH splits tasks equally with me 50/50 and he is cooincidentally a really good person

Skyscrapper · 04/01/2025 14:52

Thank you all for your input ❤

Just to make it clear to some: the reason I stuck with him was mainly for companionship. Luckily, I earn enough to look after myself. It's just that I don't like going solo to places and being alone at home, I like to talk face to face and share my day etc I don't have family here, just a few friends so the partner becomes your main source of socialisation, which is dangerous if he's an idiot.
I believe each case will be a different one as to why we stay in a relationship like this (financial, emotional dependency,personality, culture etc).

I've reached my limit. Yesterday I nearly left him but it was past 10pm and need to do it safely and well planned.
I'd cleaned the shower room in the morning only for him to come in the evening and get the sink all full of hairs after his beard shaving. I gently said sighing 'gosh, you wouldn't believe I cleaned this sink this morning'. He answered : "ohhh just shut up and clean!" I had to count until 10 and clean it. Why? Because I have to use the bloody sink.

The constant resentment and angst is eating me inside. I'm leaving latest next week. Enough is enough! Thanks to you
all I can see now so clearly what I'm sadly doing to myself just to have someone, a presence. Erm, no more!
I now look back and think.... What was I thinking!!?!

OP posts:
JWhipple · 04/01/2025 15:03

I work full time and do 100% of the housework and admin stuff. Sometimes it's about balance; does this arrangement make you happy?
To be fair though my cats appreciate it all it seems and I am rewarded with chirrups, purrs and little fluffy faces smushed against my legs.

They are not grown men, they don't act like revolting teenage boys. They don't have weird temper tantrums when asked to do the bare minimum.

They do make me happy though.

Your RP (ridiculous partner) sounds like he is adding sod all to your life. Get rid. You'll have more spare time, better sleep and the opportunity to maybe meet someone who makes you happy. Why wouldn't you choose that?

Also cats.

TwistedWonder · 04/01/2025 15:08

I’ve lived with 2 men. The first we were too young and immature really and he was a lazy shit. We only lasted 2 years before he bought me out.

My ex H was very domesticated and everything was pretty evenly split. We didn’t keep count of who did what, both just did what needed doing as and when.

Since my divorce I’ve lived on my own and now been single for 5 years. I could never ever imagine sharing my home with anyone again. If by any chance I did meet someone, it would be both keeping our own homes and staying over some nights. Best of both worlds

GivingitToGod · 04/01/2025 15:12

JHound · 02/01/2025 23:19

I think people’s response to this will depend on the quality of their relationships!

I am happier single as I don’t think I have the emotional energy to date.

But somebody in a very supportive relationship would think very differently.

I never get people who would prefer a poor quality partnership to being single though. It’s very odd to me but each to their own.

THIS
Being single and independent can be enormously liberating but can be lonely at times with no one to share the load (if it is shared).
And single parenting is extremely lonely too (IME}
But overall, being single is better than being in a substandard relationship

GivingitToGod · 04/01/2025 15:15

Dillydollydingdong · 04/01/2025 00:47

The.best way seems to be to have a partner or boyfriend, but live apart. Then you get the best of both worlds.

But not if you have children

arethereanyleftatall · 04/01/2025 15:47

He answered : "ohhh just shut up and clean!"

Oh op, he is absolutely vile. To the point that this is almost a joke thread of how vile can you imagine a bloke could be. I'm so happy for you that you're leaving. Count those days down with secret glee as you get ready.

LadyLindaT · 04/01/2025 15:54

"Just shut up and clean"? Isn't this a perfect example of "When they show you who they are, believe them"?

BCBird · 04/01/2025 15:55

You will feel so much better without this absolute asshole in your life. Peace and no resentment on the horizon for you OP

Jaehee · 04/01/2025 16:22

I’ve had three live-in LTRs and none of them felt they should have to do any housework. Like your ‘partner’, they expected high praise for what little they begrudgingly did.

I stayed in each relationship for different reasons. One financial, one because I was afraid of being alone and the other I don’t know what the hell I was thinking.

There was definitely an adjustment period after each one ended. The quietness made me feel anxious and I had wobbles where I thought I’d made the wrong decision, but it didn’t take long to pass. I love living on my own. By far the happiest, calmest periods of my life have been the periods spent single. This is the longest stretch (coming up to four years) which has been entirely by choice.

Some things I would recommend to help you adjust:

Radio while pottering (R4 is my preference) or podcasts. I also listened to podcasts to help me fall asleep. Most apps have a sleep timer feature

Decluttering sessions

Redecorate a room and/or get some new stuff even if it’s just a new bedding set

Get a cat. They make far superior companions and much less mess.

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