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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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I did something stupid at the weekend. Can’t stop thinking about it. Why do I do stupid reckless stuff?

353 replies

Ineedatellingoff · 04/11/2025 01:45

Hey. I’ll try to keep this brief. First off I need a good shake. Women who are in committed relationships/marriages should not get on like this! I feel so much guilt for what I’ve done but also glad it didn’t go further as it so could’ve easily done.

last weekend I went on a mums night out with friends. The first one in a while. It was planned ages in advance. I have been struggling with several things in my life and I feel very stuck in a rut. Day to day I get lonely because I don’t work and have been trying to get back into work with little success which has really knocked my confidence. I’m a married mum who is still fairly young but not very young if that makes sense. I’ve had a lot of trauma happen throughout my life that has damaged me as a person and my self worth. I love DH dearly but things (not lately but especially the first year of DC life) have been hard and we’ve faced issues. He’s a lovely man, husband and father.

on that night out I got very drunk because I mixed my drinks (I know better and know it’s not an excuse). I’ve been having a blip with mental health this while back and things were said to me, also setbacks etc. we were having fun just catching up and dancing. We went out of the venue to go to another when we started talking to some random men. An attractive man gave me attention. I was hugging everyone like I do when drunk. We were cuddling and I allowed him to touch me (why the heck did I do that) me and my friend (our other friend had gone off with a random men) were trying to get a taxi because everywhere was full. Random man tagged along. We got into a taxi. Me and random guy were cuddling. I knew he was looking sex and if I was single I would’ve gone for it. He wanted to go into my place (DH and DC were at in laws for the night) I told him no.

when I got in my head was spinning badly and my whole body was shivering. It had been hours since my last drink. I went straight to bed and woke up hours later to feeling the exact same. I freaked out and phoned my ex who I’m on good terms with to come over because I was worried. He came over as I thought my drink was spiked. He told me it wasn’t. I told him what had gone on. We were talking and we cuddled (I don’t see that as cheating) for a while. I liked it because I’m a cuddly girly and I love being held. The way he held me felt amazing. After a while he put me to bed and we cuddled again. Nothing else happened and I was still drunk by this point. He left. When we cuddled it felt like no time had passed in a way which sounds awful.

I feel guilty for the way I acted. Like it’s not fair on DH. Why did I let myself get that way? Me and ex talked about it. He acted better that night like he did at the start of our relationship back then. I confided in him in what I was put through and he told me that I’m not happy and while that’s partly true but I love my husband but I sometimes miss the good times and being held that way. My DH holds and cuddles me too which I enjoy.

what is wrong with me?

OP posts:
Moonlightdust · 05/11/2025 13:36

AliasGrape · 05/11/2025 09:45

The OP has been flamed too. One or two people have tried to take a more balanced view and one crank has had a ridiculous take about how the OP has done nothing wrong - which could absolutely also happen (and has many times) on a thread where a man is being flamed.

So what’s your point?

My point being, turn it around and how would the OP react if her DH had behaved like that.

I am absolutely sure everyone would be saying LTB.

Swiftasthewind · 05/11/2025 14:28

AliasGrape · 05/11/2025 09:45

The OP has been flamed too. One or two people have tried to take a more balanced view and one crank has had a ridiculous take about how the OP has done nothing wrong - which could absolutely also happen (and has many times) on a thread where a man is being flamed.

So what’s your point?

Excuse me? Crank? Do you really want to pick a fight with one of the most popular posters on this website?

Don’t bother replying because I’ll answer the question for you;

no, you don’t!

Swiftasthewind · 05/11/2025 14:32

@GoldThumb some poster called me a crank, would you kindly inform him or her that I’m kind of a big deal round here and not to make an enemy out of me?

GoldThumb · 05/11/2025 14:45

Swiftasthewind · 05/11/2025 14:32

@GoldThumb some poster called me a crank, would you kindly inform him or her that I’m kind of a big deal round here and not to make an enemy out of me?

Edited

Did you just… summon me?

Personally, I think the people who ‘constantly’ DM you about your ‘bravery’ and ‘inspiring spirit’ would be better character witnesses. Why don’t you summon one of them? ☺️

Swiftasthewind · 05/11/2025 14:47

GoldThumb · 05/11/2025 14:45

Did you just… summon me?

Personally, I think the people who ‘constantly’ DM you about your ‘bravery’ and ‘inspiring spirit’ would be better character witnesses. Why don’t you summon one of them? ☺️

Oh sorry, I thought you would do a good job after the nice things you said about me on another thread. Hope I didn’t disturb you 😊

BoringBarbie · 05/11/2025 14:58

Swiftasthewind · 05/11/2025 14:28

Excuse me? Crank? Do you really want to pick a fight with one of the most popular posters on this website?

Don’t bother replying because I’ll answer the question for you;

no, you don’t!

If you're trying to refute allegations of being a crank, claiming to be famous on Mumsnet might not be the flex you think it is.

Swiftasthewind · 05/11/2025 15:01

BoringBarbie · 05/11/2025 14:58

If you're trying to refute allegations of being a crank, claiming to be famous on Mumsnet might not be the flex you think it is.

Oh honey those aren’t my claims, it’s all my fanclub keep telling me. Personally I’m a
modest sort and don’t like to brag, it’s all very blue collar sort of behaviour.

BoringBarbie · 05/11/2025 15:05

Swiftasthewind · 05/11/2025 15:01

Oh honey those aren’t my claims, it’s all my fanclub keep telling me. Personally I’m a
modest sort and don’t like to brag, it’s all very blue collar sort of behaviour.

I'm not exactly sure how you think you're coming across right now, but I am sure that you're not. In fact, if I wanted people to think I was a crank, I'd post exactly what you've just posted.

Artmumcreative · 05/11/2025 15:09

Ineedatellingoff · 04/11/2025 02:26

I think I am attention seeking because I’ve been put down and held back my whole life. It’s no excuse I know. I need therapy and to work on my marriage. I didn’t really cheat because nothing else happened

It's still cheating, I'd be absolutely devastated if my husband did what you did. Can you really not see that?

Ineedatellingoff · 05/11/2025 21:31

my behaviour was disgraceful that night and I admit that. My ex even said to me that I have to really think about what I want in life. I do think he wants an affair with me but I’m not going to do that because I love my husband and I need to work on my marriage and myself. I’ve just been finding life very stressful at the minute with everything. I feel lonely at times and I feel stuck because nothing seems to be moving forward and I’m criticised by his family when I have bad days like I don’t deserve them. What I really need is emotional support and success. Part of me was tempted but didn’t. This is when I was talking to ex last night and he was asking if I wanted to sleep with him again. I said no because I’m married and then he asks why I am contacting him because it’s obvious I’m not happy. He also said he’ll sort my unhappiness out with the amazing sex we used to have. Yes he was amazing in bed and we shared that chemistry which I found out that night it hadn’t fully went. Stupidly I think I’ve reignited it

OP posts:
JustMe2026 · 05/11/2025 21:35

Sounds like a bunch of excuses for inexcusable behaviour. Enjoy your drinking but don't blame this that and the other because you choose bad decisions.

Kattley · 05/11/2025 21:37

Someone is feeling short of attention again

ForZanyAquaViewer · 05/11/2025 21:42

Ineedatellingoff · 05/11/2025 21:31

my behaviour was disgraceful that night and I admit that. My ex even said to me that I have to really think about what I want in life. I do think he wants an affair with me but I’m not going to do that because I love my husband and I need to work on my marriage and myself. I’ve just been finding life very stressful at the minute with everything. I feel lonely at times and I feel stuck because nothing seems to be moving forward and I’m criticised by his family when I have bad days like I don’t deserve them. What I really need is emotional support and success. Part of me was tempted but didn’t. This is when I was talking to ex last night and he was asking if I wanted to sleep with him again. I said no because I’m married and then he asks why I am contacting him because it’s obvious I’m not happy. He also said he’ll sort my unhappiness out with the amazing sex we used to have. Yes he was amazing in bed and we shared that chemistry which I found out that night it hadn’t fully went. Stupidly I think I’ve reignited it

If your husband were having conversations with his ex about amazing sex and telling her how unhappy he was, would you be fine with that?

You really need to stop this. Figure out what you want. Leave your husband? Get a job? Retrain? Something. Then do that thing.

u3ername · 05/11/2025 21:50

Ineedatellingoff · 04/11/2025 02:26

I think I am attention seeking because I’ve been put down and held back my whole life. It’s no excuse I know. I need therapy and to work on my marriage. I didn’t really cheat because nothing else happened

Not everyone who has been ‘put down and held back’ behaves like you so you can’t say that is causing the behaviour. I’m a bit tired of trauma being mentioned as a way of explaining the behaviour in posts like these.

Few of us have not had hardships, yet we have agency and chose who we want to be.
Who do you want to be? Are you living according to your values? Put in some practice and hard work and you’ll get there.

ETA. You need new friends and some grit, not therapy.

Ineedatellingoff · 05/11/2025 21:50

JustMe2026 · 05/11/2025 21:35

Sounds like a bunch of excuses for inexcusable behaviour. Enjoy your drinking but don't blame this that and the other because you choose bad decisions.

I’m not blaming anyone for my behaviour because I chose to drink those drinks that night quickly knowing I’d probably end up tipsy (didn’t think I’d get drunk though), I chose to go talk to that guy, cuddle him for ages and allow him to touch me, chose to let him get in a taxi with me and my friend, I chose to ring my ex later that night to come over because I was worried about my drink being spiked, chose to cuddle him then get into bed with him. I didn’t have to do all that and I should and do know better. I know I’m prone to doing stupid stuff when I’m vulnerable mentally and normally I don’t when I control myself

OP posts:
Ineedatellingoff · 05/11/2025 21:53

ForZanyAquaViewer · 05/11/2025 21:42

If your husband were having conversations with his ex about amazing sex and telling her how unhappy he was, would you be fine with that?

You really need to stop this. Figure out what you want. Leave your husband? Get a job? Retrain? Something. Then do that thing.

I would talk to him about it and would be willing to work it out together. No I wouldn’t be happy about it but I’d understand if he was unhappy for a long time.

OP posts:
Ineedatellingoff · 05/11/2025 21:54

u3ername · 05/11/2025 21:50

Not everyone who has been ‘put down and held back’ behaves like you so you can’t say that is causing the behaviour. I’m a bit tired of trauma being mentioned as a way of explaining the behaviour in posts like these.

Few of us have not had hardships, yet we have agency and chose who we want to be.
Who do you want to be? Are you living according to your values? Put in some practice and hard work and you’ll get there.

ETA. You need new friends and some grit, not therapy.

Edited

I get it. I really do as I shouldn’t be getting on like this. I’ve tried and I’ve tried and I’ve tried but I get next to nowhere and I’ve just had enough

OP posts:
u3ername · 05/11/2025 22:05

Ineedatellingoff · 05/11/2025 21:54

I get it. I really do as I shouldn’t be getting on like this. I’ve tried and I’ve tried and I’ve tried but I get next to nowhere and I’ve just had enough

Well, you try again. Don't have a choice really.
Find healthier ways to be. You can teach yourself to enjoy reading non fiction books, painting, running.
Make sure you eat well, you sleep 8hrs every night. Do more life - hobbies, new places.

Be strict with yourself and hold boundaries when choices cross your morals - it’s easier after you taught yourself to find joy and gratitude in everyday life, feeling content is the antidote to giving in to temptation.

New friends, for sure. Don't like the sound of those.

Ineedatellingoff · 05/11/2025 22:07

u3ername · 05/11/2025 22:05

Well, you try again. Don't have a choice really.
Find healthier ways to be. You can teach yourself to enjoy reading non fiction books, painting, running.
Make sure you eat well, you sleep 8hrs every night. Do more life - hobbies, new places.

Be strict with yourself and hold boundaries when choices cross your morals - it’s easier after you taught yourself to find joy and gratitude in everyday life, feeling content is the antidote to giving in to temptation.

New friends, for sure. Don't like the sound of those.

Thanks so much. I think the worst thing I could do is give up. I’m just feeling very drained from it all but I’m treating this as a wake up call as I can’t blow up my family because of my reckless behaviour

OP posts:
Lostworlds · 05/11/2025 23:04

The thing is you’re already blowing up your family. You continue to keep in touch with your ex and continue to have inappropriate conversations with him.

No I don’t believe you would be understanding of your dh if he was the one acting like this instead . I think you’d be hurt, angry and wonder why he was willing to throw a family away because he’s needing some attention.

You need to stop with the excuses and the pity now. Sorry for being harsh but you seem to come up with a reason for your bad behaviour as if it’s okay to flirt and talk to your ex about having an affair because you’re unhappy at home. If you’re unhappy then do something about it! Talk to your dh properly about everything that’s going on and work out what you want to do with your life.

If your married life is making you feel so rubbish then take a break to decide if you want to be married. Don’t have an affair or talk about having an affair, it won’t help anything.

FiveShelties · 06/11/2025 04:15

He also said he’ll sort my unhappiness out with the amazing sex we used to have. Yes he was amazing in bed and we shared that chemistry which I found out that night it hadn’t fully went. Stupidly I think I’ve reignited it

Well it is Bonfire Night

Doingtheboxerbeat · 06/11/2025 04:18

FiveShelties · 06/11/2025 04:15

He also said he’ll sort my unhappiness out with the amazing sex we used to have. Yes he was amazing in bed and we shared that chemistry which I found out that night it hadn’t fully went. Stupidly I think I’ve reignited it

Well it is Bonfire Night

🤣 Classic.

Renamedyetagain · 06/11/2025 05:09

This is the most ridiculous thread I've ever read.

Grow up. People like you ruin lives, all for an ego boost.

thepariscrimefiles · 06/11/2025 05:33

Swiftasthewind · 04/11/2025 16:22

Leave her alone fgs. She has already said how lonely she feels, craving affection is only natural and it seems like her ex is the one that shows up when it counts.

If you’re still reading OP, I understand you wholeheartedly and you’ll get no judgement from me. Your husband is clearly not putting in enough effort in the relationship so don’t let people gaslight you into feeling like it’s all your fault. You deserve to be wanted.

OP sounds absolutely ridiculous with this soppy Mills and Boon bollocks. She is a grown woman with a husband and child but is behaving like a lovesick teenager. If she doesn't want to be married and wants to be with her ex, she should tell her husband and leave the marriage.

thepariscrimefiles · 06/11/2025 05:41

Swiftasthewind · 05/11/2025 14:32

@GoldThumb some poster called me a crank, would you kindly inform him or her that I’m kind of a big deal round here and not to make an enemy out of me?

Edited

In what way are you a big deal on here? What happens if other posters disagree with you and make an enemy out of you? It's Mumsnet, not the Mafia!