Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To have low self-esteem and anxiety

12 replies

Team187 · 07/03/2026 14:41

I'm struggling and would love some viewpoints from people not emotionally involved. I'll try to keep it short.
Married to h for 13 years. Son age 12. 5 years ago, I found out, not through admission but by a piece of post, that h had racked up a 60k+ gambling debt. I see myself as a reasonably astute and intelligent person but I didn't have a clue! Absolutely shocking. Weighed up my options but ultimately stayed with the condition that I now manage everything financially including all his banking etc. Things have turned around and we are now financially ok, although his debt repayment plan will take years and years. To be fair to him, he has set up a successful side business on top of his well paid job and I have a professional income so things are ok. He doesn't have opportunity to stray, is tracked on life360 as part of our agreement. Often says how grateful he is for my forgiveness. But I feel so low about myself and like what happened to me is all I deserve. I just always feel worried that something else will go wrong, I have been very stressed with my job recently and have needed to talk but I get a vibe my h thinks im sad and boring although it might be in my imagination. He is trying to improve himself with going to the gym, working out and having braces fitted and reassures me this is all for himself and his wellness etc. But I'm just waiting for him to leave me. It's like the stress of what happened with the gambling hangs over me constantly and Im waiting for something else to go wrong. To me, I feel my husband is the more attractive of us too, although he says that's not true, so I know he could just walk away and find someone new quite easily. And I feel I'd be left with less money/ pension, due to working part time whilst child was young but I almost feel like it is what I deserve. Don't know what the answer is but needed to write it down! Basically, I feel like I don't deserve him, don't make him happy and he will eventually leave me high and dry.

OP posts:
Moshalot · 07/03/2026 14:57

That sounds hard OP.

But whether he eventually leaves you or not, I think the solution to both possibilities is the same: work on yourself. I don't mean to make yourself more attractive to your husband. I mean actively seek out new hobbies/friends/sports/adventures etc. Find things that make you happy and live your best life (I hate that phrase but it does convey the point)!

If he leaves you anyway, well then at least you have a happy and fulfilled life already. But perhaps a happier more fulfilled you will actually be more attractive to him, and it might rev things up between you. I don't think this is the reason to do it (do it for yourself) but it could be a nice side effect potentially.

CalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 07/03/2026 16:01

What was your upbringing like, OP? Was it happy and did you feel safe / loved? Do you think you can pinpoint where your low self esteem is coming from?

Team187 · 07/03/2026 16:23

It is so lovely of you both to reply, thank you. My mum and dad are lovely and encouraging, no childhood issues. I think at uni I never felt good enough and wasn't treated too well by men. This knocked me i think and made me feel undeserving of love. I also have a highly stressful job, never feel like im doing enough, always feel like im drowning and exhausted, again suffer with work-related anxiety, never feel good enough x

OP posts:
JLou08 · 07/03/2026 17:42

Team187 · 07/03/2026 16:23

It is so lovely of you both to reply, thank you. My mum and dad are lovely and encouraging, no childhood issues. I think at uni I never felt good enough and wasn't treated too well by men. This knocked me i think and made me feel undeserving of love. I also have a highly stressful job, never feel like im doing enough, always feel like im drowning and exhausted, again suffer with work-related anxiety, never feel good enough x

Do you think your job could be playing a part in it? I would've never considered that question a few months ago but I also have a very stressful job and the last few months I've been really struggling to progress my cases and started doubting my work capabilities and that has seeped over into me questioning of my colleagues like me, do my friends like me, questioning my looks and my body. I used to do that in my early 20s but haven't for around 15 years, yet all these insecurities are worming their way in.
It sounds like your H is telling you that you are more than good enough, try and believe him.
What helped me get over my insecurities the first time round was always reminding myself that people will think what they think and do what they do, me worrying and making myself miserable isn't going to change that, it is just a waste of time.

CalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 07/03/2026 18:12

It does sound like a combination of tiredness / work stress and burn out is making you feel down and as if you are struggling, then because you feel flat in general you can’t invest the time and energy into the things you see your husband doing for himself such as going to the gym etc. What would make you feel better about yourself? Do you get time to exercise?

CalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 07/03/2026 18:15

Also, I’m sorry to read that crappy men made you feel bad about yourself. It’s really important to think about the ways your husband doesn’t do those things - perhaps by writing down compliments he’s given you are things you know he values. Could you explain how you feel and ask him to write down the things he values about you? You can look at every time you doubt yourself. You can do the same with positive work feedback. It helps create perspective.

Team187 · 07/03/2026 18:18

JLou08 · 07/03/2026 17:42

Do you think your job could be playing a part in it? I would've never considered that question a few months ago but I also have a very stressful job and the last few months I've been really struggling to progress my cases and started doubting my work capabilities and that has seeped over into me questioning of my colleagues like me, do my friends like me, questioning my looks and my body. I used to do that in my early 20s but haven't for around 15 years, yet all these insecurities are worming their way in.
It sounds like your H is telling you that you are more than good enough, try and believe him.
What helped me get over my insecurities the first time round was always reminding myself that people will think what they think and do what they do, me worrying and making myself miserable isn't going to change that, it is just a waste of time.

I am an early years teacher. Completely mentally and physically drained by the demands of the job although I adore the children and so want the best for them. Perhaps my age (mid 40s) is impacting on my ability to cope, my joints are agony from the physicality of the role.

OP posts:
Team187 · 07/03/2026 18:20

CalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 07/03/2026 18:12

It does sound like a combination of tiredness / work stress and burn out is making you feel down and as if you are struggling, then because you feel flat in general you can’t invest the time and energy into the things you see your husband doing for himself such as going to the gym etc. What would make you feel better about yourself? Do you get time to exercise?

Flat. That's it. Hate myself, feel I offer nothing to the world. I must exercise because when I do it helps but I struggle to get motivated.

OP posts:
Team187 · 07/03/2026 18:22

CalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 07/03/2026 18:15

Also, I’m sorry to read that crappy men made you feel bad about yourself. It’s really important to think about the ways your husband doesn’t do those things - perhaps by writing down compliments he’s given you are things you know he values. Could you explain how you feel and ask him to write down the things he values about you? You can look at every time you doubt yourself. You can do the same with positive work feedback. It helps create perspective.

The problem is though, the gambling debt plays on my mind and is just another crappy thing! It's like it is all I deserve.

OP posts:
Moshalot · 07/03/2026 19:25

I think one way to better self-esteem in all areas of your life is to just enjoy your life more. If you are having a great time, it's hard to spend much time dwelling on how you 'don't measure up'.

It sounds like you could do with addressing the job situation. Could you afford to go part time? Also I recommend pilates for strengthening muscles whilst in all the crazy positions you end up in teaching early years, and supporting sore joints.

CalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 09/03/2026 22:58

Team187 · 07/03/2026 18:20

Flat. That's it. Hate myself, feel I offer nothing to the world. I must exercise because when I do it helps but I struggle to get motivated.

You certainly offer something to the children you teach. Have you spoken with your GP? It sounds like you might need to chat to someone. You seem burnt out. I’ve been a teacher - you have my empathy!

CalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 09/03/2026 23:00

Team187 · 07/03/2026 18:22

The problem is though, the gambling debt plays on my mind and is just another crappy thing! It's like it is all I deserve.

His gambling is his problem and flaw and not in any way some sort of punishment for you. You didn’t gamble - it’s quite simply not at all what you deserve.

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