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Struggling, life is too much - sorry long one!

10 replies

cherrytrees96 · 29/11/2021 21:01

I don’t even know where to start with this.

On the surface I seem a successful person. I’m 24, I have a good and well paid job, a car, a boyfriend and some great friends. Live with my parents to save for a deposit.

I’ve always been quite an anxious person growing up and overthinking with quite low self esteem. I got through early secondary school always thinking everyone hated me and had a few different friendship groups until I eventually found a good group of friends that I still speak to now.

I went to university and despised my housemates in my second year. They were absolutely horrible and I was a bit of a pushover. Really enjoyed my final year with people I liked.
I struggled a lot at university mentally, very anxious and rung my parents a lot. Got through it but was a struggle!

Now I work full time and last summer went through a big break up last year after a 5 year relationship. We were quite impulsive, got a flat just after the first lockdown even though we were struggling, and ended it just 6 weeks later. I struggled for months and my family were there for me. Final straw I handed my notice in for a new job and they sacked me instantly after (wrongful dismissal).

So since then I got a new job, travelled alone for a month and really really got into a good place. Recently got into a new relationship with a STAR and couldn’t have been happier.

Now the problems continue….

I’ve always had a bit of a funny relationship with my family. Two older sisters who I’ve grown up feeling belittled by and ganged up on. I feel like I get on with them sometimes and they’re completely off with me the next. There’s a lot of underlying tension which turns into claiming I don’t care about them and drunk arguments usually fuelled by them. They’ve called me an attention seeker before.

I live with one and my parents who I know for a fact care about me. They step up when they need to eg picking me up from places, helping me move things to uni etc etc. I’m really grateful for them.

Here’s the latest problem - I’ve been with my DP about 4 months now. Family love him but when I asked if he can come to a family meal my parents said that them and my sister feel that I’m “self absorbed”, “too needy” and “obsessed”. They said they’ve all been talking about how I am messing up relationship single handedly and I am toxic (bearing in mind my last one was 5 years and ended amicably and maturely). I’m being too intense seeing him twice a week.
They said “why do you have to bring me and everyone here into your dramas”
I mentioned me being invited to his family meal and mum said “I bet his parents are fed up of you”. She tried to tell me how my DP and his parents feel constantly. Said DP probably doesn’t even want to come for Christmas and I made him (he is so excited about it!).
She then said i was immature because, in a mimicky voice, “ooooh I’m all over Facebook and we’re staying in a little log cabin oooh” (I posted one picture of the trip).

It then kicked off again. Sister said she was just trying to help and that she didn’t feel she could tell me, but I just got upset and went on attack. It turned into all my family telling me my life is a car crash, that my social media was too cringe (one picture) and that I don’t care about anyone but myself. Called me insane etc. Said I have a personality transplant around my boyfriend (but it’s probably just cos I’m not myself around my sister).

Now I’m starting to genuinely believe I have issues and this is all on me because of my personality. I know my parents care about me and now I feel they hate me. I just feel like it never ends. I’ve been a mess this weekend as I didn’t go to my mums birthday surprise on Saturday and since then I’ve felt intense guilt. I just am struggling to cope. I’m sat in bed just absolutely clueless. I haven’t spoke to them in days.

The last few weeks I’ve also feel I have ADHD or something too. Struggle to organise myself for work and concentrate and head is always all over the place.

Just need some help :(

OP posts:
cherrytrees96 · 29/11/2021 21:08

Just feel so overwhelmed and like I’m the issue all the time. My room is a tip, car is messy, I never look nice anymore, I’m really letting myself go and I’ve just had enough

OP posts:
R0tational · 29/11/2021 21:13

Move out. Get some distance. Grow (away from family).

I dont mean this in a harsh "grow up" and stop relying on your family by the way. Just that you need time / space to grow and spread your wings.

Well done on all your achievements to date.

cherrytrees96 · 30/11/2021 01:07

Thank you @R0tational Flowers

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DaisyNGO · 30/11/2021 01:16

You need to move out.

You're living in the middle of a bunch of people's feelings and judgements. You don't have any headspace or peace.

Go and do a houseshare or be someone's lodger, a formal set up where you just get on with your life.

Saving money is important yes, but building earnings in a house of drunken rows will be very hard. Move out.

MyNameIsAlexDrake · 30/11/2021 01:24

You need to address your guilt at not going to your mum's surprise party first and foremost, that's what's really getting to you at the moment isn't it?

sjpkgp1 · 30/11/2021 02:04

Trust me, your parents love you, and silence (as a parent of 4) is hard but completely forgivable, and a quick (and private) word from you will help mend those bridges. I completely agree with OPs about moving out away from siblings who may not be supportive, you do not need to explain to them why - you just have a good opportunity then go. It is a real challenge moving out (financially, physically and mentally), and you might think 'it is all hopeless' but you have achieved it before, and you can do it again, and you will find a better world out there. IRO of the ADHD thing I am no expert, but just take things slowly, and achieve one thing, then the next in a 'rome wasn't built in a day' style. Despite your siblings drinking (not sure if you do or not), try and keep off it or away from them when they do. I really wish you love and hope xx - things have been hard for you, but you can find your way out.

DaisyNGO · 30/11/2021 02:14

Not sure we're reading the same posts

The parents have said some bizarre and toddler like things.
Love is worth nothing when it doesn't include respect.

cherrytrees96 · 30/11/2021 10:34

I just feel like it really is me, and I mess everything up, honestly does it seem this way? I’ve been crying all day at work and feel like I’m spiralling yet again :( my sister said my life is a car crash and she’s probably right.
I have told my DP how I’m feeling too and I feel like I’m burdening him and spiralling all over again

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DoraDont · 30/11/2021 10:53

You do sound a little like you're making a big drama out of what is normal ups and downs of life. Pretty standard when you're in your twenties from what little I can remember. You mention lots of positive things, but are giving the negatives more weight. Flip that.

Inviting someone you've been seeing for four months for Christmas lunch does seem like overkill. Maybe your family feel like they would all have to be on 'best behaviour' and not able to relax and enjoy their Christmas with him there?

Re: siblings. Not everyone gets on with their siblings as adults, that's just a fact. You don't have to, it's not mandatory. Your relationship will change as you get older and go through different stages of life. Just make some distance between you and them for now and concentrate on doing things that build your self esteem, move out would be the priority.

Try and access some counselling if you feel the need, it can be very helpful. I am twice your age, but will forever be the youngest child and appeaser in my family. I just suck it up in the moment and then go back to my own life, it doesn't define my whole life.

cherrytrees96 · 30/11/2021 10:59

Thank you @DoraDont I do tend to overthink everything and really try hard not to. And yeah completely get Christmas lunch - he’s not coming for dinner, we’re spending it with our own families. He is coming in the late evening and my parents were initially very okay with that!

I think you’re right and just need to create some distance x

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