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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Feeling strange about my life

28 replies

mytartanscarf · 22/02/2015 08:51

I know there's probably no 'real' advice anyone can give me but I just need a chance to talk/vent whatever.

I'm 32, almost 33. Most of my friends are married or in stable relationships (I know this could change!) Many have children; those who don't probably will in the next three/four years.

I've had a strange sort of life. I had an 'ordinary' childhood - quite middle class - but that started to change when I was 13 and my mum was diagnosed with cancer. My brother has autism and always got more attention than me anyway and when my mum was ill I became pretty much invisible. She died when I was 15 and my dad moved out into another womans house and came back every other weekend! This sounds bonkers considering I was in year 10 at the time but everyone just acted like it was normal.

At the time I was washing dishes in a local pub for pocket money and met an older man who looking back was troubled himself. I got pregnant. I went into serious denial and by the time it emerged (as I was barely attending school at this point) and became obvious I was 28 weeks. I had a baby girl and it was generally considered by everyone adoption was best for me and my daughter. That was what happened. My dad never talked about that.

I did surprisingly well in my exams considering and went on to do a levels at a sixth form college where no one knew my 'history' so to speak. I went on to university and my dad died then; and after I graduated I was desperate to replace my family. I had a sort-of relationship with a man - it was never serious and we had a sort of tactical agreement that he'd help me get pregnant Hmm I got pregnant fairly quickly and soon realised it wasn't what I wanted. I felt alone and frightened and sick and scared. I ended up having a termination (I don't regret this.) This was all quite a chaotic and dysfunctional time for me and I was working as an escort in the city so I was having sex a lot but never actual relationships.

I suppose the point is, I've settled of sorts. I still live a life others probably consider a bit mad (live on a boat, work 3 jobs!) but no escorting or pregnancies or other madness.

But when I see my friends in stable marriages and starting families I feel sad. I have explained my history because I can't contemplate having a baby alone but I doubt very much I can have a relationship (I have had counselling but while it helped me come to terms with some stuff it didn't make any difference to relationships.) I don't want one, can't imagine having one.

But I know as I go from my 30s into my 40s and then 50s my life is going to be so dramatically different to everyone else's and not entirely through choice.

I suppose I am wondering how everyone else deals with being 'different' and living a life that while you're happy you recognise you wouldn't exactly have chosen it!

OP posts:
EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard · 22/02/2015 19:19

PPs have made good points as well.

As for
I just don't know if I want it forever?
none of us know if what we have now is for ever, for 50 years, 15, 5, 5 months or weeks. Like I said up above, anything can happen any time.

You can't choose your family. You can choose your friends.
I hope you get your round the world trip, perhaps look into some volunteering or casual work along the route and embrace everything that comes your way. If you have a fabulous adventure come and tell us all about it.

Fugghetaboutit · 22/02/2015 20:01

"I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become." Carl Yung.

Your post reminded me of this quote op. You are 30, you have a great inner strength and wit about you.

If you ever get into writing I would love to read it. We only live once, don't spend the next however many years relaying what happened or what could happen.

Focus on the now. That is all you can control.

bringmejoy2015 · 22/02/2015 21:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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