Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Relationships

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

Can't express how I feel

8 replies

ShadowTheHedgehog · 13/06/2025 07:47

I still live at home with my mom (I'm 26), I'm trying to save to move out but it's taking a while (I pay almost half the bills and have my own expenses on top of that).

Whenever I am feeling really sad about something or I am feeling down (I have quite a bit of childhood trauma too) I try to open up to my mom but she immediately shuts me down. She will say things like "I hate when you're sad because it stresses me out" or "you're bringing me down". It's never been from a sympathetic stand point like "it hurts me to see you so upset" always just how my feelings are basically an inconvenience.

A few years ago in my early 20's I went through a really traumatic event and naturally became quite depressed by it. I would stay in my room all day. My mom would come home from work and she would say "your negative energy makes me not want to come home". I didn't get any support from her (she would avoid me by staying at her boyfriends) which is why I'd keep to myself in my room. She let me get a kitten for some emotional support after I begged her for years but less than a week later she made me rehome him.

I don't know what to do really. When I'm upset I will just cry when I go to bed or get in the shower so she can't hear me. I do have a couple of friends but I don't feel able to open up to them about anything. Paying for therapy on top of my outgoings would leave me with no money left every month.

Not really sure what I wanted from this, if anyone sees it. I just needed somehere to put my feelings

OP posts:
Coatsoff42 · 13/06/2025 07:58

You sound really down, it’s tough not feeling comfortable at home and it sounds like you don’t feel like you can be yourself.

You aren’t enjoying living with your mum, and she doesn’t seem to be enjoying it either. Get your plans on the move to get into your own place. Sometimes people get on better when they spend less time together.

If you feel really sad you can always call Samaritans, that’s free and somewhere to talk if you feel like you have no one else.

GrandmasCat · 13/06/2025 08:01

Op, sometimes parents do not change, this is not a problem, the problem is hoping they will. Just let go, you cannot make a stone bleed and will only hurt yourself more by trying.

You don’t need a bunch of people supporting you, you just need to trust your strength, which is there already but you have not had opportunity to experience, Nobody knows how strong they are until they need to cope on their own.

You are already paying half the bills, which means that you know what it would be like to live in a shared house and ready to fly on your own. Try to save every penny for that deposit to buy your freedom and then go and live your life as you see fit 💐

Eric1964 · 13/06/2025 09:09

Do you have anyone older you could talk to, such as an aunt or a family friend you trust? At the moment, it seems, you're trapped in a very draining relationship. You deserve better. If you can't afford therapy (who can, really?) is there a group you can join? If you're feeling vulnerable (which I think you are) I'd suggest avoiding the opposite sex. Good luck.

ShadowTheHedgehog · 14/06/2025 13:11

Thanks all for the replies. I don't have any older relatives to talk to unfortunately so I just keep my feelings to myself for the most part. I don't want to be made to feel like an inconvenience. I have a weak relationship with my dad so not an option. I feel stuck and like I am a burden

OP posts:
MiloMinderbinder925 · 14/06/2025 13:24

OP how are you expecting to move out if you're not paying rent yet still can't afford therapy? Are you only working part time? NMW has you at over 20k and you're only paying towards bills.

Your mum thinks your depression is a drag and she's not going to give you the support you want. Have you seen your Dr in order to discuss medication?

Have you tried other strategies such as journalling, exercise, mindfulness? The Samaritans are available 24/7 and you can try Hub of Hope to see what help is available in your area.

Archaicpractices667 · 14/06/2025 14:19

I’m really sorry that you are feeling down op 💐

I’m not saying this to be deliberately harsh but sometimes mothers are just people who have their own problems who are coping as best they can.

There is no doubt that your mother could be more sympathetic and listen to you in a more understanding way. And I am really sorry that she didn’t support you well when you went through a traumatic event. Also that you went through that traumatic event in the first place. Can you try and at least get on a list for NHS talking therapies?

Some parents just don’t have good emotional intelligence because they weren’t parented that way themselves,

Also, from the perspective of an older woman who has young adult daughters; I feel that I have worked pt and full ft, got up in the night, changed nappies, packed school bags, kept house, done laundry, sorted
the school run, arranged and helped with extra curricular activities, birthday parties, day trips, exams, supported through the uni years, and have facilitated family life in so many ways for two decades or so, and provided love and care to the best of my ability, and so on many occasions now I just feel tired and “done”.

So much is expected of women nowadays. We are expected to work like we don’t have dc, parent like we don’t have a job, do it more empathetically and for longer than ever before, keep fit and slim, maintain a lovely home and provide healthy food , facilitate your child’s education, earn a good living, and it’s a lot.

Yes the most important thing is the quality of our relationships with our dc and we try to be sympathetic and supportive but sometimes when we have ploughed so much energy in, it’s hard to hear that after all of that, our dc are still unhappy. And we love them so much that it’s hard not to take that as a personal reflection of our parenting.

Also, your mum could be suffering from menopausal symptoms and depression or loneliness herself. The withdrawal of oestrogen makes you less sympathetic I think. I think teens or adult children always assume everything is about them but sometimes it’s nothing to do with that.

Or maybe she feels that providing you with a home is her way of showing support, even when you are paying half the costs? Some people’s love languages are acts of service.

Maybe she is tired at the end of the working day but can’t afford to retire?

Also, ultimately op, in the words of that Mel influencer woman, “no one is coming”. Ultimately everyone is responsible for their own happiness. I know you should be able to expect sympathy and support from your mum of all people, but she for some reason is unable to provide that right now. People with good mh try and accept the realities that they are presented with in life and adapt. So maybe it’s time to explore other ways of increasing your support system so you aren’t so emotionally dependent on your mum?

And maybe it’s time to move out and stand on your own two feet? Move in to
a house share? Meet some new people your own age?

In your shoes I would focus on getting good quality sleep, exercising and eating healthily. Getting those three things in order is often as good as taking an AD. And I would challenge myself to go out and meet one new person a week. And sign up to
some hobby clubs for activities that bring you joy! A choir? A gardening group? What interests do you have? What goals do you have in life? Something creative maybe? Don’t make the mistake of waiting until “the right moment” just do it whether you are down or depressed or nervous. I know it’s hard but there is more strength in you than you think and you have youth and energy on your side. Don't waste it op. Good luck 💐

ShadowTheHedgehog · 14/06/2025 16:19

MiloMinderbinder925 · 14/06/2025 13:24

OP how are you expecting to move out if you're not paying rent yet still can't afford therapy? Are you only working part time? NMW has you at over 20k and you're only paying towards bills.

Your mum thinks your depression is a drag and she's not going to give you the support you want. Have you seen your Dr in order to discuss medication?

Have you tried other strategies such as journalling, exercise, mindfulness? The Samaritans are available 24/7 and you can try Hub of Hope to see what help is available in your area.

I'm working full time, I'm on 25k, paying almost half the bills, have my car insurance, road tax, petrol and phone bill to take care of too. I'm not on any medication for depression, I did have a few sessions of therapy via nhs but that is very short-term

OP posts:
MiloMinderbinder925 · 14/06/2025 16:21

ShadowTheHedgehog · 14/06/2025 16:19

I'm working full time, I'm on 25k, paying almost half the bills, have my car insurance, road tax, petrol and phone bill to take care of too. I'm not on any medication for depression, I did have a few sessions of therapy via nhs but that is very short-term

Take a look at BACP, some therapists have a sliding scale.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page