Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

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

Husband has to copy everything I do

155 replies

stopcopyingmeplease · 11/04/2026 14:16

Husband has annoying behaviour. He's quite competitive and if I happen to say I'm going to do something he has to tell me all about the time he did the exact same thing.

For example, if I sit down at the piano and have a bit of a tinkle, he'll get his guitar out and start to play stuff. We're both very poor at playing, it's not a serious endeavour.

I wanted to relax, so I set up some acrylic paints and painted a small picture. It's not very good, but it was relaxing to do and I was proud of it in my own way. He then brings one of his past paintings down and starts telling me all about it 🙄

All I want to do is have a go at a couple of hobbies and yet there he is, trying to compete with me. It's stupid and pointless. I feel like it's not worth doing stuff as I have to tolerate his tedious thoughts about whatever it is. He's also quite bossy and will try to tell me what to do and how to do it. I'm nearly 60.

He also copies me if I have a cold, headache, am tired, have a sore leg etc. I don't tell him things, but sometimes something might be revealed then he's on it. He's also a massive martyr and gets butthurt and huffy over things. It's exhausting.

OP posts:
Jimmyneutronsforehead · 13/04/2026 15:46

begonefoulclutter · 13/04/2026 15:17

It's probably already occurred to you, but you could have a lot of fun with this friend. You could tell him that you:

Are going to learn how to snorkel / ride a unicycle / pole dance.

Have decided to buy a Harley Davidson motorbike.

Will be having a skull and crossbones tattooed on your left shoulderblade.

Are going to be sewing thousands of pearl buttons on your best outfit having discovered that you are descended from Cockney Pearly Kings and Queens.

Your next activity holiday will be brass rubbing in Canterbury Cathedral.

You love honey so much you are taking up bee-keeping and have ordered a beehive for your garden.

You're on to something. I'll be starting my own thread to report back soon.

SurroundedByEejits · 13/04/2026 17:27

There appears to be a huge communication gap between you.
He tries to join in activities with you that he also enjoys (and is fairly good at?) 'to connect', but does it in such a way that it comes across as interfering and chronic mansplaining.
Have you told him that you find his attitude exhausting? That you just want a little peace and quiet to enjoy an activity by yourself? That you don't like him when he behaves in this manner? Or at all?!
Is it worth considering mediation, or have things gone too far for that?

From your OP and responses, I wonder if, in ten years or so, we'll all be nodding and saying, 'oh, yeah, she said he was doing her head in' when we see the story on the News of you going to town with a cast iron frying pan because he wouldn't shut up about his latest electronics project...

SingtotheCat · 13/04/2026 18:01

Headphones.

Firethehorse · 15/04/2026 04:38

You had the chance to divorce but chose not to OP, it was your decision and still is.
Your husband sounds super annoying but you come across as at least a bit cruel and extremely joyless. End this for both your sakes or stop complaining because it is your choice, you are making excuses to remain exactly as you are.

ImGoneUnderground · 17/04/2026 23:56

stopcopyingmeplease · 11/04/2026 15:32

I don't want to do any other hobbies. I can't socialise as I'm autistic. I can't join any groups or anything. I used to paint pots and pebbles and he didn't bother me then either. Perhaps pictures are more than he can cope with.

With kindness, you said you are autistic - is he also?
(I may have missed some of the replies, sorry).
I don't have any answers, but is he really doing this to annoy you, or because he doesn't know how to make his own choices, thoughts, or because he admires you & wants to be part of the things you do / connect with you?
Maybe actually sit down & discuss & try something you can do & enjoy together?? Or even write it down, & then discuss? Is there still any love at all between you / could you live without him??.
Is he recently retired? - that's a huge change in anyone's life.
What do you actually want here? Good luck to both 🌹

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