marriage - separation - depression - constant questioning myself

Anon Imperfect Mum

marriage - separation - depression - constant questioning myself

Is there anyone in similar situation like me?

I am not here for any advice but I would like to know if there is anyone who feels like me and also share my own story.

I am a mother of a 4 years and married with my partner for almost 13 years. About three years ago I realised I am not in love with this person and not emotionally attached or physically attracted to him. This was a huge surprise for me and I had hard time accepting it myself. However, it's not like we didn't have any issues in our marriage and I always ignored everything and told myself that I love this person and as his wife, I will try my best to make him happy. So, when I told my partner about my feelings of loneliness and even though initially he asked me to get over it, he tried to spend more time with me and tried to make things better. But it never got better and I told him about two years ago that I want a break from the marriage and from him. Initially i thought that may be if we have a trial separation, things will turn around. But he used our son as an excuse and refused to have a trial separation. Slowly I started to dig even deeper and found many other issues that I always ignored. I started questioning myself, my beliefs and values. It was like I was discovering a new me which I never knew existed. I started feeling depressed. Then I asked him again about separation and he had similar excuse. In the meantime I got diagnosed for depression and was prescribed antidepressant. I went through a dark, really dark episode. Then I started to see a psychologist. With her help I started to find myself back and I got convinced that I am not happy in this marriage and I don't want to be one of those people who don't want to leave the marriage because of the kids. I always believed that kids should not be a reason why anyone stays in the marriage. Anyway, I have been talking about separation for a while and made up my mind. I have accepted that this marriage is over. However, he is still in denial and still using our son as an excuse. Even when I raised the possibility of having shared care, he disagreed. In this journey, I have realised how different we are as persons and I feel dumb thinking how on earth I ignored all the issues we had (I didn't want to go in great details here) and portrayed myself as the best wife any man could ever have. Sorry, I got off track again, I am still waiting, I know what I want to do, I am confident I can do it. But time to time I question myself over and over thinking are my reasons enough to leave a marriage of more than 12 years? Then I answer my own questions, I am not in love with this person, each day whatever he does drives me crazy, no matter how he tries to support me in his own way, we are completely different person, have totally different view about things, why should I stay? What will I get from this marriage? What my son will learn about "marriage" other than that it's about faking? He will learn that it's ok that parents can sleep in two different bedrooms, that's how it should be. Is it worth staying in a loveless marriage even though the other party thinks that we will teach our son that his mother is sick and daddy and he are looking after mummy? I know the answers but still keep questioning myself.
Sorry, for this long post, just wanted to share my story with the unknown sisters in this community. Thanks in advance for not judging me for anything.

Posted in:  Relationships & Marriage, Mental Health, Anxiety & Depression

1 Replies

Anon Imperfect Mum

I have been there too. My first marriage was like yours. We were together for12 years and had 2 children. You already know the answer. You need to think of what you are teaching your child ( as you stated) . Their mental well-being is more important than trying to make something work that is beyond repair.
It's hard but worth it. I ended up just telling my ex it was over I was leaving andtaking the kids. I moved to my sister's till I got on my feet. He struggled with it but I had to think of the kids and my own mental health
Unfortunately I have made the same mistake and I am currently about where you are now with another 2 children. I haven't quite decided to go yet but it's getting harder to stay
Your child needs a happy mother and environment. He may have trouble having a true loving relationship when he is older.
Good luck

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