All Forums >> Love Corner >> Relationship Issues

My (42f) husband (42m) started therapy and now it seems we aren't compatible (by Sparky)

 Sparky (0)  (29 / M-F / Massachusetts)
1-May-22 10:30 pm
My (42f) husband (42m) started therapy and now it seems we aren't compatible

We've been together nearly 9 years.

I'm a TOTAL homebody and one of the things I liked about him was he was always a homebody too. I work 40 hrs/week and on the weekends I like to relax. Go for brunch, cook at home, do some gardening, go to a movie, work out, read. That type of stuff. We've always been like that, and I enjoy it. We do travel a bit and do some other things, but that's the core of our existence.

My husband has always been low-key anxious with ADHD (medicated). He has a TERRIBLE time handling stress (even minor stress) and honesty I find him much nicer when we just do things at home. I like travelling, but travelling with him has always been stressful. I deal with that anyway. The times we've gone out to do things, he often becomes frustrated/overwhelmed and takes it out on me (not fun at all). For a quick example, once we went to an escape room (his idea) and he shouted at me because I couldn't figure something out. Another time we went to go on a hike and the trail wasn't clearly marked and he got very grouchy with ME and suggested I didn't prepare well. Once he said he wanted to go fishing, but expected me to figure out where the best fishing spots are. When I didn't, he got upset with me.

Last year after I encouraged him to start talk therapy. Since then, he's expressed unhappiness with his life and me on a few occasions. He'll tell me I'm not fun or stuff like that.

This weekend we had a blow-out fight. We talked a lot and he said he wants us to do things out of the house (concerts, plays, etc) all the time. Well, that's news to me, but it's honestly nothing I really enjoy at all but I'm willing to do some things for him.

I said sure, he can plan something and I'm happy to go along. He said no, he doesn't want to plan stuff because he's not good at planning anything, and left to his own devices he'll just stay home. He also said he doesn't consider going to movies on the weekend to be fun anymore.

Just a side note....he works longer hours than I do (60 hrs/week) and he makes FAR MORE than I do. In fact, his job allows us to live where we do and travel, etc. So he said that I have to plan things so I'm "bringing something positive to our relationship". He says he needs to go out regularly so we can make good memories and it's for his mental health.

So I put a long list of ideas together for him. Concerts, plays, day trips, etc. He responded that he wants to do everything on the list.

I have to admit....I am not interested in all that. Once in a while sure, but I'm tired on the weekends and I just like to chill out. I am willing to do things but I don't want this whirlwind every single day off we are on the move. I also help look after my elderly parents. I feel exhausted already.

So I don't know how to go forward. It seems like a profound incompatibility that I wasn't even aware of for years. Now, he's very adamant that in his new life he no longer wants us chilling at home. While I can definitely do some things, I don't want to do "things" just for the sake of doing things. I personally find it very draining to travel to the city, find parking, go to a concert that I don't even really care about, etc.

Could it be possible that this is a weird thing with therapy and will pass? Should I agree and just try to tire him out (and hope that he will recognize that he also likes relaxing at home)? Or is this a deal breaker? I'm at a loss.

tldr: my homebody husband started therapy and now wants to do "things" with me every single weekend and wants me to plan all these fun events.


Source.

 

 

 
 
 DearJohn (6)       (64 / M-F / Arkansas)
1-May-22 11:09 pm
See what happens when you tried to change him...

 

 

 
 
Quick reply:

[Smilies]

RULES:
  • Be respectful at all times.
  • Be mature and act like an adult.
  • Respect different points of view.
  • Discuss ideas, not specific users.
  • Don't get personal.
  • No profanity.
  • No drama.
  • No thread hijacking.
  • No trolling.
  • No spamming.
  • No soliciting.
  • No duplicate posting.
  • No posting in the wrong section.
  • No posting of contact information.
  • Be welcoming to new users.
Repeated violations of the above will result in increasing temporary bans from the forum and an eventual permanent ban from the site. Basically, just be friendly and neighborly and all will be well.
Similar threads:
Top
Home
Give us feedback!

Login:

* Username:

* Password:

 Remember me


Forgot?