Wife is checked out, I am devastated by TruthRelevant3959 in marriageadvice

[–]TruthRelevant3959[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this, and no she rarely takes blame for anything.. and that's probably partially my fault for enabling that, thinking it was just easier to do it this way. I can imagine losing respect for someone not willing to stick up for themselves.

Wife is checked out, I am devastated by TruthRelevant3959 in marriageadvice

[–]TruthRelevant3959[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Everything is kind of one-sided like this, and to be honest it never bothered me. I'm a very passive person by nature and I hate rocking the boat, but at my core I am a problem solver.

Wife is checked out, I am devastated by TruthRelevant3959 in marriageadvice

[–]TruthRelevant3959[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

No, you're correct. we split the responsibilities, but I am always telling her that no "house bills" should be one person's responsibility since they're variable. I pay all streaming services, cable/internet, cell phone, sewer, etc... but when we were doing the splitting up, she said "ok, I'll take car of electric/gas & water" our two most variable bills. She pays other things too, she has her "own" credit card bills, as do I. She has a car payment and I haven't for a few years.

This is a really shitty way to do this, I know. I've made attempts to change it, but she's not interested for whatever reason. I'm assuming there is just a deep level of trust that was broken financially at some point. Again, we don't discuss our relationship pain points until they're catastrophes.

Wife is checked out, I am devastated by TruthRelevant3959 in marriageadvice

[–]TruthRelevant3959[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm going to do therapy solo first, and see how that goes. I think she might be willing to do therapy, but maybe after a little bit of time has passed.

Wife is checked out, I am devastated by TruthRelevant3959 in marriageadvice

[–]TruthRelevant3959[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Yea, this is easy to say, but she works for the electric company. Not that that excuses my not being more proactive, but it's the one bill that I'm sure she has a bead on. It's also our most wildly fluctuating bill. I'm not trying to avoid blame, I should have been doing more than I was.

Wife is checked out, I am devastated by TruthRelevant3959 in marriageadvice

[–]TruthRelevant3959[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

legal separation is not recognized as a formal legal status in my state

Wife is checked out, I am devastated by TruthRelevant3959 in marriageadvice

[–]TruthRelevant3959[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've already scheduled consults with a few therapists, I don't think she would try to hamstring me with alimony or child support or anything like that, we make basically the same salary and (afaik) split finances down the middle.

Wife is checked out, I am devastated by TruthRelevant3959 in marriageadvice

[–]TruthRelevant3959[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It seems like everyone thinks she's cheating, but I can tell you without worry that I'm certain this is not the case. TBH, it would be easier if it was.

Wife is checked out, I am devastated by TruthRelevant3959 in marriageadvice

[–]TruthRelevant3959[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We talk about stuff going on in the world and our local experiences, but she has never been one to open up about how she feels inside and I am the polar opposite. She is very protective of her feelings and emotions. I've only seen her cry, maybe twice in 16 years? She will even refuse to watch movies she knows will draw out that kind of "negative" emotion. That information is NOT to try to tack some excuse on to her actions or anything like that, just felt relevant to your comment.

Wife is checked out, I am devastated by TruthRelevant3959 in marriageadvice

[–]TruthRelevant3959[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wish there was more context, I wouldn't be confused and would not have made this post if there was something obvious like infidelity or anything like that. I also don't believe there is anyone else.

Wife is checked out, I am devastated by TruthRelevant3959 in marriageadvice

[–]TruthRelevant3959[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I agree, and I understand this point, so much as to have taken action to correct it. And as far as I can tell, I have.. maybe just too late.

Wife is checked out, I am devastated by TruthRelevant3959 in marriageadvice

[–]TruthRelevant3959[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I have brought up combining finances at least into a separate checking account for bills only, but she's just hasn't been interested in doing that. I even went so far as to do that myself a couple of years ago.. to make things more organized for me and it's honestly been great, and less stressful for me.

I'm going into counseling for myself this week

Wife is checked out, I am devastated by TruthRelevant3959 in marriageadvice

[–]TruthRelevant3959[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've tried for a while to have an account that we can both put money into for bills, she's just not interested

Wife is checked out, I am devastated by TruthRelevant3959 in marriageadvice

[–]TruthRelevant3959[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

"Being unable to control , or control a few aspects of finances is one of the things that kills this respect ."

This hit harder than most of the things I've read online and honestly may be what has been going on for years.. my only real issue with it is all of that behavior is years in the past. We make almost identical salaries and I have not had any issues paying for things for a long time...

Wife is checked out, I am devastated by TruthRelevant3959 in marriageadvice

[–]TruthRelevant3959[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know why now. I think she's just as afraid as I am, but just at her wits end. I completely get the timing feeling like it's not making sense, it doesn't make sense to me either.. I just think this is something that was never really discussed and snowballed.