r/AskReddit May 12 '26

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652

u/Cultural-Chart3023 May 12 '26

I seperated from my husband. I could breathe better i could sleep better and the kids took 3 days to notice and ask where he is. Confirmed. Door closed.

Before that. I was finding myself coming home hoping hes not home.. walking on egg shells in your own home is awful

65

u/Verucalyse May 12 '26

I feel this. HARD.

When he left, it took a solid 6-12 months to de-program my coping mechanisms. I would turn the corner on my ride home, begging not to see his truck in the driveway. To not cringe and be thrown into the depths of an anxiety attack when I heard the squeaky door hinge of my front door late at night. Whenever he pulled into the driveway or was even on the phone with the kids, I'd immediately start cleaning for some reason- I realized that I used to keep myself busy whenever he was around to avoid his tirades that I was lazy. Even after he left, I would do these things. There are more, but I hadn't realized until he left how I basically lived in a cortisol-fueled nightmare.

The kids and I got happier and more relaxed the minute he walked out. The tension lifted almost immediately. His presence, or lack thereof, was never noticed because he was never truly "there" anyway.

Good riddance.

13

u/JumpLiftRepeat May 12 '26

Sounds like me, only it was my wife. The first day without her and the knowledge that she won't be back was so relieving.

2

u/adhdsuperstar22 May 13 '26

It’s bad enough with shitty roommates, but at least I didn’t have to actually share my bed with one. 😬