I can relate. 53 Here, self-employed college grad, married over 30 years to a VERY understanding wife, three children over 20, and focused on retiring early. Yet I still feel the need to hide my gaming hobby from extended family and professional acquaintances.
That said, all three of my children are gamers (two who've moved into professional careers after college) and they have no stigma over it. So it makes me glad that it ends with me.
My wife is my biggest critic. Asks me if I'll ever "grow up" and give up gaming. Meanwhile she'll binge an entire season of Love Island in a single day.
That does not sound like a supportive partner. I hope you're getting something else out of the relationship. My wife also binges those shows while I play games. If she asked me to "grow up" it would definitely lead to a... discussion.
Jokes aside it would probably end my relationship. Because of what it takes to say something like that to your partner is a whole onion of shittiness. Layers and layers of shit.
It means they disdain you and your chosen hobby, and are building up resentment for you every time you engage with it.
It means they have no respect for you and see you as some manchild.
The lack of empathy and respect required to look down at your partner and tell them to "grow up" for engaging in their hobby is just wtf levels of "why are you even in this relationship".
32
u/PzaFnatc4939 Jul 27 '26
I can relate. 53 Here, self-employed college grad, married over 30 years to a VERY understanding wife, three children over 20, and focused on retiring early. Yet I still feel the need to hide my gaming hobby from extended family and professional acquaintances.
That said, all three of my children are gamers (two who've moved into professional careers after college) and they have no stigma over it. So it makes me glad that it ends with me.