Everyone has things they’d rather keep to themselves than say out loud. But online, it’s a different story. With anonymity as a shield, people often feel free to let slip the thoughts they keep tucked away.
That’s what happened when a Mumsnet user asked others to confess what they wouldn’t admit in person. The replies came rushing in, from lighthearted to jaw-dropping, and everything in between. Scroll down to read some of the most memorable confessions and share your thoughts in the comments.
#1
My 10 year old is starting chemotherapy soon. The doctors say the outlook is very positive, to him and to everyone I am being very positive and upbeat and keeping spirits up and insisting everything will be fine, because what else can you do? Inside I can't even think of it I'm so terrified.
Image credits: Bloatstoat
#2
Getting my ducks in a row. I dream of a tiny seaside cottage/bedsit/beach hut where no one can find me, especially husband. I will go and visit the now adult kids but not sure if i will tell anyone where I am actually living. I'll change my name, too. Thinking about it keeps me going when life gets too depressing. I am doing what I can to make it happen though, it's not just wishful thinking.
Image credits: PlanningOnRunningAway
#3
I really can't be bothered with [intercourse] and wouldn't care if I never had it again. I also hate sharing my bed - with anybody.
Image credits: PistachioTiramisu
#4
I am 47 years old and still have an imaginary friend. When I'm bored, scared or stressed, out he comes. He's great, the best version of everyone and he thinks I'm great too. I'm aware it's avoidance and escapism, or my way of working out problems. I'm aware he's not real, but he's grown up with me. His name is James.
Image credits: Catchee
#5
My father has early stage Alzheimer’s, and is totally in the denial stage.
i will be relieved when he passes. I will be sad I’m sure, but I’m exhausted caring for him, working full time and looking after my own family (with a disabled child). I don’t wish it happens soon, but I also don’t wish it doesn’t. I’m just so tired.
Image credits: Thaimonstera
#6
One of the reasons I approve of the strictest possible restrictions on gun ownership is that if I owned a gun I’d have shot loads of people by now.
Image credits: BauhausOfEliott
#7
I get so so jealous of people who can make their brain quiet or restful. Mine is always so noisy sometimes I just want to scream.
Image credits: Boofoof
#8
I have 1 friend and we aren't very close. Tried to have friends but I find it tough or I feel they don't make an effort with me even if I try. Alot of "friends" have stabbed me in the back. Im pretty lonely
Image credits: Crimble123
#9
I have decided that if I win the lotttery I will not be telling a soul. Not DP, family, friends. Noone. I am just going to keep it in my account for at least a year while I decide what to do with it. I will make plans to help who I want and give some to them but not for a year, secretly meet with financial advisors and get it locked down properly. I will carry on as normal, go to work and secretly view houses and choose the one i want and buy it and renovate it on the sly. Then one day, big reveal. I don't want anyone influencing me with their batshit ideas before i had time to think
Image credits: Pastaandoranges
#10
I genuinely wish I could runaway from my husband and child and live by myself for a few months
Image credits: Samas
#11
I can’t stand my cocky, cheeky, spoiled, deliberately unkind, niece. The apple hasn’t fallen far off the tree either.
Image credits: TedTookVows
#12
My head is elsewhere most of the time. Family days out, meals with my DH, holidays…I’m there in body but my mind is constantly dreaming about a different life.
Image credits: Moveoverdarlin
#13
I have stopped all medication and screenings so I dont prolong my life.
#14
I wish my mother was proud of me.
Image credits: Blarn
#15
I’ve always suspected my Dad wasn’t my real Dad. He died last year. In my 20s I had always wanted to send some of his hair off or his toothbrush for DNA tests. Now I don’t care if he wasn’t, he was an incredible person and I miss him terribly, part of me died the day he did and life has never been the same since.
#16
I pretend to listen to my husband but just smile and nod.
Image credits: DeeKitch
#17
I love my husband very much, but if he left me tonight, I know I'd be absolutely fine.
Image credits: SweetTalkinWookie
#18
Im not good enough for my husband.
He would tell you that I am the best thing to ever happen to him, he thinks that i am wonderful. He is an incredible husband and father, but the reality is, he could do a lot better.
Image credits: MindfulAndDemure
#19
I married the wrong person
My life would be significantly easier if my mother weren’t in it.
Image credits: MrsAJCrowley
#20
My ex and I split up over 6 years ago. I still can't decide if he was controlling, coercive and if he sexually assaulted me, or if I am making it worse than it was in my head. I have never dated since we split and cannot bring myself to make myself be vulnerable with someone. I am so lonely, but cannot see a way out.
#21
Sitting for lunch in the work canteen, whenever I spot the wankiest manager in the food queue across the room, I hold up my fork and look at him through it so I can imagine what he'd look like in prison.
Small wins.
#22
I wish my husband would leave me so I can get out of this [horrible] marriage and not have to be the one to make the decision to blow apart our family. But honestly it's just too much of a hassle so I'm staying even though I know I'm not happy. Life is too hard as it is.
Image credits: Offloadontome
#23
I am worthless and men treat me [horrible], for some reason I continue to allow it. I cant ever see it being any different.
Image credits: MondeoFan
#24
I hold so much anger and resentment to my mother. No matter what she does to try and make up for the bad, it was for so long I can’t forgive her
Image credits: cannynotsay
#25
I wish I had never been born.
Image credits: Dontsayyouloveme
#26
I still have wonderful dreams about the man I had an affair with 25 years ago, despite having been married to my second husband for the last 20 years.
Image credits: emilysquest
#27
When DH and I made our wills, we named my niece and nephew as joint beneficiaries if, somehow, our children died before us.
DH has 2 nephews, his sister's sons, and he doesn't like them, they're sarcastic and sly just like their dad.
If SIL knew she'd probably be very upset but we'd be dead so we wouldn't care.
Image credits: Fionasapples
#28
I grew up so poor we had nothing, life has improved but it's something I'm haunted by. It was tough.
#29
I’m in love with my best friend. She told me she fell in love with me years ago, but that ship has long sailed. I wish I told her how I felt at the time. She’s married now.
Image credits: MsGiGi
#30
I don’t love my DH and it was a deliberate choice. Married 25 years with one child. I’d always been in messy relationships before that left me strung out and exhausted and, quite frankly, destroyed so I chose the steady regular guy who adored me. It works. Every now and then I have a crush on someone else and those crazy feelings come up and it reminds me of the terror and pain and I’m glad of the choice I’ve made. But I don’t love him. He’s very happy though.
#31
I felt nothing when my father died. I wish I had not helped to organise his funeral. Younger me felt a sense of obligation. I wish I had been stronger because the bastard treated my mum appallingly.
I feel deep shame about my appearance. I do not have the willpower to lose weight and keep it off. I feel like a disgusting failure. It consumes my thoughts every minute of every day. I go through periods where I make myself sick but I even can’t do that right as I don’t lose weight.
Image credits: AnxiousAnnieeeeeeeeee
#32
I despise my Dad's wife.
I know that's ridiculous when I'm 55 and they've been together 50 years. I imagine myself at her funeral standing there and not shedding a single tear just so other people can see that I hate her.
Image credits: Youres**timnot
#33
I often feel guilty over how I treated an ex. I didn’t love him and I didn’t treat him nicely.
Image credits: UnhappyHobbit
#34
I lie to taxi drivers! I don't even know why. I don't venture anything voluntarily, but if they ask me questions - just about anything, like where have you been out tonight or whatever - I make [stuff] up.
Image credits: takealettermsjones
#35
My husband gives me the ick, it's like he's decided he's an old man and gets no enjoyment from life. I'd leave him but I literally cannot bear the thought of being away from our DC half of the time. So I'm in this for at least another 10 years.
Image credits: ADressWithPockets
#36
I was really drunk after a massive row with BF and went on to a party where I BFs best pal was coincidentally. I was close to him, we had some very similar upbringings and often had heart to hearts about stuff BF didn't understand. He has nice to me and i was excessively flirty, didn't try to kiss him but I was hugging him and saying I thought he was cute etc, I was a disgrace that night. He literally put me into a taxi and sent me home. That was over 20 yrs ago. I married BF and this man is now my DSs godfather, his wife is a v close friend. I am so embarrassed every time I think of it. I pray he doesn't remember but of course he does. Its never been acknowledged between us.
Image credits: Dontlletmedownbruce
#37
I spent 30 years of my life with PMDD. I could have had a very different life if I’d have the medication I’m on now.
#38
My best friend hates her husband and has done for years..she talks about it all the time but finds reason after reason not to go. I love her but it drives me crazy..
Image credits: Suninthe
#39
I’m in around 30k debt that no one knows about
i often think of an ex from 10+ years ago
Image credits: pinksheetss
#40
I have just under £33k in savings that no-one knows about.
Image credits: NormanSicily
