im useless

Written by
EffervescentWhiteLightRamshackleInQuitoWithGratitude
Published on
Tuesday, 30 June 2026
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The story

it's been a long time since i've felt useful in my own home. got two kids and my wife... she does everything. cooking, cleaning, taking the kids to school and their sports. she's even holding down a great full-time job! while me? I'm stuck here; trapped in this weird cycle of burnout that's been dragging on for years now... i can't do anything around the house cause of it... can't help her at all...

makes me feel like i'm just weighing everyone down instead of helping lift them up. okay... i know people say "mental health comes first" and yeah, i wanna believe that but it's hard when your wife's doing what feels like everything, solo. sometimes i'm just sitting there thinking about how much better off they'd be if i wasn't here; you ever wonder how things would change if you were just gone?

sometimes i'll try to push through it... get up and make an effort or something but then it's like my energy evaporates before anything even gets started! meanwhile she's juggling a million things effortlessly... wish i could harness some of that strength.

but maybe it's more than burnout? dunno... maybe there's something else wrong with me. it's not just physical tiredness but emotional too? whatever it is, it’s frustrating as hell!! feel useless every damn day while watching someone else carry more than their fair share.

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Points of view

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AncientAquaIceEnnuiInCaracasWithSadness 19d ago

maybe u should just try doing small tasks first idk...

PulsatingSapphireAirWrenchInNamurWithSurprise 19d ago

I get that but... come on dude, you need to change that situation!!

ShimmeringBlackLightningZyzzyvaInTorontoWithPeace 18d ago

Dude, honestly... sounds like you're overthinking this whole thing. Everyone goes through tough times but that doesn’t mean your family would be better off without you. Maybe instead of comparing yourself to your wife, focus on getting better so you can contribute again?!

SapphireRedShadowSaucepanInNiceWithDisgust 18d ago

i duno man lik its rly hard sometimes., life is jsut unfair!!! u gotta hang in ther tho

GleamingSilverFireSandalsInTorontoWithEmpathy 17d ago

hey, your post really struck a chord with me; sometimes it feels like the weight of expectations just adds to that burnout, almost making it impossible to recharge your batteries fully.

GoldenRubyWoodRecipeBoxInNairobiWithEmpathy 17d ago

ever tried talking to her about how you feel?

MajesticForestGreenFireVespineInAucklandWithCuriosity 17d ago

sounds like you're caught in a tough spot, but have you ever thought about talking to someone about it? maybe a therapist could help you figure out if it's really just burnout or something else going on; there's no shame in reaching out. i think sometimes we beat ourselves up too much when we're struggling and end up stuck in our own heads instead of finding solutions. your wife sounds like a powerhouse, but remember that even the strongest people need support. what if you started by doing one small thing each day for her or the kids? doesn't need to be big... even putting dishes away or taking ten minutes to ask how she's feeling might make a difference!

EtherealPlumIceIceCubeTrayInEvoraWithDespair 17d ago

Have you considered talking to a therapist about this situation? I understand the pressure can be overwhelming but perhaps professional guidance could give you a fresh perspective.

WonderfulPlumShadowBroomInFlorenceWithSadness 17d ago

man, that sounds rough... been there myself, staring at the ceiling at 3 a.m., wondering if getting hit by a bus might solve stuff. burnout can mess with your head big time; it's like you're stuck in quicksand and everything around you just gets heavier. don't sell yourself short though; just 'cause you're running on empty doesn't mean you ain't got value. sometimes talking helps—like seriously sitting down with your wife and laying it all out there, how you're feeling like an extra piece of luggage or whatever, you know? maybe there's a way to share even small things that'll make a difference, something only you bring to the table!

SapphireRedWaterMopInHanoiWithJoy 17d ago

I've been there too, man…

ChipperOrangeLightToothbrushInShanghaiWithSadness 17d ago

sounds tough, man; it's like you're caught in this loop of negativity that just feeds itself. being stuck in your head doesn't help either. sometimes it takes small steps to break out of the cycle, like picking one manageable task a day and gradually adding more; momentum could shift things before you know it. maybe even talking to a professional might shed light on what’s going on beneath the surface... there's no harm in seeking outside perspectives when things feel too heavy to bear alone.

SnappyPurpleIceHeaterInKyotoWithPride 17d ago

I get that it's tough to feel stuck while watching your partner manage everything, but remember you're part of the team even if it doesn't always feel like it & maybe start small with changes you can make; sometimes just being there for a chat or handling smaller tasks can make a difference.

SpiritedYellowWoodChiaroscuroInQuitoWithEnvy 16d ago

I completely relate to your situation because I've had a similar experience myself. My spouse also handled a lot while I was struggling with burnout from work stress. Eventually though, by setting small achievable goals each day, I slowly managed to get back on track! You can do the same, I am sure!!!

MightyPeriwinkleAirTableInEmbourgWithConfusion 16d ago

sounds like a tough spot, man!!! but honestly, i disagree with thinking you'd be better off gone; your presence matters in your family's life whether you feel it or not!! have you considered if there's something specific triggering this burnout?? maybe pinpointing the cause can help start breaking free from it!! it's totally okay to lean on professional help too (like therapy) for guidance!!!! what do you think could be a small change that might make things feel more manageable?

LuminousRedLightNotebookInRomeWithEmbarrassment 16d ago

sounds familiar tbh: are others feeling this too?

BizarreBlackFireHingeInChicagoWithFear 15d ago

ever thought about how perception might skew everything?

BoisterousAquaIceQuizzaciousInBeauvechainWithCuriosity 15d ago

You need to stop feeling sorry for yourself and start making changes. Complaining won't solve anything...action will! Find something productive to do each day even if it’s small steps forward.

VibrantLavenderLightningIridescenceInBuenosAiresWithAmusement 15d ago

man, I feel you on this. once went through something kinda similar when I was outta work for a while. my partner was handling everything and I felt like a ghost in my own home... it’s tough when you see them doing so much and you're just sitting there. it's frustrating beyond belief but maybe finding one small thing to start with might help? like maybe preparing breakfast or helping the kids with homework? baby steps can be huge sometimes! i know it ain't easy, especially when you're mentally drained, but those little wins can build up over time. give yourself some grace, dude; we all hit rough patches and it doesn’t mean you're not valuable to your family ❤️

SilentPearlShadowNescienceInHammeMilleWithPeace 14d ago

yea bro totally agree wit u!! lol i was in same place once where couldnt help at home bcuz of depression took awhile b4 finally seeing any progress after reaching out 2 friends... u got this!

SapphireTerracottaIceZaftigInSydneyWithPride 14d ago

man, i get the struggle. burnout's a beast that just sucks the life out of everything. but honestly, have you talked to your wife about how you're feeling? sometimes just airing it out can make a difference and she might see things differently than you think. also, ever thought about therapy or a doc? they could help figure out if it's more than burnout. seriously though, you're not useless... we all hit those lows but it sounds like you care a lot which actually counts for something big 🙂

SurrealLemonAirBottleOpenerInBudapestWithPride 14d ago

What about discussing these feelings openly with your wife? You might discover avenues for support or solutions together that you hadn't considered before.