Guilt of moving away

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I dont know if what I’m doing is the right thing to do. The guilt is eating me away.

I’m 27F and currently living in an overcrowded house. My 3 brothers are married and are living at home but due to financial difficulties they cant and are not even looking to move out. I share a bed with my mum because there’s just no space and my dad sleeps downstairs on the floor. One of my brother is currently doing long distance. When his wife visit, they stay in my room for weeks at a time during ramadan they stay for the whole month and I end up sleeping on the living room sofa. It’s been this way for over 3 years now. I feel really suffocated, I can’t build a routine, have privacy, or just breathe.

I love my family but the living situation is overwhelming, and it’s started to affect my mental and emotional wellbeing. I suggested to my brother that we get a house together and move out but that caused issues in the family, my mum ended up sleeping on the sofa so that I have the room to myself. That made me feel worse as she’s old with a broken back. So i asked her to move back into the room. All my clothes are in boxes because SIL took over my wardrobe and I wake up everyday frustrated. I cant have a morning routine, or work from home as I dont want to disturb my mum.

I’m moving out. The only way my parents accepted it was when I said it’s temporary for 6 month in Manchester for a job secondment - this is 40 min from home. The truth is, it’s not really about a job, its for space. I just couldn’t tell them its due to space because last time it caused a lot of issues, my mum didn’t even speak to me or ask me how im feeling. I feel like my needs have been overlooked. My brothers are not even thinking about moving out. Sofa surfing has become the new normal for them.

They’re supportive and happy for me right now because they believe I’m moving for work and that it’s temporary. But I feel incredibly guilty. I feel sinful. I’ll visit all the time, do their shopping, and stay involved in their lives. I’m not cutting ties, I just need to live somewhere I can breathe and build a routine.

From an Islamic perspective, am I wrong for telling a white lie? I know lying is haram, but I genuinely did it to keep the peace and avoid hurting them. Has anyone else been in a similar position. I feel very confused, guilty and conflicted

Posted Nov 1, 2025, 11:59 PM UTC

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