Any other women over 30 actually want to do it all themselves?

Misc Discussion

Before I start: I am well-aware this facet of my personality is partially the result of childhood bullshit..... I got therapy under my belt.

I'm a woman who cooks most of my meals and really likes a clean, tidy, organized home. I've also always wanted to be financially independent and successful; not a single cell in my body has ever dreamed of depending on a wealthy sexual partner for survival or comfort. Even if I was coupled to someone making 500k, a million a year, I would want my own income, go after a high income, and not want my partner to buy me anything beyond birthday and Christmas gifts or the odd vacation. I was single most of my adult life, until over a year ago, but during those years, I got used to doing all the domestic labor while living with my mother or my sister. Now, I do all the cooking and most of the cleaning living with my male partner, just as I did when I lived alone.

I'm pregnant with my first child, anticipating all the work that's gonna get dumped on my plate on top of everything I already do, and it's making me reflect. On the one hand, I see all the mothers online who exemplify why you need help and support, especially from a partner, when you have a baby, if you want to have a life and retain your sanity. I worry that my partner won't help me enough. I think about the disadvantage I'm at compared to other women because my mother's dead. On the other hand, part of me thinks​: I bet I can do most of this new work myself, if I have to, and succeed.

On a broader note: even though I have the odd thought that it would be nice to do less, to relax more, to get help..... I'm really not used to being helped, and instead of feeling relief when I receive help, I typically feel some other uncomfortable emotion that I'm not sure I can place.

I take pride in my independence, my discipline, my drive, my self-succifiency. Doing things myself and making my own money give me confidence and a feeling of power and control over my life. I like feeling competent. Capable. Autonomous. Accomplished.

I hate feeling dependent on others. That, to me, is weak, vulnerable, powerless. ​I don't like feeling indebted to people or burdensome either. Or incapable of handling things.

Any other women here get me?

Posted Jun 29, 2026, 11:29 PM UTC

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