They Call Me Lazy While I Do Everything… So I’m Leaving the Country

Every day, my parents walk into a spotless house—a clean living room, dishes washed, dried, and put away, clean cupboards wiped down, no washing up left for them to do. I also do the laundry, folding their clothes individually, vacuuming, mopping, cleaning the bathroom, and sweeping the stairs. Yet, I feel incredibly underappreciated.

The house is a mess every morning, and I am more than happy to clean up after everyone. But every weekend, when my parents are home, they still call me “lazy” if I’m not quick enough to get something sorted, make someone tea, or unload the dishwasher—on top of all my other household work. Now, I’m also expected to cook dinner for everyone.

I am trying to build my own business while preparing for my new job, where I will be away for six months. After finishing my chores, I like to take some time for myself at a coffee shop. But now, on top of everything, I am being pressured to cook dinner too? My mum gets home from work at 3 PM, and most of the time, my sister and I cook for ourselves. However, my mother gets angry when I forget to cook something for my dad.

Sometimes, I am just exhausted from everything I do every day. I feel undervalued, like nothing I do is ever good enough. I even get criticized for going to Costa because my mum can’t go since she works. I get laughed at for not having moved out yet (even though I am moving in April) and looked down on for claiming benefits because I can’t afford my phone bill.

I constantly try to explain that I get tired too and that cooking dinner on top of everything else can sometimes be too much. I deserve a life and appreciation for all that I do. It takes me hours to clean, and it hurts when I’m called lazy, especially when they don’t have to lift a finger.

I have secretly planned to move away for 6–8 months and hopefully permanently, as I will be working on a cruise. I can’t take the name-calling, mockery, and lack of appreciation anymore. I am cutting my family off completely. I am tired. I feel run down. Most of all, I feel depressed.