AITA for not wanting to support my boyfriend's early retirement?
Caught between loyalty and self-preservation, she faces a heart-wrenching crossroads. Her boyfriend’s dream of early retirement on a shoestring income demands sacrifices that threaten to unravel the life she’s carefully built for herself and her son.
The weight of expectation presses down, challenging her to choose between supporting his desires and safeguarding her own future.
In the quiet turmoil of her doubts, she wrestles with the harsh judgment of those closest to her, branded selfish for simply wanting to live life on her own terms.
Yet beneath the surface lies a fierce refusal to be overshadowed or diminished—a woman determined to claim her independence, pursue her dreams, and protect the fragile security she’s fought so hard to create.
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The original poster is facing a major life decision that pits her personal long-term financial security and career goals against her boyfriend's desire for early retirement funded by her continued full-time employment.
The conflict is clear: her boyfriend expects a significant life change and financial contribution from her so he can stop working, while she views this arrangement as unfair given her own need to work for another two decades and the lack of reciprocal support.
Is the poster unreasonable for prioritizing her es**blished career path, her son's s**bility, and her future retirement over immediately supporting her boyfriend's lifestyle change, or is the boyfriend justified in expecting her to sacrifice her career plans to subsidize his early retirement?
Commenters Came in Hot with Their Takes:
This one sparked a storm. The comments range from brutally honest to surprisingly supportive — and everything in between.