I’m working in the government sector. I’ve been here since 2016. I was here when I met my husband and we got married. Recently, he’s been on my case. He thinks my job doesn’t befit me and wants me to change jobs. Not only that but he wants me to do a master’s degree and go on from there so I can climb the corporate ladder to the top.

Honestly, I like it here and I like who I am. I don’t want more. I’ve always desired a simple life so my perspective in life is also narrowed. The salary isn’t much but I’m content that I eat and also able to support my husband. I’m not interested in school again because I’m always tired. I’m not ready to write exams and do research work again. Where I work, the job is safe. No pressure and I’m able to use the extra time to take care of kids and family.

But my husband wants more. He claims he doesn’t want to leave me behind but where I am currently, I don’t feel left behind. He has his master’s. He works in a private firm where the competition keeps getting bigger. When he breaks down, I’m the one he breaks on. I would nurse his wounds and massage his ego until he’s back running again. I’m content being the woman behind a successful man but he doesn’t want that. It’s been a constant fight between us.

Where do I go from here? From a man who wants more than I want for myself. If I could I would but I don’t want to overburden myself. I’ve said it every day. He knows why I don’t want these things yet he wakes up every day telling me not to be lazy. He claims he wants to build an empire and needs me to be there and help. I’m already helping. He wants me back in the classroom and wants to see me in a new job that’s more corporate than I do. I’m OK. Why can’t he get that?

—Fafali

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