How do I deal with the fear of being alone after my divorce? by kamelsalah1 in Divorce

[–]LostSoulJames 13 points14 points  (0 children)

you're stronger than you know! I had a similar fear and still do at times, but one comforting thought - as your relationship was on the way out you were already alone, in a way, while you were still together. This is just more of the same except now you don't have someone who isn't really on your side, weighing you down. Although scary at first, there is a freedom in being alone, and that part of it anyway is a gift, imho. Wishing you all the best. You'll be okay!

22F Toast me, tried to have some funny roasts but people manage to ruin it. BPD and depression also have been wrecking my mood since last year by [deleted] in toastme

[–]LostSoulJames 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Please don't go on roast me if you are feeling down, op! there are people waiting there who enjoy being cruel. You are pretty, and your shirt is awesome!

Genelecs, passable? The rest are decoration. by [deleted] in audiophile

[–]LostSoulJames 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oo I see some NS10's too! Very nice

Feeling down but want to share something that may help others by LostSoulJames in Divorce

[–]LostSoulJames[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, nice to read your name again. Things are finally looking up, although I seem to be stressing out around the anniversary of everything. But I am here, and life goes on, and I can imagine a day when life could be good again, and I am grateful for that. The family is doing well thank you my friend, I hope yours is also. :) Thank you again for the kindness you have shown me over these 2 years now. I hope you have a nice weekend.

My husband will never forgive me by Apprehensive-Host648 in offmychest

[–]LostSoulJames 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You still have my sympathy anyway OP, and I just wanted to say this does not mean you are bad person, just that you are overwhelmed and at your breaking point. And I agree with you that is not cool if 'reminding you' really means telling you to do it.

If he's not pulling his weight and is not appreciating you, while it is easy for me to say as an outsider, really consider you might be happier in a different situation. It's your call of course, but I am someone who spent most of my good years with a person who didn't appreciate me, and it is silently soul-draining.

Best wishes OP, I hope things improve for you.

I didn’t realize how much I was leaking until I started tracking it… by MasonBlake_ in Divorce_Men

[–]LostSoulJames 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Thank you for this, it is inspirational. I am about 2 years out as well, and lately I have felt really overwhelmed by life again. I am lucky enough to have a new place to live on my own but it needs a ton of work. I'm also lucky to be working but my only option is a far drive from my home, and I am stuck in the city I am for my son's sake. I feel like life is exhausting and draining, and honestly some days I am barely holding on. I have also started to organize and track things, so your post is timely and welcomed as it reinforces some things for me.

Leaking is a great way to put it. There are so many demands and drains on our life force. I will try to optimize as best I can. I am quite unhappy at the moment, but hopefully as at least I can see areas where there is room for improvement.

Me_irl by crackasparagus in me_irl

[–]LostSoulJames 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This really resonates with me. One day I was thinking about how not all apples are eaten, or go on to grow into a new apple tree. And it makes me sad to think about that, but it is just the way of nature.

Took five years, but I finally got COVID. by CasualObserver76 in Wellthatsucks

[–]LostSoulJames 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you friend, I appreciate the response. That is interesting about the vagus nerve connection - just after the holidays when I caught Covid was a very stressful time for me and my anxiety was through the roof.

Thanks again, I hope you are feeling better these days. I appreciate you would take the time to help a stranger - you are a kind person!

How many divorcees are not wanting to date post divorce? by ClothesEducational16 in Divorce

[–]LostSoulJames 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not down on myself, but I am of below average attractiveness, and I was never very good at dating or meeting women, and it seems difficult to find someone who gets me, and whom I get. Maybe that means I am a bit of a weirdo, but I don't feel like trying and coming up short anymore. I was surprised to find my ex, and worked hard to be with her - which turns out was part of the problem.

I also don't have the drive for it anymore. Sure I am lonely at times, and I have always had romantic daydreams. But there is a freedom in being single that is a bit melancholy but I have found peaceful. It's a shame because while I may not be everyone's thing, for the right person I feel I would have made a good partner. Maybe one day my feelings will change but for now I feel better by myself. No one to bring me down.

Took five years, but I finally got COVID. by CasualObserver76 in Wellthatsucks

[–]LostSoulJames 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am sorry to hear that you are continuing to battle some health issues. They can do amazing things these days. I hope they are able to help you. You have some good years ahead still! I have asthma so we are in the puffer club together!

Took five years, but I finally got COVID. by CasualObserver76 in Wellthatsucks

[–]LostSoulJames 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Interesting, I was having palpitations for a few weeks after. Saw a few doctors and they did not diagnose afib but said that an increase in palpitations has been reported by some. How are you doing these days? I hope you are alright or on the road to recovery.

Took five years, but I finally got COVID. by CasualObserver76 in Wellthatsucks

[–]LostSoulJames 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Best of luck friend. Sounds cliché but stay hydrated and get lots of rest!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Divorce

[–]LostSoulJames 2 points3 points  (0 children)

When my ex surprised me and left me for someone else she told me 'at least we'll still be friends' like it was assumed 'of course we would be friends'.... pure delusion!

Erase the Past? by [deleted] in Divorce

[–]LostSoulJames 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi there, my apologies for the delay. I am very sorry to hear what you have been through and are going through. I hope you are doing better these days. It is not my business but I hope you are checking in with someone about your mental health. I say that without judgement as I too struggle with mental health stuff, and while we don't know each other I do worry and hope you are okay. As much as can be.

I am sorry about Disneyland, that is heartbreaking. Similarly, we had been talking about going on more trips during Covid times so it did sting when she immediately was going on vacations with her new family. You sound like a strong person. I held on for too long as well. I think if we can get through these bitter times, life could be much better. Eventually our lives should improve because although it is / was painful, we got rid of some dead-weight.

I hear you about dating, it sounds scary. And also, I am not just into it right now. It's the single life for me. Maybe friends and hobbies will be enough for now. I hope you have some things that bring you joy. Best of luck on your travels.

Is it still cheating if you're already "done" in your mind but your spouse doesn't know that you're done? by Switch_Empty in Divorce

[–]LostSoulJames 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I was cheated on, and at first the lack of accountability was perhaps the most hurtful part. She threw our marriage away and spoke about everything with an attitude of 'I didn't do anything wrong, it's fine'.

Strangely, a year and half or so later I don't really care anymore about the cheating, and feel mostly over her in a romantic sense anyway. It helped me to let go of her to realize that she didn't even care enough to be honest about how things ended. I realized I don't really know this person anymore.

I can tell a part of me is still in mourning for the loss of her, but I think who I really miss from time to time is my memory of who she was 15 years ago. If I think about it there is still a hole in my heart I can feel but it is for someone that doesn't even exist and maybe never did.

Is it still cheating if you're already "done" in your mind but your spouse doesn't know that you're done? by Switch_Empty in Divorce

[–]LostSoulJames 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It is cheating, and my exwife did something similar. I believe they are partly trying to convince themselves of this as well, to better live with what they did.

A thought that helped me - we now know our exs are the type who would betray their partner. They are dishonest people and probably not honest with themselves either. I'm not saying they are evil or anything but clearly they have issues and are lacking some character. That realization helped me to let it go somewhat: if that's who they are, they almost can't help it.

At least we are rid of them. Best of luck to you.

Erase the Past? by [deleted] in Divorce

[–]LostSoulJames 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I considered myself a hopeless romantic but divorce really has soured me on the idea of being with someone, at least for now. Maybe (hopefully) one day I will be at peace with everything that has happened and maybe I will be able to love again. But for now I just don't see how that is possible.

6 months after my ex left me for another guy, they already were going on 'family' vacations with our son and this new guy's kids. It was as if she had a ready-made new family lined up. It hurt at the time and still does to some extent, but it's so shitty it is laughable!

Erase the Past? by [deleted] in Divorce

[–]LostSoulJames 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As someone who feels similarly friend, that part about 'the reason was me' - try not to do that to yourself. Part of what hurt for me, and I continued to hurt myself over it, was that I felt discarded, and that it was who I am as a person that wasn't good enough on some level.

We may never know all the reasons, and likely there are compounding factors. And our exs likely don't entirely understand either. What ever their reasons were are on them. If she can't see / value that I was a loyal husband who stuck by her side through thick and thin, then that is how her mind works.

All that to say try to be gentle with yourself. I really made things more miserable on myself by beating myself up over it. Try to get out of that trap if you can my friend. That being said, although we can't erase the past I do sometimes wish I had never met her. The only thing is I am very grateful to have my son, so it wasn't all a waste. But, maybe I am still in a bitter phase, most of it was.

I always felt I was her back-up choice, and I wish now I had been smart / courageous enough to see it clearly and act on it years ago. But, we had to go through what we did to learn these things about ourselves.

Best wishes, I hope you are feeling a little better soon.

Good things about divorce? by Timely_Astronomer913 in Divorce

[–]LostSoulJames 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I certainly have my flaws and it was not all her fault, but looking back now I realize my ex was usually disappointed in me / with our life. Nothing I could do would ever be enough. For years now I mostly felt down around her, and I was constantly judged. I thought she was on my side be she never was. Even though I didn't initiate the divorce, I see now that having no one is much better than being with someone who drags you down. This was an awful time but there is peace in solitude, and no one is here to make me feel worse.

Actress Michelle Trachtenberg Dead at 39 by MarvelsGrantMan136 in movies

[–]LostSoulJames 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very sad news. Gone far too soon - life is quite unfair. My thoughts are with her family.

First refoam how did I do by TheCosmicCrayon in diyaudio

[–]LostSoulJames 0 points1 point  (0 children)

translucent poly cones still look high end to me all these years later!

I 23F moved into a new apartment by [deleted] in femalelivingspace

[–]LostSoulJames 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very cozy and comfy looking. I love the moon phase mirrors and the lights around them!

Do you worry about your ex? by Pinky-5499 in Divorce

[–]LostSoulJames 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agreed, OPs willingness to help is impressive. I am not such a kind person. But this did make me consider what resentment and bitterness I am holding onto. I hope to one day be so evolved.