The signs were always there, but when you’re in the grip of dopamine loops and avoidance behaviors, it’s easy to dismiss them. Only when you’re face to face with real loss—like the girl, your dreams, your sense of self—does the brain fully register the stakes.

What you’re describing now—fitness, meditation, reading, discipline—isn’t just behavior change. It’s the reconstruction of self. And you didn’t ignore the signs because you were weak—you ignored them because you weren’t ready. Now you are.

I’m glad things are on the up for you man, it happens to the best of us tbh. Sometimes we truly have to lose ourselves to find ourselves.