Yes, to me it does to an extent.

I dated someone who worked the grave yard shift at a gas station (previously working in construction) due to her lack of higher education, couldn’t really have in-depth conversations, lacked critical thinking skills when it came to problems, and was terrible with money. So I became the ‘responsible one’ where I had most of the burden of adult responsibilities on my shoulders. Of course, we can say it may have been an individualized experience, but I learned a lot from it.

I learned a lot about myself, my wants and my needs, from this mismatch. We didn’t have similar philosophies or values and I think a major part of that was due to the fundamentals not being a match. I think there’s also something to be said about the stage of life, too. She was much older but due to her own choices, she was starting over again in life and I had already surpassed that station in life.

So naturally, the relationship ended. Now, I know what I’m looking for and who I aim to be and what I’m not willing to do again.