The Super-Meaning of Romantic Relationships

[Faith No More]

@ Faith No More

Good post.

Thank you.

Do you mind if I ask how the last 5 years was different?

Not at all.  

Well, I got clean of drugs for a while(got back into them, but I've been clean again for a few months), which was affecting me adversely.  I came to terms with the grief and PTSD I was experiencing and was finally able to accept my losses.  Mostly, though, my first son was born five years ago.  It was hell at first, because the lack of sleep and amount of work it takes will wreak havoc even on people without mental health problems.  But I've come appreciate both my kids a lot and find meaning in providing for them and being a good father.  That's especially true, because my dad was not a good father.  Of course, his was worse, but I feel good about breaking the cycle.

That's not to say I haven't had my ups and downs the last five years.  It's just that the first fifteen were by far the worst.  Also, I've started to be more proactive with my mental health by trying to stay active, getting good sleep and exercising daily.

What's the difference?

In first scenario the things we do are directly responsible for the happiness we search for, whereas how it actually is, like in the second scenario, the things we do are indirectly responsible.  So, theoretically, we could design a pill that would make us feel as fulfilled as any loving relationship could.