The Super-Meaning of Romantic Relationships

[InquiringMind]

 But I would rather have tragic, star-crossed love then nothing.

And yes, here it is.  I said I wasn't looking for relationship advice, and I'm not.  But I can't resist commenting on this.  I tend to be attracted to emotionally unavailable women who can never give me what I need.  When I was in relationships with those women, I felt lonely and rejected.  Even if it was written in the stars (and on the walls) that those relationships were doomed, I still felt more of a sense of meaning being in those bad relationships than I do when I'm not in a relationship.  I've said to myself many times that being single is better than being in a bad relationship, but sometimes being in a doomed relationship does feel more meaningful than being alone.

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[Gemini]

And yes, here it is.  I said I wasn't looking for relationship advice, and I'm not.  But I can't resist commenting on this.  I tend to be attracted to emotionally unavailable women who can never give me what I need.  When I was in relationships with those women, I felt lonely and rejected.  Even if it was written in the stars (and on the walls) that those relationships were doomed, I still felt more of a sense of meaning being in those bad relationships than I do when I'm not in a relationship.  I've said to myself many times that being single is better than being in a bad relationship, but sometimes being in a doomed relationship does feel more meaningful than being alone.

The sweet agony of doomed romance is better than emptiness, I think. Or maybe I'm just a hopeless romantic. Or maybe it's just the fact of trying, even if it isn't meant to be.

[bennyboy]

And yes, here it is.  I said I wasn't looking for relationship advice, and I'm not.  But I can't resist commenting on this.  I tend to be attracted to emotionally unavailable women who can never give me what I need.  When I was in relationships with those women, I felt lonely and rejected.  Even if it was written in the stars (and on the walls) that those relationships were doomed, I still felt more of a sense of meaning being in those bad relationships than I do when I'm not in a relationship.  I've said to myself many times that being single is better than being in a bad relationship, but sometimes being in a doomed relationship does feel more meaningful than being alone.

The sweet agony of doomed romance is better than emptiness, I think. Or maybe I'm just a hopeless romantic. Or maybe it's just the fact of trying, even if it isn't meant to be.

Pain scares away the gray in life.

[Thumpalumpacus]

The happiness that comes with love makes it worthwhile.

Like you, I come home to an empty house every night, and that does get lonely. Knowing that someone cares is so important to me, but since my breakup I don't have that, even from the LDR we had.

Me, I just be myself and hope lightning strikes. I reckon if I do the things I like, some of which are public/outdoors activities, then I'll fall in love again. Until then, being happy inside myself is the goal, and I achieve it most times.

[robvalue]

To me, bringing it right down to basics, the meaning of a relationship is to make each other happy. Have fun, laugh, enjoy each other's company. Look after each other. If you don't have that, you need to question your relationship.

[Edwardo Piet]

So I'm really asking whether having an intimate relationship in your life makes other parts of your life (work, hobbies, ect.) more meaningful, or if having an intimate relationship in your life is irrelevant to the meaning you find in other areas of you life.

For me, yes. Having a romantic relationship makes everything more meaningful. Songs I hear on the radio, dealing with people at work...but maybe that's just me. Maybe it depends on the individual. But I would rather have tragic, star-crossed love than nothing.

Same.

[Edwardo Piet]

And yes, here it is.  I said I wasn't looking for relationship advice, and I'm not.  But I can't resist commenting on this.  I tend to be attracted to emotionally unavailable women who can never give me what I need.  When I was in relationships with those women, I felt lonely and rejected.  Even if it was written in the stars (and on the walls) that those relationships were doomed, I still felt more of a sense of meaning being in those bad relationships than I do when I'm not in a relationship.  I've said to myself many times that being single is better than being in a bad relationship, but sometimes being in a doomed relationship does feel more meaningful than being alone.

The sweet agony of doomed romance is better than emptiness, I think. Or maybe I'm just a hopeless romantic. Or maybe it's just the fact of trying, even if it isn't meant to be.

Anything is better than emptiness.

[Angrboda]

I don't know much about relationships, as I've been celibate for over 20 years. However, I think that a big part of a relationship is caring for, and making the other person happy. It is this doing for the other which adds a large dimension of meaning to relationships, as opposed to simply "being loved." I'm reminded of when I used to do volunteer work, a lot of the satisfaction came from doing for others. And I found that I grew emotionally as a result of my experiences. Perhaps volunteering and doing good for others can supply some of the meaning that relationships do. It's not the same of course, but there are parts in common.

[Edwardo Piet]

I agree.

In a word: devotion.

[Thumpalumpacus]

It's called "falling" in love for a reason ... sooner or later you hit the ground.