DEAR ABBY: I have been married to my husband for more than 20 years. He’s mostly very nice, although he has generalized anxiety disorder. In the past, he threatened to kill someone (not me!) as well as himself and had to be hospitalized. Ninety-nine percent of the time he’s friendly and thoughtful, except for one percent of the time when his anxiety gets the best of him.
Despite his good qualities, I have been feeling unfulfilled in our marriage for quite some time. I have tried to brush it off and focus on the positive aspects of our relationship, but the feeling of emptiness persists. Recently, I had the opportunity to travel overseas and experience a new culture. It was during this trip that I met someone who changed my perspective on life and love.
This person was kind, charming, and shared my passion for politics. We spent countless hours discussing our dreams and aspirations, and I found myself feeling seen and heard in a way that I never had before. As we talked, I realized that I had been living someone else’s dream, rather than my own. My husband’s anxiety and my own feelings of responsibility had held me back from pursuing my true passions.
As I returned home, I knew that I had to make a decision. I could continue living a life that wasn’t truly mine, or I could take a leap of faith and pursue a new path. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I knew that I had to follow my heart. I told my husband that I needed some time to think and reflect on our marriage, and that I might need to make some changes.
He was understandably upset, but I knew that I had to be honest with him. I couldn’t continue living a lie, pretending that everything was fine when it wasn’t. I gave him the space he needed, and I took the time to focus on myself. I started volunteering for a local political campaign, and I found a new sense of purpose and meaning.
As the days turned into weeks, I realized that I had made the right decision. I was finally doing something that brought me joy and fulfillment. I was meeting new people, learning new things, and making a difference in my community. My husband, on the other hand, was struggling to come to terms with the end of our marriage.
I know that this isn’t an easy time for either of us, but I hope that he can find it in his heart to forgive me and understand my decision. I will always care for him deeply, but I know that I deserve to be happy. And as I look to the future, I am excited to see what’s in store for me. I am excited to pursue a new life, one that is filled with love, politics, and purpose.