I asked the machine to summarize°hard word some of my thoughts about the relationship°hard word with Linaja°hard word. It is directionally°hard word correct, but misses a few points.
Back in October, the relationship°hard word faced°hard word serious challenges°hard word: I felt°hard word suffocated°hard word, while she felt°hard word isolated°hard word. Over time, some things have improved°hard word. She no longer insists°hard word as°hard word often that I “have to be nice to her,” and she has also become more self-aware°hard word in certain ways. For instance°hard word, she has shifted°hard word from denying that she is high-maintenance°hard word to acknowledging°hard word it, albeit°hard word with no intention°hard word of changing°hard word. 🔥 "no intention°hard word of changing°hard word" could have been xantham°hard word
Some expectations°hard word have been reset°hard word. One major change is that I have made°hard word it clear I am not°hard word willing to engage°hard word in hour-long°hard word emotional°hard word phone conversations. If something is truly°hard word important, I’m willing to drive 20 minutes to talk in person, but lengthy°hard word calls are off the table.
Another shift°hard word has been in how she approaches°hard word the relationship°hard word in social°hard word contexts°hard word. Previously, she resisted°hard word talking about us with others, fearing disapproval°hard word. That was concerning°hard word for two reasons: first, because a serious relationship°hard word should not°hard word need to be hidden from close family members°hard word, and second, because it suggested she already knew°hard word, on some level, that the relationship°hard word wasn°hard word’t working at the time.
Some patterns remain unchanged°hard word. She still prefers to consult°hard word experts before making°hard word decisions, whereas°hard word I generally prefer fewer consultations°hard word. This contrast°hard word came°hard word up recently when a realtor°hard word visited her home—she wanted input°hard word on everything, from repainting°hard word the kitchen to removing°hard word a water stain°hard word on the ceiling. I, on the other hand, tend°hard word to approach°hard word such matters with a more direct°hard word, pragmatic°hard word mindset°hard word. 💡 the machine failed°hard word to notice my concern°hard word was more "this is my house, you don't°hard word actually live here"
There are certain types of conversations I simply can’t have when she is in the room. If she doesn°hard word’t understand something, she tends°hard word to hijack°hard word the discussion rather than let it continue°hard word. That said°hard word, while she would not°hard word be a strong business partner—lacking°hard word both the interest and the necessary skills°hard word—that is not°hard word a reason for me to end the relationship°hard word.
Interestingly°hard word, we share some social°hard word preferences°hard word. For example, she dislikes°hard word cocktail hours, though inconsistently°hard word. I have a good sense of her reactions in social°hard word settings°hard word, but they can be difficult to articulate°hard word.
One ongoing°hard word reality°hard word is that, in Des°hard word Moines°hard word, I do not°hard word believe I can realistically°hard word “do better” in terms of finding a compatible°hard word partner. However, I don°hard word’t feel a need to dwell°hard word on that thought further°hard word.