Ah, Fayerody, dear one. Men are needy, you know. I know that you know this at some level.

Often, they are not terribly self-reflective; they often do not even know that they are needy.

Look at their behaviors. If the wife predeceases, many have a gf or new wife within the year. They need someone to plan the meals, socializing, pick up the dry cleaning, even to provide the honey-do list which they may grumble about but are lost without.

No wonder you feel that relationships can be too much work.

Still, it is not so long ago that you posted an identity list, and I believe the relationship (if I understood that list correctly) figured high as a good thing. Perhaps it is just that you have become so busy that you are having some trouble juggling.

It is good that you are reflecting on this to figure what is best for you. I hope it works out so that you can have more of the best of it, and less of the not-so-good parts.

hugs and hugs and hugs

PS -- Sorry for the stereotyping, guys. Of course, I don't mean you -- I mean all the other males. Wink.