I am young but I think I am recognizing the trend. It took maybe having someone else "lined up" to get me to even consider leaving my abusive boyfriend. It was the same before him as well. They are long term relationships and I think the time to reflect and "mourn" I guess would have been appropriate.

I am stunting myself and my growth personally and as a partner by not looking at my actions and who I want to be with and what I want in a relationship. I am trying to avoid the "unhappily" and married/together/dating in the same sentence.