It hardly ever happens, but sometimes after intense exercise, usually weight lifting, I get plunged into a fit of depression. So I’m eating mashed potatoes for comfort food.

I keep thinking about this episode early in my relationship with 2ex. I needed a little time to myself and said so, he freaked so much I felt I had to apologize, he said “I forgive you.” Red flags all over. Even at the time I found it disturbing (particularly the forgive bit because it didn’t seem like something that rose to that level for me). Should have listened to myself.

I'm an introvert and need my alone time. STBEx couldn't deal with that. He would actually take it personally if I told him I needed some time alone. Like tell me I had hurt his feelings because I wanted an hour without him. I loved reading but I basically gave it up because every time I tried to pick up a book, he would demand my attention. It may sound overly dramatic, but I feel like I lost part of myself with him. So you're not alone. Red flags are amazingly easy to not see or not give appropriate significance to.

Now I have so much alone time, it's killing me.