Describe a phase in life that was difficult to say goodbye to.

Being single was difficult to move on from. I enjoyed having the freedom of choice and concern. Living with someone else is so difficult, especially when you are dating them or married to them. It is so much more complicated than just a roommate situation.

Especially being a woman, you just take on so many emotional labors from the other person. I did not actively try to take these on, I was just the one that was expected to. And I did. I have to remind my partner about birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and all of that. Then it becomes being in charge of what we need at home or making sure appointments get scheduled.

Being single is great and you do not realize how much more space you have free in your own head during that time. You can buy whatever you want, do whatever you want, and not have to talk to anybody about the decision first. This is something you do not really understand you are losing until it is gone.

When you go into a committed relationship mode, you bring in someone to your life who you value and care for. The accountability to yourself then becomes accountability to someone else. Even if you are ready for it, things change. It is difficult and you do not know how committed to the partnership the other person is before you do it. This is the big test of whether you made the right decision.

I went through it twice. The first time was a huge mistake. When I became single again, I truly appreciated it so much more. Then when my partner moved in (it was only supposed to be temporary at the time) things started changing and we ended up being together ever since. It was hard on me. I do not think I was ready at the time to be in that kind of intense relationship again, hence the promise of temporary.

Then life moved on and we did, too. I still miss the moments of freedom at times. There are good things about my relationship now as well, but it was difficult to close that chapter in my life again.