Starting Over
Dear Community,

Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.

If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.

Thank you.

Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.

Update and Question

So life has been good. I got into GW grad school. I joined some writing groups. I started a blog. I have made awesome new friends. I found a new place I LOVE. I got my surgery and am slowly on the mend.

I am happy and content I think. I definitely don't have the desperation, doubt, anger or sadness I used to feel in my old life. I remember just always feeling unsettled. I am hopeful overall for my life. I know my XH was not the right fit for me. I have really gone through all the grieving stages.

But I just don't feel like myself anymore. I was looking at recent photos of myself and I no longer have that huge grin I was known for. I am not really that happy go lucky, optimistic person anymore. Not long ago I won the sunniest disposition award at work...but I just don't feel sunny anymore.  I feel like even with all these awesome successes in my life, my light is just not as bright anymore. I sort of just am.

I'm worried I won't get back to that excitable, happy and silly girl I once was. I feel like I am more muted/toned down if that makes sense.

Can anyone relate?

 

Re: Update and Question

  • Somewhat.  I put on a good show but I think deep down I just feel blah.  I still have my moments 3 yrs later.  I pretend a lot. 
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  • Give yourself a bit of a break.  You'll get there.  It took me awhile to feel truly like myself again because I'd spent so many years pretending and living a false life.  Do things that make you happy.  Put yourself out there in different circles, try new things.

    I know there are several things that always make me happy:

    -time with friends

    -working out/eating healthy

    -good wine

    -a great massage

    -getting a pedi

    -a great vacation

    Try planning fun things to look forward to and new opportunities to try.  You'll get there.

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  • I can relate.  I go in cycles with my sunny disposition.  But honestly, in my case it may be different.

    As soon as I found out that ex didn't love me and wanted out of the marriage, I was in so much pain but you wouldn't know it from the outside.  I guess I just somehow put aside what was going at home and focus on other people and everyone would comment how I "shine".

    Now I still do smile but I think I am more "real" with my true feelings and that they match outwardly and inwardly via therapy.

    I am sure you still shine and smile a lot but just may not be feeling that way on the inside.  Sometimes I feel like I lost my light or my light is dim, but others do not seem to notice except for really close friends that I vent to.

     

  • Awe, it'll be ok. You just have to try and stay positive. I can relate, it wasn't an xh but I dated a guy for 8 years.. Lived together.. Loved that man.. Fast toward 5 years and the past year or so I just really started to feel like 'myself', but in the mean time I did alot to refind myself.. Spent time with family, took mini vacations, worked out, went out, just me time.. You'll get there aslong as you tell yourself you'll get there.
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