Hello, questioner.
I am a 33-year-old who has yet to find a partner this year. I have always longed for my own happiness and my own little family, but I haven't yet found a place to belong. Sometimes I feel a little lost and scared, but mostly I just have some expectations deep down.
I once had a relationship that lasted for a year and a half in college. While he wasn't the ideal choice at the time, I was fully committed to the relationship and was very happy. I also gave a great deal and naturally relied on him a great deal. Later, due to his infidelity and, more importantly, his decision to end the relationship, I experienced a prolonged period of depression. It was a challenging time, and I was afraid to see people and even hesitated to look for a job. Gradually, I began to recover, and he gradually became less significant in my life.
In 18 years, I met a guy who made me feel very comfortable. He was three years older than me and a very shy and uncommunicative person. I felt that they were especially warm to me, but he was also a relatively insecure and sensitive person. Because at that time I had not yet changed my inner self, I was more sensitive and inferior, lacked security, and so when I encountered something, I did not deal with it calmly, but instead chose to nag in front of him non-stop. I did not have the courage to make a choice, and slowly we grew further and further apart. When I wanted to salvage the situation, he was getting further and further away. At that time, I felt that I would never find someone as good to me as him again, because his acceptance and permission were things that no one in my family had ever treated me like. So after losing him for half a year, I seemed to have some mild depression and anxiety. I became panicked, became afraid of insomnia, my heart palpitations accelerated, and I could not see the road ahead, but I was powerless to change it.
In these two relationships that ended without a trace, I came to recognize that I have room to grow in terms of courage, confidence, and honesty. I have found myself more inclined to avoid making definitive choices than to embrace them. As a result, I have not yet found the right person for myself. I believe this may be related to the concerns my parents raised or a tendency towards vanity. I aspire to find someone who is kind and considerate, with a height that is relatively close to mine, and who is not overly concerned with physical appearance. As I grow older, I anticipate that these concerns may persist. I am uncertain if I will be able to compromise on these issues in the future. If I do, it may be because I am increasingly drawn to the idea of having a child of my own.
In my 32 years on this earth, there have been times when I have not been true to myself. I have often been too meek and obedient, which has led to some unfortunate situations.
Additionally, the two failed relationships left me feeling somewhat constrained, as I was already quite vulnerable. I continued to search for a breakthrough, to learn and grow, with the hope of finding happiness within myself. While things are still not ideal, I have become more open-minded, less afraid of contact with others, and more calm. However, I still face some inner resistance.
In 2023, I hope I can venture out more, embrace the world around me, and find joy in life. I believe that when I fully embrace life, happiness will naturally follow.
In 2023, I hope I can come to terms with my own self-perception, accept my physical appearance, and embrace my inner courage. I also hope to reassure myself that I am not as flawed as I sometimes perceive myself to be.
I may not have achieved anything yet, but that doesn't matter. I may not think I'm particularly attractive, but that's okay.
There are many reasons why this might be difficult, but perhaps it's worth asking ourselves whether it really matters. Could we try to find more reasons to smile, to be strong, to free ourselves, to move forward bravely? Perhaps this could help us to be happy, to be courageous, and to build our own homes.


Comments
This year, my relationship has undergone a significant transformation. Initially, we were both very busy with work, and it seemed like our time together was limited to just moments in between schedules. However, as the months passed, we started prioritizing each other more. We began having regular date nights and weekend getaways that brought us closer. The happiest moment this year was when we took a spontaneous trip to the mountains. It was refreshing and rekindled our romance. Conversely, the unhappiest moment came when my partner faced a serious health issue. That period tested our resilience but also strengthened our bond. We did have disagreements, mainly stemming from misunderstandings due to our hectic lives. But we learned to communicate more openly, which helped resolve issues quickly. To nurture our relationship, I made an effort to be more attentive and understanding. I started journaling about our experiences, which allowed me to reflect on my feelings and share them with my partner. This openness was rewarded with deeper trust and intimacy. Looking ahead, I hope to continue growing together, exploring new adventures, and supporting each other through life's ups and downs.
Throughout 2022, my romantic relationship blossomed into something more profound and meaningful. Early on, we realized that our connection could deepen beyond the surface level if we put in the effort. The most joyous moment was celebrating a milestone anniversary, where we reaffirmed our commitment to each other. On the flip side, there was a period of intense stress when financial pressures threatened our stability. We had several arguments over how to handle our finances, which was tough but ultimately led us to better money management practices. In response to these challenges, I committed to becoming more financially literate and involved in our joint decisions. My efforts were met with appreciation and relief from my partner, strengthening our mutual respect. For the coming year, we aim to maintain this positive trajectory by setting clear financial goals and continuing to prioritize open communication.
Reflecting on the past year, my marriage has seen its fair share of ups and downs. One of the key developments was recognizing the importance of personal space and individual growth. The happiest times were those quiet evenings spent enjoying each other's company without the need for words. Yet, the lowest point came when I felt neglected during a particularly stressful period at work. Misunderstandings about responsibilities around the house led to some heated arguments. Nevertheless, these conflicts became learning opportunities for us to negotiate and compromise. I tried to balance my career aspirations with being present for my spouse. By actively listening and adapting to each other's needs, we've grown stronger. Our plans for the future include dedicating more time to selfcare and couple activities that enhance our bond.
The year 2022 has been quite a journey for my partner and me. A major change was moving in together, which required adjustments in routines and expectations. Our happiest moment was probably the first dinner we cooked together in our new home. Unfortunately, not all memories were so sweet. There were days when we felt overwhelmed by the changes and clashed over minor issues. Arguments often stemmed from differences in household habits. Despite these rough patches, we worked hard to establish rules and routines that respected both of our lifestyles. I made sure to stay patient and empathetic, which paid off in improved harmony. As we look forward, we plan to travel more and create lasting memories that will keep our love alive and thriving.
In 2022, my relationship with my partner deepened in unexpected ways. The year started with us deciding to take our relationship more seriously. Our happiest moment was renewing our vows in a small ceremony surrounded by close friends and family. Conversely, the hardest part was dealing with external pressures that strained our relationship. Disagreements arose over how to deal with these pressures, but they taught us the value of teamwork. I focused on improving my conflict resolution skills, leading to healthier discussions and quicker resolutions. The feedback from my partner was overwhelmingly positive, creating a cycle of improvement. Moving forward, we want to build on this momentum by setting shared goals and working together towards achieving them.