Living with My Ex

We met on Tinder. Neither of us were expecting a serious relationship out of our date. We went with a totally open mind and empty stomachs, looking for something different in life. And we couldn't have found a more different person from each other if we tried. We were both working in hospitality, I was a restaurant manager in a cosy hotel restaurant in a hipster area by the water and he was, well still is, a chef at a Michelin star kitchen. We moved in together after three months of going out living 2 hours away from each other, eating away in posh restaurants and drinking expensive wines, washing them down with best old fashioned's in town. Working long days at our restaurants and having same ridiculously unsociable hours under our belts made us each other's friend, best friend in fact, we had each other for everything. Little did we know that we are living together, spending all this time whilst getting to know each other inside out, we are building a great friendship, not a relationship in any sexual way possible. It sucks to know that I have invested so much of my everything into trying to mould him into something he's not. I lost and distanced myself from some really unique people. "I have so much to give to the ones that are closest to me", said I once upon a time, when talking about my best friends. So the awkward separation process could not be peeled off like a band aid, I found another job, the job came with a free membership to a sports club, I started exercising and really looking after myself, lost a size and stopped drinking. Never felt better, and that all is happening while I am STILL living with my ex. So no, it's not awkward. My good friend used to always say, that it's not awkward until you make it awkward, such wise humans I have around me. I got so much of this relationship! I realise now that I have invested so much of me into building something that is worth millions of good memories that I have with him and my other humans after leaving him at home and doing my own thing. I got me time and became an absolute foodie. I guess the motto for this insight into my life is relax those shoulders, straighten your back, lift your chin up, find a new solo routine, learn something new, and buy something new for yourself; life doesn't stop there and you can be happy in any situation, even while living with your ex.