You do not compete with that Fantasy. You compete with yourself. I would suggest you take a very long hard look at yourself. Decide what you like and what you do not like from the first half of your life. Make 2 lists. The stuff you like. Continue to do. The stuff you do not like. Well this is a great chance to 180 those items. Just think that due to all this craziness you are going to improve yourself. You are coming out of a rut. You are smart enough to realize this. You will make it through this.
As for the "soul mate" Its the word that all the WAS use. I heard it a few times. Ignore it. With my WAS I called it the Star Crossed Lovers Syndrome. SCLS for short. Pure fogspeak. Everytime you hear it. Just think of a good moment in your life. and soon enough that word will disappear. Well until your kids become teenagers. Then it will be in full use again for a few years.
Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul. unconditional love is awesome!