V1olin's new life without wife #2

[flowmom]

I know it doesn't *feel* like it, but "Good morning" and "Have a good day" are basic civilities. From here it looks like she's simply pretty detached, while common civilities are painful for you. This kind of reactivity is normal, and it is a good reason to go dark for awhile as you seem to plan to do.

Yes.

I still have relationship goals with my STBXH, but they are not romantic in any way. My goal is to have a coparenting R that is civil, friendly, and relaxed regardless of what is going on in our personal lives. I have worked my A$$ off the make this possible even though it seemed unlikely to working in the beginning when he was perennially hostile. Having these goals allow me to put that energy into a positive direction, one which will bring many future rewards. I am already feeling the positive effects of my efforts as I gradually build a more trusting and collaborative coparenting R with stbxh.