When you get to a point, and yiu know it's over. Do you really just ever give up hope entirely? I feel like in the back of my mind, there will always be hope, and if I give that up, it will never come back.
It may be over now. But as long as you are alive, you have a future. And no one ever knows what their future holds. You might very well have to move on with your life w/o your W right now but that does not mean that at some point in your future you wont end up together again. In the mean time, work on being that person she would be a fool not to be with. So whether it is her or someone else, you are the best you possible.
I know where you are coming from as do most people here. Look, you and your W have kids together. Focus on them. Be a great dad. Drop the rope with your W if you must and move on. You will always have contact with your W because of your kids. She will be keeping an eye on you and what you are up to. Trust me. Be that attractive catch she once knew. But dont do it for her, do it for you. Because you were happy before you met her and you can be happy with out her.
Me: 42 W: 32 Married 7 years together 8.5 S1: 7 S2:7 Bomb #1: 09-16-13 Recon #1: 11/13 A discovered 04-03-2014 W filed D 05-19-14 but never served me I filed D 12-02-2014 S 05-31-14 Divorced 5-19-16