New here and separated

[ForGump]

I think divorce has really long-term effects on children, and there is a good chance your daughter may emulate parts of your life when she's grown. So how you conduct yourself right now will leave a lasting impression when she's a grown woman and in a marriage or contemplating marriage. Think of how you want your daughter to remember you going through this difficult time.

But I think I know something about how you feel. Everything that I read and talk about w/ good friends and my therapist ... the stuff I wrote you ... it all makes sense in my head. But when I see or think about my W ... there is some animal, reptilian part of my brain that just defies logic and sense. It just craves the intimate partner that I was intertwined with, and not having her drives me into black despair. I don't think there is a way to purposely purge that animal instinct. It has to fade by itself, on its own time, or be replaced by an instinct for someone else -- hopefully someone more loving and mature.

Hang in there. One day at a time.