Jac - only just started following your sit, but a lot of what you write about hits close to home.
W telling me not to hold out hope. To move on with my life. That there is no (known current) OM, though there may have been a while ago. The fact that she cannot show up emotionally right now, but still attempts to do civil/nice things occasionally. That she really (really!) needs her own space right now.
Mine is a bit different in that there has been a nearly complete communication shutdown. It was extremely bad a year and a half to a year ago. I've seen small steps of improvement- at a glacial pace, but they are there.
I'm as patient as I can be, given it's been 17 months of this. I dont know what specifically "this" is, though it has signs of being MLC, depression/mental illness, menopause, thyroid issues, WAS, etc. I have my own baggage that I unwittingly brought to the MR that I'm dealing with for the past year and a half, which did not help when she was distancing. I'm very grateful to have found this forum. It helped keep me sane.
Standing isn't easy. And you never know how much your patience can get tested until you are in a situation like this.
Anyway - I see some positive signs in your sit - good for you Celebrate the small victories, and keep on with your GAL.
Stay strong
And positive signs are only small victories but that's a start. I also don't want to get ahead of myself as there is lots of work to be done and she hasn't yet said she loves me or wants back in. It's a slow thaw but it's nice that we are enjoying some time together and at this point there really isn't any drama.
H 37 W 31 S 2
T: 7 M: 4
BD 12/18 Separated 2/19 Living back together 04/06/2019 W Moved out again 07/15/2019
Celebrate the small victories, and keep on with your GAL.