breaking up | The Whole Parent

Back Into the Arena and Mapping a New Adventure

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:February 27, 2021
Post category:Dating humans of divorce Joy Love relationship building Relationships Self-care Single-Dad Spirituality
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What if I knew what I wanted and was unafraid to ask? How would that change my star map of seeking?

Why Did You Get Back Together? Lessons In Love and Being Loved

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:January 7, 2021
Post category:Anger Dating Parenting relationship building Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad
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When contemplating a long-term relationship, unaddressed issues will not get fixed on their own. They will fester until one partner breaks either with anger or acting out. And if the issue has been around for more than 6-months you owe it to yourself and your partner to address it head-on.

Dear Ex, I Will Forgive You, But I Will Never Forget What You Did

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:June 10, 2019
Post category:Anger Co-Parenting Dating Divorce Health and Fitness Joy Love Money Parenting Relationships Self-care Single-Dad
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I don't think my ex-wife or my ex-girlfriend derived any positive benefits from attacking me. And perhaps, their momentary feeling of superiority and vindictiveness was worth the price. But both these women attacked me and took actions to hurt me and my future prospects.

Sexual Hunger: How Friends with Benefits Became a Lie for Me

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:October 7, 2018
Post category:Dating Drinking Health and Fitness Joy Love Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad Spirituality Third Glass Series
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Alone, I am still somewhat of a hungry animal. I contemplate calling my recent ex more frequently than I'd like to imagine. It's a similar story to my previous relationship. Perhaps we can just get our physical needs met without worrying too much about the relationship or the future.

Sex, Love, and Relationships: Dating Is A Bit Like Space Travel

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:July 7, 2018
Post category:Dating Depression Love Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad
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So as I speed away from another "potential" I am trying to be aware of the great things I learned. And most of all, I hope to make use of the momentum her gravity and ultimate slingshot has provided for the path ahead.

Back To The Start: Breakup to Begin Again

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:April 11, 2018
Post category:Dating Depression Health and Fitness Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad
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Back to the bare walls and rebuilding from nothing. Back to the feelings of being booted from my former "happy life" as a dad and husband, and into some unknown, stripped bare, emotional roller coaster of the last 8 years of my life.

Breaking Up: Grief and Loss as a Journey

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:September 5, 2017
Post category:Dating Depression Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad
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There was something hopeful about imagining hundreds of women who were looking for a relationship. I wanted to dip my toe in the water and see what they looked like.

Sitting In Silence with the Grief

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:August 15, 2017
Post category:Co-Parenting Depression Divorce humans of divorce Love Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad
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The silence and loneliness and grief brought me back to a deeper connection to my own soul. A deeper connection with myself. And that ever-elusive self-love.