Married at 22, Dreams Unfulfilled: Is It Time to Start Over?

Picture this: a young couple, deeply in love, meeting at a conservative church, and living a life that seems picture-perfect. But what if one of them starts to feel trapped and dreams of a different life? Our protagonist, a 28-year-old man, has reached a breaking point. He’s got a successful career, a beautiful home, and a loving wife, but he can’t shake the feeling that he’s missing out on life. ?? He’s considering leaving his wife and moving far away to start over. But is he being selfish, or is it time for him to finally live for himself?

A Locked-Down Love Story

? Meeting in a Conservative Church

Young Love and Marriage

Buying a House and Tying the Knot

Married at 22

The Perfect Christian Couple?

? Feeling Robbed of Youth

Imperfect Marriage

Successful but Unhappy

Dreaming of a Fresh Start

Questioning His Choices

Communication and Counseling

A Civil Divorce

Wife’s Contentment

Bedroom Struggles

? Serious Conversation

A Temporary Escape

Soul-Searching in SE Asia

?♂? Escaping the Picture-Perfect Life

Our protagonist, a 28-year-old man, has been married to his wife for 5 years. They met in a conservative church, married young, and followed all the rules. On the surface, they’re the perfect Christian couple. But behind closed doors, our protagonist feels trapped. He’s been dreaming of traveling, living abroad, and experiencing new things, but feels like his youth has been stolen from him. He’s considering leaving his wife to start a new life in another country. They’ve tried counseling, and his wife knows how he feels, but she’s content with their current life. He’s even suggested taking a temporary break to explore SE Asia and figure out what he truly wants. Is he being selfish, or is it time for him to finally live for himself? Let’s see what the internet thinks of this situation…

Take a sabbatical, travel, and reflect on your unfulfilled dreams.

Break free from societal norms and live for yourselves!

Don’t chase missed opportunities, focus on carving a path forward

Escape the cage before it’s too late! Divorce and move on

Trained to believe marriage was the only way to happiness

Is he really the a**hole for wanting to start over?

Seek therapy, not escape. Discuss with spouse, take a vacation

Reevaluate your success and take a long vacation

Suggests talking to wife and not leaving for selfish reasons.

Escape the repression and follow your dreams

OP deserves to be happy too, read the post!

Don’t let fear hold you back from exploring new opportunities

Follow your dreams, even if it hurts.

Breaking free from religion and family pressure, NTA advises on marriage.

Don’t set yourself on fire to keep someone else warm

A sexless marriage: to leave or not to leave?

Leaving a marriage to pursue dreams: tough choice, no regrets!

Finding fulfillment without starting over: advice from experienced parent.

Don’t wait! Start over and let her start anew. NTA

Don’t chase a ‘big’ life at the cost of love

Life’s too short to live with regrets. Embrace new beginnings!

Breaking free from religious indoctrination and missed opportunities.

Divorce advice: Consider finances, no kids = good timing

A critical take on churches as cults and prioritizing happiness.

Divorce and live life on your own terms!

Don’t let regrets bite. Pursue what makes you happy

NTA considers starting over, but commenter advises against it. Suggests traveling.

It’s tough, but sometimes you need to put yourself first.

Divorce before kids, seek therapy, and live your best life

Seeking fulfillment while married: travel club or separation options. NAH.

When the spark is gone, is it time to move on?

Choose happiness, even if it means making tough decisions. ??

Prioritize your happiness. Don’t sacrifice it for anyone else’s.

Seeking individual therapy for religious trauma and wanting to experience life. NTA

Take control of your life and part ways amicably. ?

Consider following your dreams with your loved one ??

It’s not abandonment. Find happiness, even if it’s far away. ?

Take charge of your happiness, sell the house, and go!

Freeing oneself from religious indoctrination to create an authentic life.

Negotiate a separation to pursue dreams while staying married?

Transitioning out of a marriage can be lonely, but intentional.

Divorce is not cruel when you want different things.

Follow your dreams and divorce respectfully. #LifeIsTooShort

Encouraging comment to leave church and pursue happiness

Mismatched s*x drives after kids, therapy and help needed

Embrace change and live your best life.

Retire early or travel freely instead of drastic changes

A spicy judgement – YTA

Suggests opening marriage and therapy to deal with religious trauma.

Be honest with your partner about your dreams If they can’t support you, move on

Visualize the reality of your dream. Test waters before nuking.

Take control of your life and build the future you want

Suggests a trial separation with clear boundaries and stipulations

Feeling trapped in marriage, seeking therapy for personal growth.

Prioritize your own happiness and move on.

Consider therapy for religious abuse before leaving your spouse. ? ? Don’t rush into decisions.

Harsh judgment towards cults and their followers. No sympathy given.

Don’t live for others, start over and live for you

Time to move on? Divorce and live your best life

Life’s too short to be miserable. NTA.

Don’t let regret ruin your present. Keep the love ?

Finding balance and avoiding rash decisions before starting a family.

Don’t wait for success to find happiness, start living now!

Is it fair to leave your spouse to pursue dreams?

Explore the world before settling down, if it’s your dream.

Breaking free from a religious sect and starting over

Explore the world with your wife and discover new joys

Feeling stuck? Work with your partner or consider divorce.

Sexual incompatibility and differing expectations may warrant a divorce ?♂?

Harsh but true. Plenty of time left to chase dreams!

Divorce suggestion met with harsh judgment. Tough situation.

Divorce now, travel later. Take back your life and explore!

Take a step back and seek counseling to improve communication

Starting over: NTA recommends leaving before kids complicate things.

Life is short, live it according to your own heart. ??

Life is too short to be unhappy. Follow your dreams!

Life’s too short to be unhappy in a marriage ?

NTA. Travel solo, start with NZ, rent a car in Tasmania

Leaving a marriage is tough, but cheating is not the answer. ??

Divorce, explore and let her find someone who wants the same
thing she does.

Growing up in conservative families can impact s*x life. NTA.

Married at 22, feeling stuck at 28. Live life for you

Last Updated on February 29, 2024 by Diply Social Team