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…
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Take a sabbatical, travel, and reflect on your unfulfilled dreams.
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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
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/92a66e77-5616-4ebc-ace2-7d6682464bd0.png)
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. ❤️
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/0b4bcabc-e405-4c53-8b30-344e52155568.png)
Prioritize your happiness. Don’t sacrifice it for anyone else’s.
Seeking individual therapy for religious trauma and wanting to experience life. NTA
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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 sex 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!
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/c3c850d7-5f76-47b1-a92e-ef2223ea2749.png)
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.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/05d3f17c-635c-4b6f-8a4e-e8168fa8bf38.png)
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. ❤️
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/c40a8c50-6d40-4e06-a811-7f665daa8def.png)
Divorce, explore and let her find someone who wants the same
thing she does.
Growing up in conservative families can impact sex life. NTA.
Married at 22, feeling stuck at 28. Live life for you
