I am 48. I am (briefly) staying with my dad and stepmom, while my wife and I work through some stuff. Much of this is stuff that I’m accountable for, and I’m trying hard to be proactive about that.

My wife and I have been carefully discussing next steps. One thing that she’s made clear is that she does not want to split up if at all possible. Neither do I.

My dad and stepmom, who have been incredibly supportive throughout a separate, recent, awful situation, immediately opened their home to me. No questions asked and whatever I need.

I clearly have three people here who genuinely, deeply love me. Who are fighting for me, and for our relationships.

And for the life of me, I can’t understand why. I have absolutely no concept of self-worth. I haven’t loved myself in a very long time, if ever. The very concept seems impossible (but only in my case obv).

In addition to that, I’m a challenging relationship. I have ADHD anxiety anger issues. There is no way I have personal qualities that compensate for that.

I think I understand that this must be distorted thinking on my part? I guess? Maybe? But it certainly seems objectively true haha