How to Find Your Footing Again When A Relationship Runs Its Course

Hey Everybody!I had this conversation about a week ago now and I’m still thinking about it. I’d known Eric and Evan from their work on Substack, but this was the first time I got a chance to sit down with them. Unfortunately, Evan was going through a moment of heartache and we were there to provide support.Nick and I often talk about how young men these days do not have any appropriate role models. The President of the United States is a giant, disrespectful jackass. There are thousands of hate podcasts sponsored by oligarch who want to incite the flames of rage and division in our country.In this conversation, we tried to do the opposite.I really have to commend Evan on his bravery. Absolutely everything in our society conditions men to take the opposite of any path that might lead to personal or spiritual growth. Evan did the opposite and that makes me very hopeful for the future.The reason hate speech is so prevalent in our country is because this is a nation of frustrated man/children who think rage makes them powerful. It does make you feel powerful for two seconds. That’s long enough for the hate podcasters to convince you to turn over your hard earned money (to them). The problem is that you come crashing to Earth, or you become so addicted to anger that you delude yourself into believing the hate podcasters are your only true friends.Anger doesn’t get you anywhere. Frustration doesn’t get you anywhere. It’s okay to feel sad, it’s okay to feel angry, but you have to direct those feelings in a safe space. The hate podcasters trick young men into directing those emotions at the people they love, and then those young men have nobody to spend time with but the hate groups.That’s quicksand (as Eric put it).In this conversation, Nick, Evan, Eric and I tried to present an alternative response. We don’t want to dwell in misery. Instead, the idea is to figure out a way to move forward and make sure everyone’s needs are met. I’ve wrestled with depression often enough in my life that it’s nice to think that maybe I’ve learned how to talk about it so that other people can feel a bit more hope.I feel like we’re just getting started and I’m looking forward to talking with these gentlemen again soon. Imagine a world where this kind of conversation was the norm rather than the exception.That’s what we’re working for!Thank you Neurodivergent Hodgepodge, Cat, Melissa Corrigan, she/her, Beth Cruz, Noble Blend, and many others for tuning into my live video with Evan Fields, Eric Lullove, and Nick Paro! Join me for my next live video in the app.You all make this newsletter happen! Thanks for your sponsorship! I have payment tiers starting at as little as twenty dollars a year.Upgrade at 30% offUpgrade at 40% offUpgrade at 50% offUpgrade at 60% offI’m so happy you’re here, and I’m looking forward to sharing more thoughts with you tomorrow.My CoSchedule referral linkHere’s my referral link to my preferred headline analyzer tool. If you sign up through this, it’s another way to support this newsletter (thank you).I'd Rather Be Writing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to I'd Rather Be Writing at walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe