Living the Higher Life: A Story of Togetherness and Self-Care
Ethan had always believed that love was about sacrifice. From the moment he entered his first serious relationship, he made his partner the priority—always putting their needs ahead of his own. If they needed support, he was there. If they had a bad day, he dropped everything to make it better.
At first, it felt right. After all, love was about giving, wasn’t it?
But as the years passed, something unexpected happened. Ethan started feeling drained, disconnected—from himself, from his goals, even from the very relationship he was trying so hard to nurture. He didn’t understand it. He was doing everything to make the relationship work. Why did it feel like something was missing?
A Different Perspective
One evening, while catching up with his uncle James—a man who had been married for over 30 years—Ethan voiced his frustration.
“I don’t get it,” he admitted. “I give everything to my relationship, but sometimes it feels like I’m running on empty. Shouldn’t love be enough?”
James chuckled and shook his head. “Ethan, love isn’t about losing yourself—it’s about rising together. If you don’t take care of you, how can you take care of them?”
Ethan frowned. “But isn’t love about sacrifice?”
James leaned forward, his voice calm but firm. “Love isn’t about sacrifice. It’s about partnership. A higher life isn’t one where you give everything away—it’s one where you grow together, side by side. If you neglect yourself, the relationship suffers too.”
That conversation stuck with Ethan long after he left. For the first time, he wondered if his idea of love had been flawed.
Living the Higher Life: Taking Care of Yourself First
Ethan decided to experiment. He started making time for himself—not in a selfish way, but in a way that allowed him to recharge.
He got back into his morning workouts, something he had sacrificed in the name of “couple time.”
He started journaling again, processing his own emotions instead of carrying unspoken burdens.
He pursued a hobby he had always loved—woodworking, creating something with his hands instead of always giving his energy away.
And something incredible happened.
He felt lighter, happier, more engaged in his relationship. He wasn’t showing up exhausted or resentful anymore. He was present, energized, and full of the same passion that had first brought them together.
He realized that self-care wasn’t separate from love—it was a necessary part of it.
Togetherness: Rising as Partners
As Ethan started focusing on his own well-being, something else shifted—his partner started doing the same.
For the first time, they had intentional conversations about their individual needs and how they could support each other in reaching personal goals. They started planning quality time, not just spending hours together out of routine but truly connecting in ways that deepened their bond.
They began dreaming together—what they wanted their future to look like, the kind of life they wanted to build.
And that’s when Ethan truly understood what James had meant. A higher life is one where two people grow individually and together. Where they encourage, challenge, and uplift one another. Where they take care of themselves, so they can take care of each other.
Your Turn: Building a Life of Togetherness and Growth
Ethan’s story is a reminder that true love isn’t about losing yourself—it’s about building a life where both partners thrive.
If you want to live the higher life with your partner, ask yourself:
Am I showing up as the best version of myself?
Do we support each other’s growth, individually and together?
Are we prioritizing true connection, not just time spent together?
Loving someone fully means loving yourself too. When you rise, your relationship rises with you.
Because in the end, a truly extraordinary love isn’t about sacrifice—it’s about expansion. It’s about growing stronger, together.
Live the higher life. Love deeply. And never forget to take care of yourself, too.
