Seeing as how I have never used LJ before, I figured the writers block feature may be the best way to start.

So relationship deal-breakers, huh? Well I suppose I am just the right candidate to discuss such things, having just ended a 5 year relationship myself.  This was one of those seemingly perfect relationships, everyone thought we were happy - no one saw it coming. Even myself. I was happy being the self-obssessed, whiny and clingy version of myself for the entire time we were together. And somehow that worked, even for him. Because even though I was all those things, I still had so much love for this guy that I still wanted to make him happy. His demands were simple. We harkened back to the time when women took care of their men, and in return, men paid the bills and did all the hard labor. I cooked and cleaned and did the grocery shopping, and in return, I didnt have to pay the bills or rent.  Well this tidy situation only could last for so long before I grew tired of the routine and got lazy. Still, we worked through our problems and continued going strong. But over the years, we both put on weight, myself more than he, and the attraction (on his side) began to fade. But still, through all of this, we made it work. We still loved each other. 

Up until about November of 2008, I would say things were pretty good. But then, I changed. I realized I wanted more. Out of life, out of love, out of everything. I was squandering away all this precious time I had on a meaningless existence. And I knew he was part of the problem, not the solution. He was a good guy, and loved me in his own way, but it wasnt enough. He wanted me to be his ideal woman, and for almost 5 years I tried to be that. Until one day it clicked, you cant be someone else, you have to be yourself. Its up to you to decide what you will and wont do. And if someone else wants you to fit into that mold, your responsibility is to tell them to sod off. They arent worth the time of day if they dont accept you as you are. That is it. That is my deal breaker. Aside from the obvious stuff... excessive drinker, smoker, wife beater (and for those things, you should head for dry land as well). But thats it. Its as simple as that. A lesson it took me 27 years to learn. Be yourself. And keep the people around you who love you for the neurotic, silly, wonderful person you are. And get rid of the ones who dont.

I realize that my thoughts are probably all over the place, and I most likely left a bunch of crucial info out. I'm sure I'll get my thoughts organized eventually but for today, this will just have to do.