[fragholrok]

If my SO couldn't deal with my startup life, I wouldn't wait for him to pack his bags, I'd already be gone. He knows I love him fiercly, but somethings in this world are worth fighting for - my hapiness being one of them.

Been married 5 years, and I regularly neglect my husband for side projects, and he knows it :) It's never to the point where we never spend time together but he understands where my head is at, and he supports me.

Those of us with a truly entrepreneurial spirit cannot run from who we are. And to lie to oneself in order to save a relationship will not work in the long run, because in the end, the truth will come out. If your SO can't deal with your startup fever, then of course, try your best to compromise so that you can still have both (if possible). But if you find yourself having to choose between the two and you choose your SO, but your passion really lines in your startup, how happy will you really be in that relationship?

Love is nice and all, but you have to be fuflilled in your life outside your relationships. Don't get me wrong, work is not everything, and probably not the most important thing to many ppl, but if your work drives you to wake up in the morning, then that's saying something profound about your passions and what makes you happy.

Someone who truly loves you, and understands you would never ask you to choose, but they would also never stand in your way either. If that means you can't be together, then that's something you just have to accept and learn from.

[bdclimber14]

This is exactly how I feel, its nice to know someone can empathize with me. It's very hard to explain this to a SO though.

[fragholrok]

I agree, it is very hard if you are trying to convince a SO that doesn't see or understand the connection between your passions and well being. It's also very difficult if your SO has already decided in his or her mind that it has to be either or (them or the startup). It would be awesome if there was some guide or handbook on this subject, but there is no easy answer to making your SO understand.

It is possible to have both (your passion and your SO) if you can find a balance that you and your SO can both live with, and maybe that's the easiest way to help your SO understand...by including them in that process, and making them feel like you guys are figuring it out together.

In the end though, there is only so much you can do/say to try and convince someone who has already made up their mind that your logic is bs. At which point you should probably let that person go, so they can take a dump on someone else's dreams, lol.