I agree it is, in general, with most people in our lives.

But good, healthy relationships with partners offer more than absorbing their negative energy and calling it “growth” or “learning.”

Good relationships aren’t about accommodating a partner who gives too little, is irritating, hurtful, etc.

Good relationships offer direct, positive energy to absorb as well.

The things articulated weren’t “romanticized ideals.” On the contrary, they were the basic foundation of emotional health and relationships: care, consideration, listening, problem solving, emotional self-sufficiency, etc.

These are the bare minimum basics of functioning as healthy, mature adults — on our own, and in a relationship.

If you sincerely believe that basic, emotional health “doesn’t exist” (or “exists only in the deepest realm of your own idealistic thought”) then it’s you, not me, who needs to reassess our approach to (and valuation of) human beings — especially ourselves.