Make sure my next relationship is non-dysfunctional and not loaded with baggage!

I just realized that the relationship I’m currently in, IS non-dysfunctional and not loaded with baggage. That is, as much as it is possible for a relationship to be as such, given that we are both human beings with relationship pasts, likes and dislikes, pet peeves, etc. It’s really nice though, to realize that there IS no bs anymore. It’s just easy, and it’s fun, and that’s all that really matters.

I am failing MISERABLY at this.
That’s all.

Why does baggage surface when you least expect it to? When you think you’ve lost it along the way, gotten rid of it and are through… there it comes, like “Wait! Wait for me! You’ve forgotten something….”

(good thing I didn’t check this goal off my list when I thought I had it all figured out!)

Since meeting the lovely S. a week ago, (I know, I know, it’s only a week!) ... anyway, I’ve been trying to make a conscious effort to not repeat and fall into old patterns of thinking, and doing, and being. I’m trying to be new and different. It’s a work in progress, of course, but one thing I’m certainly NOT going to do again is run away from a nice guy because he’s “too nice”. That’s a load of crap if I ever heard one. When I ran before, it was out of sheer stupidity. But I’ve grown, and experienced, and learned, and you know what? Bad boys suck. Bad boys are bad FOR you. Bad boys don’t deserve a second of your time because they’re going to waste it and disrespect you in the process. So I’m not running. I’m staring it straight in the face, looking S. right in the eye, and telling him just how wonderful he is, and how much I appreciate having met someone like him. And it feels good. And I know that I’m learning. And I’m not going to screw this one up like I’ve done in the past!

The baggage is all on my part. I’m carrying a heavy weight in my heart.
That said, my next relationship won’t be for a very, very long time.
Details are irrelevant.
I guess what I mean, is that I want to be a better person; and I don’t want to make any more mistakes.

Pretty self-explanatory, no?
I’m not here to fix anyone’s emotional scars. I want to be an equal partner, not always giving more and wondering why it’s not enough.