In Richard Russo's book "Trajectory," a character reflects on the pressures of sustaining creativity and originality in a long-term relationship. The quote raises questions about the expectations placed on individuals, especially after decades of shared experiences. It suggests that after thirty years of marriage, one might feel compelled to continuously innovate in their interactions, which can be an unrealistic demand.
This sentiment highlights the difficulties of maintaining excitement and freshness in a longstanding partnership. It underscores the challenge of balancing routine familiarity with the desire for novelty, ultimately questioning whether it's feasible to keep reinventing oneself in a relationship that has deep roots over time.