I think we find we are "different" in a relationship than we are "single" because we are making considerations for another person in our life. We suddenly now have different influences impacting us and that changes "who we are".Quote:
This is pathetic- but I forgot who the person I was prior to my relationship...
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These influences can be positive or negative. They might get us out of our comfort zone and doing things we might not have otherwise, or stop us from doing certain things we feel are no longer appropriate for someone in a committed relationship.
I've noticed this in myself too.
The key is balancing your independent self with your inter-dependant self (thanks Stephen Covey). When you are sharing your life, you should be growing. When your priorities, desires, or even your personality start to be suppressed in a relationship, you start to feel like you are losing who you are – Just as you described.