I've had fantastic GF's that are beautiful, intelligent, honest and hardworking. I've also mongered regularily for the last 10 years at least, and i'm only 30.
I can tell you that I wasn't happy even though I felt fulfilled in the relationship aspect. I always felt that I was missing out on all the fun I have mongering. Maybe it's my own social problems that result in me secretly resenting my SO for keeping me from mongering.
Now that I monger all I want, sometimes I feel as though I miss companionship that I once had in the relationship. I wish I could do it both, but I have a hard time with it.
Maybe I'm just dating some high maintenance girls, but the hot ones are typically like this (or at least in my experience). Maybe I'll meet a hot, low maintenance girl one day, but until then I know that I don't want to be stuck in a relationship, where I will not be able to monger. I enjoy our hobby/lifestyle choice so much that I would choose to be without a SO, and forfeit serious relationships in order to concentrate on career and indulgences in my favourite hobbies.
If being in a meaningful relationship happens then great, but the alternative misery (in my case) of being in a comitted relationship without mongering is the more gruesome death IMO.
The confusion or stress caused by trying to decide what life to lead is stressful and I can feel your pain bro. I'm sorry I can't really lend any advice, or clearly answer you if I'm happy or not, but these are some of the same confused thoghts going in my head all the time.
Would love to hear from what some of the more senior forum members have to say on the subject.