attitude
KCS - don't despair! Thomas Edison spent more time developing light bulbs that never worked and when he was asked how it was that he could keep going he replied that with each 'failure' he now knew one more way how NOT to make a light bulb (or something like that...I'm terrible with getting quotes exactly right).
So don't give up. Get back to your passion. When you close your eyes and imagine a model railroad, what does it look like? Spend time Dreaming about that then decide step by step how you're going to get there. Write each step down and assign dates to them. Then show it to your significant other and impress on her just how important this is to you. Get her on board with your excitement and enthusiasm. Don't forget to compromise.
With my layout plans, I have set out some broad brush strokes on what should happen when. The first stage is underway, with soliciting help and ideas from The Gauge members. Also, I'm cleaning out the space and doing all the prep work (taking care of storage, finding a place for everything). And since long before I was ever engaged to be married I was making it clear to my future bride that model trains are an important part of my sanity.
What my wife gets out of the deal is a committment from me to be home for dinner (my work schedule is crazy flexible and prone to run over) and put my son to bed (with a story from Rev. Awdry...), among other things on the honeydo list. What I get in return is amazing support and consideration of my hobby. We also get a more organized house in general, since the garage is the catch-all for stuff that doesn't have a home. This is hard work for a person like me that doesn't like to work at being organized.
Anyway, thanks for listening to my rant, and I hope you consider the advice...it's free, of course, and up to you to take it.
Galen