Great on you Mr. Green! The thoughts and goals set towards an AT thru-hike got you through the last couple of years and sometimes things change when you get there - finally arrive at that point. It is the fact that you decided to change that plan, against many odds, but you made the decision and that is grand. That was probably in many ways harder than hiking the AT, but the point is you have very likely reached a new level with that decision. I say those decisions can be very positive. I could list the reasons why I think this, but those might not be yours. I just wanted to point out the significance of your decision in a positive way.
Congratulations!