My gf also asked me if I want to make attempts for a baby next year. I said yes because of course I want that, but she is rushing a bit. We have just started living together and it's probably best to give it a few months time before we make such decisions. I guess she's just excited about living together.
I don't want to be devil's advocate but I'm going to say this anyways because it means so much to me and fellow men.
You seem aware of your girlfriend's rushed attitude. It reminded me of some unpleasant truths and thoughts.
Women have more biological and social pressure to have children than men, it's something we men don't always understand and it's important to stay aware of. We don't feel a similar urgency because we don't become infertile at the same rate.
Although building a family is a valuable and gratifying ambition in life, doing so for the wrong reasons is going to inevitably add to your difficulties to reboot. Time and time again I see girlfriends and wives of family and friends 'let go' once they have a claim to a man. Like less desire to better themselves, less communication, more unhealthy habits, less effort in the relationship... After a "claim" to their man, things may change. With "claim" I mean with marriage, children, living situation, financial dependencies or sheer emotion... These are strong ties to keep you together for better or worse. Please, give your future self the respect they deserve and take your time to figure out if you can grow and build towards a desireable future with this person. "make attempts for a baby next year" is pretty clear. That means it's to be brought up in 10-ish months. It sounds like you feel they're nagging you before that time, so do you still think she's just excited to live together with you? Or do you think this is what you would like best to be the reason for the "rushing"?
I'm wary of spending too much time with her. I know this mind sound crazy to some, but if we are together all the time - work from home together, go to the gym together, shop together, I think the spark will disappear. So far it hasn't, we've been together for about 1 year and a half.
What you said shouldn't sound crazy to people. It's a real concern and I think you're right.
Guard your time. Protect it, and if you can't don't let it happen the same way twice.
Sure, spend time together. But be crystal clear: Living together does not mean doing everything together.
They say familiarity breeds contempt. If you read Your Brain On Porn, the Coolidge effect may ring a bell. In your situation, a shared living space is going to inevitably let you see sides of this person you have not seen. Sides of them you may not like, sides of them they may not change. Mind you, the inverse is also true. For that reason alone it's a good idea to live together, but as you said yourself... Consider pacing it more.
That aside, I'm glad you have found things and people that help you with rebooting and that you have taken the time to share them. I appreciate being able to read about other people's lives, it makes me feel hopeful and encouraged. That is to say that despite having been an addict, it doesn't define me or my future.