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Not sure how to feel normal again

User Profile: indigoDrum7123
indigoDrum7123 March 17th, 2021

I moved states a few months ago to be with my girlfriend while she was in med school. We met in person about a year and a half ago and started dating soon after. We were together in person for about 5 months before she moved for school. At about a year into our relationship I moved to be nearer to her. After she started school things got a little rough, I felt a little neglected, but knew it was mostly because she was devoting most of her time and energy to school. I thought this would get better if we weren't long distance. It was very rough when I first moved here, but I felt it was slowly getting better. We had talked in the past about setting up a date night which is pretty common for med students trying to balance relationships and school, but she left this planning to me and on the few occasions I suggested something she shot them down. She mentioned about a month ago that she wanted me to communicate my wants and needs with her more, which I said I would try to do. A few days ago I brought up the idea that I wanted the time we spent together to be more intentional, to spend this time actually WITH one another not just being in the same room. I brought up the date night thing again and suggested we brainstorm about something together. To this she said that she didn't have the bandwidth to do that and said she wanted to take a break. After talking to her some more this break seems more like a breaking up. And it also feels like to me that she made up her mind to do this a while ago and was just waiting for a good momentary reason. She had mentioned her therapist (provided by her school for free) had offered couples therapy, and I expressed interest at this idea at the time, I asked her after the fact why she hadn't wanted to pursue this and she said that couples therapy is for people who want to stay together and she figured out she wanted to split. I had also noticed that she hasn't told me she loved me except for once in response to me for several months. It feels like she was trying to push me away by withholding affection. I simultaneously feel like I'm being punished for speaking about my emotions, and that she thought I wasn't worth the effort to try to stay with me (which I know isn't really how mental energy works, but it's hard not to tell myself that.) I just feel like I put so much work into making this work, and was willing to put in so much more, where as she just wanted things to click forever, even through major life changes like med school. To make matters worse this was all over text and phone call (not even video chat) and I feel like this is because she didn't want to have to deal with seeing my emotions. She still wants to be friends, and I do too. But it just feels like it will be so difficult to readjust to that because I still love her so much. We are in the same larger friend groups and have a lot of activities together such as D&D, none of our friends know yet as far as I know, and I'm worried that if it's brought up during one of these sessions I'll just start involuntarily crying. I also want to tell her that even if we aren't together that she's still my best friend (which is true) which I fear will make her feel like I'm smothering her, because she has expressed multiple times, including in the break up conversation that she thinks I need closer friends for emotional support other than her, which I was mad about at the time but in hindsight is true, because I haven't been able to talk to anyone about this, even though I have friends that I know would listen to me and provide support I just feel ashamed to talk about it. She was and is such a big part of my life and I'm not sure if I know how to feel normal after this. And I know it will take a little time, but I don't even know where to start. Even though I saw it coming from miles away I still feel blindsided somehow.

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User Profile: indigoDrum7123
indigoDrum7123 OP March 17th, 2021

She had also mentioned she could see us coming back together in the future if it happens naturally. But she has 3 more years in med school and then residency after that, and I'm worried that it would happen just after I feel I have moved on. I somehow feel both that I would wait for her that long, and also that that is too long to wait. And even if I did wait, she probably wouldn't wait for me.

User Profile: lifeisbeautiful37
lifeisbeautiful37 March 19th, 2021

I don’t know what to say, but I’m sorry you’re going through this!

User Profile: Kiwi0123
Kiwi0123 March 22nd, 2021

Hi! I am so sorry u r going through that. Honestly, I came to 7 cups of tea for a similar situation. Started a long distance relationship with this guy, felt like I was putting all d effort. I would plan everything from date nights, to gift cards, etc on special occasions. A few days HE broke up with me on d grounds that he misses d natural real time interaction. I felt like I put my soul into making this work and while got the experience to be better for d next relationship, I was d one who was left with a broken heart and anxiety. My break up happened over text too and when I did ask him to find closure for the both of us over phone or video, he didn't want to. I believe the same thing that he didn't want to face what I was feeling. And I know the blindsided feeling really really well. The thing is @indigoDrum7123 sometimes u have to let people go. Your girlfriend has already moved on, u felt it coming but u held on. These feelings u r having are not going to go away in a day, oh believe me. But the day u do, u will be so much happier. It's easier said than done. I know I have been there. It's astounding how some people let people (who they claim to love) drift apart so easily. You loved, you lost. And it was never your fault. You are stronger than that. Believe in yourself, strive to be the best version of yourself. It's not easy, it will take time. But when u do get over her, u will realise that there is a world without her in which u have d potential to thrive.

User Profile: Kiwi0123
Kiwi0123 March 22nd, 2021

You will love again. And there will be a time when u would have found someone who will see u, ur efforts and appreciate u for all that u bring to that relationship. Till then focus on healing, even if it means some time off with absolutely no communication - when u have been holding on as tightly as u have- this scenario of no communication , of loosing friendship (which is a just saying that u will take her in any way u can get her)- is so scary. This helped me - I began a friendship but communicated less and less everyday, a slow detox than a complete withdrawal. Wish her well but love urself first. Keep going, keep improving yourself, the right one will stay and remind u of ur worth even in d worse of times. PS when u have healed, don't let ur lens get blurry from ur past relationship, see it as a fresh start and learn how you, @indigoDrum7123 wish to gain and receive love first. I hope u heal. I really hope I do too. Everything will be fine tomorrow! 😊

User Profile: indigoDrum7123
indigoDrum7123 OP March 22nd, 2021

Thank you so much for the kind words and advice @kiwi0123. I wish you the best in moving forward in your life as well, and I will keep your advice in mind as I move forward myself.

1 reply
User Profile: Kiwi0123
Kiwi0123 March 22nd, 2021

Hey, don't mention it. I am going through the same thing and for the first time nonetheless. It's hard and I could really relate to what u wrote. Even I wonder sometimes, how people just walk away from people who love them so much. But I am here to let u know, that I am holding on and so should u. Pain feels fundamentally the same. We will get over d other side and we will come out as better, more evolved people. We will get through this!! #More power to us. 😊

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