Two years ago, I went through a really rough break-up. I had been in this relationship for eight years. Like any long-term relationship, we had our good and bad days. Toward the end, it was brutal. There was gaslighting and emotional cruelty. It was time to go.
I had been planning on breaking up for some time. I had put a plan in place to leave, to tie up loose ends and to let him down easy. It turns out, he had the same idea. We both agreed it was time to part. And we did. I left with a wad of cash. Most importantly, I left with my dignity intact.
In eight years, I was unfaithful only once. I reached out for comfort elsewhere and the response was mutual. I could have left for this new relationship. It was tempting. In the end, I decided to stay and keep working on my relationship.
Despite the fact we both came to the right decision to end it, I still sometimes struggle with our demise. I gave this relationship some of my best years. I mean really good years. Afterward, on some of my darker days, I even found myself doing some crazy ex-girlfriend stuff like cyberstalking to see how he was doing. The other day, he showed up on my social media feed, damn algorithms. One little solo pic with a slight smile sent me mining his account for more. I even found one of the two of us during happier times, still up on his social media. In it, we were celebrating a big success, an award we won, a collaboration we both were elated about.
He is on his second girlfriend since me. The first one lasted only a few months. Who knows how long the next one will last? I’m rooting for him to find happiness. I have done the same.
To be completely transparent, I should probably tell you this break-up is with my old company. But the feelings are all the same. Eight years is eight years.
SaveYourSelf caters to the financially fit and the financially flawed. Everyone is welcome. Check out our blog. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Sign up for emails.
SaveYourSelf | Blog 