Sections:

Posted 9/2022–

• What the Hell Was I Thinking!?
• While D.B. Was Around
• The Timeline

Posted 3/2025–

• Better Timeline: June 2021 — March 2025
  

• When a Man Meets a Woman
  vs. When a Struggling Man Met a Struggling Woman

What the Hell Was I Thinking?!


I'm implementing No-Contact today.. after being in contact with my ex for the past several months. (then broke it yet again—and I'm currently paying for it. 10/19/22) 



I want to be honest about the unhealthy reasons behind this, and about how our communication went. He wasn't hateful this time, but it still ended up being bad for my mental health (and waistline. :P)



Back in April I reached out to my ex. Yeah, I reached out. I unblocked his number and messaged him because my feelings were hurt when the man I was interested in viewed my webpage, listened to these recordings, and took my abuser's side.. Oh, and then seemingly wrote me off by saying I was too broken- Well, by saying that we were both too broken.


 
This doesn't mean contacting my ex was an acceptable choice or that I didn't make it 100% on my own. I chose to try to regulate my intense, painful emotions in a counterproductive way.



Sometimes I screw up and behave poorly. No matter why I felt what I felt, I was responsible for what I chose to do with those feelings. My error = My own fault. This is simply how I processed things-



I'd been crushing hard on a man.. Let's call him.. M. M's response after being silent for two weeks really hurt my feelings because it felt invalidating/unintentionally gaslighty.. So naturally, I reached out to the person my mind was used to seeking comfort from when I'm confused and overwhelmed- D.B. Womp womp wommmmp…
(How I processed it: Here We Go Again)



To cope I ended up behaving in ways that left me feeling very, very..gross. I acted in a narcissistic manner in regards to a few things.

I'm not proud of this, but I'm not going to hide my wrongs because being fake makes me feel sick and immensely uncomfortable... It just doesn't feel right, so.. here it is.

I did some good and bad, as usual.

While D.B. Was Around

I was fully transparent when I reached out. I told him about my interest in a man, and about how I was frustrated and sad.
  

D.B. responded to me like a friend would. He was seemingly supportive and joked around with me after I vented. He even said he’d call M. to tell him the truth about how he’d been an abusive arse towards me while we dated. I declined. D.B. was there when I was feeling down about how things were turning out. I needed someone to be there, or… at least I thought I did. 

We caught up about things going on in our lives and cleared the air. I cannot recall what happened, but we eventually had some disagreement and stopped talking for a few weeks. (When he ended up speaking to me again he told me he’d been in a coma. I didn’t believe that, but it was nice having someone to talk to.)
 

M. and I got back in touch in June. We got along really well and he said us dating was inevitable. I was definitely feeling it. In mid-June we saw each other for the first and only time. We simply hung out, talked, watched some shows, kissed for hours and whatnot. I was too nervous to even move or kiss right, but I still enjoyed it. It was wonderful to be held a little. I've lived my entire life starved for affection, so when someone is affectionate towards me I can get overwhelmed.. usually in a good way. :)
 

We were talking/messaging for hours at a time, and the best part was..he’d ask about me and he’d respond thoughtfully to my questions. He was also funny and spoke more openly than I’m accustomed to. It was..once again, very nice.
 

Then he told me he was going out of town for a week, which was fine. Yet we went from talking a lot, seeing each other and kissing for the first time, to a sudden complete cut off of communication for several days. It caught me off-guard.
 

When I reached out to him and saw he read by message but chose not to respond.. then would sign offline anytime I'd sign on..I got triggered and terrified, which I still feel was understandable considering the circumstances. I should’ve handled it in a healthier manner.
 

It felt like a rather dismissive way to be treated, especially right after how much we'd been talking..and how he expressed he liked me and wanted to "do things the right way" because he didn't want to be one of 'those guys.'  It didn't make sense to me for us to have been moving forward hot and heavy just to slam to an abrupt halt by him not saying a word to me for a week. It left me feeling uneasy.
 

I knew I didn’t know his side of things.. So I reached out, shared my feelings, and requested to know what was going on (basically, I asked him to share his perspective so I could know what was actually going on—and thus feel less anxious)

I told him that being confused was causing me distress, and asked him to please help clarify. He read that message and ignored it.. That really upset me. It felt very hurtful to be brushed aside again.
 

I'm so tired of being a backburner person. I'm so tired of not being prioritized or appreciated..or even wanted. That crap starts to eat away at a person.
  

Anyway.. he eventually responded and blah blah blah. But when he responded he brought up how me expressing my concerns in a vulnerable manner demonstrated that we both had issues.
 

Apparently sharing my honest thoughts was wrong and a sign of me being too flawed to want?? I have no idea how I was supposed to take that. It also hurt, because all I did was share my feelings, and he responded to me like there was something wrong with how I thought and felt- AKA something terribly wrong with me and my emotional response to his confusing behavior.
  

His words made it clear that he pretty much no longer wanted to get romantically involved with me. Ouch..but ok. He had every right to choose that.
  

Not too long afterwards things between us started to go back and forth, but I'm not getting into all of that. All I will say is that whenever I thought we were finally going in one direction and I'd start letting myself really like him or enjoy our friendship...he'd then go in the complete opposite direction and become quiet/disengaged. It felt painfully familiar.
 

Anyway.. back to D.B. — 

Over the past 2-3 months he and I have pretty much stopped talking. There were a few texts here and there, and two phone calls..but that was it. He said he was still wanting to be a part of my life, but he wasn't speaking with me.. Maybe 1-2 texts per week.. sometimes 0.
 

However, with M. we started speaking a lot recently, until I tried to talk to him about needing some clarity once more (because he'd be playful and talk to me for many hours one day..then quiet or giving short answers the next several while asking me nothing about myself and MY day/life-- that's confusing. He'd stop talking to me when I'd try to progress things in the direction he claimed he wanted to go. He'd say he wanted to hang out, but when I'd attempt to take actual steps to make it or anything else a reality..*poof* - shot down, blown off, subject avoided, ignored. Siggghhhhhh)
 

Last time I asked him for some clarity he responded, then suddenly stopped talking to me again.. We hadn't really gone more than a few days without talking since late this summer.. but now it's been over two weeks- so, I just give up. I'm going to be EXTREMELY careful next time I allow myself to like someone or start bonding with a potential friend.
 

Getting shut out over and over again by people you open up to SUCKS. I need to stop being drawn to rejecting, emotionally unavailable people. I thought there was more there. I want to be able to let my guard down without the fear of getting lied to, led on, or abruptly ditched.
 

While I was in touch with D.B. I stayed ashamed of myself and stuck trying to figure out what was and wasn’t real. I repressed a lot and tried to just go with it because I hate giving up on/missing people I care about. I’ve been conflicted and desperate to have something solid/certain to hold onto. Nothing with D.B..and nothing with M. has been sturdy or clear over these last few months.
 

I hate being confused.. but when someone goes back and forth and won’t tell you what they want it is impossible to be sure. I need a clear reality. I told both gentlemen what I wanted and felt, but neither treated me like they wanted me as a friend or a partner. I deserve solid ground to stand on.

The Timeline

(January 2022–September 2022)

JANUARY 2022

— I had cut off from D.B. and was ready to move forward with getting to know M.. 

MARCH 2022

— M. Finally messages me, we talk all night. he expresses interest..we talk about future hang-outs/dates. He falls asleep while we are talking, then doesn't message me the next day..or at all for 5+ days straight..I'm triggered by memories of stonewalling. 

— I'm scared..I spaz out. I reach out. He reads my messages, doesn't respond for two weeks..then his response is to write me off and invalidate everything I told him I’d been working my ass off to heal from. 

APRIL 2022

— M. shot me down, stopped talking to me, and is out of the picture for two plus months.. So I rebounded to contacting D.B. again.. We stay in touch the entire time and I start feeling old feelings of attachment to him. I care and am appreciative of having company.
 

— A disagreement took place/ or I came to my senses and distance myself from D.B. again.

JUNE 2022

— I feel conflicted and sad. Something's not right. I can't sleep. I knew I shouldn't have been involved with D.B. because it gets me so mixed up. I have nobody to reach out to. I'm scared, embarrassed, and alone. I want to reach out to M..but I dont. I almost message him anytime I see him online..but don't until I accidently send a thumbs up while reading over our old messages. I'm mortified, so I explain. He asks if I'm ok. I'm thankful for his response.
 

— M. and I start talking. We talked all night a few times and chatted all day for several consecutive days.. I start to really like him. He said he liked me too. We saw each other, kissed, and hung out. I was nervous, but ready to move on from my past and get to know M.

— Then M. left town and stopped talking to me. I got triggered. I shared my thoughts and asked for some clarity. I even said please. 

— M. ignored my message. Days passed, I felt rather hurt, embarrassed, and afraid.

— M. responds days later and his tone is completely different. He’s suddenly very unsure and/or uninterested in dating me. We speak less. I feel I’ve been rejected. He referred to my child as a restriction.
 

— I’m hurt..I reach out (or maybe D.B. did? All I remember for sure is we were not talking, then right around the time of his birthday he was letting me know he’d been in a coma…)  ANYWAY.. either way I confide in D.B. I tell him I was ignored and shot down for not being good enough and for having ‘restrictions.’  He comforts me over the phone (he’s living out of state). 

JULY — SEPTEMBER 2022

—  M. and I resume chatting regularly. We’re becoming some type of odd friends. It’s fun. D.B. and I never talk. I feel guilty, confused and lonely. I want to do the right thing, so I try to get answers about where I stand with my ex and my crush because I’m doubting my own perceptions again— it doesn't work.
 

I’m confused. I was happier Sept. 2021 - Feb. 2022. I can get back there. I deserve to be happy and certain. I deserve sincerity. I deserve to trust myself again, even if someone else won’t let me in or offer affirmation. I can do this life alone, I pretty much always have. I'm done settling for people who don't appreciate me. If someone wants to be my friend, they're always free to step up and start acting like it.

Better Timeline

(June 2021 — March 2025)

Majority of this was written 6/2023

June — July 2021:

Went through another hoover/discard with my ex right in time for the one year anniversary of the main discard.

August 2021:

I tried to return to life and move on. I worked up the nerve to go back to school.

I began classes at Sowela.

September 2021:

I unexpectedly developed a major crush on the man I refer to as M.

I started writing all about the crush, my nerves, my progress, and my joy right here— Laughing at Myself: A Crush

Sept. — Nov. 2021:

M. flirted with me. I flirted back. He seemed interested. I couldn't wait for the semester to end because that's when I hoped he'd make his move.

December 2021:

The semester ended and he didn't pursue me. I felt rejected, confused, disappointed, and embarrassed. I start doubting my ability to grasp what’s going on. I break No Contact.

I wrote about that mess here, Hoover 6

January 2022:

I wrote posts to work out my logical thoughts and some illogical emotions. My certainty starts returning and I’m ready to move forward in a more productive and healthy manner. I try to own my past and my poor choices because I know I make messes too. 

I write this, it’s therapeutic for me, Taking Responsibility of MY Life 

February 2022:

I started my second semester. By happenstance I saw M. in the hall one day. We made eye contact but he doesn't smile or anything. I felt sad and foolish..

I grew a pair and sent him a message on Facebook within that same hour. I felt like the chemistry and potential had been there.. I hoped I hadn't imagined it. So..I went for it.

He responded to my message.. and we said maybe one or two things before he let the conversation die. I was bummed but proud of myself for putting myself out there.. even in ways some people may think are small.

March 13ish, 2022:

M. reached back out and said "OK. So when do you graduate?" My heart started racing and I practically squealed. I told my mom.. lol. I kept her posted about the crush thing since the start. She knew I was infatuated with and very curious about this man.

He and I talked that entire night.

During this talk we officially introduced ourselves. It was fun. He picked back and forth with me about taking me out for sushi and to experience more things because he was shocked with how much I hadn't allowed myself to live.

I asked him how long he'd been single and he said "Way too long." I asked how long, and he told me his whole life...followed by "I mean I've had girlfriends, but nothing very serious or for more than a few months." He also told me how he was a late bloomer because he'd wanted to be a monk as a teen and so on.

I let him know I was attracted to him.. He said he was attracted to me too. We joked around about how we'd decide if we could stand each other after our third date. He told me he liked me and hoped he hadn't scared me off already.

He fell asleep mid conversation, which was fine because it was late. Our talk did leave a cliffhanger about us meeting up and getting to know each other better. He didn't reach out the next morning to say he fell asleep. He didn't attempt to resume any conversation with me at all.

After five or six days of this unexpected nothingness I messaged him. His silence and lack of eagerness to speak with me after how we'd unveiled our interest in one another was baffling to me. There'd been months of build up. He'd said he was into me too and talked about us going on some dates or a few adventures together, so I expected we'd make plans and continue speaking.

Most people do talk to each other a lot when they are excited to meet someone they have romantic interest in.. I think?? But he went silent like the conversation never happened. He said he was interested then acted disinterested. I guess it's hard for me to feel safe with contradictions, and I'm really needing to feel safe right now.

When I approached him with the insecurity I felt he invalidated me. I found this more triggering because I believed he'd been reading my webpage (for good reason!) and knew more about me than he was claiming to.

I freaked out a bit. I was humiliated to be so easily spooked from 'stonewalling' due to how intensely my ex's stonewalling and gaslighting traumatized me. I felt like I already blew my chance and ruined everything. I felt guilty, confused, and problematic.

I apologized to M. I also explained my perspective and acknowledged how my issues don't excuse my sensitivity and intense reactions. I sent him a link to this webpage (even though I believed he'd been viewing it.)

He read my open and apologetic message that included a link to my webpage. He then fell silent for two weeks. I get it.

April 2, 2022:

He finally reached back out and said he was sorry for taking so long, but that I gave him a lot to process. Fair enough.

Then he went on to say he read some of my writings and listened to the audio recordings on my webpage... but that to him it seemed like my ex was only trying to make me happy, and that my whole website is about how I don't trust anyone.

Those invalidating words caused a stabbing pain. The rejection..The fantasy crush for all those months taking the side of a man who had scarred me in such a horrific manner.. It hurt.

M. ended his message by saying maybe we're both just too broken. Salt .. enter.. wounds..

Recovering from an abusive man who made me feel I was too much of a burden and not good enough to love... just to have a crush follow it up by reinforcing that even he thinks I'm too damaged to be worthwhile.

My heart guys. It was painful, humiliating shit. I responded politely while still standing up for myself.

I ended up writing two separate posts to relieve stress caused. They covered how the invalidation left me feeling, and also how I'd validate my own experience— Here We Go Again & I Didn't Do This to Myself

April 2022:

He went silent for the entirety of April and May. Not a single word. He ran from me. That's his right, but it hurt. 

My ex comforts me over the phone when I let him know what happened with the crush I’d told him about in December. Dean ends up offering friendship and saying he wants to earn my trust back or something because he still loves me. I don’t know how to feel because I don’t know if he or his words are real. It’s confusing. Regardless, his interest in real communication quickly fades by May.

May 2022:

I start trying to learn more about Complex
PTSD in an attempt to confront the symptoms my last relationship worsened and/or caused. I’m trying to heal and confront my pains as well as some of my unhealthy behaviors. I work on a CPTSD workbook with my therapist and share my answers as blog posts- Deep Dive, Understanding Trauma, My Avoidance Symptoms, My Invasive Symptoms

June 2022:

M came back and we patched things up. We bonded over some shared issues.

He said us dating was inevitable because he liked me. He said we needed to do this right and take it slow because he didn't want to be one of 'those guys.'

I started to feel hopeful and impressed with his thoughtful sentiments.

One night he invited me to come over and I was elated! Then he canceled after I'd gotten fixed up because he said if he started something with me right before he left for Vegas it would mess him up and be all he thought about. He said he didn't want to start us on a stutter or something like that..

I got confused about why he couldn't be involved with me while out of town.. Phones exist..ya know.. I shared how I felt about it.. He apologized and told me to come over that night. I got ready all over. I was pleased but incredibly nervous..

This was going to be the first time we got to be around each other in a setting outside of school.

I drove out to his place. It was dark. I felt weak in the knees and couldn't believe my daydreams were actually becoming a reality. YAY!

I was in his driveway and didn't know if I was at the right place or where I needed to park.. So I called him. He didn't answer. I texted and waited a moment. No answer..I called.. Nothing. I'd driven 20 minutes to get there, and then I drove another 20 back home.

It was triggering..but my issues aren't his fault.. So I didn't lash out or write him off.

The excitement of thinking I was going to get to spend time with him, followed by not being able to see him was pretty unpleasant..

But on top of that, fear kicked in because how could I know if he actually fell asleep or if he was intentionally messing with my confidence the way my ex had??? It's scary not to expect the worst.

This incident and the anxiety it caused pulled me back in time. I cried and lost sleep. My heart wouldn't slow down. I was tempted to shut down and throw my guard up..but I didn't. He apologized the next morning. I forgave him and tried to be fair.

But.. then he still tried to not see me before his trip..even after his painful blunder the night before. huh?

He hurt my feelings and let me down, and was about to do it again until the timing was best for him? I was so .. for lack of a better word- triggered.

I shared how I was feeling and he proceeded to compliment my 'guilt tripping skills'.. I said "Excuse Me?" His passive aggressive insult and accusation triggered me even more. I told him it wasn't nice or accurate to say I was trying to influence his feelings by sharing my own.

I just wanted to be heard and understood because how else could he get to know me?

If you care at all about someone..you should want to know how they feel and if you made them feel badly. Hell, even if it isn't your fault they're upset or they misunderstood...you're still supposed to care about their feelings enough to listen and/or compromise within reason. It's the decent and loving thing to do for ANYONE.. even a stranger. Anyway.

He apologized again.. which I appreciated and wasn't expecting.

Then for once I got my way. What?!?!? Maybe he is for real!

M. had me over at his place that night. It was June 29th. We watched shows, talked, laughed, and kissed for hours.

It was really nice to be held like that. Nobody has ever massaged my back, arms, and hands that way before.. or at all. It was very nice.

The attention from someone I wanted to give my undivided attention to was so lovely.

Naturally, I became hopeful and excited about starting something new with this guy.

He went out of town as expected.. but didn't say a word to me for a week. I didn't expect that.

It was incredibly (word of the day y'all!-) triggering.. When I shared my feelings he gaslighted hard, whether intentional or not. I felt embarrassed, stupid, selfish, and afraid I'd screwed everything up again.

M. forgave me for feeling..I guess. But then never tried to get to know me better or work up to entering the relationship he said he felt we were going to have and do right.

He never spent time with me or tried to be near me.. However, we stayed in touch and spoke a lot throughout most days for a few weeks. That was nice.

July - Early Aug. 2022:

Things were mended between us and it resumed feeling like it was building up to something. We were learning each other a little better.. Flirting often was fun too. I felt we were bonding the way people who regularly interact are meant to. Weeks full of him messaging me regularly. 

Late August 2022:

Then suddenly, he pulled away.

I felt unease. I tried to stop worrying. He kept talking to me less and less.. A week or two of one word, or no words at all.

I got confused because the communication was previously becoming great and consistent.

I let him know that I missed talking to him and that my days were more enjoyable when he was around.. I let myself be vulnerable. I let him know I wanted him..

Early September 2022:

I told M I needed to know where I stood with him because the back and forth had me confused. I asked if we were just friends, and said if so I would start letting go of the romantic feelings I had for him.

He responded by saying we were friends, but that we were also more than friends.. and that he didn't know exactly what that was.

That response sucked because I told him I needed clarity and to know what his intentions were in order to have some peace of mind...

His response gave me more questions and kept me on the hook..

I couldn't be upset with him if he never stepped up because he covered his ass by saying he wasn't sure.. So technically he never said we'd become an item..even if he heavily hinted at the possibility.

Seems like it could be a clever way to keep me as an option regardless of the hell it will be for me to be left hanging on for nothing. It's cruel and selfish. I deserved more than an unclear answer.

I had asked to know what we were and what he wanted because all his mixed signals were tearing me up. Too much anxiety. I wanted to know I wasn't wasting my time or developing feelings for someone who'd never have any for me…

I thanked him for his honesty because I couldn't think beyond that at the time. I tried to go back to chatting with him like normal. He casually dismissed the more meaningful discussion, said a few nice things, and later gave me a movie recommendation- Multiplicity. I watched it and tried to shoot the shit with him.

He turned cold, and a few days later he stopped talking to be altogether.. Our last time chatting was September 2nd or 3rd. But several days leading up to that point he'd become disengaged and dismissive.

October 2022:

After 3–4 weeks of him no longer speaking with me I rebounded and saw my ex… He had moved to Dallas so I was surprised he came to see me. I ran from the pain of that 'inevitable relationship' and those 'dates' never happening with M.

I became scared and worried that I was no good. I felt like I ruined everything and that I must've been why M. stopped talking to me.

I started to think I was too much or too little and that's why nothing ever progressed with M.. I got scared to choose which way to go. I didn't trust myself again..

I spiraled down and confided more in my ex. My brain never knows what's real with him. I felt ashamed of myself.

I missed my friend. I really liked and cared for my 'more than a friend' friend. I realized I'd self destructed. 

I felt panicked and totally alone. I struggled to settle down. I was so overwhelmed that the center of my chest felt like it was carrying immeasurable weight. Dean was shutting me out and acting the way he used to.. I knew I'd fucked up.

October 18, 2022:

No contact with my ex resumed.

I couldn't stop thinking about how much I did wrong, and how stupid and careless I'd been with my choices. I thought about how pathetic I must be to have relied on my ex to numb me to things I should've been able to handle on my own.

Self-hatred.. terror...and hopelessness took over my head. I began to lose touch with what was real and who I am. I started experiencing persistent suicidal ideation.

Although M. stopped communicating with me throughout September.. and I had done something very stupid that put my mental health in peril.. M. had told me he was my friend..and I really needed a friend.

I needed help.

I reached out to M. I was scared, hurting, and drastically more unsteady. Something was happening to me. It reminded me of the nervous breakdown I had after the maim discard.

I was sucked back in time to that ridiculous day in 2020– I was there, overtaken by the indescribable sensations I'd felt the moment everything had hit me at once. The sudden shift backwards was disorienting and absolutely horrifying.

I'd been triggered in the worst way, and I'd done it to myself by making stupid, unhealthy choices.. Like opening up so much in the first place, as well as unblocking my ex the first time M. vanished. I shouldn't have done that.

Someone being kind to me and talking with me would have helped tremendously, but there was nobody there. I started to wonder if nobody was there because I don't deserve anyone.

I pushed pride aside and asked M. if he could talk.. I was ready to tell him everything toxic I'd done and how lost I was feeling. I was starving for kindness.

I hoped that he was still my friend even if me wanting to date him scared him away. Sadly, he didn't respond.

I was back in No Contact with my ex, and the friend I wanted so badly chose to cut off all contact from me. He ignored my cry for help.

I got through that difficult period of time so well that I gained 20 lbs and avoided registering for the upcoming spring semester. I felt too embarrassed, sad, and unsure of myself. I'd reverted back to broken.. It's easy to get stuck there.

Oct. 2022 —Jan. 2023:

I spent these months with nobody to talk to. I'm nobody's problem or responsibility, but that didn't make the isolation and unexpected rejection any less excruciating.

I'd be there for anyone, but my more than friend wouldn't be there for me. That hurt and felt familiar enough to..you guessed it.. trigger me further. I'm tired of being so easily triggered just because I liked a man.

I ended up writing out my frustrations shortly before M. returned right here— Petty, Pissy, & Proud!

January 31, 2023:

M. pops back up after ghosting me since September 2022. The first message he sent after returning was was "How much do you hate me?"

I told him I didn't because I really don't. I hate what he does sometimes, but I appreciate and admire him as a person.

I was very happy and relieved to hear from him. It was like a taste of the big hug I'd been desperately needing

He let me know there were no excuses for what he'd done.. then went on to say he hated how I unsent messages and that I hadn't reached out either... but I had.

So basically..he comes back with a weak apology. I call it weak because he still shifted blame for how he hurt me onto me...which added more hurt to the hurt he'd already caused.

I didn't deserve to be discarded and stonewalled for months just because I cared and put down a boundary when I told him I required clarity.

No matter what little bit of maddening lameness he dished out, I was still happy he was back because he dished out a lot more that wasn't lame at all. I saw more and appreciated the good.

February—March 2023:

By February 1st the flirting was intense. He was also talking about how he liked me but wasn't ready for a relationship.. He said we could spend time together once summer started because he'd have more free time, and then see where it goes from there.

We talked A LOT all of February and March. I adored it too!

Once again.. a lot of him saying "Good morning" "How's your day going" "What are you up to?" Blah blah blah. The stuff I like. Us talking in the morning, throughout the day, and late in the evening before bed.

I started to feel important and like he might actually want what he said he wanted. He let me know he liked me. We started flirting and making plans for whenever we were going to see each other in a more intimate setting.

He sometimes scoffed at my enthusiasm after he hyped me up. I corrected him/stood up for myself when he was insensitive.

He was often kind and seemed to be trying to approach things in a healthier way. I was trying to do better with my weaknesses too. I got hopeful..and excited.. but then it happened again.

He warned me this time. He was going out of town for a week..which for some reason meant the last thing he wanted to do was continue treating me like I existed and was a part of his life.

April 2023:

Things shifted.

Even though for the last two months we'd been talking about what we were eating, doing, thinking all throughout each day..he suddenly was no longer there. He became unavailable and uninterested in me or how I experience life.

I went from seeing his name pop up each morning, to seeing nothing for days and having to be the one to reach out each time. Not only that.. I started feeling sad and confused.

I tried to discuss my confusion and hurt, he shut me down. He told me I was acting like the world was falling apart. That he was simply busy and I should only start conversations with questions if he hasn't said anything to me for a week.

Basically..he implied I was being ridiculous by wanting to talk about our interpersonal relationship. I was overreacting by feeling things he's uncomfortable with.

He acted like there was nothing worth talking about because he said so and didn't see any problem from his perspective.. But what the hell about mine!??

My point of view counts too! It's just as real, and so are my feelings.

He automatically treated me like I could have no valid concern or anything of value to say.

I tried to defend myself. I asked him not to invalidate my emotions or tell me when I'm allowed to speak my mind.

I felt brushed off and like I was just shamed for needing to discuss something that mattered to me simply because he was too chicken to let me or my feelings matter to him.

He fussed and blocked conversation when I wanted to have one. Gaslighting is a bitch...no matter how kindly the redirects are worded or how innocent the lies may seem.

I started to feel guilty and insane. I apologized and took on all the blame he shifted in small ways.. You know.. the type that eventually it builds up and provokes me to defend myself. I asked him to stop.

My concerns faded after that conflict because he started to share and check in with me more often.

May 2023:

He suddenly pulled away again. He seemingly ceased talking to me altogether right as my 

nerves had begun to settle. I became lost and afraid.

I sought out comfort from Dean who moved back to town and was now living in an apartment right down the road from my place of work, but within a few days D.B. lashed out at me when I offered him support after his mom was taken to the hospital. He threw me away. It hurt and left me more confused.

M started to be kind and speak with me again. I was relieved M hadn't fully ghosted me the way I feared he had. I thought he had because he'd been acting exactly how he did right before ghosting me back in September 2022.

I'm relieved until he soon goes on to say how hot and bothered some stranger in this new class has been getting him.

What..the..hell..is..wrong..with.. you..?????????!!!!???? 🥺

I stand up for myself..then I cry. I call. I leave a message expressing why him sharing something like that hurt and how his behavior is confusing me. (He also said he didn't want to go on a date with anyone… When I've literally been wishing for nearly two years that he'd take me out and court me like a gentleman 😭)

He apologized..but not without a subtle guilt trip.. He did wrong. He hurt me. He was a selfish jerk..but I feel bad about it. He says he told me he is a mess and has issues..but I must have not taken him seriously or believed how bad they are.

He goes on to speak as though he's been victimized by the situation he created.. a situation that pained me. He says how people say they understand he has issues and care until he has a bad day. Like people just bail on him or hate him the minute he screws up.—

OH!.. I'm sorry that you talking to the girl you've been leading on and taking for granted for over a year about how you're lusting uncontrollably after someone in class is just you 'having a bad day.' No.

I can roll with someone having bad days and issues… We all struggle..even if some do it differently than others. I won't abandon or hate someone for being imperfect or troubled! But being troubled doesn't excuse treating me like garbage.

He has underlying issues and is suffering a lot..so it's ok and doesn't count if his careless actions cause misery for anyone else. My pain doesn't count because his shitty actions weren't his fault… NO. NO. NO.

Wrong is wrong.

Having a rough time or a disorder of the mind doesn't make being cruel to others acceptable or less damaging.

M. hurt my feelings.. stressed me the hell out..but then I apologized to him, offered support, and felt like I needed to do more for him. WTF? Guess he's owed that but I'm not owed his time or respect. Ouch!!!!! 

He remained more distant than he was February-March.. but he was still around. I was glad, yet sad to feel like I was being shelved. I reached out and asked about it towards the end of the month, but he said he'd been super busy with life and work. We spoke less, but still flirted when we did.

Whenever I'd start to disconnect because he disconnected from me, he'd then reach back out and flirt with me like he hadn't been distant.

He leaves me in the dark on pause for days just to show back up talking to me as though his impossible to anticipate absences haven't had me miserable, stressed, and insecure the entire time.

Anyway.. Things were going..ok. I've been pretty miserable waiting to feel wanted back..but ya know. I don't want him to go away and I enjoy whenever he does deem me interesting enough to talk to. I'm wondering why I care or get upset because at least he's still around.. even if barely. I'm lonely.

He was there a lot and I was happy..but after April he lost interest..yet shows it and claims to have it sometimes? I throw up my walls. Or try to.

I find happiness in other areas of my life I need to work on. But from time to time he'll pop up in my inbox talking like it's February and March still..just to then fall silent yet again! :(

My emotions getting pulled to the left as soon as I settle to the right.

Around and around..back and forth. So I start to give up. It's whatever. Hello May..let's watch another man devalue you. Yay...

June 2023:

Oh look he's talking more. I get hopeful. Those feelings of interest and care return..

I'm starting to get more comfortable, but then a week of silence goes by. Not a single word. Oh dammit. I give up. I’m so tired of feeling rejected.

I'm done. I deserve better. Look at me being strong! I write stuff..I feel empowered. I can see more clearly. I know what this mess I'm dabbling in is.

Then after a week ignoring me he reaches out. I'm relieved.. I still care. I may be confused and hurt, but I'm relieved to be spoken to again. I missed him!

We started talk more. I shared feelings despite the consequences I've faced for doing so in the past.

We even made plans! Finally!

Him wanting to see me badly enough to actually make plans made me feel I could finally stop worrying— because it would decrease the cognitive dissonance all his back and forth had left me trying to sort through since our start in 2022.

Yay for the clarity and good time I thought was approaching! Yay for quality time with M. I was nervous in a positive way now!

I got pretty.. he started backing out. I stood up for myself. He confirmed the plans and started asking about getting ready/shaving/getting himself cleaned up.

I told him I'd be there by a certain time.. I got dressed and packed up some things I'd gotten for him.. I stopped before walking out my door to ask if his house was hot and I needed to pull my hair up..

AND GUESS WHAT!??

He had supposedly left his house because friends dropped by, within the half hour it took me to get ready, and forced him to go out. He blew me off for what feels like the bajillionth time!

He apologized and made excuses.. But later apologized more honestly.. which I really appreciated.

Then we kept talking a decent amount. Until.. right after I told him something very kind that expressed support, appreciation, and genuine care for him as person.

Poor guy. Must suck to have someone who actually wants you around and cares about your well-being. I'd hate it.. Oh wait 🤦🏻‍♀️ that's all I want!

Then he asked me later that night what I was going to be doing the next morning.. He hinted at us seeing each other.. But when morning came he ignored me and made excuses when I confronted him. Something was off.. he was being rude and extra distant.

Instead of apologizing for ignoring me he blamed Facebook and fussed saying he used to have a girlfriend that got upset when he would open her messages but not reply too. I'm sorry..but Facebook inaccurately displaying when you are online doesn't make it impossible for you to text or message me.. Which means you chose to ignore me all on your own… and me being hurt by that is valid. My feelings matter. I'm tired of excuses, avoidance, and inconsideration.

I ended up writing this in June to sort through my confusion, hurt, and absurd levels of stress— Reality Check

July 2023:

He mentioned a controlling ex he couldn't wait to be rid of. He kept saying he hoped he'd be free of her soon so things could get back to normal. He said he and I would be able to hang out once it was over with. We remained in touch, but flirted slightly less.

August 2023:

By the second week of August- He was heartbroken and saying he'd been saving up money for an engagement ring for the ex he'd apparently been dating all summer? Oh, and was seeing her late summer/fall 2022 when he ghosted me then as well after saying he liked me, us dating was inevitable, and we made out at his place. BUT apparently I had no valid reason to be hurt.

……….He wasn't ready for a real relationship with anyone—yet he was ready to get married!??

That whole fiasco is available here— Closing a Door

September-October 2023:

We were mending our friendship and still flirted on occasion. We discussed liking each other but needing time.

November 2023:

In early November he invites me over after work. We'd been flirting a lot leading up to it. I showed up, we hung out. He had cooked chicken and stuff. It was good. We didn't kiss or anything.

The past had me insecure and afraid to trust my ability to know what was really going on..but I tried to remain calm and just wait to see what unfolds.

A couple weeks later he goes out of town and it is Thanksgiving break. He falls silent after talking about his ex, wanting to move, and being depressed. Which was ok..but at the same time I was terrified because in August I'd learned that the last two times he'd ghosted me he was dating his ex..and I didn't want to get abruptly ghosted or deceived again.

I became increasingly afraid..He wasn't talking but my mind was running wild in a panic. I tried to shut it off. I really tried And then THIS happened- I freaked out and spiraled. I even contacted his ex.

That story is available here— He's Just Not That Into Me

December 2023—December 2024:

Everything was pretty dang great. I was trying to build up trust with him again and enjoy the friendship. The flirting we did confused me sometimes because a part of me wanted more still..and sometimes he would express wanting more but just not being ready yet.

There was some confusion and tension, but overall it was a great year and I really appreciated having him around. He's taught me so much and I admire many of his strengths. I enjoy hearing about his days. I enjoy that I have been lucky enough to interact with a man willing to improve his communication skills and whatnot.

His efforts do not go unnoticed. His ability to try that hard inspires me to work on my weak spots too. I care about my friend M. The messy things that have happened earlier in our friendship don't take away from all the wonderful parts of it.

My romantic feelings go back and forth..but for some reason I feel like we are getting closer and that maybe one day what he said he wanted to pursue with me wayyy back in June 2022 will finally happen. Ya know.. I don't know.

January 2025:

I let him know how I feel. I put myself out there with him AGAIN. I make it clear I like him and want him.

In my head I know I want to spend time with him, get closer to him, and see if we can work up to building a meaningful relationship together one day. I'm shot down, even though he says he isn't rejecting me.

He says as soon as my back is better he really wants to see me.. Then the very next day after I tell him I want and like him, he starts talking about his ex again. He hadn't talked about her in a long time, but right after I put myself out there/ let him know I had feelings for him I'm having her and the memories of last year unintentionally thrown in my face. But ok. He can't help what he struggles with..but damn. Ouch.

February 2025:

Then not too long after I divulged I wanted a shot with him and liked him... it was time for Valentine's day.

He knew I liked him, but this holiday was hard for him. I know he can't help that..and I want to be there for him. I really do care about what he is going through.. BUT the things he chose to tell me made it to where my Valentine's Day was me being reminded that the man I wish wanted me back is still hung up on the woman he chose over me multiple times. Ouchers..

And he mentioned how two years ago on Valentine's Day he brought her flowers..and my mind automatically was like "Wait, what??" I scrolled back up to our conversations from that timeframe because I started doubting myself.. but I was right.

He said the last time they were together, together was on February 2023 and he brought her flowers. He had returned from ghosting me on Jan. 31st 2023 and we were having sexually explicit conversations and he mentioned liking me all within the first 24-48 hours of him being back in communication with me. Nobody has ever bought me flowers, but whatever.

We were flirting and talking ALLLLLLLLLLL of February 2023.. Including the first 14 days of it. I put my heart on the line and told him exactly what I felt and wanted.. but he was out buying some other chick flowers and possibly even still in a relationship?? ouch, OUCH. OUCH. OUCH. OUCH.

If he was dating his ex the whole entire time we were talking 2022-2023 and that's why we never saw each other.. then I wish he'd just confess the truth to give me clarity. It's not like I wouldn't forgive him.

So anyway, I really don't think M meant to, but he sorta ruined my Valentine's Day this year. First by talking about his ex, and then by reminding me how badly he played me the first year+ of our friendship/flirtathon.

I love that he shares more things with me now, but it seemed like an insensitive thing to discuss on Valentine's Day with the girl you KNOW likes you. It left me no choice but to remember and re-feel the painful emotions attached to the big rejection and unexpected hurt from last year. Then on top of that, I was sad for him too. Lame day…

He messages me late one night saying he wants to email his ex. I finally let him know she has moved on and has a baby with her new partner. He is hurt but starts trying to really move on.

A couple days later he even sends a picture of personalized art/gifts from her that he is throwing away. I tell him I'll throw away a bobble head Dean gave me in solidarity. I have a backpack in the top of my closet full of my love letters and a few other things from that relationship. Things seem ok but a little distant since then. I wish that we were closer by now.

March 2025:

I'm currently trying to get over all my romantic feelings, but not at the same time. I was trying to close that door again but..a big part of me doesn't want to. I still have feelings. As soon as I decided to let it go again, he said sweet things and that he still wanted me to go over as soon as my back got better.

My back finally stopped hurting and I let him know..but now he is too busy. I mean that, I'm not being sarcastic. He is very busy..and I'm over here trying not to think about it but still thinking about it and feeling like a massive dumbass.

I told him my back was better and made it clear I was ready to go over and he just laughed it off and never made plans with me. But that's ok. This thing has been a mess. I'm not great at moving on from this dude. Who knows..maybe he has been dating another ex girlfriend or coworker this entire time and I've just been too clueless to know. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Ha.. It's happened before.

I really need to do some more self-reflection on why I haven't 100% ruled him out as a potential romantic partner yet..even after saying I was going to or had done so. I'm sure I will eventually if this pattern of him being too asinine to try for me, go for me, and actually want me continues on a little longer. :P

He is my friend. But just as I wrote in my posts this January and February, when romantic interest gets involved it gets really overwhelming, scary, sad, and triggering. It shouldn't be so hard. Maybe? I can be so..stupid, stubborn, and in denial. Ha

When a Man Meets a Woman
vs.
When a Struggling Man Met a Struggling Woman

In my mind, it would ideally go something like this—

A man meets a woman and is attracted to her. She is attracted to him too.

The man lets the woman know he likes her, and she lets him know she likes him too.

The man pursues the woman, considers her feelings, puts effort in, and lets her know where she stands with him. The woman is grateful and also considers the man's feelings, puts effort in, and lets him know where he stands with her.

The man and woman manage to master healthy communication and compromise within their relationship after learning one another better.

Now the man and woman can choose to move forward to build something even more awesome together. BAM!
  

But instead, it went something like this—

A man meets a woman in class and thinks she's cute.

The man begins to flirt with the woman and she flirts back. The stares, smiles, and slightly suggestive jokes progress until the semester ends three months later.

The woman had planned on working on herself and avoiding men for a few years.. BUT she felt unique chemistry and developed a massive crush on the man in her class.

A couple months after last seeing the man, the woman really misses the energy she felt around him.

It's now February and the woman spots the man in an otherwise empty hallway. The woman wants to know this man, she sorta feels like she's supposed to. Seeing his little face emboldened her to man up and do something about it!

The woman reaches out to the man on Facebook messenger around an hour after seeing him. He responds but the conversation is short.

A month later in March the man contacts the woman. They end up chatting all night.

The man says he likes the woman, she says she likes him too.

The woman is scared and highly reactive after getting unnecessarily triggered by a week of silence. She wouldn't have been triggered by it before her last relationship…so she didn't anticipate how panicky and lost her head would get seemingly out of nowhere. She fails to fully separate the past and present.. She fails to ground herself and freaks out. She makes an ass of herself and scares the man away.

The woman is ashamed of herself once she finally calms down enough to realize how she has behaved. She knows it wasn't the man.. She doesn't know how to explain to him what he just witnessed.. so she sends him a link to her webpage. She thought he was already looking at..but she figured he was going to take off anyway so she might as well share in case he ever wants to understand why she was such a mess. The woman wanted him to understand why she was so afraid and hypersensitive.

The man goes away, the woman is sad but understands what she exposed him to was wrong.

The man comes back to say a few words on April 2nd, and then he is gone until mid-June.

The man returns. He and the woman start talking things out. The man lets the woman know he still likes her. The woman is shocked and relieved because she thought her outburst had ruined everything.

The man and woman get a little closer by talking a lot about personal things every day for several days.

The man and woman end up kissing and hanging out all night at his place. The woman is hopeful and trying her best to stay grounded no matter how scared she still is.

The man gets quiet right after their first kiss and first time seeing each other outside of school. The woman fails to calm herself and became increasingly terrified several days in.

The woman tries to express herself fairly but is too demanding/intense towards the poor man… However, she doesn't realize that because she is completely lost in a panic trying to find her way out of the overwhelming terror that's been saturating her every thought for days.

The woman is struggling to think rationally. She can't make the fear stop, and takes it out on the man when she thought all she was doing was making sure to better advocate for herself this time around. She was mistaken. She was consumed by where her mind had pulled her back to. 2020. Betrayal. Loss. Abuse.

The woman did the wrong thing. The woman put up narcissistic defenses to cope with the fall out of recent narcissistic and/or psychopathic abuse. Sadly, she wasn't able to realize how unfair she'd been to the man she liked until later on.

The man forgives the woman's bizarre outburst and they continue talking and flirting daily. The woman is once again trying to remain calm and not let the anxiety take over.

The woman gets used to the man being around after a month or so. She starts getting hopeful because he says he still likes her.

Then the man starts to go back and forth with his wants and the woman's emotions.. He is canceling and/or avoiding making plans even right after lots of flirting and him telling the woman he wants to see her.

The woman doesn't want to do him wrong again by losing control.. She's been trying out new grounding techniques. So she takes deep breaths and plans out what to say to express her concerns logically and without attacking the man.  

The woman speaks up cautiously and asks for clarity.

The man gives an avoidant reply and then ghosts the woman.

The woman is crushed due to her underlying issues/recent retraumatization and the man's inconsiderate actions.

The woman knew she had made mistakes at the start with this man, but she was really trying the last two months and thought she was being fair, honest, and much more calm. She had started to trust the man and got used to the consistency of having him around.

The woman is totally lost. She rebounds to her abusive ex. All her progress since August 2021 feels as though it has washed away like it was never there, and she is now a collapsed person.

The woman's abusive ex soon turns into a stonewall once more. She and her ex go seperate ways.

The woman is now all alone and spiraling. She can't sleep, feels constantly terrified, confused, ashamed, lonely, hurt.

The woman tries to let it go and be positive.. but in reality she remains in a constant state of stress and misery for months. She gains a lot of weight. Her confidence she began to feel her first semester at Sowela is gone. She thinks she is hideous, selfish, and too broken.

5 Months later the man who ghosted her at the start returns. The woman is happy and hopeful because he flirts right away and says he does still like her and is sorry for disappearing.

The man and woman keep talking regularly for over two months.. The woman gets confused as to why they haven't picked back up where they left off and seen each other- The man gives reasonable explanations that keeps the woman hopefully waiting.

After another month goes by the man pulls away even though things had seemed to finally be progressing.

The woman is hurt and confused by this shift.. After a couple weeks of silence and canceled plans she reaches out to her abusive ex.

The woman then can't take it anymore and reaches out to the man she really likes because she is so confused about why this is happening again..

The man explains it away and says he is sorry. Within a few weeks the man and woman are speaking regularly again.

The man and woman make plans, but he blows her off at the very last second. He apologizes and keeps saying soon they will spend time together, like as soon as the semester ends. BUT..when the semester ends he pulls away again and is barely speaking.

Eventually the woman confronts the man, but he says he's just been very busy...This drags out another month or so.

Then the summer ends and suddenly the man is devastated and telling the woman how a girl he was planning to marry just broke up with him and blocked his number.

The woman is left in major cognitive dissonance and heartache. She reacts aggressively towards the man to express how hurt and appalled she is at how he has hurt and misled her feelings.

The man scoffs at the woman's claims to be in pain and refocuses on his own as though he did nothing hurtful at all.

The man and woman quickly make up.. They stay friends.

The woman trys to cheer up the heartbroken man with support, small gifts, and patience.

The man and woman get closer and talk a lot more..just like they used to. Flirting picks back up after a couple months. The man has her come over to his place after work in early November. They hang out. no kissing..but it was very nice.

Then the man goes out of town and starts talking about his ex and wanting to move away right before he falls silent. The woman is worried, sad, confused, and scared.

The woman starts trying to distract herself by working on her website, but working on it further triggers her due to the content and she begins to panic one night. The night/early morning she was thrown into a panic she couldn't make it stop. She tried, but she couldn't stop being absolutely terrified of something, she isn't sure what..so she hones in on the most recent betrayal and hurt she experienced. Shee needs answers. She needs clarity. She wants to make sure she knows what is going on and isn't getting duped, played, or used by a cruel man again. She is so scared that it is impossible to fully describe it.

The woman loses control and does something selfish, abnormal, and wrong. After making her bad choice her panic slows down and transforms into a new type of panic that is mixed with much more shame and grief.

The woman feels humiliated and guilty.. The guilt is the worst part because she doesn't want what she has done to harm the man she is friends with and cares about. She feels crazy. She is not regulated. This eventually fades after a few days and she returns to her baseline..but now the woman is carrying additional guilt, embarrassment, and concern. She panicked because she was so afraid, but now she has made things even worse. Dammit.

The man soon gets back in communication with the woman. They start talking regularly again and she feels closer to him. She lets herself push the rest out of her mind.

The man eventually finds out what the woman did and he forgives her. The woman is very thankful that he showed her mercy. The man expresses he understands why she was afraid.. He admits he hadn't been fair to her beforehand.

The man and woman move forward as friends and flirt sometimes. The woman tries not to like the man romantically, but it keeps coming back to the front of her mind. She can't stop liking him.

So.. the woman finally lets him know without a doubt what she wants and how she feels about him after over a year has passed since the big triggering incident (his breakup with a girlfriend the woman never knew he had.) But..the man isn't feeling it.

The man tells the woman she isn't being rejected, but she feels very rejected.. When the woman expressed her need for reassurance the man said things that left her feeling even more unwanted and insecure. The woman is confused and triggered. She unblocks her ex to see she is now blocked. She re-blocks him and tells the man what she did.

The very next day the man is talking about being haunted by/missing his ex girlfriend again. The woman feels like she just got punched in the chest. She tries to comfort him and eventually they move on from the topic within a few days.

A couple of weeks later it is Valentine's Day and the woman tells the man "Happy Valentine's Day!" with a cute Gif. Secretly the woman is thinking how she wishes it was next year's Valentine's Day already.. because if she and the man finally get together she would be able to plan something sweet and sentimental to surprise him on this holiday. The woman daydreams about how much she'd love the chance to spoil him and give him gifts. In her daydreams he doesn't feel rejected and lonesome, instead she imagines him smiling and being shown how much he is cared for. The woman knows this is a silly thing to long for..but she can't help it because she likes him and already cares for him as a person. Plus, she's lonely..

The man that she has been thinking mushy thoughts about all day responds to her "Happy Valentine's Day" message, and then goes on to vent about how much he apparently still loves his ex girlfriend. The same one that all the chaos was over last year..and the year before. Ouch.

The woman feels like someone just deflated the hot air balloon her mind was floating in moments prior. The woman's mood is brought down at the mention of his ex and he being hung up on her STILL, but..she pushes her bummed out feelings aside and focuses on trying to comfort the man because she genuinely does care about him and doesn't want his heart to be in pain.

The woman still wants the man, but one thing she wants more is for him to get whatever he needs to be happy. She lets this day go and things start to return to normal with the man.

A few days later the man is talking about the ex again and says he wants to email her. The woman has literal heart palpitations the moment she reads that message from the man that night. Her adrenaline is pumping. I mean, PUMPING. Her heart beat is soon back to a regular rhythm, although it is moving very rapidly.

The woman damn near instantly pushes her hurt feelings and fear aside and her protector mode goes into overdrive. She doesn't want this man to email his ex and get humiliated when he learns the truth about how she has totally moved on. She doesn't want him to find out that way.

The woman knows if the man talks to his ex it will add to his hurt and make his ex and her new partner uncomfortable because he is the past now. But forget those guys.. the woman is worried and feeling the NEED to protect the man- her man.. well, her man friend.

The woman messages the man back but he doesn't see it. The woman thinks.."omg he could be typing up that email right now, I have to help him! I have to make sure he knows."

The woman had only hesitated for a split second because telling the man would reveal the woman had cared enough about him to be check up on his ex's FB stories..(that's embarrassing) BUT she quickly decides protecting him matters more than avoiding creeping him out by telling him information that'll make it obvious she's checked his ex's profile a handful of times this year. OH WELL!

The woman does what she thinks is the right thing to do by letting the man know his ex has moved on and recently had a baby with her new partner. She feels he has the right to move on too instead of pining after what he'll never have.

The woman knows what it is like to long for someone who doesn't actually want you.. She went through that with Dean and is going through another version of it with this man she is friends with.. but, she cares for him and will be damned if she lets his heart have false hope that'll only end up hurting him more in the long run!

The woman knows how hard that is to cope with, so she tells the man the truth. He had the right to hear it, and at least it came from someone who cares.

The man is hurt by what the woman told him about his ex moving on. Her is hurting knowing something she said led to the pain he is experiencing..

The woman is miserable knowing the man is miserable, but she figures he is worth being miserable for. The woman believes the man learning the truth at least gives him a chance to heal after hurting, and she believes he really deserves that chance to move on and be alright again.

The woman is trying to stop being so foolish and to retrain herself to be strictly friends with the man because she knows he will never actually want her back.

The man is busy and emotionally unavailable. The woman is trying to build herself back up to enter the world again, and she's trying her best not to assume she'll fall apart as soon as she does. She's been working on strengthening her coping skills all year. She is getting triggered less often. She is starting to feel more capable again.

The woman is trying to live right and become the best version of herself. So is the man. The man and woman are friends. The fantasy version would've been easier, but I still prefer this one because it's real.

Soooo…yeah. My story went a little differently than the idealized and romantic one I described before it. And that's ok. I'm glad to have a friend. He doesn't need to be perfect. Neither do I.
I'm thankful to have someone around who apologizes when he does wrong and forgives me when I do wrong too. That is a very good thing.

▪️Laughing at Myself - A Crush (10/2021)
▪️Here We Go Again (4/2022)
▪️Petty, Pissy, & Proud (1/2023)
▪️Reality Check (6/2023)
▪️Closing a Door (8/2023)
▪️Well.. (8/2023)
▪️He's Just Not That Into Me (11/2023)
▪️Unexpected Happiness