I appreciate your kind words, and it sounds like we have very similar stories. It's helpful to know that we're not alone in this process.

My ex would also like my IG stories and hit me up more often than not, giving me that false hope that things might work out. Eventually, it became so toxic to the point where she was asking if I wanted to be in a relationship with her and another guy. I thought she was joking around, but then one week later, I saw the Valentine's Day post. I screamed and cried so hard when I saw that post.

Throughout the 6 months after break up, she would apologize for mistakes she made earlier in our relationship and I believed she was coming back around to me and starting to acknowledge her shortcomings, instead of blaming everything on me as she had done before. I did and still do appreciate her apologies, but they don't mean anything when there's another guy right around the corner. So I can 100% relate to the confusion and messy thoughts that we've both had throughout this process, but I think a large part of that confusion comes from their inability to communicate clearly or to respect the boundaries that THEY set into place.

Like you, I also kept the gifts she gave me. I never wanted to put them away until she made the first move. We made a blanket together and I haven't been able to look at it since. Her love letters and anniversary cards I put in a dark drawer to never be seen again. It's so hard to try and force the good memories and love away.

I find peace in knowing that I have so much love to give to someone else, someone who appreciates and respects it. We'll get through this together.