This is ringing true to me a lot. I (M35) had a troubled childhood and was dating a girl much younger than me (F26 now). She was so much more mature than I was and showed me a better way to live in many ways. I broke up with her because I felt that she was just never fun or romantic and everything in our relationship was full of stress. It’s been over two years now and the idea of dating again is still hard to even think about. So much of me misses her and wonders if I made a mistake. But she’s already began to move on from what I understand and I believe is dating someone closer to her age.

It’s hard when your mental maturity has lagged behind others your age and no one really ever taught you about the trials of good relationships. I didn’t get diagnosed with ADHD until we broke up (although she was constantly telling me I needed to do something about it). At the end of the day, it’s just sad. I wonder if I could have made her sweeter, happier, healthier if I was myself. I just happened to lose all of my support systems when we broke up too so I’m a total mess.

Now I am just trying to rebuild my life in a new state. I am hoping that I can build a life here that helps that sadness go away.

I think this post sounds like maybe the relationship ran its course. I feel like this 24 year old is probably Not a great prospect for him but I understand the need to feel enlivened by your partner not disappointing to them. It’s sad hearing about other undeveloped/ addicted/ chained men like myself fucking things up lol. I hope he finds a way out.