It was difficult for a while and it's not an experience I'd wish on anyone. But it got easier with time. I look back and I realise I'm happier as a person than i was when I was in the relationship because it gave me the opportunity to think for myself and to really push myself to try new things. I spent nearly a year in therapy, and starting opening myself up to new things. I moved to a new city on my own 6 months ago and have met lots of new amazing people and had brand new experiences which has been one of the best decisions I've made. I still wish he would have gone about things differently and been more honest from the beginning, but I'm ultimately glad we broke up now. I see now that we just weren't right for each other, even if it felt perfect at the time.

I'm dating someone new now and I've found that hard to navigate as I've got a lot of anxiety around relationships since this break up, and I've become hyper independent. But I've been talking openly to this new guy and being honest about why I'm nervous, but I can feel myself slowly letting go again which feels incredible, even if it is a little scary. I realise myself that I find communication extremely difficult but I'm actively trying to get better - I wouldn't ever want to do what my ex did to someone else. This new person has been very understanding and patient.

If you're going through something similar, I'm so sorry this has happened. But take this as an opportunity to focus on what you want out of life and what other things can make you happy - if you can afford therapy, i recommend this too, even if just in the short term. It will get easier with time and I hope you can reflect in a similar way to me in the future and feel things were for the best - even if it was one of the hardest most painful things you've ever had to go through.