Catharsis and Reflection

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Dec 14, 2009
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Before I begin, I just want to start by saying that this thread is really more for myself than anything, I find writing my thoughts rather cathartic, but feel free to share your thoughts and own experiences. I'm not looking for pity or sympathy, I just feel this is good for me to get out there, so that someone, somewhere, knows how I'm feeling. A bit self serving, I know, so apologies if this rubs you the wrong way.

The past 5 weeks have been the worst in my life.

A few of you may know that I'm engaged to my highschool sweetheart, that we've been together for 10 years (I'm now 25), if not, well, now you do. This is no longer the case.

For reasons of privacy and respect, I'm not going to go into detail about the conflict itself, just the results.

About 5 weeks ago, I finished up my final day at the place I was working. I'm an agency worker, you see, so I fill in for temp roles, long or short term, so I while I was expecting the job to last longer than it actually did, I wasn't too bothered that it finished early. It was to be expected. This on its own isn't a big deal, but rather it's another straw on the camel's back.

That weekend, me and my fiancée go out for a meal with some friends, a birthday or something, I can't really remember. Anyway, we have a fun night and me and my fiancée catch a taxi home. That's when everything started to fall apart. Again, I won't go in to detail about the argument or the reasons behind, just know that it eventually ended with me kicking her out of the house (a decision I will forever regret) and her getting a taxi to her parent's house at 3 in the morning.

For the next 2 days, I react like you'd expect, I was miserable, angry, regretful, most of the emotions you experience in your typical break up situation. This went on for about 3 days, before I do what I always do in stressful situations.

I escaped.

One thing you have to know about me, I don't deal with my problems head on. I ignore them, bury my head in the sand until the problem resolves itself or simply goes away. So that's what I did. I had just finished my job, so I had nothing else on my plate, I locked myself away and occupied my mind with other things, mostly video games, the internet etc. Me and my fiancée are still in contact, the relationship isn't quite over, it's still hanging by a thread, so, stupidly enough, I pretended like everything would be fine, that she would come back, that everything would go back to normal.

During the first week, I had several bouts of severe depression. At one point I contemplated taking my own life. For those of you who know me around the forums, the persona I use isn't one I created. That's how I really am, I'm typically a happy go lucky kind of guy, I don't tend to stress out about anything, It was only the briefest of moments, but I shocked myself with how quickly my mind went to that as a 'solution'.

That initial week passed, and then nothing. I felt nothing. I was so apathetic about the situation that I considered psychiatric help, I felt like a sociopath. Nobody comes out of a 10 year relationship and feels nothing, there must have been something wrong with me. I was almost comforted by the idea that the situation resolved itself more quickly in my head than I thought, sure I felt nothing, but feeling nothing is better than feeling miserable, right?

3 weeks pass with the same story. I wake up, I turn on my PC, and I do my own thing until it was time for me to rest and then get up and do it all again. I wasn't really looking for a job, even though I really should have been. I was just an apathetic shell, doing the routine, stopping myself from feeling anything. The was until last Saturday.

Me and my Fiancée had booked a holiday with several friends, a little cottage in the arse end of nowhere. Me and her were in separate cars, so no problems there. Then we got to the house.

From nowhere, I'm just overwhelmed by crippling sadness, it's like my entire world is falling apart and there's nothing I can do to stop it. So I pretty much lock myself away in my room and just be miserable for 3 days. My friends don't really try and console me, which is fine, I was probably the worst kind of person to be around at that point. She tries to talk to me, but all I do is spill my guts and tell her how sorry I am, baring in my mind that we were both at fault, but that didn't matter to me, all I could do was cry, and just generally be a pathetic human being.

On the 3rd night, something happens. I'm lying in bed, listening to music. Thinking, just begging myself to stop feeling this way. Something just falls into place. I don't feel miserable any more, sad yes, but not a pathetic crying mass. I feel renewed, and I promise myself that I will sit down with her and talk.

On the 4th day, we go for a trip somewhere, have something to eat, blah blah, whatever, it's not important. When we get back, I take her aside and tell her we need to talk. My eyes are dry and full of purpose. We sit down on her bed and we talk, we get our feelings out in the open and talk about how we can progress passed this. She says she still loves me, but she doesn't seem to have hit the point I have. Sure she's sad, but it's not at the same level. I've already hit rock bottom, and it appears she hasn't. We talk for a while, venting emotions etc.

I don't currently live where I grew up, all my friends and her, do. I have no friends where I am now, no social circle. I'm basically split between 2 places. I tell her this, and she tells me that her feelings might be delayed, that she'll probably get to the point I was in time. I can't wait for that. I can't stay in limbo on the off chance that everything sorts itself out. For the first time in my life, I deal with a situation, the most stressful situation I've ever been in my life.

I end it.

I choose to cut out everything about that part of my life. Her, my friends, everything from the town I grew up in. My reasoning being that I can't move on if a part of me is split between that place. So I get rid it. She thinks I shouldn't stop seeing our friends because of her, but it's the way it has to be, I can't move on with my life if I'm still connected to her. We talk some more, and then we hug and we kiss, and like that, it's over. I tell her that she can call me at any time, should she hit that point, that I'll be waiting for her, but I can't stop to do it. The rest of the holiday is uneventful, and this morning, we both got into separate cars, and we left.

A part of me is starting to consider that Hollywood love stories are not comparable to real life...

A few hours and lots of thinking later, and here I am.

For the first time in my life, I'm alone. I'm alone, and I'm afraid, and I'm terribly sad. I've just had to turn away for the keyboard to cry while typing this.

But I won't let it beat me, I refuse to let it beat me.

I refuse to become the jaded, cynical misanthrope that many people seem to be around here.

I refuse to become something I'm not.

I refuse to let the world grind me down.

I have no aspirations in life, no dream career, I live... lived, for another person, as long as I was with that person, I knew my life would be great, that's all I needed.

Now I'm that 15 year old boy again, I have no clue what life has in store for me. I don't know how to be single, I don't know if I ever could get into another relationship, and at this moment in time, I don't think that I will want another relationship, not for a very long time.

I know what I can do in the mean time, however.

I will find a job, I will start exercising, eating more healthy food, I'll make something positive about this whole mess. There's a yawning chasm of sadness in my heart that could swallow me up at any time, but I have a bridge to cross it, no matter how rickety it is, I know it will not fall.

There's a quote from a famous movie.

'hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.'

I hope I get that call, I hope there's more in store for me than this, I hope I get my happy ending.

Whatever happens, happens.
 

shrekfan246

Not actually a Japanese pop star
May 26, 2011
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The last three years of mine have been spent in a rather rocky relationship that recently came to a considerably catastrophic conclusion.

In the end, what I pulled from the experience is that I need to start doing more things for myself. I still am crippled by my fear of rejection, but I've started exercising on an almost semi-regular basis and I've been taking large strides to curb my diet back; I've managed to drop two pant sizes in the last year, which alone I consider to be a significant feat considering I never lost any weight all throughout high school.

But I let myself get consumed by the relationship, really to the detriment of what I want to actually do with my life. Now, I feel like I've got the freedom to explore my path again. I still harbor a bit of resentment and loneliness, but when I consider the dream I've held for the last decade it feels like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
 

Leemaster777

New member
Feb 25, 2010
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Wow, that's quite a story you've got there.

I can't say that I've ever been in a situation like that myself, but I certainly sympathize with you.

But for what it's worth, I think you're taking the right steps, with the right mindset. You can't let a bad situation redefine you negatively like that.

And if it's any consolation, whether it be in good times or bad times, you've got friends. Both IRL, and all your fellow Escapists.

You should take all the time you need to figure your life out. After all, you've GOT your entire life to figure it out.
 

Hazy992

Why does this place still exist
Aug 1, 2010
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I'm really sorry to hear that bro.

I don't really know what to say as I've never been in a relationship, so I can't even imagine how you're feeling right now, all I can do is speak from experience who's been down that road of depression.

It may take months, it may take even longer, but you can beat it. If you need help, then get it, there's nothing wrong with that and it takes a lot of strength to admit if you need it.

You're a smart, funny and genuinely likeable guy and you can do whatever you put your mind to. You won't be in this position forever, things will get better. It might just take a little time. The spark is still there, don't give up hope.
 

Angie7F

WiseGurl
Nov 11, 2011
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I think it is sweet that you were so into a girl.
Most guys I know will just shrug it off and move on.

maybe cathing up on dating will make you feel better :) good luck
 

tippy2k2

Beloved Tyrant
Legacy
Mar 15, 2008
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I really need to take on your attitude :)

I've been going through...a shitty time lately. I won't go into now (I may come back later since writing about it might help) but I've been more or less avoiding The Escapist because I'm kind of worried that I've been in such a depressed/angry mood that I may say things that I will regret later.

Hell, there's someone on this forum that I've been having a debate with since February that I've stopped talking to (if you're listening, I swear I'll get back to you eventually! I should probably shoot a PM your way too...) because I'm worried that I'm going to lash out in anger.

Some people become depressed; I become angry and brooding. It's something that I've dealt with all my life and I really need to pick up your attitude. Hell, I'll just adapt it and make it angrier to fit me :D
 

NinjaDeathSlap

Leaf on the wind
Feb 20, 2011
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I think it's definitely a good thing that you're looking first to get a job, and not to go on the rebound. I remember when my first properly serious relationship ended, none too pleasantly (although it hand't lasted half as long as yours and there was no engagement involved), I was so desperate to try and get those feelings that I'd lost back that I pretty much threw myself head first into emotional commitments that I was in no way ready for. Let's just say the result was comparable to a series of aftershocks following a massive earthquake, each one adding more rubble onto the pile.

Considering you were 15 when your relationship started, you've never really been truly independent. Sure, you've been given more adult responsibilities to deal with as you've got older, but you've never had to deal with them on your own before. That's scary I know, but it's also something you need to do. A relationship won't fix your problems, fixing your problems will find you a relationship, in time. You will get to the stage when being with someone that way again feels right. All it takes is time, and you'll know when that time has been enough.

First though, you need to become emotionally, as well as financially, self-sufficient. You need to make new friends, people who you're comfortable around, but who you don't need to be by your side every day. You need to get used to doing things because you want to do them, not because someone you want to please wants you to.

You've got a very healthy attitude towards life already (well, apart from the whole burying your heading the sand until your problems go away thing, but I'm hardly equipped to teach you better in that regard either), so you're off to a better start than most. :)
 

EeveeElectro

Cats.
Aug 3, 2008
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As always, my PM box is always open. I have found talking to someone you don't know very well about your problems is therapeutic. They don't know you well enough to judge you. Seriously, I've gone on Chatroulette before and poured my heart out to some 25 year old German woman who gave me some advice and listened to me.

Anyway bro, I've been there. It's probably alien to you because I'm assuming she was your first serious girlfriend and she was a huge part of your life. The first heartbreak is always the worst because you don't know how to deal with it and you don't know how strong you are yet to pull yourself through.


It's only until after you've had your heart kicked in the arse you can think "I'm strong enough to do this, I've dealt with worse before."

I came out of an abusive relationship and I came out so much stronger. I had a small stint with someone who wouldn't know common decency if it slapped him in the face but because of my last relationship, I knew I was tough enough to move on from it and crawl back up on my feet. It took a while and it sure as fuck hurt but I did it and now I'm finally happy.
It might sound like shit advice but let yourself hurt. Cope with it how you want to, even if that means feeling nothing at all or crying for an hour a day. The only way to grow stronger sometimes is to experience pain. How long it will take to feel whole again is up to the individual, but if you can't work it out then there always will be someone else out there for you to help numb the pain.
I hope you manage to work it out, it seems a shame after being together so long I can imagine how hard it must be.

Time heals all wounds. It's going to be okay, I promise.
 

Fiz_The_Toaster

books, Books, BOOKS
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Jan 19, 2011
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Damn man, I'm really sorry to hear that.

I'm really glad that you still have that positive attitude and not letting that whirlwind of shit get you down and make you incredibly bitter. I've seen that happen before and it's not pretty.

I've never been in a relationship, nor have I experienced anything quite like that. However, I was going through stuff a while back to where I just lurked here a while and didn't even go into my local chat here like I normal do just because I wasn't in the mood to deal with other people. Not going into details here, but eventually I got out of it (even though it's not something that's going to completely go away, but progress) and started getting my life in order.

Being in limbo totally sucks, so I'm glad that you're making steps to doing some self-improvement.

Hang in there bro! :D
 

staika

Elite Member
Aug 3, 2009
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Your story hit me right in the feels, I am sorry you have to go through this but it can only make you stronger. I don't have any relationship experience at all so I can only imagine how it must hurt. The closest thing I've had to a comparable experience was when I left the site for a few months last year.

Before I left I had a lot of things going on from having two jobs, going to class and managing a few RP's on the site. It didn't help that my cousin died a few months earlier so it was just a mix of many different emotions hitting me all at once. Instead of trying to talk to anyone I decided to bottle it all up and try to be my usual self. Needless to say that it didn't work out too well. I started to get annoyed with little things that normally don't bother me. They all just kinda built up and I started to snap at friends who had nothing to do with my anger.

I was disgusted in myself and how I reacted to my friends. So after thinking about it for awhile I just kind of, left. I just sat in my room by myself for the next week or two, only going out to go to class or work. Everyday for the next two months I thought everyday about coming back but could not get myself to come back and face my problems. A few months ago I did finally come back to the site in a drunken state. It was at that point that I forced myself to apologize to everyone that I snapped at back then. It turned out much better than I had expected, since the problem was much larger in my head than it actually was.

The one thing I regret was not talking to anyone about my problems. Even though I don't think we've talked much, I am always here if you need someone to talk to. My advice might be crap most of the time but I am an excellent listener.
 

hazabaza1

Want Skyrim. Want. Do want.
Nov 26, 2008
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Shit man, that sucks. All I can say is to try and keep the mostly positive attitude. If you do need a moment to break down or rant or whatever we're all here for you, but just try not to let it consume you.

I can't think of anything else to say here because I'm a massive social retard, so I wish you the best and I'll leave it there before I say something stupid.
 

Hero of Lime

Staaay Fresh!
Jun 3, 2013
3,114
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I've had some awful times in the last few months, but I can see your situation is far worse than mine could possibly be. I wish I could say something inspiring or uplifting. I can tell you seem like a pretty cool guy just by your responses on this forum, so I really hope things pick up for you soon. Remember that everything good and bad are temporary, things suck now, but it will get better with time. It's important to keep your positive outlook, which it sounds like you are determined to do.
 

King of Asgaard

Vae Victis, Woe to the Conquered
Oct 31, 2011
1,925
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God-damn.
My sincerest sympathies, mate.

Considering what an awesome guy you are on here, and also considering how proud you always were about your relationship and had some sweet stories about it, it's rather shocking to see you in this state. Though, with that said, you bounced back admirably, I dare say I'd be a mess in your situation.

If I had any stories to share, I would, but I'm one of those jaded, cynical misanthropes you mentioned, with a dash of introversion thrown in for good measure, so I'm no help there.

Good luck, friend, I genuinely hope you get that happy ending.
 

Muspelheim

New member
Apr 7, 2011
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I hope dearly that things will turn for the better. Don't give up on your happy ending. You deserve one.

There isn't much advice I can give that more competent posters haven't already, except perhaps one thing. Thoughts and feelings can be unpleasant and frightening, but it is important to remember they are just that, feelings and thoughts. It is especially important to not panic, because it's when an unpleasant thought trigger panic that they are dangerous. A bad thought giving an unpleasant suggestion is a very long way from actually acting on it.
It is also important to keep in mind that they will eventually disappear, as things get better. The heavy feelings will lift, as the situation that they appeared out of changes for the better.

Above all, it will always get better, if one does not give up and make it through. You can, I feel that I can promise you that you can.

the Captcha machine is in agreement, "half full". Both it and I wishes you the best possible days ahead!
 

Foolery

No.
Jun 5, 2013
1,714
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Damn. I don't know you, but I will say this. You made the right decision. And keep that positive attitude.

Why? It?s simple. To grow, the most important thing we need is change. Everyone needs to learn how to move on after a break-up or tough times, how to pick up the pieces and start something new. It?s the single most important life skill there is.

People talk about change quite often. Change is good, change is this, change is that. But can you dig it? Can you deal with it? Time doesn't necessarily heal all wounds. Time forces acceptance of what cannot be changed outside of the self. So, take heart in being wise enough to know that only you can get you to where you need to be, emotionally, and so on.

You said you've been together since you were 15? I'm with NinjaDeathSlap on this. You never really had much time to be independent. So, power to ya, man. I hope you find some peace, and comfort in whatever the next step in your life is.
 

Esotera

New member
May 5, 2011
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That was a really well written OP & it goes to show that you've thought this through a lot. The only advice I can give you that hasn't been said already is to make small changes to your lifestyle incrementally, rather than trying to get a job, eat healthily, exercise, & solve world hunger all at once. These things take time and making radical changes at the same time increases the chance of bad habits coming back.

I can also sympathise with feeling nothing...the last few years of my life have been spent feeling absolutely nothing and it's so much worse than being emotional. I've just accepted this as part of who I am and it's totally fucked up and I really need to keep addressing it.

I've had a ton of troubles with mental health and a couple of really nasty relationships. They ended up being psychologically abusive both ways and resulted in a messy breakup where I got cheated on both times. I never had any trouble committing to relationships until after the second one, but then I guess I stopped letting people in as I haven't been in a serious one since. The closest that comes to it is a one night stand that caused a girl to break up with two long-term boyfriends and really hurt her, but I felt nothing doing it and would do the same thing again.

After the second breakup, I guess I neglected friendships & I now have a lot fewer friends and rarely see them...again, I can't bring myself to care about it, I just feel nothing. My life sort of went on auto-pilot and I somehow managed to get through sixth-form, 2 years of university, and an industrial placement year without too much trouble. Grades for university aren't exactly what I want at the minute but I should be able to compensate for that in the final year - again, I feel no motivation whatsoever to do this or even do anything after graduating. I just want to sleep for a very long time and generally do nothing.

One of the symptoms of my mental illness is I find it really hard to use language compared to before things got serious. I can understand the syntax & grammar of English pretty flawlessly, but I can't think of anything to write or say, and when I do it can come out garbled. I used to write as a hobby and this is probably one of the things that pisses me off most. The paranoia and hallucinations are the worst and they drive me away from meeting my friends or doing anything. Thoughts of self-harm/suicide are pretty regular but not in a way that I'd actually be likely to do anything, more like because I'm feeling bored and I'm imagining what would happen. I guess I have a bit of a weird obsession with blades and overthinking stuff in general.

Anyway, I guess it all goes down to a deliberate choice to keep other people out of my life. I would like a relationship at some point soon again, but I know I'm not in any fit state to be a partner to someone else. My life lacks direction and I have no fucking idea what I'm going to be doing a year from now or what I want to do...being with someone else would help add priorities and maybe give me support. ALthough I guess this is something I could do on my own with the help of friends. After writing this drunken rant I am leaning towards visiting someone with CBT for some sort of independent evaluation. Feeling nothing all the time isn't normal but I just don't care...congratulations if you read this far!
 

WhyWasThat

New member
Jul 2, 2010
381
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0
Shit happens.

I'm on the verge of failing some very important exams. I'm still a virgin. I just went back on cigarettes after thinking I had finally kicked the habit. Sigh...

Hakuna matata, methinks. I just wish I could stop betraying my parents. They don't deserve any of this.
 

Evil Smurf

Admin of Catoholics Anonymous
Nov 11, 2011
11,594
0
0
I'm sorry man. My PM box is always open and my deepest sympathies. I hope you have a fantastic future.
 

freaper

snuggere mongool
Apr 3, 2010
1,196
0
0
Esotera said:
That was a really well written OP & it goes to show that you've thought this through a lot. The only advice I can give you that hasn't been said already is to make small changes to your lifestyle incrementally, rather than trying to get a job, eat healthily, exercise, & solve world hunger all at once. These things take time and making radical changes at the same time increases the chance of bad habits coming back.

I can also sympathise with feeling nothing...the last few years of my life have been spent feeling absolutely nothing and it's so much worse than being emotional. I've just accepted this as part of who I am and it's totally fucked up and I really need to keep addressing it.

I've had a ton of troubles with mental health and a couple of really nasty relationships. They ended up being psychologically abusive both ways and resulted in a messy breakup where I got cheated on both times. I never had any trouble committing to relationships until after the second one, but then I guess I stopped letting people in as I haven't been in a serious one since. The closest that comes to it is a one night stand that caused a girl to break up with two long-term boyfriends and really hurt her, but I felt nothing doing it and would do the same thing again.

After the second breakup, I guess I neglected friendships & I now have a lot fewer friends and rarely see them...again, I can't bring myself to care about it, I just feel nothing. My life sort of went on auto-pilot and I somehow managed to get through sixth-form, 2 years of university, and an industrial placement year without too much trouble. Grades for university aren't exactly what I want at the minute but I should be able to compensate for that in the final year - again, I feel no motivation whatsoever to do this or even do anything after graduating. I just want to sleep for a very long time and generally do nothing.

One of the symptoms of my mental illness is I find it really hard to use language compared to before things got serious. I can understand the syntax & grammar of English pretty flawlessly, but I can't think of anything to write or say, and when I do it can come out garbled. I used to write as a hobby and this is probably one of the things that pisses me off most. The paranoia and hallucinations are the worst and they drive me away from meeting my friends or doing anything. Thoughts of self-harm/suicide are pretty regular but not in a way that I'd actually be likely to do anything, more like because I'm feeling bored and I'm imagining what would happen. I guess I have a bit of a weird obsession with blades and overthinking stuff in general.

Anyway, I guess it all goes down to a deliberate choice to keep other people out of my life. I would like a relationship at some point soon again, but I know I'm not in any fit state to be a partner to someone else. My life lacks direction and I have no fucking idea what I'm going to be doing a year from now or what I want to do...being with someone else would help add priorities and maybe give me support. ALthough I guess this is something I could do on my own with the help of friends. After writing this drunken rant I am leaning towards visiting someone with CBT for some sort of independent evaluation. Feeling nothing all the time isn't normal but I just don't care...congratulations if you read this far!
Threads like these make me realize that there's actually something wrong with me, and that it's not just something between my ears (even though that's exactly what it is). Maybe it's time for those therapy sessions...

OT: Good luck Daystar. May the dirt on your boots not weigh you down!
 

Rip Van Rabbit

~ UNLIMITED RULEBOOK ~
Apr 17, 2012
712
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That was incredibly heartbreaking to read, since it struck me on many levels that felt all too familiar.

I can't assume what I say will help you, but I'm happy to share my experience with you for whatever it's worth.

My personal story started with my high-school sweetheart that blossomed into a four year relationship, my first true romance. For all intents and purposes, she was the very example I would reference when asked about love.

Being head-over-heels in love; it wasn't until too late that I had discovered that my life had essentially revolved around my partner. I had grown complacent and blind, to the point where I couldn't see just how emotionally abusive the relationship had become. I was in for a very rude wake-up call when I had discovered that the relationship was exceptionally one-sided.

After the breakup, I didn't want to lose my identity to the heartache and grief, however, things needed to change.

From that point forward, I spent my time on improving the many small aspects of my life to recreate this bigger picture of who I am. Essentially, I focussed on rebuilding my capacity to be independent, my ability to be happy, content and confident on my own. Slowly but surely, I reached out to others and worked on creating my own circle of friends, my support system.

[hr]

More importantly: I believe it's healthy to remember that you can only deal with so much on your own. Having someone to talk to goes a long way. That can occur in real life, or you have people here on The Escapist :)

EeveeElectro said:
It might sound like shit advice but let yourself hurt. Cope with it how you want to, even if that means feeling nothing at all or crying for an hour a day. The only way to grow stronger sometimes is to experience pain. How long it will take to feel whole again is up to the individual, but if you can't work it out then there always will be someone else out there for you to help numb the pain.
^ This is also exceptionally valuable advice, (put much more eloquently than I could have stated), more often than not, suppressing your emotions and attempting to completely avoid your pain proves to be counter-productive. Recovery cannot be rushed, but you can learn the "how's" and "why's" of your pain, in order to break them down, understand them and deal with them on smaller, more manageable scale - in your own time and way.

I believe that you have an exceptionally healthy mindset going into all this though. :)

No matter how difficult this road to recovery becomes: My most sincere wishes that you find some measure of comfort. (All the way from South Africa!) Things will be okay in time, I can promise you that.

Edit: You're more than welcome to visit my inbox if you wish :)