I went through a breakup about 9 months ago. It really blindsided me as things seemed to be going great. She was 10 years younger then me, beautiful, and moved to a house in my town to be with me. It only lasted 5 months but we spent the total amount of time together that some people do in years. She was someone who I could actually see a future with. There were a couple of issues but they were all very minor like her jealousy and insecurities.
Well, 9 months ago she said she needed a break. I told her I do not do breaks, that I'm always looking for someone to move forward with and I'm not interested in being with someone who wanted to take a step back. Even though it crushed me, I only said "you broke my heart," handed her her purse and coat, and told her she should probably go ahead and go home.
I did want to be with her but I was not going to beg, cry, and plead. It would have to be on my terms and her idea. I knew from past experience that no-contact was the way to go. I hadn't been in a situation where I needed no-contact, in a very long time, so I read up on it as a refresher.
I read several articles about 21, 30, and 60 days. I decided on 35 days and broke NC to send her a text described good times and pointed out little traits that I liked about her that corresponded with those times. I did not receive a response. The only other times I broke it was 48 hours after the first message saying "Your silence came through deafening, I hope you find happiness in whatever you are looking for" and a couple of months later FB messenger sent her an invite, either on it's own or from my pocket. I only said "I did not send that. I apologize, love."
In the last 9 months I have thought of her about every day. The good news is it's decreasing substantially over time and I haven't even looked at her FB in over a month. I have lost weight. Put on a little muscle. Got a new hairstyle. A new job. I got costody of my kids. I get hit on by women constantly. Things are going very well for me now.
I try to date. Honestly, it's a lot less dating and just inviting girls over to watch a movie and then have sex. Still, these girls are fun to **** but I don't see a relationship with any of them. I know there are women out there that are better then my ex but every time I get to know someone I feel like I would be downgrading and will not do that. So it ends up being pump and dump. But from past experience, I know probably sooner and later someone will come along that will live up to my standards. So in the mean time I'm content with just ****ing and waiting on that.
I am also glad I broke no contact when I did. I don't think I did it too early and precieved as weak. I now also don't have any "what ifs" about if I would have reached out. I sometimes wonder if doing it sooner would have worked but I can dismiss that with "after 35 days you sent a message and she couldn't even be bothered to respond, what would two weeks in either direction really have changed"
So, I am free! I have some regrets about small things I did in the relationship but everyone will have those. People are not perfect and I made no huge mistakes. I can learn from them and not make them again though, so it's not in vain. I lay my head down at night with a clean conscience... and I have no regrets about my actions during or after the breakup.... I am free...