CerwinVegaFan said:
You haven't posted much in detail about what happened during the relationship with your ex so I can't really tell whether or not it applies to you but it's a good piece of info.
I'd like to ask you to post your ways of handling your NC period, 2 years is fairly impressive!
:rockon:
I was 32 and she was 43. We had a great, close relationship. But, toward the end we rarely had sex and did become more like friends. Looking back I can recognize all the subtle hints she was dropping. I think she wanted me to pick up on the hint and initiate the end of the relationship, and she only did so when she became exasperated that I was not getting it. Of course, I realize now that women tend to "communicate" that way. And she would always give the "everything's fine" impression if I probed her feelings a bit.
I doubt she has forgotten me. We had been very close and I was very good to her. I think she did still care because I believe she felt guilty about hurting me. I think she wanted me to initiate the breakup because she didn't want to feel guilty about it. The timing of her getting my valentine card couldn't have been better; that probably really made her feel bad. And I think she never expected me to react the way I did. I think she really thought I would want to be friends. During our relationship there was only a handful of days we did not talk or text each other, for almost 3 years. She seemed bothered by the fact that I would not let her come over. I don't think she ever expected me to drop all contact. This either made her feel even more guilty, or perhaps she just told herself "well I tried to be friends and he didn't want to" and that assuaged her guilt.
But I suspect she feels guilty, because I think the way she wanted to avoid guilt was to have me be her friend, so that she could feel like she didn't really hurt me that bad. Of course I denied her that.
As far as how I stayed NC:
- I immediately shredded any cards, etc she gave me, and threw away any sentimental stuff. I didn't throw everything away; she gave me a few decent gifts and I was not about to throw nice stuff away. But I threw away anything personal
- I didn't delete all our photos together. I don't believe in deleting photographs, they record a part of your life you may want to revisit. But I never look at any photos of her.
- I deleted her from social media accounts. I went into my email, and deleted ever single email either that I received from her or sent to her
- Gathered all of the things she left at my house and dropped them at her doorstep
- Bought a gym membership and a tanning membership and started working out
- Resolved not to date or attempt another relationship until I had time to contemplate, reflect, and get my mind right
- Resisted any temptation to look at her Facebook page or to learn anything about her life
I didn't delete her from my phone though. Reason being, if she ever does call me, I want to see the name on the screen and not be taken by surprise.
I'll be honest, I still think about her a lot. But I will not contact her. I have too much pride to do so. If she contacts me I will respond, how I am not sure, it depends on what she has to say. I am about ready to resume dating relationships now, and I have had alot of time to reflect, read books on "red pill" type stuff, psychology, etc, and I am in a better position financially as well.