The *No Contact* Challenge! ( Read this if you just got dumped)

jamesfromhouston

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Hello my dudes!

I told myself that I would come back here with more insights over a recent break up and no contact journey, here I am after almost 70 days of no contact.

My Story:
(Short version: I dated a famous fitness influencer. She snooped into my unlocked phone when I was showering and found out that on a drunken night out months ago, I hooked up with a girl in early in our relationship. She dumped me immediately.)

I hope to share my experience and some lessons learnt so far.
(Funny thing is I actually did a detailed 360 Days NC Challenge on this thread in 2021 - 2022 because of another girl and painful breakup. I thought I had learnt a lot from that break up and was prepared for any more future break ups and NC. But here I am back again with a new NC challenge. Realizing that I made some of the same mistakes again and now learning new lessons. I thought I would have conquered heartbreak by now but maybe we never do.)

70 Days NC Lessons So Far

They Are Gone

The first few weeks were definitely the toughest. From the moment I was dumped, I couldn't really accept that she was gone. She was not mine anymore. Your mind gets so used to somebody that when they are no longer in your life it just feels unbelievable. There was also a lot of anxiety from my part because at the same time I didn't want it to be the reality. You just can't accept it. You think you want to fight for it because if you don't, you think you're giving up. You think if you don't fight, she will end up hooking up with some other dude. In fact I realize that your mind will make 100 reasons for you to justify you fighting against the break up. So in the beginning I did try to contact her and work things out with her. I did plead with her. I fought for her. In retrospect, I wish I would have spared myself the trouble. If they have dumped you. Nothing you say or do will change that. The trying just leads to more pain and delays healing. This is something I have learnt the 2nd time now with 2 painful breakups & NC journeys from 2021 to now. I also think fighting just made me look weak and it really changed nothing. If I could go back in time, and for those fresh off their breakups, I would advise myself (and others), don't fight it. Accept it. Show maturity but indifference. You save your own humiliation and increase the chances of her having second thoughts (although in most instances she won't at this stage) but you just have to accept that you lost this round.

Wake Up Call To Unhappiness Of Your Life
I have been thinking about this a lot. When the break up first happened. I felt so devastated. I felt so low. I felt the happiness and excitement from my life have gone. And it was exactly that. The girl became my source of happiness at some point. When she was gone. I was faced with the reality of my life which had revolved around her to a very large degree. I had been stagnating, cutting down my social life and basically stopped on many aspects of my life because I got comfortable with this girl. When you are constantly getting *****, attention and love from a hot girl; if those are the main things that motivate you in life (and they shouldn't be), you stagnate. My fitness was down. My career and hobbies were neglected. My friends were ignored. It was just me and her. But it was just really me living in a bubble. So when I was dumped it was a wake up call to face the real state of my life. I was no longer blinded by the relationship and *****. And that is the problem, when you let someone else become the main source of your happiness then you're playing a dangerous game because you can't control the other person. They can choose to leave or make it hell for you at any moment. You have given away your happiness, you just don't know it. So the break up really made me look at my life and realize there was so much more work to be done.

Self-Improvement Happiness
So immediately after the break up and start of NC, I shifted my focus to self-improvement. This is something I learnt from my first NC journey years ago. I know that self-improvement is where it all starts. During this period, I started exercising everyday at the gym, working on my career and generally looking at making my life much more abundant in every way. It's only been few months so far, so I can't claim that the journey is over but already I made good gains. I became much much more fit than I ever was. Started feeling much better health wise and looking better. I became much more confident as a result. Also getting compliments and attention from new girls. I would even get approached by girls a few times. My career work has also led to some professional growth and things are nicely progressing towards my objective. And I developed new social circles that I have been spending some time with, leading to some new experiences in my life. My self-improvement and time spent with myself actually has brought me a lot of fulfilment that feels much more long lasting than other activities such as plating and just trying to sleep with chicks. It is still a journey that I am on now but I think there is so much credence to the concept of chasing abundance and excellence.

Plating & New Chicks
Immediately after the break up, I started plating a lot and meeting new chicks. The logic was simple: I lost a girl therefore I must find her replacement immediately. It has been more than 2 months so far of me plating. At the beginning I plated aggressively and it really sucked. I tried dating every night back to back. But everywhere I went and everyone I met. I saw my ex's ghost everywhere. Feels like I was haunted. I'd have flashbacks of memories over familiar places. I'd compare the plates I met to my ex (which honestly isn't realistic). I had some bad and boring dates but I'd also have some really really good dates. In 2 months, I ended up making out, fooling around and even ****ing some chicks. One thing I have come to realize is that plates and chicks, won't necessarily bring sustainable happiness. Even the good dates and the good sex, once it is over, you go back to square 1 again. You chase that high again but go through all the mud to try again. It's almost like playing a video game where the level resets. There is really nothing longer lasting that comes from it. Sure, when you find a good long term plate or **** buddy, you might consistently have fun but the truth is after sex is done, you go back to square 1 again. You may feel empty until the next hit. And even you want to be truly deep about it, the same can be said about LTRs including my ex. For example, my ex no doubt brought me much happiness but how sustainable was that? My relationships with my ex along with all my other exes eventually ended and caused more pain than they did happiness. Also things go stale with time. This is helping me come to the realisation that although chicks can bring some value to a man's life, they cannot be the primary source of a man's happiness. On the other hand, self-improvement and slowly becoming your best self and building your best life seems to be the best bet to truly becoming happy.

Thinking About Them
The idea that I had in the beginning is that the more I continue with NC eventually I will reach a point where I don't think about my ex anymore. Almost like NC can erase them from your memory. After 70 days, I can say, it has not happened yet. I still think about my ex. In fact even with another ex from 2021, I still think about her quite regularly. (And actually with other exes too). I don't think you can easily forget people especially if they had a special place in your life and meant something to you. However what happened to me (and should happen to all of us) is that over time, the sharp pain and torment associated with your ex starts to go away. In the beginning weeks, I experienced so much pain that at first I couldn't sleep properly or wake up properly without feeling like I had an open wound. Every time I thought about them which is almost every moment, my body had some sort of physiological reaction. Now I just don't feel the pain anymore. I don't really feel sadness anymore. I don't feel the anxiety and disbelief of losing her. I have accepted it. At times, I do miss her but I realise I miss the good times rather than the person who came to break up with me. Based on my past experience, I think the thoughts of her will always be a part of me but I can live with it.

Breadcrumbs
I don't think my ex ever breadcrumbed me. I do have some big suspicions that she is actually stalking me through her friends and some other methods. However, after 70 days. She has never reached out after dumping me. I think that says a lot about how she sees me and the value of our relationship which contributes to my acceptance of how things are.

-

Its only been 70 days! But I hope all my other bros out there who are on this journey can find value in some of the lessons here. I may drop in again as more thoughts develop. Stay strong bros.
 

soulforge

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Need a reality check guys.

got two friends of mine, guy and girl

to visit me after my surgery (13 days now)

we took some pics, and the chick posted on instagram stories

and now I’m in that position of reposting or not, only to show the girl im here for that I’m living my life.

basically, weak afc behavior.

not going to do it, because the reason is not genuine or anything like, the reason is petty and it just shows im still seeking validation from someone who clearly does not give a single flying fvck

there’s also another two chicks, that id like to see the stories as well, but again, same reason, reposting to validate or to showcase something to others.

not doing it, but it was good writing about it!

cheers mates!
I wouldn't do it bro.. it's upto you really.

But my personal way of doing things is falling off the face of the earth completely.

If I need to post pics, then it will be with real girls I am dating and banging. No point faking it.

That being said, it depends what your end goal is. Do you want her back?

Or are you trying to leave her in the rear view mirror.
 

Lotus Effect

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I wouldn't do it bro.. it's upto you really.

But my personal way of doing things is falling off the face of the earth completely.

If I need to post pics, then it will be with real girls I am dating and banging. No point faking it.

That being said, it depends what your end goal is. Do you want her back?

Or are you trying to leave her in the rear view mirror.
It’s been months now. 3 months since we’ve last been together for real.

2 months since I’ve cut contact.

as I told you, is a little b!tch move.
havent done. Specially because the reason of me doing would have come from such weak azz frame.

just needed to vent! Tks m8
 

Baibars

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Man I regretted all of my mistakes in the relationship and still do but the feeling got weaker.
tried to make things work over the last 3 months with periods of no contact in between.
I sent her flowers, we had talks, I sent her a fcking letter but nothing helped. Yeah i know it was weak but I fcked things up in the relationship and wanted to fix them. went through hell until I finally understood.
now i regret my behavior and the 3 months I wasted on her.
 

vato

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Day 6:

I had some friends and relatives over at my place since we broke up. They came the day after she broke up with me. I didn't mention anything to them about the breakup, so I was busy and occupied and didn't have to think about it. They left on Saturday, and I kept myself busy on Sunday. However, when I got home, it was the first time I could actually sit down and let the breakup sink in. I was feeling low and wanted to send her a text, breaking no contact. I wrote a very long text, for closure, about everything I appreciate about her, I will miss her, and that I won't contact her again., in my notes app. I re-read it a couple of times and decided not to send it because I don't want to break NC and heal faster. If she doesn't reply to the message, it would make me feel even worse. So, I never sent her that text but it felt good writing that stuff down.
 
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Lotus Effect

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Man I regretted all of my mistakes in the relationship and still do but the feeling got weaker.
tried to make things work over the last 3 months with periods of no contact in between.
I sent her flowers, we had talks, I sent her a fcking letter but nothing helped. Yeah i know it was weak but I fcked things up in the relationship and wanted to fix them. went through hell until I finally understood.
now i regret my behavior and the 3 months I wasted on her.
You have to stop now man

it will get better
But first it will get worse
 

Lotus Effect

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Day 6:

I had some friends and relatives over at my place since we broke up. They came the day after she broke up with me. I didn't mention anything to them about the breakup, so I was busy and occupied and didn't have to think about it. They left on Saturday, and I kept myself busy on Sunday. However, when I got home, it was the first time I could actually sit down and let the breakup sink in. I was feeling low and wanted to send her a text, breaking no contact. I wrote a very long text, for closure, about everything I appreciate about her, I will miss her, and that I won't contact her again., in my notes app. I re-read it a couple of times and decided not to send it because I don't want to break NC and heal faster. If she doesn't reply to the message, it would make me feel even worse. So, I never sent her that text but it felt good writing that stuff down.
good lad!
 

soulforge

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Man I regretted all of my mistakes in the relationship and still do but the feeling got weaker.
tried to make things work over the last 3 months with periods of no contact in between.
I sent her flowers, we had talks, I sent her a fcking letter but nothing helped. Yeah i know it was weak but I fcked things up in the relationship and wanted to fix them. went through hell until I finally understood.
now i regret my behavior and the 3 months I wasted on her.
Always do the opposite of what you're feelings are tellings you to do.
 

Just because a woman listens to you and acts interested in what you say doesn't mean she really is. She might just be acting polite, while silently wishing that the date would hurry up and end, or that you would go away... and never come back.

Quote taken from The SoSuave Guide to Women and Dating, which you can read for FREE.

Baibars

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Day 8:

Damn, after reading the text I wanted to send her, I'm so glad I didn't send it. I feel better during the day while working, but it's always at night when I go to bed that I start missing and thinking about her.
don’t fight your feelings.
don’t punish yourself. It’s ok you spent a lot of time with her. Allow it and also don’t hate her. Let her go and you can’t do that when you have any feelings of attachment towards her. Hate also makes you attached.
these things where holding me back.
 

Daniele999

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954 days of NC

Guys, first of all I apologize for my English, I am not a native speaker. I have been reading So Suave (+Roissy & Rollo) for a couple of years, and the advice I read literally changed my life. As in my country there is literally no guy so capable in explaining intersexual dynamics, I really do believe that some of the articles I read have helped me to become a better person, even if I read them as a non-native speaker and most probably, there is a subtle nuance I failed to understand.

My story is rather simple: we have known each other since college (so more than 20 years), but since we finished college we rarely saw each other as she went to study abroad and came home only for holidays. I have been into her since we met for the first time, but since she left our country I started to date girls, lift weights, travel a lot, till I realised I had finally forgot her (after losing so many years lingering like a fool). But........3 years ago she decided to come back for good as someone in her family had passed away. She became more and more friendly and dropped subtle hints that she was interested in more than a friendship (though deep down inside she clearly knew I was into her since we met for the first time and I might be an easy catch). So, we got together, time flew, but still we rarely saw each other, she was always busy, always had something to do, etc....till that moment in which she stopped responding to text messages. I saw it coming, because during the last week she was less and less interested (too busy to go out with me, but she still had time to meet her friends). A mutual friend who knew some of her co-workers told me that she might be into a guy who was her boss at the time, and one of her relatives confirmed me. Please be aware that I did not do anything that would be qualified as beta: I did not supplicate, ask her why we don't see each other more often, why is she texting so rarely, etc. It was obvious I am a bit bothered by the situation, but I had plenty of things to do and I did not confront her.

From the moment she stopped responding I knew I was screwed and that I will never get her back. I was like yeah, it's clear that she was never really interested in me so what can I do, life goes on, I don't need closure because she will tell me some bull**** about things not working anymore (but when you see someone so rarely you can't even talk about a relationship tbh )).

So I never texted her to see what's happening, and during the first 3 weeks I received the following messages:

Her: (after a week): Hey, how are you?

Me: Fine, out with the boys, drinking some beers. How about you?

Her: I went out with a friend

Me: Cool

Her: -

One week after, I posted something on instagram, she texts:

Her: Is this your friend's coffeeshop?

Me: Yep, he is a friend but also a work colleague

Her: enjoy

Me: thanks

Exactly another week from this moment, she texts:

Her: Happy birthyday! Not sure why you distanced yourself/stopped texting, but I hope you're ok, happy and healthy!

Me: Thanks for the birthday wish!

954 days of NC have passed, and I still don't feel quite ok. It's still difficult to accept that someone is gone, that you'll never see the girl you truly liked again. I can't lie, I didn't feel depressed or so low that I couldn't get out, I always did my best to keep moving and forget about what happened. From time to time, I still dream about her and feel awkward in the mornings.

During the past months I have been thinking: I unfollowed her and her relatives on social media, I didn't see any photo of her for 3 years, I don't even know whether she is still home or somewhere else in Europe. How will I feel when I see she is getting married/or she already has kids?

My question is...how do you move on for good and stop dreaming about someone? How do you accept it's over and you're just a memory that will probably fade away as time goes by? How do you accept that she deserves to be happy, and if she is not happy with you, she will be with someone else...

Thank you!
 

vato

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don’t fight your feelings.
don’t punish yourself. It’s ok you spent a lot of time with her. Allow it and also don’t hate her. Let her go and you can’t do that when you have any feelings of attachment towards her. Hate also makes you attached.
these things where holding me back.
I have ups and downs. Sometimes I think about her and miss her but it's the disrespect that I had to go through that brings out the hate. It balances out the feelings of losing her. But I don't think this is healthy either.
 

Baibars

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I have ups and downs. Sometimes I think about her and miss her but it's the disrespect that I had to go through that brings out the hate. It balances out the feelings of losing her. But I don't think this is healthy either.
You’re fresh out of the relationship and it’s normal now. Miss her, hate her but don’t act on these feelings. Wish her good luck in your mind and let her go. Don't try to be the wannabe macho. You’re doing the right thing which doesn’t mean you can dislike her instantly or turn off your feelings.
Take your time. I’m doing it too bro.
 

soulforge

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I have ups and downs. Sometimes I think about her and miss her but it's the disrespect that I had to go through that brings out the hate. It balances out the feelings of losing her. But I don't think this is healthy either.
My ex was crazy, and a bych, so it's easier to get toxic girls.. Harder when she was a quality girlfriend
 

Don't always be the one putting yourself out for her. Don't always be the one putting all the effort and work into the relationship. Let her, and expect her, to treat you as well as you treat her, and to improve the quality of your life.

Quote taken from The SoSuave Guide to Women and Dating, which you can read for FREE.

vato

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Day 9:

Still in no contact. Everytime I get a text or call on my phone, I'm hoping it's from her and when I don't see her name on the notifications I get disappointed.

 

Dr.Suave

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Everytime I get a text or call on my phone, I'm hoping it's from her and when I don't see her name on the notifications I get disappointed.
Why? She was very disrepectful and she abandoned you. She did you a favor because she showed you her true colors sooner rather than later and now you are free to pursue younger, hotter, and better quality girls.

 
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soulforge

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Day 9:

Still in no contact. Everytime I get a text or call on my phone, I'm hoping it's from her and when I don't see her name on the notifications I get disappointed.

She was flirting with your friend right?

You don't miss slags like that, you be glad she is gone.

However.. Don't let a 304 like this ever dump you again. If she is not the best girlfriend to you, giving you the king treatment, the you MUST dump her.

By the way.. no bich is going to give you the King treatment, if you're acting like a weak bich. Always check these hoes when they get out of line, and always make sure you run chit.. not her.
 

vato

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She was flirting with your friend right?

You don't miss slags like that, you be glad she is gone.

However.. Don't let a 304 like this ever dump you again. If she is not the best girlfriend to you, giving you the king treatment, the you MUST dump her.

By the way.. no bich is going to give you the King treatment, if you're acting like a weak bich. Always check these hoes when they get out of line, and always make sure you run chit.. not her.
You're right. I should be glad. I am glad that she is gone.

I went out tonight with a friend and approached some baddies - explicity chose girls that looked better than my ex. It went really well. Was a bit nervous to approach after not gaming for 3 years. Exchanged some numbers and instas. One girl passed by and told me "what a beauty" - that's a first :lol:. Going out tomorrow again and doing the same thing. Feels good after feeling like sh*t for a week.
 

soulforge

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You're right. I should be glad. I am glad that she is gone.

I went out tonight with a friend and approached some baddies - explicity chose girls that looked better than my ex. It went really well. Was a bit nervous to approach after not gaming for 3 years. Exchanged some numbers and instas. One girl passed by and told me "what a beauty" - that's a first :lol:. Going out tomorrow again and doing the same thing. Feels good after feeling like sh*t for a week.
Good job.. the more baddies you approach the easier it gets.
 

Tell her a little about yourself, but not too much. Maintain some mystery. Give her something to think about and wonder about when she's at home.

Quote taken from The SoSuave Guide to Women and Dating, which you can read for FREE.

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