Now hear me out. I’m a 22M in Bangalore, and I recently went through my first real breakup after a 3-month relationship.
Now, I get it — it was just three months. But when it’s your first, every emotion feels amplified. Every moment feels like a milestone, and every rupture feels like an earthquake. I’m sure a part of this intensity comes from inexperience — the unfamiliarity of giving someone access to your world and then watching them leave it just as fast.
But here’s what this experience made me realize — people who have been through multiple relationships and breakups, you have my respect.
Because the strength it takes to attach and detach — again and again — is wild. To repeatedly open up, to be vulnerable, to share your fears, your dreams, your habits and quirks with someone… and then have to undo all that closeness when it ends — man, it’s emotionally exhausting. It makes me wonder how people manage to trust again, fall again, and love again.
This whole process is brutal and beautiful at the same time. And now I understand why so many people in their mid-20s feel jaded or distant when it comes to relationships — it’s not because they don’t care, but because they’ve felt too much already.
So to anyone reading this who’s been through the cycles of loving and losing more than once — I don’t know how you do it, but it’s honestly commendable. Hats off.
And if you’ve been in my shoes — trying to heal from something that felt too real too fast — I’d love to hear from you. Any tips on how to start truly loving myself again?
How do I take my time, emotionally and mentally, before even thinking about dating again — without feeling like I’m falling behind?
TL;DR:
Went through my first real breakup (3 months in), and it’s hitting hard. Mad respect for people who’ve been through multiple relationships — it takes guts to open up again and again. Trying to figure out how to love myself and take my time before even thinking about dating again. Any advice is appreciated.