We are humans, We can at least begin to relate, through what we have not experienced and through what we have. To be heard by others may make us listen to ourselves more keenly. I am often, if not always, open to hear.

Well, I don't know you, so there's that . Just as the old saying, "Nobody joins a cult," nobody sets out to be in a bad relationship. I got out of a long-term one about a year and a half ago that was abusive, but I don't think she would ever understand that it was, nor even that I don't blame her for it. Just every day was worse and worse. I get tired of being told I'm weak for letting myself stay in that situation, and a part of me feels weak for it.

I get you, brother. Ended a similar situation last July. It had gone on way past the point of redemption. I was stunned (not really, but a bit surprised) when a few days before my departure, she asked if I might change my mind. No way. I knew her asking was monetarily motivated, and I'd had enough of that kind of duplicity.

You may have had a better relationship in the end than mine, because I don't miss her in the least. I do miss the intimacy of a relationship, but that was over a couple years ago. I guess I'm not much of a romantic, either. Too much of a pragmatist, I suppose.

There's a wide array of people out there; there's bound to be more than a few you'll click with on a romantic level. It's perfectly normal and healthy to set standards for a relationship and having them by no means, means you'll always be lonely--just that the people you do come across will be a better suited match. It's also completely fine to miss what you had and long for that sort of intimacy; just don't forget to remember why it didn't work out--because it's important to make sure you also take care of yourself.

Welcome to the community. We do tend to miss the good stuff and forget the bad.

Welcome to the asylum. Enjoy your stay.
Some good questions I've always asked myself after a relationship ended, to keep me from going back to it, are WHY didn't this work? What did I do to keep this from working? What did they do
to keep this from working?
Missing the few things that did work, never were enough to make me go back to all the other things that did NOT work.
Good luck moving forward.

Don't worry about it. Try to meet as many people as you can. I met someone at a doctor's office, and while the relationship was not the best, nothing would have happened unless I took the initiative.

It will happen.

Its ok to get it of your chest