Breakups are rarely easy, regardless of how or why a relationship ended. But there are breakups, and then there are breakups — the type of endings that are all-consuming, make you feel physically sick, and convince you that you might not be able to endure another day. Fortunately, no matter how bad a breakup seems in the moment, life does go on. And while reading heart-wrenching stories about breakups has the potential to bring back memories of the last time you went through a breakup, they're good reminders that you're not alone. Even though some of the struggles that come with going through a particularly bad breakup are individual, rest assured everyone has experienced or will experience that feeling at some point in their life.
Even though stories of heartbreak can be an immense bummer, it can also be reassuring to know that what's happened to you is pretty universal. And no matter how long it takes, even if you never fully let go of the pain, coping with heartbreak does get easier as time goes on. So, if you're coming to terms with a recent breakup, or you're just in the mood for some #RealTalk, here are 10 very sad breakup stories. You're probably going to want to have a box of tissues on hand.
Distance Doesn't Always Make The Heart Grow Fonder.
Was engaged. Planned to move to another city for new jobs. I was going to go first, and he was going to go as soon as he could find a position in that city. Got to new city, already knew something was weird. Over skype he told me he wasn't coming. Haven't seen him since. Took me 2.5 years to even attempt to date again. Still hurt by it.
I was seeing a girl my junior year of college and boy was I smitten. She was awesome, I felt awesome that she wanted to be with me etc. She got a study abroad program in the Galapagos for the second semester which sucked, so I said I would go visit her in Ecuador in May. We texted and talked that whole semester and I was SO excited to go see her. Second day in Quito she says we should just be friends. Had to share a room with her the rest of the week. It was not a good experience I don't recommend it.
— u/33rpm
We'd been dating for a few years but he moved away for a new job, distance broke us down painfully slowly. Our phone calls, messages, communications became shorter. Our visits were gradually more awkward. It's not like when someone's there and you can see things changing, it all came in short bursts of days every few months. His habits had changed, his manner of speaking and his interests... I'd changed too but still I was in our home town with all of the old ghosts and he just didn't feel like he belonged there anymore. He met someone else, who he married.
"She Was Never That Into Me."
I met the love of my life when I was 19. We dated for 4 years but she was never that into me. I'm 56 now and still think about her almost every day. You move on but you don't always get over it.
"I Couldn't Intervene Or Get Involved Because It Was I Who Caused It, And It Was My Fault."
We'd been together for 2 years, and the relationship that was once unbelievably passionate went sour and we started to be really horrible to each other. But we still loved each other. It got to the point where I broke it off because I realised we couldn't treat each other like that.
This is where it got really heartbreaking for me. I had to watch from a distance as the girl I'd been in love with and cared about massively went down a slippery slope.
I couldn't intervene or get involved because it was I who caused it, and it was my fault.
"Never Thought He Was Capable Of Such Betrayal."
I was with a guy for 1 year and 9 months. We had known each other since teens (we're both old now). I thought he was the one I was going to be with for the rest of our lives. Found out he was cheating... Never thought he was capable of such betrayal. Completely devastated me. I felt like I was completely without value. Worthless. It's been almost 3 months and I'm slowly getting better. I will never let anyone know me on the same level as him. He took my worst fears and insecurities and used them against me.
They Still Had To See Each Other Every Day.
I dated him for a year and he was just a great person. He was funny and such an individual and unique person and he was just so smart. When he broke up with me I cried so hard I couldn't even speak and the next day my eyes were so swollen. We lived in the same apartment complex, right across the pool from each other so I saw him every day. I was crushed.
She Fell In Love With His Best Friend.
Was with her for two and a half years. While i was in Afghanistan, she told me she no longer loved me and had found someone else. A week later i found out from a mutual friend that she was with one of my best friends.i was devastated for quite some time.
Even ThoughThey Knew It Was Coming, It Wasn't Any Easier.
It happened this past May and I knew it was coming, but tried to be optimistic and hoped it wouldn't end. Unfortunately, it did and it sucked. Really sucked. I fell into one hell of a depression for a couple months which caused to me fail out of a couple classes.
"I'm Growing And Learning About Myself."
Broke up just over 2 months ago. We were together for almost 4 beautiful years. He was a good boyfriend, I was a good girlfriend, we had our issues but worked through them. He couldn't work through it this time, he needed to find himself, I agreed because I didn't want him to hate me and I felt I could use some time as well. Tried a break for 2 weeks, I couldn't eat or sleep much during those 2 weeks and I lost weight. We broke up a week before I started at my new new school. We were on good terms, but that first month was hell (it's still a bit hellish even now). But, going to therapy, and talking to my friends and family a lot, and being in a totally new environment at my university has all helped so much. It still hurts, but I'm growing and learning about myself.
Coping with the pain and rejection that comes with heartbreak is tough, but there's always something positive that can be gleaned from difficult situations. Keep your head up.
