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My committed ex wants to be friends

By June 18, 2017No Comments

My ex-boyfriend and I broke up almost 2 years ago. We were best friends who dated for a year; but after he went abroad to study he changed and we broke up, and we never talked again. I am with a great guy now who treats me so well and even my ex has a new girlfriend. A friend of mine follows my ex on Instagram, and I keep using her account to stalk him and his girlfriend. He treats her so much better than he treated me. He made a whole issue about the fact that, although both of our families were of the same religion, they had slightly different beliefs.  His parents told him that he shouldn’t compromise on them. This created problems. Within three months of his going abroad, we broke up because he refused to make time for me. He also asked me interrogating questions about my beliefs even though I didn’t know much. He seemed extremely relieved to get rid of me. I never texted him again. His new girlfriend has a completely different religion. It hurts that he made me feel bad about my beliefs, but now, is completely accepting hers. He broke my heart completely.
A few days ago out of the blue he texted me wanting to be friends. I found out that he is back home for holidays. I answered politely but coldly, telling him it’s not possible. He told me to stop hating him and to drop the grudges.  I told him there are none. I sent him “K”‘ as a reply wanting to end the conversation but he texted further to prolong it.  I responded with an emoji and he replied “Oh,  well…”  and ended the conversation. Then the next day I discussed it with a mutual friend. That very evening he sent me a screenshot of that friend telling him to not make an effort, etc. I asked him why he sent me that and he said just randomly as if he was teasing me. I stopped being friends with the girl as she betrayed me. She knew I didn’t want her to discuss this with him. The girl told me that he messaged her first to tell her this.
I am at a crossroad. I want my ex to message me again so he feels how bad I felt but on the other hand I don’t want my amazing, understanding boyfriend to feel uncomfortable if this is prolonged. I am at a crossroad. I just want to insult my ex but I do want to talk to him as it makes me hope he realized his mistake. I don’t want to be with him in any way.

CONSIDER THIS:

  • Even though things are great with your new boyfriend, it sounds like you never really got over your ex.  You didn’t leave him because you really wanted to.  You just sort of had to, considering the fact that he wouldn’t make time for you, and there were some conflicting religious beliefs that may have gotten in the way.  You both have moved on romantically; but now he wants to be friends again since he is coming home for the holidays.
  • It’s certainly understandable that even though you were already checking the status of your ex on Instagram, his sudden re-entry into your life as a potential friend has gotten you thinking more about him: what could have been, what might have been, what should have been, etc.  Any familiar feelings from the past might be starting to emerge and wreak havoc as they play games with your head and your heart.
  • You listened to your gut and told him it wasn’t possible to be friends.  You did the right thing for yourself as it wouldn’t serve you to have him back in your life right now.
  • Trust that your ex has probably already realized his mistake and that may be why he is contacting you again.  Accept that and let it be over.
  • You may want to reconsider your friendship with the girl that told him not to make the effort.  It’s very possible he contacted her first about the situation and she had your back by advising him to basically back off.

HELP YOURSELF:

  • What do you really want from your ex-bf?  Do you really want him back?  Do you want him just to want you?  Do you want him to suffer like you did when you split up?
  • What if your girlfriend was actually telling you the truth about his contacting her first about the situation?
  • If  roles were reversed and you were in her situation, knowing she didn’t want you to discuss it, how would you have handled if differently?  Is it possible that she was in a sticky situation and did the best she could while still having your back?
  • How can you focus on the present and the great relationship you have now?
  • What have you learned from the relationship?