this post was submitted on 31 Jan 2026
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Off My Chest

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A few years ago, I met a man online. I was 19 then, and he was 32. It was my first romantic experience and mostly my last. I don't know how to explain that feeling... I woke up in the middle of the night several times to check his messages. We could talk about literally everything under the world. It was incredible. I thought he was the kindest and most gentle person I'd ever seen in my entire life. I didn't even see his face, although he really wanted to show it to me, but for some reason I wanted to hold off on it, even though he had seen my photo. But I could imagine what he looked like based on how he described himself to me and I heard his voice, and I'm sure that even if he really were as unattractive as he considered himself, I would love him no matter what. He really gave the impression of a man who would accept me for who I was and would never leave me. I don't think I've ever felt happier than I did then....

But then I ruined everything. I won't tell you how you can irrevocably ruin a relationship with someone over the internet, but I did it. And since then, I've been completely broken and plunged even deeper into this relentless cycle of suffering and self-hatred. I still sometimes cry at night because of it. During this time, I tried to meet other people, but I never felt anything like this again. Maybe because there are no other men like him, or because my condition is so shitty. I can't stop thinking that if I could do it all over again, I would marry him, we would take care of his beautiful plants together, have five huge dogs, I would cook all his favorite food, I would be the best wife and mother in the world to his children, just like we dreamed of together, and so much more.... I understand that it may be damn stupid to suffer because of a person I've never even met, but I don't know how to get rid of it. Am I stupid or crazy? My life sucks so bad.

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[–] voracitude@lemmy.world 8 points 3 days ago (1 children)
[–] Baggie@lemmy.zip 3 points 3 days ago

Fuck me thanks for the heads up

at 19, there are few things you could do to ruin your entire life. this is not one of them, unless you let it. youre just a kid with plenty of time.

move on, grow as a person. learn to like yourself, because you show signs that you do not.

you should not jump into any romantic relationships until you can learn to be happy as an individual, with yourself.

[–] WallsToTheBalls@lemmynsfw.com 4 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Your life is not and should be entirely predicated on your partner. If you can’t stand on your own, then all you’ll ever do is offload emotional labor onto your partner.

Also, 19 and 32 is a bit of an iffy age gap to begin with. I’m willing to bet significant money that he’s emotionally immature and can’t date within his age range.

First and foremost:

I've been completely broken and plunged even deeper into this relentless cycle of suffering and self-hatred.

This needs to be addressed before you try to pursue any other intimidate relationships or you’re setting yourself up for failure.

[–] ruuster13@lemmy.zip 9 points 4 days ago

The first heartbreak is just the worst thing ever. The conditions may feel difficult to validate, but the emotion you felt is real. You're not the first to experience something like this and blame yourself, even though it's unlikely you're as at fault as you think. You may benefit from professional help to learn to forgive yourself.

How recent was this? If a relationship ends, grief is pretty normal. I really don’t know how you did „fuck it up“, but i know it it’s important to understand why you did that, what your limits are and what led to this.

You are neither crazy nor stupid because of this. Maybe it was a mistake (maybe not). This is okay, people learn from mistakes.

I really would like to know what you did, but of course, if you don’t want to tell that is okay.

It is important to accept the grief as what it is. You won‘t chance the outcome of this relationship, but you might be more aware of future mistakes and problems you might face.

[–] RegularJoe@lemmy.world 5 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

What you did was a mistake.

  • You are not stupid. You are not crazy. You did something you wish you could change and are blaming yourself.

  • You have not ruined your life, but if you let this hang over your head, it will ruin things until you forgive yourself and move on.

  • If you can make things right (apologizing, asking for a second chance, etc.), do it. If you can't get things right, then accept that you can't fix the past, but you can fix today and the future by learning from your mistakes.

  • You're not going to find another person like him. Just like YOU, he's one of a kind. That does NOT mean there aren't others you can have a happy relationship with. That also doesn't mean there's someone better out there. But if you wallow in self-pity, you might miss out on finding that person.

[–] AnaisRim@lemmynsfw.com 1 points 3 days ago

Maybe you fucked it up. But then again, maybe he did too. Or it was a mutual cock up. It's hard to know. Even for those who lived through it.

Take your time to recover. Yoga helps! Exercise does too. Take care of yourself. Then slowly let yourself open up to the prospect of someone new. When you're ready.

Your life is not fucked up. You have decades ahead. But you do have to go through the stages of grief and work your feelings through before you'll be ready to try again.

Good luck!

[–] urheber@discuss.tchncs.de -2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Your life got ruined because you escaped from a pedophile who would've wanted someone younger after fucking you twice? Honey, you are lucky to have come out alive.

[–] andrewta@lemmy.world 0 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Is there another post somewhere that says she slept with him?

would've

That means it's a hypothetical, bub