My 3 Long-term Relationships Failed & I’m Happy About It — Here’s Why

I’m a long-term serial monogamist, and I really like love — however that doesn’t imply it’s at all times cherished me again. Long-term relationships include their justifiable share of pitfalls, one among which is the extraordinary heartbreak when it’s time to half methods.

Folks have damaged my coronary heart; I’ve damaged theirs. No matter who did what to whom, the connection ended up failing. That’s a bitter tablet to swallow after so a few years.

I’ve since come to study that these failures have been truly a superb factor — right here’s why.

I Figured Out What I Wanted

Self-identifying as a serial monogamist is new to me. Earlier than studying what it was, I by no means thought a lot about my relationship historical past. I had three multi-year unique relationships earlier than assembly my present accomplice. Even once I was single, I wasn’t a lot for informal relationship. I most well-liked a mutually deep dedication. 

However an inclination to make it work with one particular person does, the truth is, have downsides. One such con is an incapability (or unwillingness) to distinguish between loving an individual and loving the concept of them. 

I stayed in relationships long gone the primary main argument. And if I’m being trustworthy, I stayed in relationships lengthy after we must always have damaged up. I dissected, disagreed and deescalated endlessly. And after revisiting factors of rivalry many instances, I began to study what I used to be lacking within the relationship. 

Why did I battle a lot with my ex? What communication breakdown was occurring? Have been my wants not being met? If that was the case, what have been my wants? How did each of us antagonize the opposite? What made us so incompatible?

Staying elbows deep within the complexity of interpersonal relationships gave me a better perception into myself. I discovered which communication types labored — and didn’t work — for me. I turned effectively acquainted with my relationship priorities. 

Image of relieved young woman.
(stockfour / Shutterstock)

And after we inevitably broke up, I practiced taking off my rose-colored glasses. With the ability to objectively assess a relationship in all its messy, marvelous glory is essential. In any other case, a lovesick sap is liable to fall again into the identical outdated routine.

In the beginning, my break-ups taught me what I have to be glad in a relationship.

I Analyzed The Half I Performed In It

Half of a relationship postmortem includes determining your half within the relationship’s failure. Nobody likes to confess after they’re flawed. Nonetheless, it takes two to tango. 

Generally, these private faults are lively. Possibly you cheated in your accomplice and needed to navigate a rocky relationship with little belief. Or maybe you contributed to poisonous dynamics by aggravating conflicts. Possibly your unchecked insecurities drove a jealous wedge between the 2 of you.

Different instances, your half in a relationship’s downfall was passive. Did you set wholesome, outlined boundaries? What occurred when your accomplice crossed them? How a lot stuff did you bottle up inside till you have been depressing? Alternatively, have been you attentive to your accomplice’s wants and limits? 

My therapist (shout out BetterHelp) places it this manner: we prepare individuals how they deal with us. Our actions — and inactions — play an necessary function in a relationship’s total dynamic. It may be straightforward, even cathartic, to position the total blame in your ex. However it’d be doing you each a disservice. 

Now, it’s necessary to notice that it’s by no means a home violence sufferer’s fault for his or her relationship dynamic. And nobody ought to really feel responsible for the way their physique and thoughts reacted to the trauma of psychological, sexual or bodily abuse. However sadly, it’s common for victims to fall back into abusive dynamics.

One strategy to escape that harmful cycle is thru outside assistance, remedy and therapeutic. What attracts you into imbalanced relationships? Is setting boundaries tough for you? Why?

General, my break-ups confirmed me my half within the tango — massive and small, lively and passive. 

I Realized How To Be A Higher Companion

Regardless of how painful the break-up, each previous love was a stepping stone. From minute to main, the teachings every failed relationship supplied me with have been invaluable. Most significantly, they’ve helped me grow to be a greater accomplice myself. 

On the one hand, I’ve developed a better respect for the quantity of labor a dedicated relationship requires. In my expertise, informal relationship is simpler. However I additionally discover it much less fulfilling. Whereas monogamous love shouldn’t be fixed stress and strife, it’d be naive to imagine it’s all sunshine and rainbows. 

My failed relationships helped me observe relationship etiquette. Generally, I’ve been horrible at it — in spite of everything, we did break up. And different instances, I’ve left a partnership realizing I did all I might. Good or unhealthy, nevertheless, I exercised my capacity to compromise. As I healed from every relationship, I turned extra emotionally and mentally ready for the following. 

However, compatibility just isn’t a given. Nor ought to it’s compelled; consider me, I’ve tried. accomplice additionally is aware of when to name it quits for the sake of each events’ emotions. 

So, certain — I couldn’t make issues work with my final ex, the one earlier than or my very first severe relationship. For lack of a greater time period, I failed. However these failures set me up for fulfillment. 

My break-ups led me to my biggest love of all.

I Gained My One True Love

If not for all of the previous fights, failures and tears, I wouldn’t have met my husband. Technically, we knew one another lengthy earlier than we began relationship. However had my expertise been completely different, he might need come into my life as a enjoyable (or failed) fling. 

I may not have understood what it meant to spend money on one other particular person totally. If I had by no means taken the time to grasp myself, then I might’ve unwittingly pushed him away. After I healed from my previous relationships, I gained confidence in myself. The place would I be with out it? 

(*3*)
(fizkes / Shutterstock)

He’d be the identical man no matter my previous, however me? I’d be a very completely different particular person and accomplice — doubtless, not a greater one, given my previous relationships’ trajectories. 

After all, each relationship and therapeutic course of is completely different. Failed relationships can injury the psyche. Trauma changes neural pathways within the mind. I don’t wish to minimalize the importance of these occasions.  

However talking solely for myself (and possibly you possibly can relate), my failures ready me for the best love of my life. I discovered my greatest good friend, confidante and largest fan solely after coping with a bonafide scrub or two.

Discovering The Flipside To Failure

Succeeding by way of failure just isn’t reserved for romantic endeavors. The phenomena can — and for me, typically has — translated into virtually each facet of my life. 

A good friend of mine at all times says, “You never know what worse luck your bad luck saved you from.” And to me, that wraps up this entire concept with a neat little bow. Failure of any sort by no means feels good. However that failure might need saved you from a fair worse destiny. 

Finally, it’s by no means straightforward when issues don’t work out the best way you propose. You’ll be able to learn self-help books and discuss to your therapist till the cows come house, however that doesn’t ever fully take away the sting of heartache and disappointment. 

However nonetheless, I encourage you to flip your failures. They aren’t boulders to pull behind you; they’re stepping stones main you in one other route. 

Even with a number of heartaches below my belt, I can nonetheless proudly say I really like love. And sure, I even love my failed loves — as a result of these turned out to be the perfect failures of all.  

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