Have you ever ended a relationship because they didn't love you back?

[Awoof]

I feel so humiliated. Have been with my boyfriend for just over a year. We have taken it quite slowly because he is my first relationship since my divorce 2 years ago.
Spend 2 to 3 nights a week together, speak every day, have so much fun and great sex life.
He has been burnt badly by an ex way before my time and he has been just as happy as me to go slow.
Anyway, I said that I loved him on Saturday and he replied that he isn't there yet, and doesn't know if he will ever be 'there.
I'm so gutted that I've let someone into my life and embarrassed myself like this. I'm not one at all to put myself out there.
I've asked him to leave me alone so I can get myself together and have I think.
Anyone experience this?
I feel awful.

Aww bless you. You must be hurting. I'm in a situation myself where feelings are developing for my DP. I know he doesn't feel the same way at all. I don't know whether continuing to see him is just torturing myself but I really enjoy his company. I do think though rationally that I should be ending it and going NC for my own sanity. It's very hard

Don't feel bad! It must've been nice for him to hear at the very least. You can't always be at the same point but worth having a talk and finding out more detail. Like is he happy how things are etc

Thank you I really hope you get the desired response aminuts23
I think my pride is just shot to pieces.
Have that awful swallowed a brick feeling!

I did. He did say he loved me, but over time it became increasingly obvious that he really didn't. It took me a long time to walk away though and, honestly, I see now he was a coward for not ending it himself.

In your situation if DP had said he wasn't there yet but he could see himself being so down the line, or that he did see a future with you, I'd definitely give him some time. But the "doesn't know if he'll ever be", I'd be calling it a day.

Sorry OP. Unrequited love really sucks. Don't linger. Let yourself start getting over it now

I didn't get to the stage where I said I love you. I did however end a realtionship after a few months when during a holiday, a waiter asked my so called boyfriend if I was his girlfriend. I heard him reply, no she's just a bit of fun.
I was devasted, I brazened it out for the duration of the holiday and ended it the day we got back.

Awoof I know I wouldn't. There's no point for me. He seems intent on pushing me away which is sad when the reasons he gives are misguided in the extreme. I really do feel your pain x

No. I didn't have the insight.

But looking back I think it was because I loved him/them more than I loved myself, if that makes sense.

Perhaps it is because you are capable of deep love too, so take some solace (and credit) in that. However, it can also be "keen girl" syndrome, who wants to love a man and doesn't value herself.

I would be gone. I think after a year together he would " be there" or would have stopped wasting your time long ago instead of stringing you along for a year. Yes it can take time to truly love someone, but he's told you he doesn't feel the same and doesn't know if he ever will or not. You deserve someone who is going to love you equally or its just one sided and you will never be fully happy with him.

Yes OP. I've done just that very recently, after 6 months. I was concerned we were straying into a Friends With Benefits type of relationship, rather than anything meaningful developing. Luckily for me I wasn't really in love with him precisely because he didn't seem to be feeling like that about me either. If my affection was being reciprocated, then I'd have fallen for him. We are now trying to figure out if it's worth trying to remain platonic friends instead.

People do say, listen to what someone is telling you. It's the truth
Even if the truth isnt what you want to hear
or as maya angelou says
When someone tells you who they are, listen the first time

Much younger me did not - and I should have done. I look back and think "he told me 6 months in - why the fuck did I waste another 4 and a half years of my life on him?" I wish I had walked away then. Of course, hindsight is 20-20, and back then I was in leurve.

What you do is up to you - but I think the kicker is not so much the "I'm not sure I'm there yet", it's the "and I'm not sure if I'll ever be."

Wise words all.
Thank you so much