Leaving LTR, only one ever known

[wonderingwherewhy]

Looking for people to share experiences of leaving a LTR, specifically when it's the only one you've ever had. What sort of thoughts did you have around it, any regret etc?

Part of me thinks that people shouldn't be with the same person forever. We've been together since quite young and don't know anything else so the idea of ending it is so scary but it also just feels like it's come to a natural end. We're different people now and it's just not working as a romantic relationship.

Anyone been in this boat?

Bump. Anyone?

What’s an LTR?
only you can decided wherever you are happy in a relationship, but of course there is life there without that relationship. Life carries on and is too short.
good luck x

Sorry, LTR is Long Term Relationship

If your reason for leaving is 'people shouldn't be with the same person forever,' you might be in for some regret.

You say it feels like it's come to the end, but don't mention any specific problems. Most relationships progress when you start doing big things as a team (eg. marriage, buying a home, having a child). However, a relationship can continue without these things.

What is it that you feel is missing, from the person closest to you? It's not an easy role to replace, so try to recognise the good things they bring. That said; for most people their life partner is a teammate. You embark on things together and get stuff done together.

If you want to end it, you should have an idea of what you want that's different (after the initial healing period). People think that having different partners in sequence gives variety - really it just gives the monotony of connections that are shallower then they could be.

I've never had a conventional, aspirational relationship, but I've had long acquaintances with a few people. It seems an LTR does bring up new issues like boredom and the existential thing ('is this it'?)
But one should never take for granted, the fact that someone's chosen to spend so much intimate time with you.