Is it normal to feel this sad?

[TooManyAnimals94]

I've been dating someone for about 6m. I'd come out of a 10yr relationship that ended when he cheated just after we had a baby. Absolutely horrible.
New guy was brilliant- kind, sweet, we enjoyed doing the same things. If I'm honest I don't think I ever saw us going the distance as he wants his own children and I don't want anymore. I'm pretty sure he thought I'd change my mind eventually but I won't.
Anyway, I saw a message come up from a girl on Hinge on his phone on Friday night and we had a massive row as we had agreed we were exclusive. The messages hadn't gone beyond "what do you do for work" kind of stuff but the intent was obviously there.
I've ended it but I'm devastated. I keep crying and doubting my decision. Ultimately I'm sure it would have ended at some point because I just know he isn't "my" person and maybe he sensed that and that's why he was looking elsewhere.
He insists he loves me and it's a silly mistake and forgive him etc.
Is it normal to feel this awful over something that didn't really have a future anyway? It was just so nice having someone to talk to and do stuff with. I have friends, I'm not a recluse but we went to a wedding last week and it was so lovely to just feel WITH someone. Maybe I'm missing that more than I'm missing him?

Thanks if you got to the end of this boring waffle. It's raining, I'm bored and sad waiting for him to come get his stuff.

It sounds like you were feeling rejection and that's what's upset you OP. You said yourself you don't think he's your person. Maybe you just liked the companionship.
Keep dating new people until you find your special someone

Oh that’s shit and cowardly of him. If it wasn’t really going anywhere long term, perhaps it’s better that he’s out the way, time spent with him could potentially be time missed out on with the right person.

It’s natural to be sad when a relationship ends, OP. It hurts to discover he was looking for someone else while he was with you. But if he’d picked up that you didn’t want another child, it wasn’t going to go the distance and the longer you stayed together the harder it would be when it ended.

Sending you a hug. It hurts, but one day you’ll be glad you didn’t stay with the wrong man.

You 100% did the right thing by ending it don't doubt that. In a way it's a blessing you found out what he's really like before wasting years on another cheat.
My advice is only get into a relationship if they can offer you what you are looking for in return, he didn't real the right man from the beginning, listen to that, don't force a relationship out of wanting one, it will only attract the wrong kind.

Thanks everyone, you're all right. I'm sad about losing the closeness and companionship and having to start over- I hate dating 😭
I haven't dumped many people and I didn't realise he would get so upset and it's made me feel very guilty and horrible.

I've experienced basically exactly the same thing OP. Marriage ended due to cheating post-baby, and my next relationship sounds very similar. He was more into it than I was but it ended when I found out he was talking to/seeing other people. We were probably together a little longer, maybe 18m or so.

In my case, and maybe in yours too, it hit me hard because I think it brought back a lot of feelings I experienced when my marriage ended, and the feeling of being "alone" again is never pleasant.

I read somewhere that the first break up AFTER your marriage/longterm relationship breaks down is always really difficult.

I went on to meet my lovely DP, who I really can see a future with, so don't give up on dating (when you're ready)

It's natural to feel sad about this but don't feel guilty, he lied by saying he wanted to be exclusive to you, he is very much in control of not wanting to talk to other women, yet he thought he could still keep his options open, he's only sorry he was caught.