1. Us Us


Early on in the breakup process, you can’t help but reminisce about how it felt when the two of you were together. Now, the other person’s absence feels palpable, like an unwanted phantom limb. When you’re in bed by yourself, your foot habitually searches for theirs under the covers. You grab your phone to text them, then stop yourself mid-sentence. You consider splitting a recipe and cooking for one, but it doesn’t feel worth the math. Should you even bother to finish your favorite Hulu series alone, since all you’ll want to do is discuss it over leftover Chinese and a bottle of pinot?

You thought they were Your Person.

And yet…

A freshly cut heart can be a tricky bastard; at the start of a relationship’s end, it clings to mostly sunny memories. Maybe this is how we protect ourselves from getting too upset over making an imperfect choice. Because, sure, they’d call when they said they would, but they never finished your sentences the way an other half should. And while they’d always remember your birthday, their generic gifts made you question whether they understood your desires at all.

A small voice inside likely tried to tell you that things weren’t quite right, even as you told it to hush; nobody’s perfect. Next time, you won’t make the same mistake. Next time, you’ll listen.