Reflecting on the End of Work Guy

Ange saved me. She made me see how I should have never dated this guy in the first place. She had disliked his arrogance. Perhaps this is why I hadn't filled her on much of what was going on lately. Deep down, I knew it was wrong.

I went over to her house and spilled all about the dumping I received from Work Guy. I gave her the details on why I had gotten so upset with him over and over. His reaction was always a defense. A sly manipulation that made me feel like I was over reacting or stupid. How he skirted ever addressing our communication or validating why I would feel left out or embarrassed or annoyed.

I do things wrong in relationships. Everyone does. But I at least tried to talk about it.

I can be silly and childish and impatient and anxious. I won't say I am always mature. But I sure as hell won't say Work Guy is.

After he practically stalked me into dating him, rebuffed my need for space to grow into a healthy relationship he tells me it isn't healthy for me to expect the same level of attention I had grown used to. Acts like he contributes way more to "us" because he overuses the phrase "I love you" and brings me gifts while refusing to acknowledge the defunct communication. Yet during all of that, I should have made him feel more loved. Apparently the only way I could have done that was just never to get upset. Ange said any normal person would have been upset.

Then he TEXTED me to circumnavigate the cold hard fact he is no longer interested in a relationship with me. Makes me feel broken, and stupid. Like I ruined it completely, all by myself. Tries to get me to be the one to end things because the relationship isn't going to result in marriage or children... my clock is ticking so he's doing me a favor. Played on the notion that I am approaching 30, which he knows bothers me. Very effective, hairy man.

I am so lucky this guy only wasted 8 months of my time.

Red Flags I learned from this relationship:
If a guy lays it on that thick- he is full of shit
When someone says "It will be fine" stop them right there and tell them to go to hell
In a conversation about something that upsets you, never let a guy make you feel like you have no right to feel that way. They are your feelings. People are bound to step on one another's toes from time to time. The only way to move past it is to talk.
Go with your gut. When you start questioning, start walking.

Thank you, Work Guy. Not for being a coward and breaking up with me via text or making me need to find a new place of employment or all the flowers or nice places you took me to... but for going away.