Frankie Corettaa month ago"My boyfriend (20M) and I broke up a week ago, but it was on good terms, and he asked if we could still stay in contact. It’s been a week now, and I miss him so much. I love him, and I can't help but feel that way, even though he seems to be more distant. He’s been offline more often, but still texts me frequently, especially when I become a bit less responsive. We broke up for a few reasons, like distance and other things, but I just can’t stand not being with him. I miss everything about what we had—his smile, his silly laugh, all the little things. Some nights, I dream about him, and when I wake up, it hurts because the only texts I’ll get are just friendly ones, not the special good mornings we used to share." Answer: It sounds like you're going through a really tough time right now, and it’s completely understandable that you’re feeling this way. Breakups—even when they’re on good terms—can be incredibly hard, especially when you still have strong feelings for the person. Here’s some advice to help navigate this emotional period: Acknowledge your emotions: It's okay to miss him and feel sad. The emotional pull is natural, especially when you've shared so many meaningful moments. Give yourself permission to grieve the relationship and process your feelings. Respect the boundaries of the breakup: Even though you miss him, it's important to respect the decision to break up. The fact that he’s still in touch is a sign that he cares about you, but it’s also important to acknowledge that things have changed, and you both need space to adjust. Constantly holding onto the way things used to be could make it harder for both of you to move forward. Give yourself space to heal: While staying in contact may seem comforting, it can sometimes make it more difficult to move on, especially when you're longing for the special connection you had. Consider taking a step back from texting too much and allow yourself time to heal. It might hurt at first, but it could help you both in the long run. Focus on self-care: During this time, focus on doing things that make you feel good about yourself. Spend time with friends, pursue hobbies, or focus on things you might not have had time for during the relationship. Keeping yourself busy can help you manage the longing you feel and help you rediscover yourself outside of the relationship. Allow space for growth: Sometimes people break up for a reason, even if it’s not always clear at the time. It’s okay to miss him, but also remember that time apart can help both of you grow. There’s a chance that in the future, after some space, you might reconnect in a different way—or even find that the distance has helped you both in ways you didn’t expect. Take things one day at a time, and remember that your emotions are valid. Healing takes time, but with patience and self-compassion, you'll get through this.148