How My First Breakup Gave Me A Reality Check | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Relationships

How My First Breakup Gave Me A Reality Check

Sometimes the hardest experiences only make us stronger.

143
How My First Breakup Gave Me A Reality Check
UnsolicitedAdvice

As a college student, I was prepared to experience a bunch of “firsts.” First time being away from home, first time pulling an all-nighter, first time going to a fraternity party.

However, I was unaware that one of my “firsts” would consist of my first break-up.

I came to Wesleyan with multiple academic scholarships, while my boyfriend came for academics, as well as baseball. After enduring a long-distance relationship with this boy for nearly two years, college seemed like the happily-ever-after for our relationship.

I was wrong.

The first couple of weeks was an adjustment. My boyfriend and I went from seeing each other a couple times a month to literally living across the hall from one another. It seemed like something out of a Hollywood love story. We would wake up, go to breakfast, go to class, study together, eat dinner, hang out, go to sleep, and repeat it all the next day. We were with each other so much that the smell of his after-shave cologne began to stick to my clothes even when I wasn’t with him.

It wasn’t long before problems began to arise. He made friends well before I did, leaving me to do nothing but watch him and his friends play video games. The resentment and tension grew every day. I wanted him to spend more time with me, while he wanted to go out and have fun with his baseball team. We began to take each other for granted. Picking fights about almost anything and everything. It was toxic, but at the time I was blinded by my need for affection, and so I pushed and pushed until he finally broke.

So there I am. At 1:42 a.m., lying on my dorm room floor, crying about the fact that the love of my life had just broken my heart. I was in shock, for I never thought he would take this step and leave me. I cried, I begged, I told him I would change, but the reality hit me that he was serious. He wasn’t interested in getting back together.

Over the next couple days, rumors began to fly. People were voluntarily giving me information about how he was so happy and telling me all of the horrible things he was saying about me. (Spoiler Alert: These rumors were just that. Rumors)

I had zero motivation to get out of bed, I stopped eating and ended up losing 10 pounds in one week. My friends and family constantly reassured me that the pain would subside, but all I wanted was to be alone. The color in my face increasingly faded over time and it wasn’t until I looked in the mirror that I saw how unrecognizable I was. The moment I stepped on the scale and saw my weight, I knew I needed to get better ASAP.

Hours turned to days, days soon turned into a week, and although my heart was still aching, I slowly found the strength to feel like my old self again. After a week or so, I started to think that maybe this wasn’t the worst thing to happen to me. I came to the understanding that I had been so concerned and focused on my then ex-boyfriend’s well-being, that I had forgotten what it was like to focus on me. I found the will to take care of my health again and I began to channel all of my energy into doing things that I thought were important. Suddenly jokes became funny again. Food and water agreed with my taste buds once more. I was on my way to a better Lauren, and I was happy about it.

My ex at the time began to see the changes I was making, not for him, but for me. We ended up talking things out and realizing that there were issues we both needed to fix about ourselves. We were ready to try again, but this time it wouldn’t be toxic. Surprisingly, I’m beyond happy and thankful I was hit with my first heartbreak. It was still no doubt definitely unexpected and not quite one of my favorite memories. However, had this never happened, I know that I would still be extremely unhealthy. This break-up taught me that I only have one life to live, and no matter how much I love a boy, my health, and my individual self should always be my number one priority.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Taylor Swift in orange dress playing a moss-covered piano on stage with bright lights.

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

24113
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
Students walking on a sunny college campus with trees and buildings.

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

10079
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Power of Dressing Up

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

7313
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments