How to forget someone that you loved before? Please help.

Philippines
November 15, 2010 11:57am CST
I had one boyfriend before when I was still in college. We had a special something going on with our lives like we had a relationship. He was the campus crush. Not many guys there in school are that handsome though so he really stands out among most of them. Then he already graduated because he was ahead of me. He got his first job instantly and got busy with his life. We just had a small amount of communication that time and after quite some time I was not able to receive text messages from him anymore. Then one time he told me that he is already having another girl in his life who is just his officemate. My world crashed that time. I was really feeling down and suffered months to get him off my mind. Now that I am already thru with him, I have entertained lots of suitors. Had some relationships as well but just not that deep. Years have passed. I was working in a company before which pays really good then I resigned for some personal reasons. I have worked in another com[any after resigning there in an instant and already got promoted there. Then when that previous company wanted me to join them once again, I accepted their offer. I got to go back. When I was there in that company earlier the time I was already gonna submit my pending requirements like birth certificate and NBI clearances, I got to see this guy who I was talking about whom I loved the most before! He was not able to see me. Good thing he did not. I was like frozen from where I am standing. Made my knees go weak. I was like a melting candle. I really do not know what to do. Going back home I remembered the things that we have been through when we were together. Then I also remembered how my life has been after breaking up with him. Now I am having a problem right now how will I be able to forget him if from time to time I will be able to see him. Please help guys, thank you.
5 people like this
27 responses
@stevecsh (48)
• Malaysia
15 Nov 10
Hello my dear, No one can help you to solve your problem. Even they offer you a thousand solutions, if you still cant get rid of it on your own, you won't be successful and forever you'll be haunt by your past. In short, self determination is very important. People says time heals. But for me, self determination is the best medicine. Even I give you one year, if your self determination is not strong, you'll get nowhere. In fact, you'll be healed even in a month time if your self determination to forget bout your past and move on with your life is very strong. See the differences my dear. Even when both of you had separated, its not the end of the world. Both of you might be friend again as sometimes I think, being friend is better than a partner in life. Don't get upset over little stuff like this. There's still loads of nice moments and stuff to be enjoyed and experienced in this world. Be positive and think that, this guy might not be your Mr. Right. If he did not appeared in your life, if both of you did not break up, you won't realise that, your Mr. Right has already appeared in your life later on. Cheer my dear. Love is not everything. When it comes to love, I'm sure all have their own stories to share. Its just a matter of how you handle it. ^^
1 person likes this
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
Thank you so much for the nice response. You are correct that I am the only person who can help myself regarding that situation. I guess what I need the most right now is closure to that past and strong focus to get on with my life with my work. Thank you for the nice wishes. Have a great week.
• Philippines
19 Nov 10
I guess I will have to travel next year. I am going to start working now in a company and there he is already. That is why I am really getting so paranoid about it. But I will just make myself cool at the moment when I meet him face to face.
• Malaysia
19 Nov 10
You're welcome. Try moving on. During this time, friends are very important. Hang out more with your friends. Expand your networks. Enjoy stuff you love to do. Go travel. and yes. Traveling is good at this point of time!
16 Nov 10
Well being honest about this, i dont think we ever forget - its a case of we live with it and move on as best we can. Avoiding someone is not really a good option, neither is burying your head in the sand. One day someone else will come along and light up your life that will be the time you will wonder to yourself what you actually saw in him in the first place.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
Awww... Thank you for that inspiring response. I can't wait for that time to happen to be able to Mr. Right in the future. Have a great week.
• United States
16 Nov 10
You are not going to like my response.I think you may never Totally forget him. It seems like he was a huge part of your life at one time. And now if you are going to see him from time to time , thr feelings will come back in your mind. That's natural. But if he is over you , you have to try to move on. There is a guy ut there who will love you as much as you love him. But first you have to let your heart heal. Avoiding him Won't do it. Only time will. It will be hard but not impossible. The way I got over the guy I Thought I loved was by talking Everyhthin out with my best friend. Hr help me see that it wasn't really love but desire . He helped me keep my heart open . So when My guy cane along , I was All mended and ready for him! So talk it out with a close friend .ood Luck .Take Care.
• United States
16 Nov 10
You are Welcome. It will take time and it isn't easy , but take it from me, There is a guy out there who will Cherish you.
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
Hello! Thank you for this. I already have forgotten all about him a long time ago,. It just keeps on coming back now. I have suffered so much before thinking about it after we broke up for no good reason and I guess the main reason would be the third party. Well it was not my fault for sure and I wanted to have some closure, Although I know I already know that during confrontations I will not be the one who screwed up, I still wanted to hear to him and let him admit that it is his mistake and not mine. Thank you for this nice response.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
18 Nov 10
I am not in a rush. There really are lots out there. And I will not even make some effort finding one because all I have to do is choose from a long list of men who wants to court me or date me out. I just don't want to fool them and tell them that I am not ready yet or pretend to them that everything's fine with me.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
Hello aaronfyzeon, Personally, i cannot relate. but letting him go was for you to decide, basically, if almost every guy back in your time was like him, then you would have plenty of choice to make.. there are other guys, but try to be open minded and not compare so much with him since he's different and all the guys you're getting to know with in the future are different too. might be better than him. so, my point is, give others a fighting chance to get to know you, and show what they got.. I have gotten over only few people i have liked my entire life. not because there was a special moment but because i never got the opportunity to make it special that i screw up. well, that's my life. you still have more to do, there's more time than him.
• Philippines
17 Nov 10
that's great fyzeon.
• Philippines
18 Nov 10
Thank you once again. Wish me luck when that time comes. I will be more than ready for it.
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
Well LetranKnight that makes you different from a lot of guys out there. Some guys will be someone they are not just to win the heart of the girl but you, you just had been yourself and those few girls that you had accepted you despite of screwing up. Thank you so much for the great response and I will definitely accept your advice. I think I just need a closure from that past relationship. Of course I would not want to compare each guys that I know but then I am still stuck from that past that I am not able to move on. So it is time for me to free myself already from all this.
@GDTimothy (446)
• United States
16 Nov 10
For me it is not a matter of forgetting! Rather, we must simply "move on!" I cannot forget the past loves I had had, but time has allowed me to move on. And I don't want to forget! But I simply put that past love behind me, in a sense, and move on by carrying on my present life. Enjoy the memories - they are what makes us who we are! So don't try to forget. Just move on. :-) Just my two cents.
• United States
20 Nov 10
You are welcome! These matters of the heart can be really hard to deal with. I do wish you good luck!
• Philippines
20 Nov 10
Yes it is really hard to deal with these kind of matters but for sure I will be able to do it. I have been with a lot of tough situations in life before so this will just be easy on me. The hardest part is that he started to ask me out again. I hope I will be able to resist him with his proposals. Thank you for responding back.
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
I agree that I should just move on from the past. I have suffered so much before thinking about it after we broke up for no good reason and I guess the main reason would be the third party. Well it was not my fault for sure and I wanted to have some closure, Although I know I already know that during confrontations I will not be the one who screwed up, I still wanted to hear to him and let him admit that it is his mistake and not mine. Thank you for this nice response.
1 person likes this
@creyos (275)
• Indonesia
15 Nov 10
Hi, I wanna share to you since I have a best friend who has the same experience as you. I knew her from our junior high school, and I knew her boyfriend that she was really in love with. The same fact with you, he's our senior in the school, but he's not handsome, he's may be kind of charming gentleman. The other facts is my friend was among of the favourite or pretty girls in our school while he was the president of student organization. As we're in the same school until senior high, I knew exactly that she really loved him which they had broken up but then got back together again until the final year of senior high. I didn't know what's happened until that time since I left the school for taking foundation in other country. However, I heard from her that they had a big quarrel and no other way than broke up. But she said that he's her first love that she loved so much and eventhough she had married to another guy, she can't forget about him even sometimes curious and still think yet miss him within years. And it came a day similar like you which she suddenly met him in an ATM queue. She, firstly, recognised his smell, then all of a sudden she had a strong feeling that he's near her. And it's true, he just stood up 2 peoples behind her. I feel it's a bit weird that he didn't see her or maybe just being cool. Well about my friend's condition, she told me that suddenly she's like flying from the ground, a strong heart beat, panic attack and not being herself. In which, she's rushing her activity and walk with a face down then running to get in the car. Afterall, she thought deeply about her feeling and she didn't want to have this feeling always haunted her life. So that, she decided to meet him with whatever results. She thought she has to fight her feelings by talking and asking few questions that she kept in mind long time ago. Everything, finally, was being settled after she met him face to face. But she didn't say or ask anything to him, the case of her feeling was closed once she met him and talking a while in which she found out that she doesn't have the feeling anymore as she thought before. If he's not changed, maybe she, herself, had been changed through all the years and moments. She just didn't care about her past story with him and she thanked God for not being with him. I apologised for my long response to you, however, due to my best friend's case which similar like yours, I wanna say that we should dare to face our past because the good thing is it's not always happened as you afraid to. As time goes by, sure peoples are changed as well as their environment or experiences. We never know if we don't try (to get over it).
1 person likes this
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
Hello there crayos! Thank you so much for the detailed yet very nice response for this column I posted. Please do not apologize for being so detailed about it. It is a natural thing to have a panic attack mode like that if we are put in that situation same as mine and your friend. We are just normal human beings. As for her she just needed closure in her life with that guy she had loved before. Just like me I will just have to face him and get cool about it if that time comes that I will be able to meet him up again face to face which is really going to happen really soon.
@soleya (1100)
• Latvia
16 Nov 10
I don't really know how to forget someone you once loved. I used to have relationships with a guy 5 years ago, it didn't work out, but I still miss him. Even tonight I had a dream about him and it felt so real. I woke up and felt so bad after that dream. I know it is silly to think about a guy with whom you will never be together and who is not thinking about you, but I can't help myself. Even if I have my own happy marriage now, I still sometimes think about the past.
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
There is nothing wrong imagining things and remembering the past. the problem will arise if you met that person from the past and start having sweet talks from him again. Be faithful and be loyal to the current love now. It is not worth it if they let you go that time in the first place. thank you for this nice response.
@thaMARKER (2503)
• Philippines
17 Nov 10
make yourself busy. that's it. i know that from time to time, he's in your head we cant control that for the most part of moving on. but just find something that'll make you occupied. something that would make you smile.
• Philippines
18 Nov 10
I would have to agree that keeping yourself busy will make you focused on much important and productive things rather than thinking about it most of the times. Thank you for the nice response. Have a great day.
• Portugal
16 Nov 10
maybe he appeared in your life again bcs you are meant to be together^^ did you think about it? i understand that you dont want to get hurt again. but its ok if you see him bcs maybe he appeared for a reason. so dont run away from it. if you see him act normal. he might tell you something. maybe he even stopped to see that other girl. maybe he still will have feelings for you too when he sees you again. destiny moves in strange ways and maybe this one was for you and him be finally together. so dont run away let him see you next time i mean not in a obvious way but if you see him just keep doing what you were supposed to do and if he sees you and says hi just act normal and talk with him. he might still like you so dont lose a chance to be happy. even if you get hurt at least you wont regret later on. he appeared for some reason. so let things happen
• Philippines
18 Nov 10
Maybe that is a fact. Maybe it was destiny's plan. But if he has done something to me before like that then it can also repeat what happened again before. I think that is enough already. I just want to have a closure from him though. So that I could really move on. Thank you so much for this nice response. Have a great weekend ahead.
• Thailand
19 Nov 10
Your story is a sad love's story. Seem that you still remain loving him. But you know, he is married. So, your hope is never come true. I am a man and married now too. I think the best thing you could do now is spend your time in job. When you meet him, just consider him as an old friend, just talk to him as normal friend you have meet. You can also go out, make new friend so that you don't have time to miss him. Maybe, when you go out and meet friend, you can find another man who handsome and love you too. Some response, hope you will have a good love.
• Philippines
19 Nov 10
No he was not yet married then those times when we broke up. But I really do not know what is his status right now. I would care less because I am not interested with him anymore. I just want a closure. I wanted to know what did went wrong with our relationship since I was the one who tries to send him messages before. But not a single reply from him. Thank you for your hopes to me. Thank you as well for the nice post and have a wonderful weekend ahead of you.
@beeh13u (1038)
• Philippines
15 Nov 10
My college boyfriend broke up with me last month. I love him so much but he says I don't time for him. It's a long story. But I have to let him go. He doesn't want me anymore. I can see it in his eyes and the way he treats me doesn't feel the same as before. I have no choice but to let him go and move on. All I did was cry so that I can let all those feelings out at the same time. Then I begin writing and I forgot about him after a week. I still have dreams though. I dreamed that he wants me back. When I woke up, I can't help but cry again. I can lift my head everyday by telling myself everything will come out OK. There's something greater out there that life wants to give. I can be happy since I was happy before I met him. And I know you'll be happy. Time can heal wounds right? Take care.
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
I already got over it a very long time ago. Time healed all wounds and made me stronger as time passed by.. You are absolutely right about this. Let us just focus on ourselves and our family. The right person for us will just come along our way soon while we are not expecting it. Have a great week ahead and thank you so much for the nice response.
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
yeah me too i broke up with my girl months back and I'm having a hard time moving on. The reason why people call me the rainman is because of the fact that every time it rains hard outside I usually go outside no to bathe in the rain but to cry so that people won't notice I smile while I cry. That's the most weirdest thing that I ever did in my life. And just to wrap things up I don't know what moving on means because I know I cannot find another girl like her.
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
Awww I am so sorry to hear that. Do not worry. You will be able to find one good girl to love you more than what the ex gf you had loving you. It is also nic to see a man crying in the rain. I would like to join you then.
@uniteamm (18)
• Philippines
17 Nov 10
well, trying to forget some who become part of our lives is definitely impossible because they live a mark inside our heart. stop trying to forget him, instead start re-living your life back to normal, i know that's hard but it is harder to live in the past right? keep reminding yourself that perhaps, it is not meant to be and that fate has something far more better than him for you. live a life of fond memories that with hatred
• Philippines
18 Nov 10
thank you for this. I really did not get your last two sentences. Anyway, I think he thought that there is a far better thing for him than being stuck on me like that before that's why he has chosen another girl. I don't have hatred anymore inside my heart but I just want to have a closure from the past and know what are the things that made him replace me with other girl. Because I know clearly that I have done nothing wrong but to love him. That makes me had a great mistake in my life.
@saqi78 (1402)
• Malaysia
15 Nov 10
I was reading an article and I found the following things very good in this context, this may help you a little if you practice Romantic relationships can be really complicated and end up in a bad breakup. The worst thing about these "sad endings" is that at least one heart ends up broken. Getting over a break up can be tough. Sometimes, it's even hard for both sides--after all, breaking up is not easy to do. It hurts to throw away your story with someone--all the good memories and the dreams and plans you two had for the future. Mending a broken heart takes time and patience. But you must face the fact that your heart is broken. It doesn't matter if you wish things could be different or if you even regret something you did. It doesn't matter if you think you shouldn't have become that involved with that person or if you're angry and looking for revenge. The fact is: Your heart is broken! This relationship advice can help. There were eight steps explained in that article, these are Step 1 Cry out everything you have to cry about! Step 2 Get busy! Step 3 Spend some time with your friends Step 4 Avoid the person! Step 5 Go out and see some different faces! Step 6 Avoid every kind of romantic thing! Step 7 Take good care of yourself Step 8 Accept the process Well, forgetting someone is not so easy, as it ll take time and I am sure you are strong enough to do it and you can do it. And most important thing is it depends on you so be strong and realize your self that you can do it, Believe that, take a deep breath and move on! Your life's waiting for you, baby! Have a good and nice dreams...:
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
Thank you so much. I guess I will just have to be strong when that time comes that I will be able to meet him face to face. I will have to be firm for whatever my decision would be. What is this with baby thing you have said?
• United States
15 Nov 10
well if you think about it everybody once in there life break up with there boy friends and have there heart broken once in there life.
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
that's really hard to think about it...well, the better thing you will do it, is to forget the feelings or i mean, stop thinking about the guy...express yourself in other things that you think you can forget him...communicate with other friends or accept some suitors, date with them...think of some happiness that will disregard your feelings for him...i know, its not hard to do that and not hard to express it through your changes in life...in a little bit days or time, you will really forget everything's done with your life and realized to face the future without him...hope that will make sense...thanks...
• Philippines
18 Nov 10
I guess I am now ready to do that. But after from the long period of not getting ready I am afraid to love again. Thank you for the nice response.
@pro134 (45)
• China
16 Nov 10
Hello aaronfyzeon,hope you better now.don't try to forget your previous bf purposely. How could you forget the thing that come up in your mind everyday.just let it go, no mention. Time will help you,and one day,you will meet your mr. right, who will treat you as his own life with his heat, who will love you more than anyone else. what's more,it is stupid to cry by reason of other's fault. you are an excellent girl,wish you all the best.
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
Yes I guess you are right. Time will really heal all wounds. Thank you for the compliments. I guess I will just wait for the time to happen in meeting Mr. Right. Thank you for the nice response and have a great day.
@ebuscat (5935)
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
For me if you never mind his and stop thinking of the time when you are boyfriend.
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
Thank you for this. Have a great day.
@pogi253 (1586)
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
Time heals. You will go all the way through a painful period but in time you will forgive and forget. Move on, there are a lot of other men waiting for you. :)
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
I agree that time already healed the wound. I have suffered so much before thinking about it after we broke up for no good reason and I guess the main reason would be the third party. Well it was not my fault for sure and I wanted to have some closure, Although I know I already know that during confrontations I will not be the one who screwed up, I still wanted to hear to him and let him admit that it is his mistake and not mine. I know that a lot of men waiting there for me but I will still give a chance to know what went wrong. Before I indulge myself entertaining other men again. Thank you for this nice response.
@hanni711 (243)
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
I'm already a mother but I can still relate to your story. I also had a boyfriend whom I call "my first love" when I was still single. It took me years to totally get him off my mind. The first that I did was to make a decision. A decision that I need to totally forget him and consider him just part of my past. Life has to go on for me without him and without his memories. We can't live with our past or it will always haunt us. The only thing that I can advise you is not to accept that job where he works also. It would be better if you will not see him yet with that kind of feelings in you.As I told you, you have to make a decision because you're not yet ready to see him. You have to be emotionally stable before you decide to see him face to face.
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
It is really good that you were able to move on. I think all I need right now is the closure from that past. I know we will be able to meet again soon as i start to work in that company. I will talk to him personally and ask what went wrong. then I will be able finally free myself already from this past that hasn't made me move on since then. Thank you for this. Have a great week.
@saihai (128)
• India
16 Nov 10
I think that's impossible. But is forgot when times go on. At first engaged to other daily works. All time busy with some works. Time spends with friends. If you a employee, then concentrated your works. And if you a students, Then concentrated your studies. If any problems occurs then it share with your best-friends and good friends. You don't face your ex-boyfriends at any cost. That's help you. Trust me your Mr.perfect will must come in your life, who loves you much more. And mind it, you do everything what was possible for you,. If any one lost, that's your boyfriend.
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
I agree that if I make myself busy then I will forget all this. But knowing he is just out there around the corner would make me distracted all the time. But I should not be worried about that because everything that has happened has a purpose. Maybe to bring the strong side of me or keep me tough. Thank you for this.
16 Nov 10
Don't remembering that thing that he got on you remembering its just person that you love before and that the end of the story then move on girl its not bad to love someone but girl if doesn't work any more Time would heal the wound
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
I agree that time already healed the wound. I have suffered so much before thinking about it after we broke up for no good reason and I guess the main reason would be the third party. Well it was not my fault for sure and I wanted to have some closure, Although I know I already know that during confrontations I will not be the one who screwed up, I still wanted to hear to him and let him admit that it is his mistake and not mine. Thank you for this nice response.