At Bounce, on the Upper East Side Vanessa and I walked in, gazed at the crowd, and parked our butts on the wooden stools debating over a bottle of red or white. Not anticipating to meet anyone, I landed my eyes on a cutie who Vanessa knew. Minutes later he swayed over to say hi to her! Introductions between us were made, and as we were all “hanging” out, Eric decided he was hungry, and quickly the empty seat next to me was taken!
I smirked at Vanessa who knew exactly what my brain was thinking, cute, 30’s, Jewish, and TALL, I can wear those heels my mother’s always telling me NOT to buy! As Vanessa vanishes to do a lap leaving Eric and I chatting. He was telling me about how he just broke off his engagement. My RED FLAG was up! As the “Maven” and also quite curious I asked what made them call it off. After all, most people know that what goes on behind closed doors no one ever really knows. Bottom line he told me they were different.
“Different, how?”
“She’s regimented and flexibility isn’t her style. We were on 2 different agenda’s. She likes going to bed early, I’m a night owl. She would eat early, and going out and being “social” wasn’t her thing. She always needed reservations, would never wing it and hang or sit at a bar.
“Not eat at a bar, are you kidding me?”
“Nope!”
“But, it’s hard because I still care about her. But hopefully I have finally acknowledged we just aren’t on the “same page.” And, long term this will pose more problems.”
“Yes, differences can usually cause irresolvable issues and problems, I’ve been there myself. I learned love doesn’t conquer all.”
“We’ve postponed our engagement/wedding twice now.”
“Word to the wise Eric, a leopard doesn’t change its spots. No matter how bad you want to make something fit COMFORTABLY it just doesn’t. Even when two people care about each other, and maybe still love each other doesn’t fix something that’s broken. No matter how hard you try to make something work, when two minds don’t 85-90% of the time see eye to eye, the relationship typically will always be stressful. And, often as time goes by you’ll end up resenting the person. Couples should be the very best of friends and LOVE doing things together, (and not just dinners out) it makes for a fun and exciting journey. But, remember when you break up it’s ALWAYS easier to remember the good and somehow FORGET the bad.”
“I know you are right, I guess it just happened so it’s all so new.”
“Yes, you will. Change is hard, but long term it maybe for the best. A friend once told me if you don’t shut one door completely, then a new door may never open.”
What some men and women don’t understand, or can’t seem to “grasp” is, YES breaking up IS hard especially when you still care, and have feelings for the other. After breaking up, some men and women tend to go back to the “well,” for a few more rounds, it’s our comfort zone, and doesn’t rack up those numbers! But after awhile, the well does “dry up,” and you’ll realize, and figure out it isn’t what it used to be. You’re vision is clearer, and understanding that as a couple you just don’t work, and that just maybe you’re better off as friends. We should all remember trying to make something work when FULLY AWARE that’s it’s broken will never be fixed or ultimately what we really want. We can try time and time again to give it another try, and even if you get back together for the moment you maybe content. But as the days, weeks, or months go by I can almost promise, and assure you that you’ll be back to that same place you were when you made the decision to split up. (Two different people who as a couple just don’t work)!
My Maven advice to everyone who is going back and forth, and second guessing their decisions and, for many they need to do, go with your initial gut instinct and what your heart is telling you that, he or she isn’t the “one” for me. And, as hard as it maybe to let him or her go and move on, do it. For me the hardest thing I ever did was breaking up with Sebastian. But I can attest that it does get easier. Looking back now it was the best decision I made, to finally realize that no matter what we tried to do, solve, or fix as a couple we just didn’t work. Are men and women hanging onto their relationships for fear of change, or is the fear of the unknown of what’s going to happen after I let him, or her go really what’s holding us back from moving on?