My boyfriend and I are not together at the moment (as of a few days ago) because we need some time apart to better ourselves before trying again. I can’t bring myself to call him my ex because we both are completely positive this is only temporary and we’re going to get back together soonish. When we’re ready basically. We know we’re each other’s person, we love each other deeply, and we both see a future with each other. 

I’m having a difficult time being apart. He’s my best friend and my safe space. I made a post on another subreddit yesterday and the comments I got were extremely rude. I was being told he was lying to me, wasn’t loyal to me, and that there was no way we would last because our relationship hadn’t been “long enough” by their standards. I just wanted some encouragement and advice on how to push through this barrier of time. 

He and I have agreed to only talk every other week for now so that we don’t jump back in before we’re ready. But these comments had made me begin to lose hope so I messaged him, we talked on Facetime for a bit, and he told me the person was lying to me, this really is temporary, he does love me, and we’re going to get back together at some point. This made me feel better and he sent me a little video saying all these things for when people try and get in my head. 

I’m working on my anxiety because it’s so hard to even function daily with it. But this is something my anxiety is letting me feel good about and it never does that. It’s letting me feel good that we’re going to get back together because we’re each other’s person and we love each other and we have plans. 

We know of several couples who broke up in college but got back together and are happily married now. I think this helps me cool down too from worrying. I just have dreams that feel so real like we’re okay but then I wake up and he’s not here. This makes my anxiety freak out and I watch that video he sent me. I’m going home from college for a few days which is easy because everything is online. 

If anyone has any encouraging words or advice on how to manage my anxiety during this beginning period I will happily take it. I can only take optimism right now or I’m going to give up and cry more. Please, please only say optimistic things...