I've been in a very deep depression lately. It's been compounded by the fact that I never get to see my girlfriend anymore except once a week because our new work schedules are so incompatible.

Tonight she told me that she doesn't want to live together anymore. We're in a longterm housesitting situation right now, but once our friends return home, she wants to find separate apartments. She still wants to date, and still loves me, but feels like she can't grow without having a space of her own because she's never had one. She went from home, to roommates or prior partners, to living with me. So, she's never been on her own.

Before living with her I was always alone or living with roommates who I wasn't on a friendship level with. And, I hadn't had a girlfriend since High School. So, I was lonely in a lot of ways. And, that was thr biggest contribution to my depression in those days.

I feel devastated. I feel hollow and hurt and I'm realizing all the things we can't do if we don't live together. And, how much less time we'll have when we already have so little. I don't want to be alone again.

I respect her wishes and I understand why she feels she needs this. But, I'm scared.