I was in a long-term relationship from 2015–2019 that ended peacefully, mainly due to my own mental health struggles at the time. After that, I was in another serious relationship from 2020–2023, which ended earlier this year
In October, I reconnected with my first partner, and we are now committed to trying again we met via a mutual unintentionally, my ex said he wanted to give “us” a chance and that the universe wanted us to reconnect in our best selves and he never stopped loving me . The connection feels genuine and mutual, and I care deeply about him and i still do love him tbh ,
What I’m struggling with is managing intrusive thoughts about his past relationship while we were apart. Knowing things like him meeting her family and traveling together triggers painful mental images for me. Logically, I understand we were both living our lives separately, and I don’t blame him — but emotionally, these thoughts are interfering with my sense of safety and peace in the present. I feel like what if i was a rebound or smth . How can someone work through intrusive thoughts about a partner’s past in a healthy way so they don’t damage a current relationship they want to build?