Hi! I (22m, yes I know, very young!) have just had an 8 year relationship end on very disappointing terms. We met when I was 14, she was 13 and I know people say "High-school relationships never last" but damn I'm hurting bad. We broke up because I was really adamant on taking the next step, she just was not having it and so she broke things off with me, told me to find someone else and blocked me.
I'm not even sad? I saw this coming because every time I'd make financial plans to move in together or talk about the future, she'd always be dismissive. So I anticipated this for a year or so in advance. I just feel so… Empty. I spoke to this woman every single day for 8 years without fail. We grew up together and this breakup has really ruined me mentally. I just can't enjoy anything anymore.
It's been ~5 months since we broke up. I haven't texted her since. I respect her choices. I really want a serious relationship, but I can't even look at other women right now. Even though I'm single, it still feels like I'm cheating. How the hell do I move on? My friends keep telling me to just "Have fun" "Live a little" "You've been trapped for 8 years, go hook up"… But I don't even care about sex. I want a romantic life but I don't know how to move on in a way that won't sabotage me in the long run.