Steps to take after such a long time
I am just looking for some advice abut how to let go emotionally from a guy that I haven't successfully let go of for the past 7 years( despite trying many times). I am posting in this thread because I know that it is not normal to be emotionally stuck in this situation for such a long time. I love him, have always loved him, and he says he likes me friendshipwise. He didn't start saying this of course & we were spending more time together & I just got closer and closer to him. He became one of my best friends, and someone I could go to to guide me in some life situations. He's done some mean things to me as well, but like I said its been a long ride for the past 7 years. Ive had boyfriends.. just to get him off my mind. They never work because my feelings have been so attached to him that I would always find fault with who I was dating.
Im now dating someone where although we have our issues, I do care about him a lot. But.. the physical attraction isn't the same & I find myself missing the other guy. But now he has a girlfriend & I have been trying to be civil about things and listen to him talk about his relationship & about mine as well. But I told him its hard for me.
Anyway, it really hurts that he went and asked someone else to be with him when I have been in his life for so many years. Its painful & I just have this feeling of being " passed over" & its seriously messing with myself esteem.
I know that I NEED to heal, but I literally don't know how at this point. Ive tried so many times by not seeing him or talking to him, but after a couple months I miss him terribly no matter where I am and who I'm with. I just feel like I want to talk to him, so we may talk, but after a couple of weeks or a month we end up sleeping together again & my feelings come back.
I know that it is so stupid, but I am just looking for a solid way that I can look at him as a friend, and be OK with that. I say this because he's been a part of my life for so long, and is one of the people who knows me best. He is so familiar and such a bright spot in my life that I don't want to let go totally. But my feelings for him are so hard to deal with at the same time. Any suggestions would help. Thanks!