Okay, this may take a while.. .
Me and my girlfriend have been going out for six years now, a large part of which have been spent living together (firstly at my parents house, then hers folks and finally our own place). Things have been "off" for a while as she seemed very withdrawn and distant.
We eventually sat down and things came to a head and she told me she loves me, but is no longer "in love" with me, that she feels emotionally numb (towards every aspect of her life, not just the relationship, her job is getting her down etc). As is understandable this devastated me. I'll be honest and say I didn't react well, becoming very emotional and upset.
So to cut to the chase we have both agreed we are "on a break" (what does that even mean anyway?). She says that there is a chance we will reconcile and carry on the relationship in the future. No deadlines or targets have been set (i.e NC for a week, live apart for a month and see what happens, etc).
Since that time she has been out with a friends a number of times and I mine. Initially she was quite optimistic about the ordeal sending me messages telling me she loves me and even pointing out that the relationship isn't "over" per se. Since then though it's like a switch has been clicked and she has gone very much the other way being less communicative or even talking about "us". It's been just over a week now and I'm out of the house again to give her space as I'm off work for a week (the situation isn't helped by the fact that we have a house together and given the current economic climate cohabitation is really the only option for the foreseeable future).
I'll also be honest and say that, as expected, I've been the overtly emotional one with the usual flurry of texts and phone-calls. I've calmed down a lot since the initial few days but still find myself looking at my phone every so often in the hopes of a message (and answering her messages straight away truth be told, if and when she sends them).
I realize that there is a long (and uncertain) road ahead of me and that I have to try and reconnect with myself and my friends and to live separately from her as best I can given the situation. She has been very understanding and patient with me so far, we are best friends as well as partners which makes the situation even more chaotic. The one person you want to confide in, and, well you can't.. .
It if helps as well I will also say a lot of the situation has not been helped by us both slowly losing ourselves in each other over the course of the relationship to the detriment of other personal relationships (friends, family, etc.). Another disclaimer is that I have also been quite stifling in the relationship at some points making her feel bad about going out due to my own insecurities (yes, I am getting what I deserve now, I know).
I guess I'm just looking for some general guidance. I know there is no magical set of guidelines to make all of this go away. Has anyone been in a similar situation (the length of the relationship, the cohabitation, etc) ?