u/mish_1945

My boyfriend and I were together for about five years. During a difficult period in our relationship, he got emotionally involved with another girl he had known for only about two months. He told me she understood him better, was softer than me, and even said he loved her. Those words completely broke me.

Recently, he decided he wants to work on our relationship with me. We've been talking again, and he's willing to improve things. But I can't get past what he said. Every time I talk to him, I feel anxious, my chest hurts emotionally, and I keep replaying his words in my mind.

Part of me believes that what he felt for the other girl was infatuation because they barely knew each other. Another part of me keeps wondering, "What if he really meant everything he said?"

I'm struggling with trust, overthinking, and anxiety. Has anyone rebuilt a relationship after something like this? How did you know whether to stay or leave? Did therapy help you?

Also, I'm wondering whether what I'm experiencing sounds like something I should see a counselor for, or whether I should see a psychiatrist. I don't know if I need therapy, medication, or just guidance from someone who can help me process all of this.

Please be kind. I'm genuinely trying to figure out what the healthiest next step is.

Hi everyone.

I'm 21, and I'm struggling with something that has completely changed my life.

I started dating my boyfriend when I was 16. He was genuinely the kindest, most loving person I've ever known. He supported me through everything, including when I became one of Jehovah's Witnesses. He never mocked my faith. Even now, when we're struggling, he still tells me, "Pray to Jehovah."

I got baptized when I was 18. Over time, I became convinced that I couldn't date a non-Witness because that's what I believed Jehovah wanted. I thought I was doing the right thing, so I ended the relationship—not because I stopped loving him, but because I believed I had to.

After the breakup, I didn't start dating anyone else. I wasn't looking for another brother or another relationship. I just loved him.

Since then, I've started questioning the organization. I still believe in Jehovah and Jesus, but I've begun to wonder whether some organizational rules go beyond what the Bible actually says. Looking back, I feel like I gave up the most precious relationship in my life because I thought I had no choice.

To make things even harder, after we broke up he eventually became involved with someone else, and that has left me with enormous regret. I keep wondering if things would have been different if I hadn't ended our relationship.

I'm not here to attack anyone's beliefs. I'm genuinely trying to understand my own.

For those who are still Jehovah's Witnesses, how do you cope with losing someone you deeply loved because of the religion? Do you ever question whether you made the right decision?

And for former Witnesses, have any of you experienced something similar? How did you process the regret?