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Heartbroken: A Journal About Breaking Up and Staying Strong

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Chelsey Carr Student Contributor, Indiana University
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Courtney Kabbes Student Contributor, Indiana University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at IU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

September 7, 2011
Today my boyfriend and I decided to take a week break and reevaluate things after that. I realized after choosing this that his birthday is the day before our break is over. FML
Stephen and I started dating at the beginning of our senior year, August 7. When I decided to attend IU and he decided to attend the satellite Purdue campus where we live, I knew trouble would ensue. 
We had our ups and downs, almost break ups, and break throughs; we always talked it out and remained together. However, I ventured home over Labor Day weekend to visit my mom, my dog Sam I have had since fifth grade, Stephen, and the two puppies Stephen and I adopted over the summer. I hung out with Stephen, worked Saturday night, had dinner with some friends Sunday, and returned Monday afternoon.
Being home had begun as my stress relief, but once I was back in my dorm room making my bed I realized one very important thing: being here, away from Stephen, gave me so much relief I could have aided Hurricane Katrina.
We were talking on the phone, then fighting, and finally hanging up repeatedly. I did not know what to do. So I suggested a break.

Am I in a relationship with him because I want to be and love him or is it because I want to be in love with someone. I know I want that fairytale “we fell in love, and were together ever since” mumbo jumbo, but something tells me that is not enough.
I am afraid of being hurt, I know that. I do know I love him. I know I want to cry every time I think about not being with him. I know that he quickly said ok to the break after fighting me for forever on breaking up. I know he annoys the heck out of me. I know that he irritates me and gets on my nerves repeatedly. I know he loves me. I know he would do anything for me. I know we share two dogs and we both love them more than anything (except Sam).
I don’t know if he will say yes to being together after this.  I don’t know what (or who) will come from this break. I don’t know if I’ll survive the week or if I will give in and text or call him. I don’t know what clarity will come out of this for him. I don’t know how much he will love or possibly trust me after this.
I deleted his number from my phone and the entire text thread we had. I am going to be strong and get through this week so I can finally know if he is the one for me or if I should continue searching.

Courtney Kabbes is a junior at Indiana University. She is majoring in journalism with a concentration in apparel merchandising. When she's not busy updating Her Campus IU and promoting their site, she works as the Vice President of Social Media for the Retail Studies Organization and Ed2010 at Indiana. Some of her favorite things include shopping, mint chocolate chip ice cream, New York City, Bikram yoga, and spending time with her two favorite people: her mother and sister. Did we forget to mention her slight obsession with Pinterest? www.pinterest.com/ckabbes