r/unrequitedlove

How do you grieve for a love that didn’t even exist?

The love that is built quietly in stolen moments, in hopes, in “what ifs” that felt so real you swore they meant something. And yet, here you are, carrying the weight of something that was never yours to begin with, trying to explain a heartbreak that has no clear ending, no official goodbye.

There are no memories you’re allowed to claim, no relationship to point to, no proof that it mattered as much as it did. But it did. It mattered in the way your chest tightened when their name appeared, in the way their hands felt in yours. You’re not just grieving a person, you’re grieving the future you created with them in your mind.

Maybe that’s what hurts the most, losing something that only you held, something you never even got the chance to keep. And that kind of heartbreak doesn’t just fade, it lingers. Because how could you even let go of something that once felt like everything?

We were never even together. Not in the way that most people are when they feel for each other. He said he loved me, but then he left me in the dark for so long. I disappeared, but it wasn’t intentional, I just had a lot going on and now it seems like it’s too late like I’m too late and it just really hurts. Because being around him quieted mind and there’s nobody else like him.

So context... I'm in love with this woman who been a friend of mine for years (close friend if I might add) all this time I've never seen her as anything more than that up until recently, so my mental has been really bad to the point where I planned to end it all, all ready made peace with the fact that I'll hurt the people closest to my(being my immediate family) but in the same week where I planned it I realized that I'm in love with thiz woman.... so it had me questioning everything thing that I was planning, cause imagine making peace with leaving the people you love dearly behind (immediate family members) and then another person enters the frey that you didn't plan for.... I held off on doing it.... cause we're so comfortable with each other I confessed but didn't want a relationship tho cause I know I'm not fit to be in one atp (dealing with depression) we took some time off hanging out but it kinda ruined me cause she's also my only close friend in the city I live (everyone else moved),... I lied to myself a d said I lost feelings we started hanging out again only for me to realize that I've lied... and that I'm not just inlove with her I genuinely love her with every fibre of my being, what do I do now... I mean we can keep hang3out as usual but this feeling is consuming me because I know she doesn't love me the way I love her and at the same time it breaks me cause she started dating this one dude.... what do I do?

sorry if this is the correct platform for it but I'm losing it

also sorry for any spelling mistakes English is not my native language

I don’t want to love you. But I don’t know how to stop. I’m afraid to move on. I keep thinking “maybe if I hold on just a little longer it’ll happen.” But I know it won’t. I know I need to give up hope. But I don’t know how. How do you give up hope when it’s the one thing you want most in the world? I don’t know how to let go of that. I know I need to let go and move on. But I’m afraid because… “what if…?”

I (17 female) have liked the same guy all four years of high school on and off (mostly on) and it has been torturous and unsuccessful. I am now a senior in high school.

Compared to freshman, sophomore, or junior year, I’ve talked to him a lot more this year and have become more integrated within his group of friends. I’ve taken more risks and been more audacious because it’s senior year. Also one of my close friends is dating his friend, and so on.

I would describe him as extremely focused on school as he never went to any school events or dances up until senior year, in which I didn’t think it would be appropriate to ask him to this dance. I’m very shy and insecure whenever I like a guy as I lose a lot of confidence when I’m around him.

This year we would talk occasionally during an empty period in a teachers class who was nice enough to let us in her class as we both have release during that time. I really wish I could tell him how I’ve felt about him all this time, but I’m afraid it might come off as creepy.

We follow one another on social media and he likes my posts and acknowledges me, but I’m sure he does that to many other girls. I don’t want to regret anything.

We are going to senior week as well soon and he will be there with his group of friends and I’ll likely see him some time. I’m wondering if I should try to get over it (like I’ve tried many times over the years) or be brave.

He’s genuinely odd though and a bit antisocial as one of my friends threw a party a few months ago and all of his friends were there and he didn’t show up. He never comes to social events so it’s rare I see him. I’d like some advice or insight, I’m willing to provide more details on it. Thank you!