the older i get, i remember how toxic my ex was. mind you, i was 14, my ex was 17 at the time. that isn't the hugest age gap or whatever. but i was so mentally and emotionally unprepared for a relationship like that. this person cheated on me (i took them back like an idiot), ghosted me all of the time, and just was emotionally distant. i was so young and so inexperienced at the time, i just internalized it as my fault and it led to codependency on my part and low self esteem. i felt the need to give them more affection and attention so they'd like me better, which never ever worked. i just wish i could go back and give myself a hug and tell myself to avoid that person. they were a fun friend, but that relationship completely rewired my brain in a way that just shouldn't have happened when i was literally in the 8th grade. now i feel like i just need to people please to get praise and attention, and i still to this day can't fully comprehend anyone genuinely liking me beyond just how i appear. I don't really even know how to feel about it thinking about it now. sure, i can be upset, and i am. but i wasn't perfect either. i was childish and naive, i just let this person walk all over me even when i knew deep down that they didn't like me nearly as much as i liked them. maybe that's why i was so insecure in the relationship. i don't want to be someone who can't move on and not be angry at this person anymore. no matter how old i get, i still do just get upset. they never even apologized, i think that's why i get upset about it when i remember back then.