This is from Salah. "Hey Tripp, been watching you for a while now on YouTube and you've helped me
a lot over the years. Thank you for that. Almost four months ago, I decided to break up with my ex
due to several reasons. But main ones being that I'm leaving the country soon and I don't think I
can handle long distance, and the relationship was taking a toxic turn in the final months.
The No Contact Rule is practically impossible in my situation, since we see each other almost every
day in college. I find myself at times feeling like I'm over the whole thing and then others
feel an incredible amount of regret and guilt. What do you suggest I do in order to move on
and start dating other girls without looking back at the past? Thanks for your time. Salah."
You broke up with your ex... and I mean, for all good reasons, dude, you're leaving the country.
It's not that you can't handle long distance. Most people can't handle long distance.
I'll say that again. Most people can't handle long distance. It is a scarce mindset
to go into any long distance relationship. Just telling yourself that you can attract someone
who's close, which is the obvious preference for any person. Long distance, you said it was toxic.
You see each other all the time. Yeah I mean, listen dude, you're in college. This is just
what I call a shitty situation. It's gonna be hard to get over this person because you see
them all the time. It sounds like there's nothing you can do. Let's find out what you can control.
Is there any point of the day that you can control not seeing them?
Is there any way you can see them less? It sounds, like you said, impossible to never see them.
But maybe there's at least a low contact. Are you doing all the other forms of no contact? No
calling, no texting, no social media, no DMs, no Facebook messages, no Snapchats, no TikTok
messages? Are you doing all that stuff? Or are you maybe still doing that because you realize, well,
you're going to see them anyways. It still helps if you can't do the super no contact.
It's still a spectrum. I don't think it's binary. I think that you can at least do enough that
one can do to at least separate yourself from this person.
It sounds like you need reassurance here. I'll give it to you. You feel regret and guilt,
my friend, you made the right choice. You made the right choice. You know how I know you made
the right choice without even knowing you? It's because you made the choice.
Something inside of you. Your gut was speaking to you and it said that this is not healthy for me.
Your gut spoke and it was correct, and guys, trust your intuition.
Please. What do you suggest to move on and not look back at the past? Trust your gut.
And understand that long distance, it's inevitable you guys would have broken up.
I don't know any long distance relationships that have ever worked out. And I've heard of a lot
with the small exceptions. Like I knew one couple where they dated for many years and then he was
going to get his master's degree and so he went and it wasn't that far, very short plane ride.
And there was an endpoint so they knew they were gonna be back together in like two years.
Again, exception. How many situations are going to be like that? Very little.
It was not gonna work out and the fact that you said it was turning toxic. I
don't have many details. But also not a good sign. Any signs of a toxic relationship,
gentlemen, big red flags. She's being toxic. Your relationships is toxic. You fight a lot. There's
manipulation. Any of that stuff, dudes, run for the hills. And Salah, that's what you did man.
Don't be so hard on yourself. I suggest that you do start dating other women and realize that this
is a very short time in your life that eventually you'll get over. And by the way, she's gonna move
on too. So if there's any kind of guilt, don't worry my friends. Dating is in the favor of women,
so she'll be just fine. And you'll be fine too as long as you keep on following the advice.