Dear Breakup Girl,

This may sound pathetic, but I haven’t been single a day in my life since I was 15. I’m 26 now. I’ve had several boyfriends, it’s just that they’ve overlapped one another. I didn’t do this purposely (consciously), it just ended up this way. Anyhoo, I think I might be having an identity crisis. I just want to be alone, autonomous, independent, you know what I mean? But I’m in this relationship with this guy, and we’ve been together for about 5 years. I don’t think I’ve been in love with him for a few years, though. I think I just stayed with him because, well, that’s what I always did. So now we’re all wrapped up in this whole relationship business, and it really is like a business, joint checking, bills, car payments, etc. I feel stuck and trapped and confused. My girlfriends say, “Oh, you just get like this. You’ll get over it and marry him.” I need some unbiased advice. I know this guy wants to marry me, and I have to believe it’s because he knows he can’t do any better, or maybe he just wants it more than I do. I don’t know. That’s a terrible thing to say, but that’s the way it is. (more…)

From BG’s GO GIRL! File, dated January 19, 1998…

Dear Breakup Girl,

I just wanted to say that I was in a very destructive relationship about two years ago. It was hard for me, but I realized I deserved better than that. About year ago I met someone. At the time a relationship was the last thing on my mind. But he waited, and was very understanding about my fears. Later I realized he was the one for me all along. It’s been a year since then, and hes the best thing that has ever happened to me. For all of those girls out there who think there will never be anyone else, Wake up! You’re all far to beautiful to be wasting your time on someone who doesn’t respect you.

–Helplessly in Love

Dear Helplessly,

Go, girl. And listen, y’all: “Go, girl!” is a figure of speech. This is co-ed advice. This is not a Boys are Bad thing. This is a Bad Relationships are Bad thing. Okay? Enough said.

Love,
Breakup Girl