28 M here with a lot going for myself. Dated someone who was holding me back in many ways and it was just hard for me to admit this. Lost money, time and just a little self respect, but I finally went my own way. Some might be glad to know this was just a girlfriend, but she was putting the pressure on for marriage. I realized not long ago that I would've been marrying for the wrong reasons, just to satisfy her and little of that actually being for me.

Yesterday was a great day (mostly). Had a few friends over and we enjoyed the holiday. She came over and started an argument, so my day went from 100 to 0. I worked hard cooking all day for her to not even eat, and just complain about things. It was in that moment where the lightbulb kicked on. She was like a dark and looming cloud that seemed to prey on any sense of happiness I would get outside of her.

We had other issues that boiled down to lacking support. I do a lot of things and she rarely supported me with any of it. She thought some of my hobbies were weird. She would also try to take me away from things I truly enjoyed doing just to spend time with her. She also got a kick out of being a brat and always got her way somehow. I felt trapped in my own skin sometimes. I knew I should've left earlier, but I'm not sure what was keeping me around.

I finally just told her things weren't working, and now she's up in arms and arguing in circles. I just can't bring myself to justify this anymore. I let her go and now I just feel a rushing sense of freedom. Like a video game in sandbox mode, the freedom of limitless options just feels so good. If you're reading this and you're considering leaving, but also secretly know it's for the best: Get out of there, mate.

This isn't like a "Finally Home" type of post, but I'm so glad to finally be going my own way.