What's Next After AJOD?

 Breakups are hard, no matter how you look at them. They challenge your sense of identity and make you question what’s next. For me, I’ve always been someone who doesn’t fully open up emotionally—at least not to just anyone. In relationships, I tend to keep a part of myself hidden, a small reserve of 30% that’s only mine. It’s my safeguard, a way to protect myself in case things don’t work out.

But with this last relationship, I gave more. I trusted her with 80% of me, leaving only 20% to keep to myself. In hindsight, maybe I should have kept it at the usual 30%. But what's done is done. Now, as I move on, I find myself focusing on that remaining 20%. That’s where I can rebuild, recharge, and grow.

So, what’s next? It’s a question I’ve been asking myself since the breakup. The answer isn’t immediate or easy. It’s not about rushing into the next thing or pretending everything is fine. It’s about taking the time to heal and to rediscover what I’ve put aside for so long. The 20% I kept to myself is my foundation, and I’ll build from there.

It’s about finding strength in small steps, focusing on growth rather than a rushed recovery. There’s a lot of unknown ahead, but for now, what’s next is learning how to thrive on my own terms again.