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vinlukin wrote :
Everyone is so quick to say walk away, that there are more out there, etc.

Isn't one person worth trying a little extra for? I've dated my share of women, I LIKED this one in a way that I have not before. Is there not ever a time where you want to make it work and try things a second time instead of just chalking it up to a loss and learning experience?
The problem is that, likely, because of how you have acted with her she now has a perception of you that she is not at all attracted to in a 'relationship' sort of way. Now that she has that perception of you it would be very difficult (likely impossible) to change.
- September 11th, 2009, 12:55 pm
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I've been there. At one time I could have written almost exactly the initial post you did (did you come across Matt's system?). But many who responded have covered the reality of the situation. And you may want to think things through to see if you're really seeing it objectively at this point - was she perfect? Was it only you who screwed up? etc

You don't have to buy those things - there's enough info around online that you can come up with most of it yourself (I'm pretty sure - but I never did actually buy any of them). In the meantime, you will actually be doing something that's more attractive - being busy, doing your own thing, etc - not spending time bugging her to take you back (that's one thing that's suggested almost everywhere - that you're much more attractive to women if you're moving forward with your life than desperately trying to get them (back) - in my example above, which I'm not really recommending in an effort to get her back - simply to learn, you're doing both).

I'm all for working things out with a partner - but it takes two - both of you wanting this. You can't trick someone, change yourself into something you're not, etc - all of those are prone to failure. Communicate what you want to her in a reasonable way - then start moving on - stay in touch, but don't *try* to get her back. If it works out, great! It was meant to be. It if doesn't, something else was.

At least you'll have learned something for the next relationship.
- September 11th, 2009, 01:56 pm
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vinlukin wrote :
I did too much apologizing for things that I shouldn't have.
BikerBeagle wrote :
The offer of 'friendship' from a woman who has just broken up with you is two-fold ...first, it is to help them relieve themselves of the guilt they are feeling - if they can make you feel ok with the breakup, then they won't feel bad about breaking up with you ...and, secondly, it's just a way for them to continue getting what they want - your ego-boosting attention - without having to give you what you want - "no sex, we are just friends now, remember?".
vinlukin wrote :
Everyone is so quick to say walk away,
I LIKED this one
I want to try again with her
If it doesn't work, it doesn't work.
As a woman, I can say that if you were always apologizing when there was no need.....I would likely lose respect. And for me, once the respect is gone.....It's just a matter of time.

If I were to keep you around (something i have never done) it would be for the reasons BikerBeagle outlined.

None of us have a horse in this race but you. So try to think of something unusual (maybe a singing telegram where she works?), something that will make her take a second look, see you in a new light. Take your very best shot, no holds barred. You've got nothing to lose, really. You already don't have her. Like you say, if it doesn't work, it doesn't work. At least you will have tried...

Good luck. I mean that.
- September 11th, 2009, 06:26 pm
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vinlukin wrote :
To just walk away from a great girl because of mistakes I know that I made seems childish and foolish. Some things are just worth fighting for.
Weeeellll, yes, some things are worth fighting for ...but I think you've misinterpreted the phrase from it's original meaning to fit your own situation. You can't "fight" the person you are wanting to win back in order to win her back ...that's just silly.

If you can't walk up to her, sincerely apologize for your wrongs, make her believe it to the point where she will give you another chance, then make a concerted effort to not make those mistakes again, then you have no options. Anything other than the direct and honest approach is some form of manipulation (which is what the books you mentioned teach ...subtle sometimes, blatant sometimes ...but manipulation nonetheless). Is that how you truly want to win?

But, you know, I do understand what you are saying ...and if you feel like you gotta give it a shot, then you should; otherwise it will drive you crazy. Just be careful and don't put yourself into a situation where she's getting everything she wants ...and you are getting nothing. Make sure she knows that whatever effort you are making can only be construed as an attempt to get back together ...not an attempt to simply beg for her forgiveness and be 'friends'. If she's ultimately not willing to give you another chance, you need to be prepared to not settle for 'just friends' and cut her loose.
- September 11th, 2009, 07:41 pm
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I would say not to buy these books. It is better to get some serious advice from people, and you as a person listen to the advice. I wanted my ex back soooo bad, but I realized you can't fight for someone who does not want to be with you. My ex loves me to death, but what I did to her will always be embedded in her head. I have changed my ways dramatically, but I did it for myself 1st. I showed my ex that I did changed, but she was still content on not being together. My ex had to move away almost 2000 miles, so she can try to move on. She just had me go see her because she has been sad. It was the best week in a long time for the both of us, and we even cried when I left. However, she still said she could not be with me. She has tried so hard to want to be with me again, but what I did she will not go away. By the way, I did not cheat or lie to her either. In simpler terms, I did not know how to love and I stopped loving her the way I was for the 1st 4 and half years. She was miserable the last 2 years because I did not give her that love. I learned from this mistake and accept this as fact. Your ex seems like she really does love you and care about you. She wants to make sure you are okay. It is up to you to move on because if you can't she will not be able too. If you really care about her, you will try to move on. It sounds like she is set not to be with you anymore. This sounds exactly how my ex was, but it took me awhile to accept this. Once you do, you should be able to move on. Oh by the way, just because you have been on dates does not mean you have moved on.
- September 11th, 2009, 08:32 pm
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BikerBeagle wrote :
Weeeellll, yes, some things are worth fighting for ...but I think you've misinterpreted the phrase from it's original meaning to fit your own situation. You can't "fight" the person you are wanting to win back in order to win her back ...that's just silly.

If you can't walk up to her, sincerely apologize for your wrongs, make her believe it to the point where she will give you another chance, then make a concerted effort to not make those mistakes again, then you have no options. Anything other than the direct and honest approach is some form of manipulation (which is what the books you mentioned teach ...subtle sometimes, blatant sometimes ...but manipulation nonetheless). Is that how you truly want to win?

But, you know, I do understand what you are saying ...and if you feel like you gotta give it a shot, then you should; otherwise it will drive you crazy. Just be careful and don't put yourself into a situation where she's getting everything she wants ...and you are getting nothing. Make sure she knows that whatever effort you are making can only be construed as an attempt to get back together ...not an attempt to simply beg for her forgiveness and be 'friends'. If she's ultimately not willing to give you another chance, you need to be prepared to not settle for 'just friends' and cut her loose.
I'm prepared to do exactly this. I need to try one time to fix what I did wrong. If all I get is for her to listen to my side of things and keep an open mind for the future I will be happy. Then if it works out that would be awesome. If I explain my side in a reasonable manner and act like an adult and she refuses to listen then I will tell her that she is right and breaking up was for the best. I don't want to be with someone who can't have an adult discussion. I'm not going to beg, I'm not going to be some desperate schmuck. I'm going to state that she had feelings and attraction for me and at some point lost them. I'll say that I think I know why and tell her that person is not the real me.

Then if it works, it works. If she doesn't agree, she doesn't agree. I'll be happy knowing I got the one chance to try and I will not try for another time.

We had some real good times there are certainly more positives than negatives that went on in our relationship. If she has an open and reasonable mind she will understand that. If she doesn't then it just wasn't meant to be and she truly is not the woman for me.
- September 11th, 2009, 10:05 pm
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Hi, if you truly had as much fun when you were together as you say certainly your ex remembers those times as well. I'm wondering how long it has been since she broke it off with you? My ex came back to me after 5 months. It DOES happen. Quite frequently actually. It is interesting that she is still texting you. Most folks do not keep in touch with people they have no interest in. What may happen here is she may have to go on a few dates with other guys. She will hopefully then realize nobody is quite like you and she will start thinking of you that way again. My advice is to just keep quiet with her for a bit. Don't ask her back yet. Just send her very friendly, casual, "what's up with you?" type emails every once in a while. Let her wonder about you. Then after a month or so ask her back. I know, I know, this seems like a game and games are bad...but it just could work. I hope so. (By the way...my ex and I didn't last the second time around but it did bring closure.)
- September 11th, 2009, 10:39 pm
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suzyque wrote :
(By the way...my ex and I didn't last the second time around but it did bring closure.)
I wonder what the percentage is of on/off (or even second chance) relationships working out longterm - does anyone have any idea from a reasonably large sample? For me it's 0% (out of 3). But one of my best friends broke up with a girl, then got back together a long time later (well, not super long - but like 6+ months) and they've been married for a while and now have three kids.

To the OP, let us know how things work out if you have the chance.
- September 13th, 2009, 07:51 pm
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I don't get the apologized to much thing unless you mean you were just flat out wimpy in which case trying to talk to her to explain how you really are or to try and get a second chance will just come accross as more wimpy. The more you try, the more she will not be interested at this point, I predict. You are already Mr Wimpy and contacting her to try and explain yourself, start over, show her a different side of you, blah blah blah is just convincing her that you are a wimp. Fight the URGE!

I am not a man but have dated men that were obviously ready to put up with anything out of me. Turn off. When I was younger might have hung in there as long as there was no one else to play with but once someone else came along that was it.

For me personally, once I decided someone was a wimp they were in that category permanently and I think that is the same for most girls.

When they acted different from that, i.e., wanted me to behave or be more respectful of the relationship, I would feel like they were being unfair.

Now if a person that I did not think was a wimp wanted the same exact thing from me it might be no problem. But, most people really do tend to assess someone and throw them into a category. I think it is just something wired in us to help us cope. And as others have stated, very hard to get out of that category.

Moving on right away to some cool girl and NOT CONTACTING her is the way I would go if I was a man knowing what i know as a woman. Doesnt have to be the prettiest girl or the one you want to marry. Then if she txt you be very respectful and cordial but don't chat with her. Let her do the work.

Even if this does not get you back with her right now and she moves on, if you are ever both single in the future (hopefully the near future) she will remember you as the guy who moved right on and didnt look back and thus, not a WIMP.

Now she sees you differently and you have a real chance.
- September 13th, 2009, 10:14 pm
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mylifesabeach,

I appreciate your opinion and there is a chance you might be right. However I'd rather be truthful and honest than try to manipulate her. If I got her back that way it would be a game I'd have to continue to play, and I don't like games. If I send her an email and she doesn't respond well then I'll know she wasn't meant for me.

I'd rather be honest and thoughtful than try to win her back by being someone I'm not.

Oh, BTW, I'm no wimp. I simply believe in treating a woman that I care about right, and the way I'd want to be treated.
- September 14th, 2009, 08:28 am
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