Breaking up: The final Greer 2.0 post

BY GREER MCDONALD

Dear John ... oh, I mean, Dear Reader,

I'm breaking up with you.

I'm not going to give you the whole "it's not you, it's me" spiel, because the truth is - it is you, and it is me, and it's a smattering of other things too.

We've been together for around 18 months now.

We started off slow, which was good. I needed to find my feet; we needed to suss each other out.

Like most relationships, we reached a turning point, which I think was around here.

Suddenly it was all on. I was overwhelmed but loving it, swept up in the moment and carried along on top of the wave towards the shore. Now I'm washed up on the beach. I'm beached as bro. (Did I just refer to myself as a whale? I think I did.)

There's a beginning and an end for everything. The most important part, as we often hear when we receive advice, is the journey along the way.

I can't say I've always enjoyed the journey with you, but I have always appreciated it.

I've laughed and cried because of you.

I've met people and been involved in events I never would have dreamed of because of you.

You've have both supported me and brought me back down to earth in the same breath.

(And then things such as this sometimes made me think you never really knew me at all ... but at least you made me laugh!)

You taught me a lot, and opened my eyes to issues and opinions I didn't know existed.

It's because of this I consider our whole arrangement a complete success. It has been magic to be a part of so I want to keep it like that. I'm not a fan of dragging things out... except in Dear John letters it seems.

I don't want us to get to that bitter stage. Let's go out on top and take our good memories with us.

Heck, because of you I even met my new squeeze. Yes... there's someone else. (Isn't there always?)

After spending half of my three years of singledom writing about relationships, lamenting about my dates (or lack thereof) and considering life as a spinster with multiple cats, this eternal singleton is single no more.

Sure, I could (and probably will) still end up a crazy cat woman, but I have to say the future looks a little bit brighter.

You know what? My new guy actually asked me out for our first date via this blog. I'll leave it up to you to find out on what post and what comment number.

He disputes this fact; reckons I asked him first. Either way, it happened - but I don't suppose you really want those details do you?

You probably feel quite cheated. I know there's going to be a hole in your life but you'll be ok.

I'm not the only one whose relationship status has changed. Remember those blog couples - when I helped swap email addresses and love blossomed? And the engagement?

Yeah, we had some good times, didn't we?

I've had a lot of time to think about our future and the reason I think now is the right time to end is two-fold.

I'm starting a new job at Stuff.co.nz, which is exciting and I want to get stuck into it. And after one-and-a-half years of bleating on about dating, love, sex and the like it takes its toll.

I think it's time I shifted focus. I want to take some of my own advice and make sure I'm looking after number one.

I won't be far away. I'm always contactable on Twitter and Facebook. And you'll see me popping up around the site. This is not the last you'll hear from me.

You were loyal, I'll give you that - and I'm going to miss you. Seriously.

I know you'll need some time, but I hope we'll stay in touch and I hope at least a couple of you become readers of my new projects.

Go with love,

Greer Two-point-oh.

I would love to hear your feedback about Greer 2.0. Did you pick up any advice that you put to use with positive outcomes? Drop me a line privately at greer2.0@gmail.com or leave a comment below.

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