'taking a break' and long distance issues

[mksjmc]

here's my story

i'm 21 years old, a college student. my girlfriend and i have been dating over about 2.5 years now. she is currently studying overseas until may. before she left we mutually decided to 'take a break' which may include dating other people.

today we had our first real fight since she's been gone. she called me, upset saying that i don't try hard enough to show that i love her and she overall, was just in a bad mood. we then got into 'the break.' we both havent dated anyone else, but i would be lying if i said i didn't have to desire to, it just hasn't really materialized yet. she says she has no desire to date anyone and i do believe her, but not 100%. maybe she's kidding herself, you know? she told me that if i did start dating someone that she would also date someone new, just out of spite.

this can't be good for our relationship (obviously). i'm just really confused right now. if i date someone new then our relationship is hurt, and i dont want to break her heart. if i dont, i might regret it and it defeats the whole purpose of taking a break in the first place.

i'm so confused right now and could really use some advice on the general situation. how do i tell her that i might want to date someone without breaking her heart? is it worth it? any kind of advice and feedback will really help. i'm just in a very tough place right now.

thanks,

mike

[GreenEyedLeo197]

Have you been in many serious relationships? It you think that you need to date other people, then maybe you should. But do know, that it will change everything with the woman you are with now. She is only gone until May, right? You can wait 2 more months to see her again, right? If she is worth the wait, then you should wait.

Everyone has bad days. Maybe you should wait a day or two for things to cool down. Don't start dating out of spite, or using another woman for a rebound, cause then that wouldn't be right to you or her.

How long has your girlfriend been gone? When she comes back, is she saying for good? Just remember all the good times that you two had together. Don't let one fight ruin that. Do you think you can handle her seeing someone else? I know I could never imagine my boyfriend being with another woman! But, you have to really think about what you will be loosing if you two were to start dating other people...are you willing to risk all that?http://relationshipforums.com/forums/images/icons/icon5.gif