I used to date someone that I thought was the world to me. I thought they were always going to be there and no matter what had happened, we’d stick through it together. That we’d be able to go places together and could do anything. We were together for more than a year but it had to end because his parents disapproved. Now that I look at it, I realized that I was foolish to think such an unstable relationship could last. He had another but I was perfectly fine with it.

Surprisingly enough, I encouraged their relationship more than my own. I was ignorant to think that my own relationship could last when we started to talk less and less. I used to think that I shouldn’t message him because that would be rude if he was busy. At the same time, I used to think that I was so lucky to meet someone like him. I thought he was multiple levels higher than I was and we shouldn't have been together in the first place. I had always feared the day everything had to be broken off but that’s in the past now.

So much had happened ever since I’ve met him. My perspective on a variety of topics, how I act around others, and how I process the world. Deep down, I still feel sad. Although, should I really? I had found out that he was only there for me out of pity. Simply because I seemed desperate. It shatters my heart to think so but perhaps it’s actually the truth. He had another significant other anyway so what else could it possibly be? I want to think it’s obvious but I had my own impacts on him. He said at one point that if I didn’t exist, he wouldn’t still be here. I’ve noticed how certain characteristics had changed significantly over time so maybe it’s true.

We still talk occasionally but the chances of having a decent conversation is close to none. Sometimes, I feel jealous of his other. That they get to be with him but I’m glad that they’re the one by his side. I feel bad though. I took him away from someone else for a short period of time.
I understand that I shouldn’t sulk over my past and that I should move on because “There’s plenty of fish in the sea,” although the phrase is easier said than done. I loved him. I still do after all that had happened. Part of me believes that at one point he felt the same but the other half believes that the whole time we were together was only from pity.

I’m very questionable. Should I be regretting? Regretting that I should have done everything I could so the relationship could have lasted? Should I be regretting creating the relationship in the first place? Or maybe I should just forget all about him and move on? Perhaps just keep it as a past memory and continue to occasionally talk to him? I really don’t know what to do. My request is fairly odd but I guess it’d be nice to have another’s’ opinion on my situation. What would one do or feel if one used to date someone who meant so much to you and they dated someone else at the same time but you were completely fine with it?

Thanks so much for reading through my problems if you managed to get through it. I appreciate any opinions given. I apologize if there were any spelling or grammar mistakes found.

I can't say that I understand completely.
I would never be fine with someone I loved dating someone else but that is probably because I am a possessive and jealous individual.
But I do understand , I suppose the question of whether or not to move on because I too had a relationship of some sort (an extremely short one) where my partner likely confessed to me out of pity.
And though I feel envious, jealous and sometimes angry that he is about to get together with someone else. Though sometimes I tell everyone I hate, I regret that I ever talked to him that day on the bus, I know saying that I regret.... it is a lie.
Don't forget.
Because even if it causes you pain, it is something to be learned. It happened and there is no use regretting.
You do have to move on, we all do. But that doesn't mean forgetting. We only have so many memories in our lives and maybe time can make them seem brighter.
It is your choice whether or not to continue talking to him, but if it only causes you pain, why bother?

Me neither...I can't understand that situation completely. But I do know that you should never be ashamed of the things that make you happy, or even the things that MADE you happy. Since you're out of the situation, don't think too much about it. Don't try to analyze the past too much because you had already gotten the fulfilling part of it.
Did he make you happy? Do you look back on your past with him with joy? If you answered these questions with 'yes', then you don't have to regret anything.
Never regret anything that once made you happy.