Update: My girlfriend of 5 years broke up with me and ghosted me for no reason. Am I wrong for throwing away all of her stuff?

In a quiet apartment, once filled with shared laughter and dreams, a young man faced the wreckage of a five-year relationship ended by a single text. His ex-girlfriend’s ghosting left behind clothes, trinkets, and painful questions, but he chose action over anger. Boxing up her belongings and driving them to her sister’s house, he drew a line in the sand, ready to rebuild.

Was his decision to cut contact and move on a bold step toward healing, or too hasty? This Reddit update, rich with resolve and raw emotion, has sparked lively discussions. Let’s explore the next chapter, consult an expert, and see what Reddit’s buzzing about in this breakup saga.

For those who want to read the previous part: Original post

‘Update: My girlfriend of 5 years broke up with me and ghosted me for no reason. Am I wrong for throwing away all of her stuff?’

I boxed up all of my ex’s stuff yesterday, drove over to her sister’s house this morning and dropped the boxes off. I got a text from her sister a couple minutes ago where she thanked me, was sorry for what I was going through, and texted a bunch of other stuff. It was a really long text and I couldn’t bother reading past the first couple of lines.

She was still typing something as I saw the three dots, but I couldn’t be bothered anymore so I blocked her. And so that is that. Time to pick up my pieces and move on I guess. Oh well, thanks for the advice reddit. Going to try and move to a different state soon and start afresh.

The bigger picture reveals a young man at a crossroads. The original post showed him wrestling with anger and the temptation to destroy his ex’s sentimental items, like her grandmother’s mementos. His growth—choosing to return them instead—marks a shift from hurt to maturity. However, blocking the sister mid-text, while empowering, might reflect unresolved pain, as curiosity about the ex’s motives lingers in his narrative.

This situation underscores the challenge of balancing self-protection with curiosity. The sister’s outreach suggests the ex’s behavior wasn’t malicious but perhaps a panicked exit, possibly from commitment fears with a proposal looming. The OP’s relocation plan is a bold reset, but emotional baggage travels unless addressed. Dr. Levine’s advice to “reframe the breakup as a step toward growth” could guide him to see this not as rejection but liberation.

For others in similar spots, consider a trusted friend to mediate item returns, reducing emotional exposure. The OP’s story invites reflection: when is cutting ties empowering, and when does it dodge needed answers?

See what others had to share with OP:

Reddit’s pouring out sympathy and savvy advice for this guy’s bold move, from praising his clean break to speculating on the ex’s motives. Here’s what the community’s dishing:

montybo2 − Damn bro that's hard. Can't imagine a 5 yr relationship just ending cold turkey like that. This is a really rough thing to happen. My advice: I know you said you're probs gonna move but in the mean time...clean your place - reorganize your room and furniture and stuff. I've done this every time I've had a break up and for some reason it really helps. You're in a new phase of your life so have your surroundings reflect that.

[Reddit User] − Just so you know, your previous girlfriend will hit you up because she wants to “talk” or “clear things” and may say it for closure. It is for her not you. Do yourself a solid and don’t bother with that s**t. 

curlytoesgoblin − She was still typing something as I saw the three dots, but I couldn’t be bothered anymore so I blocked her.. This is the movie hero walking away without looking at the explosion.. Sorry you have to go through this. Hang in there.

toxic9813 − im kinda curious to know what the wall of text said tbh

SubstantialPressure3 − If her sister apologized to you, then she knows something is up with your ex. It wasn't you. Boxing up all her stuff and getting it out of your place is the best thing you could have done. Now there's no reason for her to come by. I would change the locks. She left, her stuff isn't there, and she doesn't need access to your place.

f you rent, I would let the landlord know that she left and doesn't live there anymore, if she tries something weird in a few months. They may have you sign another lease without her name on it. If she left, there's no reason for her to have residency rights at your place.. Send any mail back

Whose name are all the bills in? If her name is on the electric/internet you don't want her cutting it off.. Change all your passwords, and make sure nobody can make changes to any of your accounts. If you have any joint bank accounts, take your money out of there and get a bank account that doesn't have her name on it.

attempt5001 − Something else is up. It has to be. The whole thing is so vague.

[Reddit User] − My hunch, she did something that she knew would hurt you more then being ghosted, and she's ashamed. So this is her way of not having to own up to what ever it is she did.

UnusuallyScented − She was still typing something as I saw the three dots, but I couldn’t be bothered anymore so I blocked her.. Good for you. I have theories about why the gf ghosted you, I'm sure that you do too. But none of that matters. Move on and live a great life.

leviathan_stud − Sorry man, at least you're young still. And honestly you're probably better off, if she did this she isn't worth keeping.

phenomenologicallyru − There’s got to be more to this story

These takes are as raw as a fresh wound, but do they get it right? Is blocking the sister a power move, or did he miss a chance for answers?

From a breakup text that shattered a five-year love story to a decisive drop-off of his ex’s belongings, this Reddit update shows a man reclaiming his future. His choice to return her stuff and block contact is a step toward healing, even if questions linger like unopened texts. With a new state and a fresh start on the horizon, he’s turning pain into possibility.

Ever had to return an ex’s stuff after a brutal breakup? How do you decide when to cut contact for good? Share your stories in the comments and let’s unpack this emotional journey!

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