Here's the gist of my situation: I'm [34/m] in an almost 5 year relationship with [29/f]. No children, not married, no mortgage etc. Just a couple cats and an apartment. Good friendship, below average romantic relationship and sex life at this point. There are a lot of petty things I don't like about her but I do love her.

Over the past 10 years I've been in relationships with her and one other person (not much time spent single), and to be honest I really just want to chase girls again and be with other people. I'm DYING to hook up with someone else to the point where I feel like I would cheat given the right opportunity, and I know that would make us both feel awful (happened once already a few years ago, also sabotaged my previous relationship by cheating).

I feel checked out of the relationship but I've kept it going because I know that she really loves me and I feel so sad for her. I'm also worried about her well-being and financial situation if we broke up (I pay all the bills). It would make me really sad too because I do love her very much. I just don't think I can stay for much longer and I'm really missing the single life for a variety of reasons. I know it's wrong to drag this on.

Is it selfish of me to want to break up for these reasons? Is this common, but other people can deal with it better than I can? How do I explain it? Should I be perfectly honest, or should I not mention the desire to be with other people? I don't want to be enemies, and I'm close with her family which makes it even harder. This is a crappy thing to tell someone: How do I break up in the most respectful or easiest to swallow way? Or should I try to repair the relationship although I have little desire to do so?
user
I want to break up with my girlfriend but I know it would make
assistant
Here's the gist of my situation: I'm [34/m] in an almost 5 year relationship with [29/f]. No children, not married, no mortgage etc. Just a couple cats and an apartment. Good friendship, below average romantic relationship and sex life at this point. There are a lot of petty things I don't like about her but I do love her.

Over the past 10 years I've been in relationships with her and one other person (not much time spent single), and to be honest I really just want to chase girls again and be with other people. I'm DYING to hook up with someone else to the point where I feel like I would cheat given the right opportunity, and I know that would make us both feel awful (happened once already a few years ago, also sabotaged my previous relationship by cheating).

I feel checked out of the relationship but I've kept it going because I know that she really loves me and I feel so sad for her. I'm also worried about her well-being and financial situation if we broke up (I pay all the bills). It would make me really sad too because I do love her very much. I just don't think I can stay for much longer and I'm really missing the single life for a variety of reasons. I know it's wrong to drag this on.

Is it selfish of me to want to break up for these reasons? Is this common, but other people can deal with it better than I can? How do I explain it? Should I be perfectly honest, or should I not mention the desire to be with other people? I don't want to be enemies, and I'm close with her family which makes it even harder. This is a crappy thing to tell someone: How do I break up in the most respectful or easiest to swallow way? Or should I try to repair the relationship although I have little desire to do so?
user
want to cheat on my long-term gf of 5 years. What do I tell
assistant