It's a common time for relationships to run their course, when people start thinking about college. It's a difficult transition to bring one through, with changes in life goal, interests, ambitions, priorities, freindship groups, locations etc. You're learning a lot of things about yourself, and the same thing is happening to her. It's completely natural for you to grow apart during the coming year and I think that you should seriously consider just letting it happen. Parting ways amicably means you can remember your teenage sweetheart fondly in future years, instead of making her the girl you messed yourself up over.
I mean, you have to ask yourself why you are driving yourself crazy over this when you are only "relatively certain" that you love her and seem to be aware that things are drawing to a natural end. When really, as an intelligent person you must objectively know that there are plenty of fish in the sea, that you will love a lot of people in your lifetime (especially with college still ahead!) and not be able to stay with all of them.
So, with changes ahead and you being quite an anxious person; is the fear of breaking up really about keeping her? Or is it about you, and your insecurities, fear of change, worry you won't find someone else who'll have you, etc? Having her should not be the condition of your sanity, you should be able to handle that by yourself. So spend some time now focussing on your other needs and learning to take care of yourself independantly, throw yourself into your hobbies, see your own freinds, do well at your studies. Try dating people casually, no obligation. Just to see what's out there.
Breaking up isn't fun but it's not the end of your world either. Unless you choose that.
You'll be fine.
llovell
Posted: 08 Oct 23:17