Hurt people hurt people but it’s always a choice you make every day, there is no absolution, there is no salvation, just acceptance and the decency to try and be a better person.
Think the question here is why did you feel the need to “explore?” What about the status-quo didn’t feel right? What are you looking for that you didn’t find?
If it’s exploration simply out of boredom or insecurity, that’s one thing. But if it’s because you genuinely didn’t see yourself with this person long term, I don’t see anything wrong with what you did.
I don’t really have all the context but in my view, even if it hurts, honesty is always the best policy - it just might not feel like in the moment.
Hurt people hurt people but it’s always a choice you make every day, there is no absolution, there is no salvation, just acceptance and the decency to try and be a better person.
You are letting the reaction of your high school self dictate your adult choices (unless I have misjudged how long ago you graduated HS)
Think the question here is why did you feel the need to “explore?” What about the status-quo didn’t feel right? What are you looking for that you didn’t find?
If it’s exploration simply out of boredom or insecurity, that’s one thing. But if it’s because you genuinely didn’t see yourself with this person long term, I don’t see anything wrong with what you did.
I don’t really have all the context but in my view, even if it hurts, honesty is always the best policy - it just might not feel like in the moment.