I'd like to go ahead and give my two cents about this topic. I was with my ex for 2 and a half years, and I had known him since I was 16 (I'm almost 21 now). He was in the military, an army ranger in training to be exact. I thought I had found the one, we were crazy about each other, he was my best friend. I flew back and forth from VA to TX to see him around every three months or so and we'd skype in between. It was hard, but I never lost my will to maintain our relationship near or far. One visit I notice he's acting different, a worrisome kind of different. Sure enough I found out he was talking to other girls while I was studying and volunteering abroad. I had never felt such betrayal of such painful world shattering heartache. I cut things off and tried to move on. Things got even tougher when I saw this vengeful side come out, and due to the fact that I didn't want to be with him anymore after he came out of the blue demanding we try again, he did something unspeakable. He posted nude photos of me on my social media accounts. I filed an FBI report, and even contemplated getting a restraining order. I lost a lot of myself through out that time, my confidence was shot, my grades began to drop, I was depressed. I then began to occupy myself and my time with going out, getting hammered, and engaged in my first of a few one night stands in a drunken stouper. I felt in control because we both got what we wanted and I didn't have to deal with trusting them or deal with emotions from either parties. But it got to the point where I got tired of being looked at as someone's conquest when I know I'm so much more than that. I realized I'm much too strong, smart, and caring for that. So in recognizing these downward spirals I had found myself, recognized and improved my perception of my self-worth, leading me to the decision to focus on self improvement. (Eating healthier, going to the gym 5 times a week, drinking less, no anonymous sex, and working to my full potential in school, etc) I am now gearing towards graduation as criminal justice major! I would no longer set myself aflame to keep others warm. My education, my body, MY LIFE. So while yes, I did sleep around: 1. I was always safe and clean & 2. THAT evidently was my way of recovering. And I don't feel the least bit ashamed of it because we ALL have different ways of getting to the destination of a better, happier, and stronger us. No one can understand your exact pain because we all interpret and handle things differently. There's no right or wrong way to recover, as long as you're safe,  don't be ashamed of errors or lapses in judgement because it leads to the lessons in life you'll value most. And above all, know you are stronger than you think, you are beautiful, you are loved, and you are NEVER obligated to explain yourself or your reasons. So be safe, be smart, be happy, and stay beautiful! 💋