How to be mindful in dating relationships and breaking up?

[nova27]

Hello everyone. I recently broke up with my girllfriend and have been feeling sad about it. I just felt a gut instinct that she wasn't right for me and also had a few trust issues, she did not feel this way and thought that we could work well together.

I notice that I feel guilty for hurting her, just by breaking up with her even though the relationship didn't feel right to me. I was the first girlfriend she ever had and the first person she was intimate with. I was curious if others here also experienced guilt for breaking up with someone, and how you were able to reconcile that?

Also, I know in dating there can be quite a bit of pain involved. How do you reconcile this and date mindfully and hurt others as little as possible? Or do you think these are necessary experiences for our growth?

Much love, -E