<human>: Hey all,
I was with my ex for seven years--high school/college sweethearts and best friends since middle school. It was the most painful decision I ever made, but was definitely best for both of us. He was abusive and I didn't realize it until it got too far. 

So, this is how I've been dealing so far:

*2 months of intense depression (crying, yearning, numbness)

*2 monhs of intense rebound (Dated my brother's friend for two months...then realized he was seeing other people. Ouuuch!)

*2 months thinking I'm fine...then slowly realizing I'm not. And I haven't moved on, just deflected sitting with the pain and learning/growing from it.

I now feel torn in two separate ways. I feel excited at the chance to meet people and at the possibility of building a special, healthy and loving relationship with someone someday. But right now I feel like I have a lot of internal work to do, a lot of healing etc

At the same time though, I do miss physical affection--kisses, cuddles, holding hands,sex--and being loved. 

So how do I handle the simultaneous need/desire to hold off from dating to work on myself AND the desire for physical lovin? I've only ever slept with my ex and my rebound, so dating/sex/being a grown ass person in a relationship are all new to me. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Can you give me a shortened version of the text?
<bot>: Got outta 7yrLTR 6mos ago. Still need to work on myself/heal but wanna get some lovin too. Can't compute these emotions. Haaalp?