While I'm sorry to hear that your ex wasn't able to give you the love you needed in return for what you did for him, It is good to see that you are recovering yourself, just the same.
After my first marriage, I too felt like I was cast aside after giving of myself (as provider, primarily - but also by giving up the parts of me that she wasn't interested in, and/or didn't want me to do), and went through a long period of searching afterwards. Something that may help in figuring out this 'love' thing is a book that opened my eyes: "The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate" - by Gary Chapman. Published in 1992, it isn't the do-all, end-all in figuring out how different people express and/or experience love - but it sure opened my eyes to the fact that not everybody needs the same things to feel loved.
Don't give up on love - just concentrate on being the best version of yourself that you can be. You just might find love along the way. That's what happened for me, and I hope it works out that way for you as well.
While I'm sorry to hear that your ex wasn't able to give you the love you needed in return for what you did for him, It is good to see that you are recovering yourself, just the same.
After my first marriage, I too felt like I was cast aside after giving of myself (as provider, primarily - but also by giving up the parts of me that she wasn't interested in, and/or didn't want me to do), and went through a long period of searching afterwards. Something that may help in figuring out this 'love' thing is a book that opened my eyes: "The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate" - by Gary Chapman. Published in 1992, it isn't the do-all, end-all in figuring out how different people express and/or experience love - but it sure opened my eyes to the fact that not everybody needs the same things to feel loved.
Don't give up on love - just concentrate on being the best version of yourself that you can be. You just might find love along the way. That's what happened for me, and I hope it works out that way for you as well.
-Brian.