Hey everyone,

I (M22) recently went through a breakup after a two-month relationship, and it’s been a rough ride emotionally. I’m struggling to process everything and want to understand her behavior better. Here's the context:

She showed strong interest initially—frequent messages, sharing pictures, and even discussing long-term ambitions for the relationship. I felt very invested and made significant efforts to accommodate her boundaries, including traveling to see her, initiating calls, and waiting patiently for her exams to get over. After her exams, she seemed interested again, but then her grandfather passed away, and things started to change.

She initiated a call two days after her loss and seemed normal, but after that, she became distant. A few days later, she said we needed to meet to have a serious talk. When we met, she said she felt overwhelmed by emotions and family responsibilities and needed time to heal. She also said she wasn’t ready to share her life with anyone and needed a break from everything for her own well-being.

I respected her decision but couldn’t fully express myself during the meeting. I texted her afterward, seeking closure, but she told me she wasn’t ready to talk about it and that I was overthinking. I tried to convey my thoughts and feelings, but she seemed firm about wanting to close the chapter and heal alone.

She acknowledged I was more attached than she was and said she’s not ready for a relationship right now. She emphasized that she needed to heal on her own and that anything new felt like a burden. After she unfollowed me on Instagram, she explained it was because my stories reminded her of me, and she needed distance. She said we could be friends again when she’s ready.

I’m wondering if her behavior indicates avoidant attachment or if it’s purely circumstantial (grief, family stress, etc.). She seemed genuinely interested at first, so this sudden emotional withdrawal is hard for me to understand.

My Questions for the Community:

1. Does this sound like avoidant attachment behavior, or is it more likely she’s genuinely overwhelmed by her current life situation?
2. Should I hold out hope for friendship or move on completely?
3. How can I navigate this without pushing her further away or hurting myself more?

Any insights, advice, or similar experiences would mean a lot right now. Thanks in advance!