"Just break up already"

Or is life too short to dwell on something that didn't work out?

Dwelling is sometimes necessary, as crying and suffering is necessary after a dear one die.

But it goes far beyond dwelling. After a long relationship, some people may need `recovery`. When you are truly involved in a relationship you evolve into that relationship, you change towards it (and it's not a bad change, just an adaptation), so you need time to discover yourself again.
Many people just go into another relationship not realizing how much damage the unresolved things from the past one can actually do. And you don't have to resolve it with your ex-partner. You must resolve it with yourself. We humans always do something wrong; even if the other did something worse. Don't move on without finding what you did wrong.

No matter what life experience you go through, you must take time and analyze it, what you did wrong, what you really want, what you have learned from it. You don't just put garbage under the carpet and pretend it never happened. You will go on, but somethings things remain in your subconscious.

If you're questioning it, it's time to move on.

My ex of 3 years (and my first love) moved on before our relationship was officially ended. I was obviously devastated and heartbroken, but I only felt "down in the dumps" for about a month. Then I just snapped out of it (not sure what changed) and now I'm incredibly happy and just loving life! I still get sad sometimes, but the sadness is usually short lived. Our anniversary just passed on NYE and I thought I was going to be mopey, but I had the BEST NYE (probably better than any of our anniversaries). I will always love him, but I'm not IN love with him, and I'm not yet ready to be friends with him. He wants to be friends with me, but I'm not going out of my way to pursue that relationship.

I should have paid attention to the warning signs in my head, especially when I thought my family would be angry (even though they liked him) if he proposed... that shoulda told me that he's not my marrying man!

I'm ready to get back out there and go on some dates--not actively searching for anything serious, but open to whatever comes around!

is he aware you are just hanging around because you can't afford to leave?

convenience schmonvenience - let each other be happy.

Actually it's my house so not sure how to reword that. I've told him before if he's not happy he can leave. I've suggested that he leave for awhile..whatever it takes. Maybe we could use a break..but he won't leave. I would get the bills paid so I'm not begging him to stay to support me. He just doesn't want to leave and I'm not leaving so here we are..it is what it is.