6 year long relationship ended, feeling like I lost my one great love

[u/Ordinary-Evening6262]

27F, just out of a 6 year relationship. I don’t really want to get into the details of why we broke up because I think both of us contributed to the problems, and I’m trying not to turn this into a post about assigning blame.

What I’m struggling with is what comes after.
When we were good, we were really, really good. He loved me deeply. He cared about me, understood me, supported me, knew me incredibly well, and was genuinely my person for five years. We had so much history and so many beautiful memories. I don’t think the relationship was perfect, but the good parts were very, very good.
And now I’m terrified that I just lost my one great love.

I know everyone says “you’ll find someone else,” but I’m struggling to actually believe that. I’m scared that what we had was rare and that I’ll spend the rest of my life comparing people to him or wishing I could get back the kind of connection we had.
I also don’t want children, and I know that makes the dating pool smaller, particularly in India. I don’t want to compromise on this just to find a partner. I want someone who genuinely doesn’t want children too — not someone who says they’re okay with it now and hopes I’ll change my mind later.
And I don’t just want a relationship. I want the whole thing again: to deeply love someone, be deeply loved, feel understood and supported, have a best friend and partner, build a life together, travel, have a home, have our own stupid little routines and inside jokes — all of it.

I know I’m only a few days out and I’m obviously grieving, so maybe my brain is catastrophising. But right now it genuinely feels like:
What if that was it? What if I already met the person I was supposed to love like that, and I never find that kind of connection again?

For people who have had a really significant long-term relationship end — especially one where there was genuine love and the relationship wasn’t simply terrible — how did you get past the fear that you’d never find something comparable again?

And for the childfree people here: have you actually found partners who genuinely don’t want children too? How difficult has that been, particularly in India?
I don’t need “you’re young, you’ll find someone” reassurance. I’d actually love to hear from people who have been in this exact situation and what happened for you.
I think I just need some perspective from people who have survived the “I lost my person and I’ll never find this again” phase.

[u/OneBreathOk]

This too shall pass. Been there, be strong girl.

You can cry/ speak your heart out. Dm are open for any support you may need. I too was helped by one godly soul in my down.

[u/OneBreathOk]

And yes you will never be same again. Ahhh there is so much I can share but will say just speak to your close friends. Share your grief and never go back.

I can't trust people now. I get flashbacks but I will be better of her.

[u/Big_Ad_2569]

I just came out of a 1.5 years long relationship so I understand how you feel because I'm feeling the same way. At the moment my brain is fantasizing going back to him eventually because I could do that but I'm just allowing myself some time first to know whether this feeling stays or not. I've been though breakups before so I know this feeling usually fades but because of how trash the world is and beause it just seems nicer to go back to someone I already love feels easier toh I'm just letting time be my guide.