People Are Discussing The Proper Way Of Handling Your Ex's Belongings And Pets After They Move Out

"What about the dog? Anyone that leaves a dog behind is the asshole, not you."

Chelsi

• Published in Interesting
• October 31, 2022

Break-ups are grueling to experience. Sometimes they're awkward, most times they're heartbreaking. 

There would be constant reminders that you have to move on from. If you've lived with the other person, it would be more of a hassle settling the return of their things.

In every breakup, there are unspoken rules. This includes trying to figure out how to get rid of the stuff they left with you. 

A Redditor who narrated her problem in a r/AITA post asked people if she would be TA if she continued with her decision. OP went through a breakup with someone she was with for years and now her ex had a new partner.

Her ex left all of their belongings and dog in her house, which she didn't mind at first. She would hold onto their things until they could get a storage unit and keep the dog for a while. 

After some time, OP reminded them about their stuff and they sent a friend over to retrieve one load. They told OP that they would still get more but their storage unit is full. 

OP decided to move the things to the basement after they skirted the idea of her holding on to the stuff for a while for a fee. But OP's friends and family suggested she give it to charity instead since it's been so long.

OP thinks her ex doesn't have anything important that she has. Will she be TA if she chooses to follow her family's advice?

Should OP follow her family and friends' advice?

There was a breakup as it is, OP didn't want to have a fight on top of it

There was a difference of how big OP's place is compared to the new partner's

A little info from OP

She informed her ex that they still had to pick up their stuff

OP needed to redecorate so she moved her ex's stuff to her basement

Then OP's friends and family made a suggestion

She thinks that it might be okay and it looks like there aren't things in her basement that are important to the ex

OP could do what she’s thinking but it would be better if she gave a notice first

Make it formal with specific details so everything’s official and there’s less misunderstanding

Giving them a chance to get their things within a specified time limit will help confirm if they actually still need them

If OP needs any ideas on how to get on with the letter, this can help her get started

The laws may vary per location and if OP’s ex would take the offer, she should be there to supervise

OP shared that she already drew boundaries previously when her ex brought her new partner to her house

Someone experienced the same thing and already did what the other Redditors suggested, it worked.

Time to grow up

The only person OP is being mean to, is herself by letting this go on for a long time

More than the belongings, the dog being left was also discussed

OP provided unfortunate information about the dog

Redditors think OP was gracious enough to hold on to her ex’s things for that long. It was something not many imagined themselves being able to do.

But if she went on to donate the things to charity without informing the ex first then she might turn from WNBTA to TA. It would rely on her looking into laws about property abandonment and following through getting rid of the things if ever her ex decides not to pick them up.

Chelsi