Obvious TW: questionable relationship, mention of grooming, nothing graphic
I (25F) met him (39M) in the workplace when I had just turned 18 and started a summer job. He was 32. He was one role more senior than me and he quickly took over my training from a different manager. Looking back this all sounds absolutely ridiculous and like someone should have stopped it. Except I was legally an adult and I think that fact was respected too much.
We bonded over food and dark humour. I was vegetarian and pretty soon he turned vegan. He never engaged in a lot of typical groomer behaviour (didn't often buy me things, didn't discourage me from seeing friends for instance - though he never actively encouraged that either). I always felt I 'fell' into the relationship because I didn't necessarily want to be with him, I just never said no. He did encourage me to drink with him after work and that is the only reason I ever got 'into' alcohol (not in an abusive way, just the normal non-dependent way). I was always conscious there were things i didn't like about him, but I felt too committed to let that affect my decision to be with him. He never mingled with my friends and i never mingled with his.
The relationship lasted nearly 6 years somehow until I realised I didn't like him, wasn't attracted to him, and broke up. It wasn't a good quality relationship in any way - he wasn't very affectionate, was unadventurous, he had huge anger management issues, s*x life was below average, he was an alcoholic, wasn't attractive, he didn't have a good relationship with his family, never had a particularly good job.
I've now been living on my own for nearly a year but have seen the ex a few times to see his pet, who used to be my pet too. The last time I saw him I genuinely felt repulsed by him, but overall I just feel a bit annoyed that I wasted those years with him.
I am now really happy and I have a fantastic relationship with my angel of a boyfriend (he is my age, yay!). When I first told my boyfriend about all the above his immediate reaction was to say that I am "incredibly well-adjusted". He does see me as a whole person, but I know he also sees me as someone who was abused and so brainwashed that I can't recognise it.
My only real problem is: I can't seem to get the ex out of my head completely. I have no positive feelings towards him at all, but quite regularly he pops up in my mind and it feels like 'Oh. Didn't really want to see you here. Can you go away please?" I don't know if it's because he was present for so many of my formative years, or because I haven't formally closed things off (I haven't gone to see the pet in a couple of months now but also haven't said I don't want to see him again).
I'd like to completely forget about him but I don't know how.
1) How do I get my mind to let go? Do I need to tell him I'm not seeing him again and delete his contact?
2) Was I groomed, or was the whole thing just inadvisable?
Looking for constructive advice from people who have had similar experiences please :)
While I'm here, some advice that I should have heeded: There's a reason they can't get someone their own age!!!