'I was sick and fighting for my life when my fiancé said eight words that shattered my world.'

Back when I was 21 years old, I had a lot going for me. I'd just graduated from university, lived overseas, travelled, and had aspirations of buying my own house and starting a small business.

It was around this time that I first met my dream man. Immediately, my parents didn't like him.

At the time, it didn't bother me. He was hot, and I was seeking external validation as a rebellious and angsty woman in my early twenties. 

After many, many nights out together — involving endless tequila — we finally became an item.

We were very much in love. He was the epitome of a bad boy I was hooked.

Over the next few years, we travelled and grew together, attending parties arm in arm.

We were a great couple… until we weren't.

I've always struggled with self-worth. My expectations of myself have always been uncomfortably high, and my boyfriend's expectations of me were no different.

After a stunning winter travelling the world, we returned home with one goal in mind: buy a house.

Watch: How to support someone going through a separation or divorce. Post continues after video.

A few months later, we did just that. It needed some work, but we were up for the challenge. 

It was during this time that the pressure really stacked on, financially and physically, and I felt like I was out of control. 

My boyfriend began to resent me for not being as handy as him with the renovation, not earning enough money to be able to contribute or not looking sexy enough when I was painting — yes, this really happened.

Everything around me was dirty, messy, expensive, and it felt like I was just handing out money left right and centre.

I was spiralling and didn't know what to do.

The natural choice for me was to start controlling what I ate. This came to me so naturally; almost scary naturally.

It became fast and severe anorexia, two hospital visits — crippling anxiety, self-harm, and the loss of much more than just weight.

In amongst all this, we got engaged. He gave me the most divine diamond ring. 

However, my eating disorder didn't just go away. I am highly organised and competent, achieving anything I set my mind to, but this is just something I could not seem to shake.

My fiancé didn't understand why I didn't just eat.

He didn't invite me to parties, and was ashamed of me. He stopped wanting to have sex, but that was fine. I was so underweight that my sex drive had completely disappeared anyway.

Even through all of this, I was fighting, both for my life and for the relationship. If we were going to get married, I would've put everything behind me, in sickness and in health and all that.

One day, I was in the shower when my fiancé got home. He walked in to tell me that he was leaving. He left the next day.

I shut off the water and pulled some PJs on. I didn't understand what was happening.

He told me that he loved me in theory, but that he wasn't attracted to me anymore, I was wasting his time, and that I couldn't give him a child.

That last part was technically true, but it hurt more than anything he had ever said to me.

The last part was a gut-punch.

"I can't wait for you to get better."

He turned around and left.

I haven't seen him since.

That night, I fell to the floor, sobbing, weeping, mourning the marriage I thought was going to be my forever.

Little did I know this was going to be my turning point.

Over the next few years, my life completely changed. I threw myself into hobbies, friends, and making a life for myself.

The biggest shock was realising how I'd let myself become so financially dependent on someone else. 

Now, looking back, I realise him leaving me was the moment I started to learn to be myself again. It was the shock therapy I needed to get my life back on track.

I have regained the weight, still see a therapist (but who doesn't these days) and I'm learning to beat anorexia every day.

I am in a wonderful relationship with a kind, caring and, most importantly, understanding man who loves me, and doesn't think of me as damaged goods. 

I moved across the country, not wanting to heal in the place that made me sick.

I am finally living my life for me. And it's true, hindsight is 20/20.

If you or anyone you know needs support for eating disorders, please contact the Butterfly Foundation National Support Line and online service 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673) or email support@thebutterflyfoundation.org.au.

If you or anyone you know needs to speak with an expert, please contact your GP or in Australia, contact Lifeline (13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) or Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636), all of which provide trained counsellors you can talk with 24/7.

Feature Image: Getty. (Stock image used for illustrative purposes only).