I hadnât noticed in the first few months with my girlfriend. She always wore the same watch on her wrist. The other day, during a conversation, she said that the watch was a birthday gift from her ex-boyfriend. I got a little upset and changed the subject, but itâs eating me inside. Would it be unnecessary to bring this up now, or if I donât say anything, it keeps growing within me? Is it silly to make an issue out of this? Iâm really feeling indecisive.
I think youâre making too big a deal out of it. Itâs just a watch after all. It could even be a really valuable gift; should no one use it just because their ex gave it to them? If itâs functional, why should it be thrown away? Donât focus on that; remember that he is with you right now.
Honestly, it didnât feel very normal to me. Because it seems strange for someone to hold onto a gift that wouldnât have any meaning. I once experienced a similar situation based on an old memory; I was so heartbroken that I even sent my own gifts back to the womanâs house. If thereâs still an emotional connection, itâs clearly unsettling.
Youâve acted like youâve allowed this from the start. You say you didnât notice for the first few months, but if you didnât talk about it on the day you realized, whatâs the point of ruining it now? Why canât you just say âI donât like itâ openly? I think thatâs the real issue 
@ters_kose At first, I didnât think there was a bond when I didnât notice it. By the time I realized it, our relationship was really good, and I didnât want to ruin it. Now, Iâm not sure if he has completely forgotten his ex, so I got upset.
@soran If you were my daughter, I wouldnât let you use an old gift even if I thought about it for forty years. Anything related to an ex should be thrown away or given to someone; it shouldnât even be kept in the house. Youâve also shown a weak stance, be a bit more clear 
I understand that the issue is not the physical presence of the gift for you. It seems like an old bond is being symbolized, right? If this watch is really more than an ordinary item, clarify your emotional issues in your conversation, because they grow as you dwell on them in your mind. Otherwise, unnecessary tension will increase.
Look, Iâm saying this from a guyâs perspective. Most men donât attach meaning to things like this. If that watch is functional or of good quality, he might just say, âwhy would it stop?â and it could have just stopped. But if you still think it has an emotional impact, speak clearly. Men donât understand confusion.