Photo: Craig Sjodin/abcSusie Evansis opening up about the end of her relationship withClayton Echard.The formerBachelorcontestant, 29, was admittedly in “a pretty low place” prior toher splitwith Echard, 29.“The people around me could see that my sparkle had dulled and I was far from thriving,” she shared in a post on her new blogSusie Was Like. “Sure, I had joyous moments often, but deep down I was struggling and felt misaligned with the best version of me.“She continued, “I believe this was because I was trying to make something work that just wasn’t a natural fit. It’s emotionally taxing and not good for the soul.“Clayton Echard InstagramThe television personality said her ultimatetakeaway from the relationship"wasn’t blatantly obvious off the bat.“But, she wrote, “As time passes, I’m starting to realize that my biggest lessons from this breakup may actually have been about understanding myself better and learning how to communicate my expectations.“The wedding videographer also shared her advice for finding a long-term partner.“What I found in my last relationship is that a partnership rooted in love alone doesn’t always have the building blocks to grow tall and strong,” she wrote.She added, “So before you go and fall in love with just anybody, keep in mind that finding a partner that aligns with you on those crucial foundation pieces will more likely set your relationship up for long-term success.“Susie Evans InstagramShe concluded her post on a positive note, sharing that “so much good” — for both her and Echard — has come from the breakup.“I think ultimately we are both on our way to finding happiness within ourselves and our passions,” she shared. “I know for a fact that we both are rooting each other on from afar. Just because something wasn’t forever, it doesn’t mean it wasn’t wonderful.“Echard and Evans announcedtheir breakupin a joint Instagram post in September. “With incredibly heavy hearts, we wanted to share that we have decided to go our separate ways. For anyone who has ever loved, knows this was a painful decision to make and not one taken lightly,” they wrote.“We understand that there will likely be a lot of questions about this decision — social media is definitely a highlight reel and much of our experiences together we have kept private as I’m sure most can understand,” they continued. “But we will share this — although this last year together has brought us so much joy and so many laughs, there has also been a significant amount of pain.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.The two reality stars met onThe Bachelor, though Evans self-eliminated from the series. In August, Echard and Evans revealed they were trying to maintain along-distance relationship.“We’re like, ‘We don’t know if it’s going to be a month-long [relationship] from here or if it’s gonna be lifetime but, like, there’s no pressure,” Echard said at the time. “Let’s just love each other and be thankful.”

Photo: Craig Sjodin/abc

SUSIE, CLAYTON ECHARD

Susie Evansis opening up about the end of her relationship withClayton Echard.The formerBachelorcontestant, 29, was admittedly in “a pretty low place” prior toher splitwith Echard, 29.“The people around me could see that my sparkle had dulled and I was far from thriving,” she shared in a post on her new blogSusie Was Like. “Sure, I had joyous moments often, but deep down I was struggling and felt misaligned with the best version of me.“She continued, “I believe this was because I was trying to make something work that just wasn’t a natural fit. It’s emotionally taxing and not good for the soul.“Clayton Echard InstagramThe television personality said her ultimatetakeaway from the relationship"wasn’t blatantly obvious off the bat.“But, she wrote, “As time passes, I’m starting to realize that my biggest lessons from this breakup may actually have been about understanding myself better and learning how to communicate my expectations.“The wedding videographer also shared her advice for finding a long-term partner.“What I found in my last relationship is that a partnership rooted in love alone doesn’t always have the building blocks to grow tall and strong,” she wrote.She added, “So before you go and fall in love with just anybody, keep in mind that finding a partner that aligns with you on those crucial foundation pieces will more likely set your relationship up for long-term success.“Susie Evans InstagramShe concluded her post on a positive note, sharing that “so much good” — for both her and Echard — has come from the breakup.“I think ultimately we are both on our way to finding happiness within ourselves and our passions,” she shared. “I know for a fact that we both are rooting each other on from afar. Just because something wasn’t forever, it doesn’t mean it wasn’t wonderful.“Echard and Evans announcedtheir breakupin a joint Instagram post in September. “With incredibly heavy hearts, we wanted to share that we have decided to go our separate ways. For anyone who has ever loved, knows this was a painful decision to make and not one taken lightly,” they wrote.“We understand that there will likely be a lot of questions about this decision — social media is definitely a highlight reel and much of our experiences together we have kept private as I’m sure most can understand,” they continued. “But we will share this — although this last year together has brought us so much joy and so many laughs, there has also been a significant amount of pain.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.The two reality stars met onThe Bachelor, though Evans self-eliminated from the series. In August, Echard and Evans revealed they were trying to maintain along-distance relationship.“We’re like, ‘We don’t know if it’s going to be a month-long [relationship] from here or if it’s gonna be lifetime but, like, there’s no pressure,” Echard said at the time. “Let’s just love each other and be thankful.”

Susie Evansis opening up about the end of her relationship withClayton Echard.

The formerBachelorcontestant, 29, was admittedly in “a pretty low place” prior toher splitwith Echard, 29.

“The people around me could see that my sparkle had dulled and I was far from thriving,” she shared in a post on her new blogSusie Was Like. “Sure, I had joyous moments often, but deep down I was struggling and felt misaligned with the best version of me.”

She continued, “I believe this was because I was trying to make something work that just wasn’t a natural fit. It’s emotionally taxing and not good for the soul.”

Clayton Echard Instagram

Clayton Echard and Susie Evans

The television personality said her ultimatetakeaway from the relationship"wasn’t blatantly obvious off the bat.”

But, she wrote, “As time passes, I’m starting to realize that my biggest lessons from this breakup may actually have been about understanding myself better and learning how to communicate my expectations.”

The wedding videographer also shared her advice for finding a long-term partner.

“What I found in my last relationship is that a partnership rooted in love alone doesn’t always have the building blocks to grow tall and strong,” she wrote.

She added, “So before you go and fall in love with just anybody, keep in mind that finding a partner that aligns with you on those crucial foundation pieces will more likely set your relationship up for long-term success.”

Susie Evans Instagram

Clayton Echard and Susie Evans

She concluded her post on a positive note, sharing that “so much good” — for both her and Echard — has come from the breakup.

“I think ultimately we are both on our way to finding happiness within ourselves and our passions,” she shared. “I know for a fact that we both are rooting each other on from afar. Just because something wasn’t forever, it doesn’t mean it wasn’t wonderful.”

Echard and Evans announcedtheir breakupin a joint Instagram post in September. “With incredibly heavy hearts, we wanted to share that we have decided to go our separate ways. For anyone who has ever loved, knows this was a painful decision to make and not one taken lightly,” they wrote.

“We understand that there will likely be a lot of questions about this decision — social media is definitely a highlight reel and much of our experiences together we have kept private as I’m sure most can understand,” they continued. “But we will share this — although this last year together has brought us so much joy and so many laughs, there has also been a significant amount of pain.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The two reality stars met onThe Bachelor, though Evans self-eliminated from the series. In August, Echard and Evans revealed they were trying to maintain along-distance relationship.

“We’re like, ‘We don’t know if it’s going to be a month-long [relationship] from here or if it’s gonna be lifetime but, like, there’s no pressure,” Echard said at the time. “Let’s just love each other and be thankful.”

source: people.com