Julia,

If you are looking for reasons or lessons from your 5 yr relationship breakup then please elaborate what did your boyfriend say why he wanted to breakup?  Did you have good communication during that time with him?  Were you two able to discuss differences and deal with disagreements in a satisfying way?  Did you two talk about future plans?  Did you two share core common values and outlook in life?  What ways were you two compatible?  And what ways were you two not?

What part did you play in this breakup?  In my experience and knowledge, each party has some responsibility in why relationships don’t work out.

Mark