Craig Conover is navigating life post-breakup after his three-year relationship with Paige DeSorbo came to an unexpected end. The Southern Charm star took to Instagram on Tuesday (Jan. 7) to address the breakup for the first time, calling the experience "very shocking" and detailing his efforts to adjust to a "new normal."

"This has all been very, very unexpected to say the least," Conover shared in an Instagram Story. "But I guess life has to … I gotta start living again, whatever that looks like, whatever my new normal looks like, I have to start."

Conover revealed the breakup occurred just before the holidays, catching him completely off guard. 

"It takes two people to be in a relationship, and you can't control other people. You can only control how you react to it," he said, maintaining a composed but reflective tone.

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Acknowledging the difficulty of losing someone he once considered his "best friend," Conover expressed gratitude for the support he's received. 

"Your best friend that you talked to every day, then they're just gone," he said. "One day, I'll be able to talk more on it, but right now, I just wanted to thank everyone for their kind messages. I have to have faith in God that everything happens for a reason," he added.

DeSorbo, 32, initially announced the split on December 30 during an episode of her podcast Giggly Squad. "Craig and I have decided to no longer be together," the Summer House star said, clarifying that their breakup wasn't the result of wrongdoing. "No one did anything. It wasn't a bad thing. I think we both were just being really mature and saying what we want and what we didn't want."

The news of their breakup sent shockwaves through the Bravo community, with many fans expressing their opinions on social media. Some Bravoholics speculated that the couple might reconcile, while others predicted that Conover would move on quickly, possibly settling down with someone new in the near future. The 36-year-old entrepreneur has been open about his desire to settle down, leading some fans to believe marriage and children could be on the horizon for him in the next two years.

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However, others felt the split was inevitable, citing the couple's unwillingness to make sacrifices or go the distance for one another. "Maybe they just weren't meant to be," one fan wrote on X, while another commented, "They were great together, but sometimes love isn't enough."

Despite the mixed reactions, many fans have expressed hope that both Conover and DeSorbo find happiness, whether individually or together. As Conover embarks on his January travels, he asked fans to continue showing kindness to both him and DeSorbo as they move forward separately. The future remains uncertain for the once-beloved Bravo couple, but both have emphasized their respect and care for one another in the wake of their split.

Photo Credit: @caconover on Instagram.