if she wants my opinion/thoughts/feelings/explainations or whatever you wanna call it - that'll be tricky, won't it? I'm going to have to actually craft my words very carefully, so I don't end up sticking my foot in my mouth.
Yes it will be tricky. Just tell her that this is all happening so fast, but it has helped you to take a good look at yourself and recognize that there are things you need to work on for you, and no matter what happens, that is what you intend to do. You might even say that this experience has actually been good for you because it has opened your eyes to changes you need to make. Then say that you're terribly sorry that things had to get to this point for you to recognize this about you, but it has probably been good just for that reason.
Don't go into specifics -- I'll change this, that, etc, -- unless she begins asking you about what you've recognized. Don't go into details unless she pushes you to. You don't want to tell you've changed or are changing, you want to SHOW her through actions. Spilling all the beans without her asking for them will only come across as pursuing behavior. Let her initiate any specific R talk -- otherwise just listen, empathize, and validate her feelings.
Stick to all of the advice you've gotten here so far and you're going to do great, my friend! You're going to feel great too!
