How to Deal with a Romantic Breakup
One of the hardest experiences to go through in life is the pain of a romantic breakup. Our minds often dwell on the past as we reminisce on the good times, along with the time, energy, emotional investment, and sometimes even financial sacrifices. This can cause feelings of inadequacy, humiliation, and alienation. As a result, we may experience a sense of desperation to return to our ex-partner, often overlooking the reasons for the breakup in the first place. It is normal to experience a grieving period after a separation and it can take time to make peace with the situation and move on. Everyone’s healing journey is different, and it is important to be gentle with ourselves during this time.
Here are some tips to help you work through the pain:
1. Make time for both distraction and contemplation
When processing difficult emotions it is okay to reflect and release our feelings, don’t hold back the tears or try to suppress it, rather we need to allow ourselves to let it go. However, gaining perspective is also important and the use of distractions can help shift our attention to activities and people in our lives that bring us meaning and hope.
2. Turn to your support networks
When a romantic relationship ends it can be easy to lose sight of the love that we can experience with our friends and family. Surrounding ourselves with people we trust or likewise with our pets can play an important role in our healing journey. A therapist can also act as a support system if you are really struggling to process your sadness, or find that symptoms are getting worse and becoming unmanageable.
3. Disconnect from what no longer serves you
Give yourself permission to temporarily distance yourself from individuals and circumstances that may cause significant discomfort. Consider unfollowing your ex on social media, skipping gatherings involving mutual friends, and avoiding any activities that feel too challenging in the moment. Getting over a significant relationship can take time so remember to focus on your self-care and seek support from those you love. There is no set timeline for how fast an individual recovers from heartbreak so go easy on yourself. Embrace solitude by journaling your thoughts and feelings, partake in activities that you enjoy, and most importantly, take it easy on yourself!
Are you struggling to cope with a breakup and need someone to talk to? Book a free consultation with one of our relationship experts to discover how they can assist you. Or contact us for more information at 905-264-6565 or admin@vaughanpsychotherapist.com.
References
Lester, T. (2023, January 11). How to recover from a breakup. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/staying-sane-inside-insanity/202301/how-to-recover-from-a-breakup#
Maertz, K. (n.d.). Surviving a relationship break-up - Top 20 strategies. University of Alberta. https://www.mcgill.ca/counselling/files/counselling/surviving_a_break-up_-_20_strategies_0.pdf