Attempting to recover from a break-up can be a challenging and emotional process. Many emotions following a break-up of a relationship commonly line-up with experiencing trauma and grief.
A breakdown in a relationship can either be a slow decreasing breakdown in communication, or a shocking blow to one another.
Either way, it’s important to take steps to heal and move forward in the long-term. There are common ways to recover from a break-up which usually allow healing but only in the short-term, this can include:
- Starting a new relationship straight after
- Replacing the relationship with a new hobby
- Multiple rebound partners
- Attempting to cover your emotions with drugs or alcohol
- Reducing your self-care
This leads to a short-term gain of reducing feelings of grief, anxiety or trauma. It becomes a plaster on an open wound without fully addressing and facing your emotions.
Following your break-up, it’s important to address your feelings in order to recover from it.
1.Allow Yourself to Grieve:
It’s normal to feel a wide range of emotions after a break-up, including sadness, anger, and confusion. Allow yourself to experience these emotions without judgment.
2. Create a support circle:
Reach out to friends and family who can provide emotional support and understanding during this difficult time. Talking about your feelings with someone you trust can aid in understanding the break-up.
3. Cut Off Contact (if necessary):
Depending on the circumstances, you may need to limit or cut off contact with your ex-partner to create emotional space and avoid further pain.
4. Focus on Self-Care:
Continue your usual self-care activities as allowing those continue help rebuild your confidence and self-esteem.
5. Reflect and Learn:
Take some time to reflect on the relationship and what you’ve learned from it. Understanding what went wrong can help you grow and make better choices in the future.
6. Create a Routine:
Establish a daily routine to provide structure and stability in your life. This can help you regain a sense of control and purpose.
7. Set Goals:
Consider setting new personal goals or revisiting old ones that you may have put on hold during the relationship. Achieving these goals can also boost your self-esteem and sense of accomplishment.
8. Seek Professional Help:
Therapy is recommended before, during and after any relationship or break-up. Personal counselling creates your own space for yourself to understand who you are, what you want and how you can grow. Especially following a break-up this form of self-care and reflection can easily fall by the wayside. Therefore, it’s important not to allow this to be forgotten.
9. Give It Time:
Healing from a break-up takes time, and it’s okay to feel like you’re not making progress at times. Be patient with yourself and trust that with time, the pain will lessen.
Everyone’s journey to recovery is unique, and there is no set timeline for how long it takes to heal. It’s essential to prioritise your wellbeing and take the steps that feel right for you. In time, you’ll likely find yourself in a better place emotionally and ready to move on to new experiences and relationships.
