Written by: Amanda Levison, M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT
Breakups are tough to navigate. Sometimes, it would be easier to delete the person from our lives and move forward. Still, we cannot, especially during today’s dating scene where individuals are in long-term relationships without a label—making it more difficult to move on. As the process can be drawn out at times, here are some tips on moving forward during a breakup.
Create distance from your ex. Most notably, during a breakup, we need to create space for the individual to avoid falling back into the trap of going back to this person because of the fear of being lonely, establishing boundaries that make sense for your situation. It may mean blocking their number or unfollowing them on social media. Creating those boundaries allows individuals to start the healing process.
Work through your feelings. Take time to acknowledge how you’re feeling. Remember that we are human and allowed to feel sad, angry, hurt, or upset. Take time to grieve the relationship and work towards acceptance. Accepting the relationship for what it was and is. The only thing someone can control is how they view the situation and how they move forward. Eventually, individuals will be able to forgive themselves.
Engage in self-care. Make it a priority to treat yourself and engage in daily self-care routines. Some ideas are to create a playlist that goes along with your mood for the day and play it or create a healing mantra that makes you feel empowered and use it daily. Try incorporating physical exercise into your life, such as getting outside for a walk.
Reconnect with loved ones. Trying to take the time to reconnect and engage with family, friends, and individuals that can be a support to you is essential during a time of need to help with the healing process.
Love yourself. After a breakup, try taking time to focus on yourself. Learn about your likes and dislikes. It's a great time to explore new hobbies and new foods. Focusing on the positives in life and sharing those moments with individuals who bring you joy will help your healing process.
After a breakup, navigating feelings and emotions is not always easy, but individuals can remind themselves of their self-worth and love with these few tips. Over time, energy will likely shift, and time can be spent engaging in the activities that bring one joy, such as self-care or spending time with family and friends. An individual who allows themselves to feel the emotions after a breakup can better navigate them through the future creating an environment for themselves that they want. If you know someone who may be struggling after a breakup, reach out to them, remind them that you care, and be ready to listen when they are ready to talk.
If you or someone you know is struggling and need some additional support, reach out to us at Neurofeedback and Counseling Center of PA at (717) 202-2510 or info@neuroandcounselingcenter.com. You don’t need to struggle alone, and we are here for you.
