Being in a relationship certainly has its ups, but when that relationship ends it can be absolutely devastating. One of the most difficult things a given person will go through in their life is moving on from a relationship that had lasted for many years. In most cases, you and your partner have combined various aspects of your lives, including your home, friends, family, finances, and pets. Detaching yourself from a person who has been a constant in your life can be extremely difficult. Many people equate ending a long-term relationship to losing a limb or feeling like your body is paralyzed. Even though this other person is still alive, it can feel like they are gone forever and your life will never be the same.
That being said, chances are your relationship ended for a specific reason and letting go is the only way you are going to be able to move forward. Regardless of why the relationship ended, it is important to seek out healthy coping mechanisms. Ending a long-term relationship can be very similar to losing a loved one, which means there is oftentimes a grieving period. Please know that grief is a very common aspect of ending a relationship and that there is nothing to be ashamed about. Listen to your body and let your emotions out. Bottling everything up inside will do you no good and will only prolong the grieving period. Yes, this is going to be a long, hard process, but it is possible to move on. Here are a few tips to help you learn how to do it in as healthy a way as possible:
- Cry and be emotional, but don’t be suicidal – It is completely normal to cry and be upset after a relationship has ended, but do not think about ending everything. While it may not seem like it at the moment, life will go on and you will once again be happy and full of life. There is more to life than having a partner, remember this. Never let your depression get out of hand, and if you feel it going in that direction call a friend, family member, or Lifeworks.
- Have a positive attitude about your future – Give yourself time to grieve and be sad, but also remember that the future is much brighter. Try to be grateful for all the positive aspects of your life and encourage yourself to look towards the future. Know that there is someone better out there for you and that someday you will experience a positive, fulfilling relationship.
- Seek closure – The key to moving on is seeking proper closure. This could mean having a final talk with your ex, talking to a therapist, or some other action that allows you to move on. If possible, you don’t want to go forward, feeling angry, hateful, or hurt by your past. This may take time, but it is an important step.
- Be positive and productive – It can be extremely harmful to your health and well-being to wallow for too long or just sit at home being upset. Instead of letting depression take over, get out of bed, go to a yoga class or the gym, get outside, and keep yourself busy with productive things.
Our Carrollton relationship counseling center is here for you and will offer you the support and guidance you need to move on. We understand just how difficult these situations can be and will serve as your sounding board and support system. Please do not hesitate to give us a call today and schedule an appointment with one of our experienced Carrollton relationship counselors.
