The Importance Of Looking After Yourself After A Breakup*

The Importance Of Looking After Yourself After A Breakup*

Most of us will experience at least one painful breakup in our lives. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of being heartbroken, but time is a healer. If you’ve been through a divorce, or you’ve cut ties with a long-term partner, here are some tips to look after yourself and start building for the future. 

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself

Many of us feel like we’re under pressure to meet certain targets in our lives. We have a plan in mind that dictates when we should settle down, and we feel a need to bounce back and recover within a set time-frame if things don’t go to plan. In reality, breakups affect people differently, and we all cope with curveballs in unique ways. There is no right or wrong way to cope, and nobody should tell you when you should start dating again, get back to work or start to feel ‘normal’ again after a harrowing break-up. Give yourself time to heal and process what has happened and take each day as it comes. You might find that one day you feel great and optimistic about the future, and the next, you feel distraught. It will take time to get back on your feet. 

Try and be sociable

If you’ve been through a break-up, seeing other people might be the last thing you want to do. While being on your own might make you feel better for a short period of time, most of us respond positively to human contact and interaction. Spending time with friends and family can be hugely beneficial. Surround yourself with those who have a positive influence on your mood and mindset, and don’t be afraid to reach out to people if you’re feeling lonely. There should never be any pressure to move on and start dating. If you feel like you’re ready to start meeting new people, go into the process with an open mind, and don’t apply pressure to find ‘the one’ or put yourself down if your first date isn’t a roaring success. Getting into the dating game can be daunting, and you might find that talking to people online or calling phone chat numbers is a less scary prospect than meeting people face-to-face. This is particularly beneficial if you’re looking for something casual and you’re not ready for a relationship yet. 

Invest your time wisely

They say that every cloud has a silver lining. For many people, the end of a relationship brings new opportunities in the form of freeing up time to spend with friends and family, indulge hobbies and practise self-care. Invest your time wisely. Do things that make you happy, be productive and look for ways to relax, recharge your batteries, meet new people and enjoy new experiences. Whether you’re keen to rediscover interests that have fallen by the wayside over the years, or you’ve always been interested in learning a new language, taking up dance classes, or expanding your culinary repertoire, devoting more time to activities that enrich your life and make you feel good will have an incredibly positive impact. 

It’s never easy to cope with a breakup. If you’ve split with your partner, it’s crucial to take time to reflect and to make sure that you look after yourself.

* This is a contributed post and may contain affiliate links