Letting go of a relationship is hard no matter if you are breaking up or being broken up with. While it may seem unbearable at first, there are steps you can take to ease the pain and move on.
1. Make a Clean Break
As tempting as it may be to hold on to your ex by remaining friends, it will only delay the healing process. On the off-chance that you are able to move on to a new romance while remaining friends with your ex, your new love may not be too comfortable with your ex hanging around.
2. Allow yourself to grieve
Break ups are one of the major losses a person faces throughout life. Cry, scream, spend a Sunday watching sappy movies with a tub of your favourite ice cream-letting go of a relationship can be made easier if you allow yourself to express your grief.
3. Start a Journal
Writing out your thoughts and feelings allows you to acknowledge and work through them faster. Admitting that the relationship wasn't perfect is a great starting point for moving on. Make lists of all the good and the bad elements of the relationship to help you learn what you want (or don't want) from future romantic partners.
4. Start an exercise routine
Exercising releases mood-elevating endorphins into your bloodstream. If you join a group fitness program-such as a yoga class or boot camp-you can combine this feel good practice with meeting new people.
5. Spend time with family & friends
Family and friends can provide you with what you need, whether it be a shoulder to cry on or an escape from the moping. Letting go of a relationship will hurt less if you surround yourself with people who care about you.
6. Take up a new hobby
Have you always wanted to take an art class or learn how to scuba dive? You are already going through a transition, use this period as an excuse to pick up new skills or hobbies. Invite a friend along so you have someone to share your new adventure with. Best of all, this new hobby is something that you will not associate with your ex.
7. Treat yourself
Have you had your eye on something special from your favourite store that you just haven't been able to justify buying? They call it retail therapy for a reason. Now is the perfect time to treat yourself to that cute pair of shoes or a new dress.
8. Get a pet
A fury (or scaly) friend can help ease the feelings of loneliness. By rescuing an abandoned pet from your local shelter, you can find a pet that needs the extra love and attention you have to give. Make certain you find out all you can about the pet you choose to adopt to ensure they will fit in with your life once the grieving period is over.
9. Develop a crush
Harmless flirting is a great ego boost and can help you get passed your feelings of rejection. If there's no one in your daily life that you feel is worthy of your charm, daydreaming about your favourite actor can be a great substitute (and you are guaranteed that he'll say all the right things).
10. Start dating again
The final, and most obvious step in letting go of a relationship is to be open to the opportunity for a new relationship. Keep in mind the things you learned from your recent relationship. However, be sure not to compare your new love to your ex; accept them for who they are and they'll do the same for you.
Only you can know when you are ready to start dating again, but don't let yourself pine over your ex for too long. Grieve and then move on to loving and being loved by another.