Breakups can be painful, whether it’s a divorce, a breakup with a partner, or children leaving home. Primarily, it leads to a sense of emptiness, where the assumption is that things will never be okay again. Moreover, emotions are more challenging during holidays following any type of breakup.
Ending a relationship also brings feelings of loneliness, failure, and subsequent self-blame. Sometimes, it can even result in a loss of interest in life. Succumbing to these emotions can lead to a plunge into depression. Conversely, those who maintain good mental health cope better with a breakup. Every type of breakup hurts differently, and individuals cope in varied ways. In any case, establishing a regular routine can be helpful.
How to endure a divorce
Despite the emotional pain, it’s essential to deal with child care, property division, and the relationship itself. It can be overwhelming for one person alone. There’s no shame in leaning on friends, family, or a professional. Divorce isn’t just about pain and worry; it’s also an open door to a new chapter in life.
The key is not to dwell on one’s ex-spouse, and refrain from tormenting oneself with memories of beautiful moments spent together. This only intensifies the pain. It’s necessary to start living a new life, which involves overcoming insecurity and fear of loneliness. The solution is not to quickly enter any substitute relationship.
Anger and blaming the partner lead to both mental and physical exhaustion. It’s crucial to break free from that and recognize the benefits of divorce. There’s no need to consider the other person’s opinion anymore, putting an end to daily conflicts and stress. Conversely, it becomes possible to do things that were once neglected due to lack of time.
It’s important to be a support for one’s children, who suffer the most from a divorce. Lying to them or vilifying a new partner or their parents is not beneficial.
The key to overcoming divorce is accepting reality and having a realistic perspective. Reflect on what was wrong in the relationship. Close the chapter, forgive the ex-spouse, and start living actively, taking care of oneself, and focusing on the future. Every ending can be the beginning of something better.
Breaking up with a partner isn’t the end
While ending a relationship with a partner doesn’t involve legal battles, it doesn’t mean it’s a less painful process than divorce. In this case, you may need to deal with childcare or living arrangements.
The void in the heart won’t be filled by a replacement or changing sexual partners. Begging the ex-partner to return is not recommended. Drowning sorrows in alcohol or indulging in sweets won’t help either. It’s necessary to remember the negative aspects of the partner, accept the past as it was, and begin a new chapter in life. Expressing oneself through writing or talking about the pain, emptiness, and other negative emotions can be beneficial. However, one shouldn’t overwhelm friends and family with their breakup pain.
Breaking up with a friend
After a breakup or parting ways with a friend, support can be found in friends who bring joy, provide encouragement, and help overcome tough times. Where to find support after breaking up with friends?
In this case, as well, it’s important to accept this reality, recall the negative aspects of the former friend, close the past, find new interests and activities, and open a new chapter in life. Seeking replacement friends quickly isn’t a good idea, just as isolating oneself is not helpful. Instead, it’s good to live actively, take care of oneself, and engage in personal interests.
Empty Nest Syndrome
For some parents, their children were everything. However, they have grown up and are leaving home to start their own families. The reaction to the independence of adult children can be sadness, anger, depression, feelings of loneliness, emptiness (hence the name Empty Nest Syndrome), and other negative emotions. These emotions may even manifest as health issues.
It’s time to live for oneself again, find new shared interests, accept this reality, and respect the independence and needs of adult children. Support from other parents can also help with coping with the departure of children. Maintaining good relationships with the children is recommended. Their departure from home doesn’t mean the severing of ties with parents.