The Art Of Getting Over It: 10 Simple Phrases That Will Heal Your Heartbreak Faster
ilolab | Shutterstock He's the perfect height. He has perfect hands. You love his sister. You love his scent. In your mind, he (or she!) is perfect, and everything about the person you loved is perfect by association.
The problem is that they don't want to be with you. And now you're never going to find love again. Right? Wrong.
Learning how to get over a breakup, especially one that ended on bad terms, can seem impossible. You truly loved this person, but they let you go. It's time to accept that and start healing your heartbreak. You deserve to be happy again!
Here are 10 simple phrases that will heal your heartbreak faster
1. 'It's normal to be this miserable right now'
Depression is never easy, but in this case, it might be a necessary first step in adjusting to a new situation. Indulge in your misery. Rent sad movies, make your friends crazy, and listen to sad songs.
Be sad until you get bored with being sad. Eventually, you'll realize that being happy is more fun. If not, reach out for support.
2. 'They are not dying'
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You're losing the relationship, not the person. If you love this guy and need him in your life, he can always be in your life, so long as you want him to be. Focus on what's actually going on here, and resist the urge to "awfulize."
Though the transition from girlfriend to friend may be unpleasant, the result is someone in your life who really cares about you, and then friendship can last forever.
3. 'I don't want a relationship where I'm not wanted'
You have to trust your ex on this. The person you ultimately end up with will feel as sure about you as you feel about him. If he doesn't have a good feeling about this now, he's sparing both of you the agony of an even harder breakup later.
You shouldn't be part of a relationship that doesn't intuitively feel right to one of the people in it.
4. 'I can't force them to want me on my timeline'
If you are right for each other, your ex will figure it out. But it will have to be on their own timeline, not yours.
Couples do get back together, but even if you do, you're going to have to take some time apart in the interim. If he comes around, it will be because the distance made him realize how stupid he was to let you go in the first place, which will lay the foundation for a much stronger relationship in the future.
Chances are, by the time he comes around, you'll have moved on and understood how to get over a breakup anyway.
5. 'It wasn't always good'
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After a breakup, your mind tortures you with only good memories and not the bad ones, but you know deep down that the boy had some problems. Maybe he hated going out, or had annoying friends, or didn't like dogs or art.
Right now, it seems he could do no wrong, but at some point, you'll remember you had your doubts, too. The most convincing proof will be when someone new comes along that you click with in ways you never thought possible.
6. 'Heartbreak takes time'
Don't beat yourself up about not getting over the guy in a matter of weeks or months. A breakup is a form of loss, and all forms of loss are followed by a mourning period.
It's important to give yourself the time to grieve before you move on. Filling your life with other things is a learning process. You can't learn a language overnight, you can't learn a sport overnight, and you can't learn to get over your ex overnight.
7. 'You will find someone'
Propagation of the species is inevitable, and you are no exception. The relationship that just ended is proof that you are capable of loving someone and sharing yourself with him. Just because this guy's not the right guy doesn't mean that the right guy doesn't exist. You just haven't found him yet.
Don't make yourself crazy wondering what happens if you never meet the right person; it's akin to stressing out about getting hit by a truck tomorrow.
8. 'Enjoy your freedom now'
Assuming you are going to end up in a relationship that lasts forever, you might as well have your fun now. When else can you live your life with no strings attached? You can stay out as late as you want, travel impulsively, and flirt with whoever, whenever.
You can finally have guy friends again. You don't have to check in with or answer anyone. You don't have to worry about anyone's reaction to a new outfit or hair color. Though it may seem scary at first, it's a rare opportunity to be selfish in a lifetime of prioritizing others.
9. 'Put it in a larger perspective'
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A breakup is one of many wonderful and tragic events that comprise your life experiences. Chances are, this relationship is going to be a small fraction of your entire life and not even the most significant fraction.
There's your career, family, friends, and travels, all of which contribute intimately to your identity. Without your most recent other half, you're still a whole with a lifetime of experiences ahead of you.
10. 'You were happy before, you will be again'
You will be happy again. Right now it seems like this is going to be The Year of the Breakup, but everything could change in a week. It might be the year you meet the love of your life. Leave yourself open to possibilities; you never know what's around the bend.
Michelle Haimoff is a writer who focuses on the reality of relationships. She has written for the Los Angeles Times, Psychology Today, The Huffington Post, and The New York Times.
