Breakups are traumatic any time of year, but they’re certainly even tougher during the holidays. It’s a time that’s meant to be ‘full of cheer,’ but when we’re not feeling like ourselves, we can feel even more stressed about time with family, friends, or in other social situations.
The last thing someone wants to do after it’s all over is explain what happened to so-and-so. To avoid it, many couples stick it out until the New Year, putting off the inevitable outcome, the end of the relationship. They sacrifice their own health for the sake of saving face, not wanting to talk about it or feeling guilty or at fault in some respect.
Individually, it’s important for our own physical wellness and peace of mind to be whole inside. When we’re feuding or fighting, we’re in constant turmoil, and that’s not fair. Here’s how to get started getting well after the a breakup:
Stay Away From Super-sentimentality
The romance movies, the holiday love songs—if you can’t turn the channel, go to another room or take a mindful moment and a quiet breath outside. It’s important to not let the internal issue ruin your time, and it’s okay to share it with the ones who care about you most! Escape with them for a few moments and they’ll be happy to lend a sympathetic ear.
Make a Friend
This may mean having to tag along with a friend or family member when they ask you to get out of the house—even it’s just to grab coffee or go to the grocery store. You never know who you may run into that you can reconnect with, or even what new person you may meet. It doesn’t have to be a love match; find a friend that you can take up an activity with for a new way to spend some time.
Reconnect with People You Love
Like going out and making friends, it’s important for our well-being to have the support of our friends and family. Find the balance of taking advice and doing what’s right for you in your heart; communicate that to them in a grateful, open way; thank them for their advice or concern and take it as it’s relevant to you and your situation.
Pick Up the Pieces As Soon As Possible
It’s okay to grieve, but don’t wallow. There is advice from experts that explains the stages of grieving and how the healing process works. The quicker you can let it go, the better prepared you’ll be to get back to a better life than you had before. Find the balance moving beyond the situation and being okay letting it go completely at a pace only you can ultimately decide.
Give Yourself the Gift of You
As you let it out and let it go, reflect on how this relationship has changed you. What will you do differently in the future? Have you considered mistakes that you’ve made that may affect future relationships? Giving yourself the opportunity to see where things went wrong will allow you a better chance of succeeding in your next pursuit of love and make you feel whole again.
The best thing you can do is let your heart heal in the healthiest ways possible. Take note of the beauty of the season and find happiness in small moments of holiday joy. Time with those you love is precious, so enjoy your ability to cherish it with each one of them—friends, family or both, their support and patience is immeasurably important when getting through hurt. As the situation begins to sting less, you’ll find other facets of your life are flourishing, and with many new exciting opportunities at hand.