Heartbreak is hard. It shatters us, but it also allows us to rebuild ourselves stronger than before.
The main difference is how we deal with it.
Those who successfully recover from heartbreak often adopt certain habits, and these habits aren’t just about moving forward, they’re about becoming a better version of yourself.
In this article, we’ll dive into these 8 life-changing habits that heartbreak survivors swear by.
1) embrace the pain
Heartache hurts, there’s no denying it, but those who manage to recover from such a blow have one thing in common: they don’t shy away from the pain.
You see, pain isn’t just a consequence of heartbreak, it’s also a catalyst for change. It shakes us out of complacency and makes us reevaluate our lives.
The transformative habit here is to allow yourself to truly feel the pain. Don’t wallow in it, but accept it, understand it, and embrace it.
It’s not about masochism or self-pity.
By admitting pain, we not only acknowledge our loss, we take the first step toward healing and growth, and trust me, that’s a big step forward.
2) Reinvest in yourself
After my own heartache, I found myself in turmoil. I felt lost, broken, and unsure of who I was outside of that relationship.
That’s when I decided to reinvest in myself.
Reinvesting in yourself is taking the time and energy you once gave to another person and redirecting it to your growth and development. It can be as simple as picking up a new hobby, learning a new skill, or even doing some “me” every day. allocating time.
In my case, I decided to learn to play the guitar. It was something I always wanted to do, but never had time for. Heartbreak brought pain, but it also gave me time, time I could use to focus on myself.
Playing the guitar helped me regain my confidence. I felt a sense of accomplishment with every chord I played. It helped me realize that I was capable of more than just being someone’s partner.
So if you’re nursing a broken heart, consider this an opportunity to reinvest in yourself. You might be surprised what you discover.
3) Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of focusing on the present moment without judgment, it’s about recognizing your feelings and thoughts as they are, not as you wish them to be.
Research shows that mindfulness can actually change the structure of your brain. Regular mindfulness exercises can increase the density of the hippocampus, an area of the brain associated with memory and learning. It can also reduce the size of the amygdala, which is involved in stress and in fear responses.
In the context of heartbreak, mindfulness can help you better manage your emotions, allowing you to feel your pain without being overwhelmed by it, and ultimately help you move past it on past regrets or future worries, try bringing it back to the present moment.You may find it a powerful healing tool.
4) develop gratitude
It may seem counterintuitive to feel grateful when you’re nursing a broken heart, but cultivating gratitude can be a powerful tool in your healing process.
Gratitude isn’t about ignoring pain or pretending everything is okay, it’s about recognizing the good things in your life, even in the heartache.
It’s about realizing that even though one part of your life may be messed up, there are other parts that are still intact. Maybe it’s your health, your job, your friends, or just the fact that you’re alive and breathing.
By focusing on what you have instead of what you’ve lost, you shift your mindset from scarcity to abundance, which can help you rebuild your life after heartbreak with a more positive and resilient outlook.
5) Forgive and let go
Lewis B. There is a beautiful quote from Smedes that says: “To forgive is to release the prisoner and reveal that the prisoner was you.” This could not be truer when it comes to healing from heartbreak.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean you say what happened or that you forget the hurt, it’s about letting go of the burden of resentment and making peace with your past.
It’s about accepting that we’re all human, capable of making mistakes, including the person who broke your heart, and just like them, you deserve compassion and understanding.
Letting go is not easy. It takes time and patience. But when you do, you will realize that the weight you were carrying was holding you back from moving forward. Forgiveness is a truly transformative habit that sets you free to rebuild your life to create a new chapter.
6) Seek support
After my heartache, I found myself isolating myself from the world, trying to cope with my pain alone.It was a dark time, to say the least.
But then a friend reached out. And even though I resisted at first, I eventually let them in. That’s when I realized how important it is to have support in times like this.
Whether it’s a trusted friend, family member, or therapist, having someone to share your thoughts and feelings with can make the healing process less intimidating fresh perspectives that you might not have thought of on your own.
Remember, it’s okay to ask for help. Everyone needs support sometimes, and there’s strength in admitting you’re not okay. So don’t shy away from reaching out to loved ones or getting professional help if you need it.
7) Embrace the change
Heartbreak often brings a significant change in our lives.The routine, shared dreams and plans that we had with our partner come to a sudden halt.
While it’s natural to resist this change and long for things to go back to the way they were, those who rebuild after heartbreak understand the importance of embracing change.
Change, however unsettling, offers opportunities for growth. It opens new doors and brings fresh experiences. It forces us to adapt, evolve and become stronger.
Instead of fighting change, embrace it. Start a new routine, explore new interests. See this as an opportunity to redefine who you are and what you want out of life. Embracing change is not just about moving forward a better version of you.
8) Love yourself
At the end of the day, the most transformative habit you can develop after heartbreak is self-love. It means recognizing your worth and realizing that you are whole as you are, with or without a partner.
Loving yourself means taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It’s about setting boundaries, respecting your needs, and not settling for less than you deserve.
It means forgiving yourself for past mistakes and realizing that you deserve love and happiness. It’s a reminder that no matter how hard things get, you have the strength to overcome them.
Remember that self-love is not selfish. It is the foundation of all other love. And when you truly love yourself, you open the door to a healthier, happier relationship in the future.
Final thoughts. it’s all part of the journey
Heartache is an inherent part of the human experience. It’s an emotion that has inspired countless songs, books and movies. Yet when we’re in it, it can feel like the most isolating experience in the world.
But what we often fail to realize is that heartbreak isn’t just about breaking, it’s about rebuilding. It’s a journey of self-discovery and transformation that builds us into stronger, more resilient individuals.
There is a quote from Rumi that sums this up perfectly. “Wound is where the Light enters you.” Heartache is that wound, a painful but powerful catalyst for growth.
So if you’re experiencing heartbreak, remember that you’re not alone. And more importantly, remember that this pain you’re experiencing is not only temporary, it’s a stepping stone on your journey to becoming the best version of you :
During this journey of rebuilding, remember to be patient with yourself. Healing takes time. One habit at a time, you’ll move from just surviving heartbreak to thriving.