How To Move On From A Relationship: A Gentle Guide To Healing

June 2, 2025 Paula Gurnett, C.C.C.

Ending a relationship can feel like losing a piece of yourself. Whether it ended suddenly or was a slow unraveling, moving on is rarely easy. It’s normal to experience a mix of emotions—grief, anger, relief, confusion, loneliness. Healing is not linear, but it is possible. Here’s a compassionate guide to help you move forward:

1. Allow Yourself to Grieve

Breakups are a form of loss, and grief is natural. Give yourself permission to feel sad, angry, hurt, or even numb. Suppressing emotions can delay healing. Let the tears come. Journal your feelings. Talk to a trusted friend. Healing begins by honoring where you are emotionally.

2. Create Healthy Distance

It’s difficult to heal when constant reminders of the relationship linger. This may mean taking a break from following them on social media, limiting communication, or even removing mementos from your space. Distance isn’t about resentment; it’s about creating space for yourself to breathe, grow, and reclaim your identity.

3. Reconnect with Yourself

Relationships often weave our lives tightly together. After a breakup, it's important to reconnect with you. What hobbies bring you joy? What dreams or goals had you set aside? Use this time to rediscover your passions, explore new interests, and build a deeper relationship with yourself.

4. Challenge the “What-Ifs”

It’s easy to get caught in a loop of regrets and “what-ifs.” Challenge these thoughts gently. Remind yourself: The relationship ended for a reason. Focus on what the experience taught you, and trust that the lessons you gained will serve you in the future.

5. Surround Yourself with Support

You don't have to do this alone. Lean on friends, family, or even support groups who will listen without judgment. If your grief feels overwhelming, a therapist can help you process your emotions and guide you through the healing journey.

6. Set New Goals

Setting small, achievable goals can provide a sense of purpose and progress. These don't have to be monumental—maybe it's committing to daily walks, signing up for a class, or planning a weekend getaway. Forward motion, even in tiny steps, rebuilds your confidence.

7. Forgive—Yourself and Them

Forgiveness doesn’t mean excusing harmful behaviour or pretending the pain didn’t happen. It’s about accepting reality and to release the heavy burden of resentment or guilt. Acceptance (or forgiveness) frees you to move forward without carrying the past into your future.

8. Be Patient with the Process

Healing takes time. Some days will feel hopeful; others might feel heavy. Both are normal. Be patient and gentle with yourself. Trust that with time, consistency, and self-care, you will feel whole again—perhaps even stronger than before.

Moving on isn’t about forgetting the relationship; it’s about learning to live fully again, carrying forward the wisdom you gained. It’s about writing the next beautiful chapter of your life with resilience, hope, and newfound strength.

You are not broken. You are becoming.