Talking with someone who cares about you and is willing to listen can also help. Friends can be a great source of comfort, and don’t forget about your parents! It may feel kind of awkward to open up to them about it, but they’ve got a lot of experience with relationships and breakups – they’ve probably felt exactly like this before and know how much it hurts. Plus, it’s their job to take care of you when you’re sad, so let them help.
It’s normal to be really mad at your ex after a breakup. But try not to post about them on social media. It can lead to major drama and end up embarrassing you – and once something’s online, it’s there forever. If you’re feeling super angry, vent to your friends and family privately instead. Or do something creative or physical, like playing music or exercising, to help work through those feelings.
Some people try and stay friends with their ex, but it can be really hard and confusing to go from being in a relationship to being friends. It’s also not a great idea to keep hooking up with your ex after you break up. Being “friends with benefits” may seem easier than a total breakup when you really miss someone, but it can make you (or them) feel a lot worse in the long run. It’s okay to take time away from your ex on social media, too. That might mean unfriending or unfollowing them forever, or at least until you feel like you’re over it.
Some people also try to heal by finding another boyfriend or girlfriend as quickly as possible. Crushing on someone else can definitely help you feel better in the moment. But if you still have feelings for your ex, it may impact the new relationship and be unfair to the new person.
It’s totally normal and okay to be sad after a breakup. But if you’re so depressed from a breakup that it’s affecting your grades, activities, or family/friend relationships, think about talking with a counselor or therapist. If you need help finding a counselor, you can talk with your parents, doctor, school counselor, or the staff at your nearest Planned Parenthood health center.
What counts as cheating?
People have different opinions about what cheating is. So it’s up to you and your boyfriend/girlfriend to decide what cheating means for your relationship. This means you have to talk honestly with them about it, and set limits you both feel comfortable with.
Betraying your boyfriend or girlfriend’s trust can be really painful and have long-term effects on your relationship. If you’re constantly thinking about cheating or want to cheat, it may be a sign that you don’t want to be in this relationship. And even though breaking up with someone sucks, it’s usually less hurtful than cheating on them behind their back. Cheating on your partner a lot and lying to them about it isn’t respectful – it’s abusive behavior.
Just because this relationship didn’t work out doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you
You probably really cared about your ex and have good memories from your relationship, no matter how bad the breakup was. So do what you need to do – cry, listen to sad music, go for a long walk or run, hang out with your friends, or write in a journal. Whatever works for you. These feelings can be hard to go through, but they’ll get less intense over time. And try not to feel bad about yourself.
