Breakups are terrible, there’s no doubt about it. You can feel like your whole world has turned upside down, you can lose your faith in love itself and even question your confidence and self-worth.
So, breakups are something that should always be handled with compassion. If your friend or someone else you care about are going through a breakup and you want to help them to get over it, here are 5 useful ways you should consider.
1. Remind them that this is not a personal failure
Relationships are complicated and sometimes things just don’t work out the way we want them to. But when we are trying to get over a breakup, we are not only grieving the loss of our exes, but also the loss of our dreams for the future, shared social connections and identity as part of a couple.
So, when you are helping someone to get over a breakup, you should start by reminding them that it is not a personal failure, and that they have your full support.
2. Be mindful when it comes to your words
You should always be careful what words you use. When someone’s going through a breakup, don’t try to minimize their grief by encouraging them to bottle up their feelings and move on in an instant.
Instead, have space for their pain, and speak with empathy and compassion. Assure them that you’ll be there for as long as they need.
3. Hear their frustration – without insulting their ex
Try avoiding negative comments about the ex. When you are helping someone through a breakup your aim should be to support them, not to attack their exes.
Moreover, you should focus on the good parts of their relationship to help them adjust.
4. Open your home to them
Breakups can leave anyone feeling lonely or abandoned, so when someone you care about is trying to get over a breakup, you can let them know your home is open for them if they need a place to crash on for the night or just to come over and vent.
5. Offer to help them reinvent
Every ending is a new beginning and breakups are no exception. So, when someone is going through a breakup, you can help them reinvent themselves. Whether they want to redecorate their home, clear out their closet, or get a haircut, make sure you let them know they have your full support.
Helping someone to get over a breakup is not an easy task, sure, but it’s also not a hard one. You just have to be there, show your support, be patient and listen closely.
