In This Article
Simple answer, you don’t.
Over time the pain is at a level of a mosquito bite compared to the crushing feeling when it just happened. But it is still there.
If you’re asking how to get over someone you still love, then the answer is to jump back in time before you first met, and hopefully, don’t meet them.
If you truly loved someone deeply, they will always be a part of you and your memories. They have affected your life in ways such as habits, decision-making processes, and emotional maturity.
It may not be possible to learn how to get over someone you love so much completely, but it’s possible to move forward to the point that they are only “just a part of the past.”
How painful is it to lose someone you love?
According to research, losing someone causes the release of chemicals that are the same when we have a physical injury. This is often referred to as broken heart syndrome. Some of the difficulties faced while moving on and getting over someone are:
- Shortness of breath
- Low blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeat
- Sudden chest pain
A breakup episode often results in some physical difficulties and these symptoms are a few of the very common physical issues faced by many patients. This can be felt immediately or within a few minutes after the breakup. However, such symptoms are temporary.
Related Reading: Stages of a Breakup and Tips to Heal Faster
Is it possible to get over someone you love?
Well, it takes time to get over someone. With time, feelings get subdued, and memories eventually fade but practically, it is unlikely that you will forget the person completely.
However, with time as the memories turn blur, you definitely grow over the person, and talking about them or coming across them doesn’t affect you negatively.
Why is getting over someone so damn hard?
Each of us has been in a situation where a difficult relationship seemed damn healthy to us. As a result, we invested way too much into the relationship and got dependent over time. This makes us settle for less than we deserve. Ultimately, you find it difficult to move on with your life when the breakup takes place.
We often visualize the happy ending, which means a fairytale wedding and everything else falling perfectly in place with the person. We feel the rush and every positive feeling, and consequently, this makes it difficult trying to get over someone and moving on from the past.
It often feels like a failure, as if you are letting go of a part of yourself. Getting over the love of your life is a grief in disguise because it is hard to come to terms with the fact immediately that a failed love is meant to teach you some important lessons, and this often leads to immense discomfort.
How long does it take to get over someone you still love?
To get over someone you love deeply might take a considerable amount of time and effort from your end. According to studies, it takes around 3 months to get over someone.
The love did not last long, and nor will the pain. Every relationship is different and so, is every breakup. Therefore, the span taken to forget someone and get over things might also be shorter for some people.
Related Reading: How to Get Over a Breakup and Grow as a Person
15 tips for how to get over someone you love
Are you looking for help getting over someone? While the answer to how to get over someone is not always to-the-point and will vary from relationship to relationship, here are some of the best ways to get over someone with ease.
Check out these 15 ways of how to get over someone:
1. Be realistic
Unless you live in the same universe as Jim Carrey in the movie “Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind,” where it’s possible to selectively remove memories, then it’s not possible to get over it completely. It is possible to get so close that it no longer matters.
Hence, the goal is to move forward with your life where the pain of loss no longer affects you.
But if you ask how long does it take to get over someone you love? Then, there’s no definite answer either. It depends on the impression they left, how much your life is intertwined, and individual strength.
If you were dating for a couple of months, you don’t live together; then there are fewer things that tie you together as lovers, as opposed to married couples with children. It should be easier for the first person to get over it than the second.
How to get over someone you love in either case is also different.
If you have children, it’s not possible to completely sever your connection with the person. You are still going to have to collaborate for your child; even if you don’t want to stay together as a couple, you will still need to work together for the kid.
2. Connect to friends and family
Friends and family can help in times like these.
If you need a shoulder to cry on or simply someone to take care of things for you while you put yourself together, then having trusted people around you helps a lot.
Most people are vulnerable to negative influences when they are hurt.
They can easily do something they would regret. Try to hold off making any big decisions or consult people you trust before making any moves
You might find the experience overwhelming and find it difficult to go home. Kind of like a designated driver.
3. Release your emotions in a safe place
Keeping everything bottled up is a recipe for disaster.
It only makes you a time bomb, literally and figuratively. You don’t want to blow up while driving on the freeway or in a big meeting with your boss and clients.
Stress, including traffic and work-related pressure, can act as the last straw and make you lose control. You don’t want to make your situation worse than it already is. But controlling yourself is easier said than done.
There is a need for a middle ground.
It is why you need a safe place. It can be your bedroom or even the closet or washroom. You don’t have to be alone, but you need to be with someone you trust. Someone who will not take advantage of the fact that you are in a vulnerable position.
There are other ways on how to get over breaking up with someone you love.
4. Carry on with your usual chores
Pay attention to something physically demanding, such as cleaning the house or going to the gym, but if you do have a career and/or parental responsibilities, then giving more time to them keeps your mind off the pain.
It may feel insurmountable now, but the only real way on how to get over someone you love is by letting enough time pass and have the pain slowly fade away.
It will still be there, but it won’t affect you as much as it did before.
5. Cry it out
Cry, scream, break things (there are places called break rooms that allow you to destroy things), or even get drop-dead drunk if that’s what you need to release all the pain and emotions that are bottled up inside you.
I would need to repeat the importance of doing it in a safe place with trusted people.
Make sure both conditions are met before you do it. Don’t do drugs. Addictive substances are well addictive, and the last thing you want is to have another problem.
Releasing your thoughts and feelings as hard as you can help in the healing process.
Let it out, let it all out. Once it’s out, you feel exhausted and relieved.
It is not an easy method on how to get over someone you love so much, but it will provide temporary relief to get through the day.
As long conditions are met, repeat as often as necessary.
6. Pick up a hobby
Be patient, pray, and force yourself to move on.
It will eventually happen. Hang in there; you will feel better. It always does. The most important thing is not to ruin your life even further by doing something monumentally stupid while you are hurting.
Suggestions such as picking a hobby to keep yourself busy is a great idea; that is, if you don’t have other responsibilities that are waiting for you, such as kids or your career, that won’t wait forever until you get back on the saddle.
7. Figure out your needs before moving forward
As an important part of how to get over someone and move forward to a happier, stronger relationship, know about your needs in the relationship. Are the people you are meeting able to provide for your emotional needs?
Make a list of what you seek in a person while dating, and opt out confidently if you feel the person has a different perspective.
8. Don’t rush the process
So, how to get over someone you love deeply?
Just live your day one day at a time. If you need to cry, then cry. Just don’t forget to pick up where you left off afterward.
Getting over bad things is about pushing yourself forward.
It doesn’t matter if it’s about a lover, death in the family, or a business setback. The formula is the same. Baby steps forward.
9. Understand your worth
One of the important things to keep in mind while contemplating how to get over someone is to realize your worth and stop settling for less.
Not every relationship is going to be great, and you can stop bumping into the wrong ones by feeling positive about yourself and realizing you are meant for better, brighter things.
10. Focus on self-care
What does self-care mean to you? It could be a day at the spa or sitting with yourself and reflecting on life.
Do what makes you happy. Even if that means you need to be selfish for a while, be that. Take some time to heal yourself. Forget about the world and focus just on yourself.
In the video below, Sarah Gray talks about self-care tips after the breakup. Check it out:
11. Remain positive for the future
Don’t allow negative thoughts to creep in. it is very important to push yourself and remain positive.
One bad relationship is not the end of the world. So, as an answer to how to get over someone, you should take the breakup in a good stride and focus on the positive aspects of life.
12. Avoid connecting to your ex
There will be days when you will be hit with the urge to get back to your ex. You might spend time stalking them or typing and un-typing text messages. As a solution for how to get over your ex, you must first start with disconnecting with them on social media.
Next, don’t go back to them or try to remain friends, even if you get that choice.
- Journal regularly
Journaling is a great way to put your thoughts out of your head without the fear of judgment. It helps reduce loneliness and distress.
Getting over a breakup takes work, and journaling gives you a safe space to express your emotions without sharing them with anybody. However, make sure you write positive things about yourself.
The more positive you will feel, the better you will get.
- Understand what it takes to make a relationship great
Try to reflect on the fact about what makes a relationship successful. Read and know about successful relationships so that in the future, you can make efforts in the right direction.
Besides, it is important to reflect on what was lacking in your past relationship in a healthy way to figure out how things could have been handled in a more positive light.
This step is essential if you wish to understand how to get over someone you love and move on to the next relationship with hope.
15. Talk to professionals
You can also reach out to professionals.
If you find their services too expensive, you can go online and search for peer groups. There are support groups out there for losing someone you love. Make sure you have someone accompany you when going face to face meetings.
You might find the experience overwhelming and find it difficult to go home—kind of like a designated driver.
Related Reading: How to Forget Someone You Love : 25 Ways
Takeaway
Moving on is definitely hard, and we will not deny it.
If we ask people how much it hurts to break up, there will definitely be an answer “A lot” in unison. But there are things you can do to get over someone. These tips will definitely help you heal in a better way and make you feel positive about yourself.
FAQs
How do you get over someone you truly love? ›
- Acknowledge the truth of the situation. ...
- Identify relationship needs — and deal breakers. ...
- Accept what the love meant to you. ...
- Look to the future. ...
- Prioritize other relationships. ...
- Spend time on yourself. ...
- Give yourself space. ...
- Understand it may take some time.
- Say A Final Goodbye. ...
- Give Yourself Some Space. ...
- Spend Time With People Who Care About You. ...
- Immerse Yourself In A New Activity. ...
- Practice Mindfulness.
- Give it your all before leaving. ...
- Know that it will hurt. ...
- Know your "why" and stand your ground. ...
- Don't try to be friends right away. ...
- Set boundaries with your ex. ...
- Set boundaries with your friend group. ...
- Avoid social media stalking.
- "I love you."
- "My feelings for you are deepening, and I am starting to fall in love with you."
- "You mean the world to me, and I appreciate you in my life."
- "I can't imagine you not being in my life."
- "I want to share more and more of my life with you every day."
- Figure out why. If you've tried and failed to move your thoughts away from someone, ask yourself why. ...
- Focus on the facts. ...
- Find a positive distraction. ...
- Prioritize meeting your own needs. ...
- Stay in the here and now. ...
- Try to forgive.
- Create a positive mantra to counter the painful thoughts. ...
- Create physical distance. ...
- Do your own work. ...
- Practice mindfulness. ...
- Be gentle with yourself. ...
- Allow the negative emotions to flow. ...
- Accept that the other person may not apologize. ...
- Engage in self-care.
- Accept your feelings. ...
- Give it time. ...
- Consider your crush from a realistic perspective. ...
- Grieve the loss of what you hoped for. ...
- Avoid letting your feelings consume you. ...
- Talk about it. ...
- Stay off social media. ...
- Reframe your feelings.
- Identify the reason. Ask yourself why you're now deciding to detach from the relationship. ...
- Release your emotions. ...
- Don't react, respond. ...
- Start small. ...
- Keep a journal. ...
- Meditate. ...
- Be patient with yourself. ...
- Look forward.
Do guys hurt after a breakup? Yes. Many guys are broken after the end of a relationship. You may see that he acts like he doesn't care about a breakup but believe it affects him emotionally.
What is the best breakup line? ›Uplifting Breakup Quotes
"It's better to be single with a standard than losing yourself for approval." "Don't let someone who isn't worth your love make you forget how much you are worth." "Don't cling to a mistake just because you spent a long time making it." "A heartbreak is a blessing from God.
What is a good breakup message? ›
I wanted to say that I really enjoy us chatting and I would love to see you again, but for me it would be as friends. Not sure if you would be keen for that? I feel we aren't compatible and this relationship isn't working for me. So I'd like to end all further communication and wish you the best in the future.
How do you break up with someone you're attached to? ›- Come to Terms with Your Decision. It's a good idea to sit with this decision for a bit before you do it. ...
- Don't Put It Off. ...
- Do It in Person. ...
- Listen Attentively and Answer Questions. ...
- Be Honest & Clear. ...
- Grieve but Don't Keep in Contact. ...
- Don't Force Yourself to Get Over Them.
- I love you to the moon and back again.
- We fit together like puzzle pieces.
- You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.
- You complete me.
- I can't believe you're mine.
- You are a beautiful person inside and out.
- I am here for you… always.
- I'm yours.
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage." "We are most alive when we are in love." "The only thing we never get enough of is love; and the only thing we never give enough of is love." "There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved."
Should I tell him I love him even though we can t be together? ›If he is not your boyfriend, you shouldn't tell him that you love him. Even if you feel like you love him, he may not respond well if you tell him this. Ask him if he is single. If he is single, let him know that you would like to get to know him better.
Why my heart can't stop thinking about someone? ›If you are unable to stop thinking about someone, you most likely have 'anxious attachment'. You might push and pull in relationships to get a break from the anxiety they cause you.
How do you know if someone is thinking about you constantly? ›Smiling subconsciously without knowing
You try to resist the urge to smile, but you smile from ear to ear. These sweet smiles happen when the mind experiences a sudden surge of positivity. Maybe someone is thinking about you and is trying to connect on a subconscious level.
Signs That You're Missing Someone
Being consumed with thoughts about that person. Experiencing a sense of longing. Eating more or less than you normally do. Feeling lovesick.
- Recognize when it's time. Learning when it's time to let go is often the most difficult part of this process. ...
- Identify limiting beliefs. ...
- Change your story. ...
- Stop the blame game. ...
- Embrace the “F” word. ...
- Master your emotions. ...
- Adopt an attitude of gratitude. ...
- Talk to someone you trust.
- Realize that he doesn't love you anymore. The hardest step is realizing that he doesn't love you anymore. ...
- Reflect on your needs. ...
- Be an individual. ...
- Love yourself first. ...
- Strengthen your beauty and inner peace. ...
- Eliminate hope. ...
- Be strong. ...
- Fall back in love.
How do you move on and never look back? ›
- Accept the truth and be thankful. ...
- Distance yourself for a while. ...
- Focus only on what can be changed. ...
- Claim ownership and control of your life. ...
- Focus inward. ...
- Change the people around you. ...
- Take a chance. ...
- Focus on today.
- Listen to music that lets you feel your feelings.
- Exercise. It helps to clear your mind and you will be healthier.
- Write in a diary if you have one.
- Write a letter to him if you want. ...
- Go on some long walks by yourself. ...
- Know when to stop. ...
- Consult a therapist if you can't get back into your normal life.
If he is always busy when you hit him up to make plans to hang out, agrees to meet but then cancels the date or seems more comfortable with hanging out in a group than spending one-on-one time with you, these are all signs he doesn't want to spend time with you.
What are the signs that he likes you? ›- He leans toward you during conversation.
- He angles his body toward you in the room.
- He finds small ways to compliment you.
- He makes eye contact.
- He steals a glance at you.
- He singles you out in a group.
- He seems drawn to you in the room.
- Not giving unsolicited advice.
- Setting boundaries.
- Allowing others to experience the natural consequences of their actions.
- Recognizing that your feelings and needs are valid.
- Expressing your own opinions and feelings.
- Taking a time-out from an unproductive or hurtful argument.
- Create boundaries. You may find it helpful to set appropriate boundaries with others, says Turecek. ...
- Establish your baseline. ...
- Determine what's yours. ...
- Practice grounding activities. ...
- Ritualize separation. ...
- Spend time in nature. ...
- Make time for self-care. ...
- Process it with someone.
- Clarify your values. ...
- Revisit or discover hobbies. ...
- Lean on friends/family for support. ...
- Give yourself time. ...
- Keep a regular schedule. ...
- Speak with a licensed therapist. ...
- Slow things down and work on developing positive habits. ...
- Write a list of “whys”
While breakups hit women the hardest, they tend to recover more fully. Men, on the other hand, never fully recover. Women experience more emotional pain following a breakup, but they also more fully recover, according to new research from Binghamton University.
Who moves on faster after a breakup? ›Some data (such as from self-reported surveys) do suggest that men recover from breakups faster than women, according to Paul Hokemeyer, PhD, a marriage and family therapist and author of the book Fragile Power: Why Having Everything Is Never Enough.
How do you know if a guy regrets losing you? ›- They begin to communicate with you.
- They apologize for the breakup.
- They show more affection.
- They discuss issues in their present relationship.
- They try to atone for past mistakes.
- They show pessimism when you tell them someone else is involved.
- They stalk you.
What is the hardest point of breakup? ›
The death of a future you imagined for yourself with your ex, one that you probably imagined together, can be one of the most difficult things to come to terms with after a break-up. It makes your present that much harder to get through (see above). It's OK to mourn and grieve the loss of that future.
Who are breakups harder for? ›Several studies—both large and small—suggest they have a tougher time than women do when a romantic relationship ends. For example, a team of researchers at the University of British Columbia conducted a study examining the ways in which men seek, or fail to seek, mental health help after a relationship ends.
What breakup is the hardest? ›The First Love Breakup
The First Love breakup is one of the toughest to overcome. Some say you never get over it. This breakup teaches us that the world is a bigger place than we thought. There are more people to meet, there are bills to pay, there are places to go.
If you just want to apologize and make peace, a text exchange might be sufficient, especially if you think seeing each other face to face again might be too hard or too confusing. But if you want to discuss the possibility of getting back together, that's probably a conversation best had in person.
Do I love them or am I attached? ›Difference between love and attachment
Love evokes fond feelings and actions toward the other person, particularly. Attachment is driven by how you feel about yourself with the degree of permanence and safety someone gives you, based on your past relationships.
- Deliberately leave things behind. ...
- Give him some personal space. ...
- Make him wait before replying his texts. ...
- Take things slow. ...
- Wear a unique perfume. ...
- Add some mystery to your experiences together. ...
- Have adventures with him (and your friends)
- "I need you." Sometimes we feel like dependence on another person is a weakness. ...
- "I'll sacrifice for you." ...
- "I like you." ...
- "I forgive you." ...
- "Let me help you." ...
- "I am committed to you." ...
- "I think about you all the time." ...
- "I'd pick you all over again."
Being enamored of something or with someone goes far beyond liking them, and it's even more flowery than love. Enamored means smitten with, or totally infatuated.
What is the sweetest way to say I love you? ›- I love you.
- I love so much.
- I love you a lot.
- I love you too.
- I love you forever.
- I love you unconditionally.
- I love you to the moon and back.
- I love you with all my heart.
True love is a unique and passionate bond that connects you as a couple that wants the best for the other person regardless of what that means for them. It is the foundation for a healthy, loving relationship. True love is authentic and genuine.
What does deep love feel like? ›
Passionate love feels like instant attraction with a bit of nervousness. It's the "feeling of butterflies in your stomach,"Lewandowski says. "It's an intense feeling of joy, that can also feel a bit unsure because it feels so strong."
What is true love messages? ›I love you more every day. I love your honesty, your passion, your resilience, your courage, your partnership, and your smile. As we grow separately, we also grow together, and it's truly a privilege. You're my soulmate, my best friend, my partner, and my confidante.
How a man shows love without saying it? ›For example, he holds your hand, has his arms around you, hugs you, always sit close to you, etc. 2- He puts a lot of efforts to make you feel loved. He brings random gifts for you, sings a song for you on a special day, makes time to talk to you anyhow, makes sudden plans, etc. 3- He always listens to you properly.
What is it called when you love someone but you can t be together? ›Unrequited love may take a few different forms, including: Loving someone who does not return those feelings. Pining for someone who is not available. Mutual attraction between people who are both in other relationships. Desire for an ex after a relationship has ended.
What happens when you re in love with someone you can t be with? ›When you love someone you can't have, it's common to bury your feelings in an effort to avoid the painful realities of your situation. It may seem easier to push these feelings of grief away, but working through loss is an important step to get past the longing.
How long does it take to get over someone you truly loved? ›According to research published in The Journal of Positive Psychology, it takes 11 weeks to feel better after a relationship ends. But a separate study found it takes closer to 18 months to heal from the end of a marriage. In reality, heartbreak is a grieving process - and it looks completely different for everyone.
Do you ever stop loving someone you truly love? ›While it may feel impossible and certainly takes time to stop loving someone, it's absolutely possible to do just that. In fact, you may find that in no longer loving this person you open yourself up to the possibility of loving others — and even yourself.
Is it possible to never get over someone? ›So yes, it's entirely possible to never get over someone "if you don't begin to take time out to have therapy and understand what you're doing and how you're feeling," Mutanda says. Spending time alone and 'dating' yourself is so important after a relationship. You need time to be you again, she says.
Is it impossible to get over someone you love? ›You may not completely forget about the person you love. However, you may be able to move on. Eventually, with time and healing, you could appreciate the positive parts of the relationship without feeling pain. Know that however dark things may seem now, the pain from a breakup may not last as long as you might think.
Does true love come back? ›Genuine love is profound—it does not come and go every now and then; it is something that is likely to last over time. This does not mean that love cannot fade away, but even when it does, it leaves some scars, or rather potential feelings that can flourish if and when the environment is conducive.
Why is it so hard to move on? ›
It's hard to let go of certain aspects and events in our past because it means we have to accept that what we wanted to happen didn't happen. In some cases, it also feels like we are accepting that someone other than ourselves was right. As challenging as it may seem, you can make the conscious decision to let go.
Do guys cry after breakup? ›Several studies show that men experience more depression, distress, and anxiety after breakups than women do. Men might like to come across as being tougher than overcooked steak after a breakup, but the truth is that they're actually more the consistency of jelly.
Do you ever really move on? ›Recently, it was discovered that, on average, people spend about 18 months of their lives getting over breakups. The good news is that, although it takes time, people are able to move on. And when they do, they leave behind lessons, actual, tangible, lived-experience ways to heal. Because, eventually, we do heal.
How do you control love pain? ›- Talk about it… A conversation with the other person about how you feel can seem frightening, but it's often the best way to address the situation. ...
- … but don't linger. ...
- Feel your feelings… ...
- … ...
- Find meaning in the experience. ...
- Ask yourself what you really want.
- Be clear about why you're letting them go.
- Distance yourself.
- Let yourself feel your feelings.
- Dig deeper into your healthy relationships.
- Focus on self-care.
- Recognize when it's time. Learning when it's time to let go is often the most difficult part of this process. ...
- Identify limiting beliefs. ...
- Change your story. ...
- Stop the blame game. ...
- Embrace the “F” word. ...
- Master your emotions. ...
- Practice empathy. ...
- Adopt an attitude of gratitude.
Put simply, one of the main reasons you're not letting go of a past relationship is because you're lonely right now, said Erika Ettin, a relationship coach and founder of A Little Nudge. "Rather than pining over someone who wasn't right for you, focus on yourself," she said.
Do feelings for an ex ever go away? ›“In many instances, people feel those love-like feelings for quite some time after a breakup. This can vary widely depending on the person, their circumstances and personal history. Some people may just need days or weeks whereas others may take months or years to move on from an ex.”
How do you forget someone who hurt you? ›- Question your comfort zone.
- Let it out.
- Take accountability.
- Make space for the new.
- Prioritize yourself.
- Focus on the lessons.
- Accept what you can't change.
- Seek help.