There are few experiences in life that are more emotionally exhausting than breaking up. Whether it’s a long-term relationship or a short-lived fling, the ending of a partnership often creates a large emotional void. In a bid to ride this phase, lots of trends, psychological insights, and coping mechanisms have sprouted as people are now very enlightened about their emotional well-being after heartbreak.
There are emotional steps involved in moving on from a breakup, sometimes, known as the “stages of grief” described by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. These five stages are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Yet, over the last couple of decades, the interest has moved towards the question of how the individual can accelerate or enhance this process through the use of a contemporary psychological framework and supporting structure.
A Growing Trend of Emotional Regulation & Self-Care:
Arguably the almost fashionable sentiment to have in getting through a breakup is emotional regulation. This means being able to navigate your emotions in a healthy manner when your stress level or emotional state is running high. Psychologists underscore the benefits of mindfulness, meditation, and other techniques for centering on the present.
Self-Compassion and Mental Health:
Self-compassion — the practice of giving yourself the same kindness and care you would to a friend — has emerged as a central theme of emotional post-breakup recovery. Recent psychology research shows that self-compassionates recover emotionally more quickly than self-critics. This trend connects to larger mental health movements calling for people who are struggling to pursue therapy, whether in person or using online options like BetterHelp and Talkspace.
The importance of social support:
Social support is another key in the healing process. Researchers continue to note that close friends and family members — and even support groups — provide a sense of community and emotional reassurance during recovery. The internet has increased online communities and social media platforms where others share their experiences and ways to cope. Instagram reels, Facebook groups, and even TikTok videos have become informal yet meaningful spaces for people to process their feelings and comfort themselves with mutual experiences.
Grieving Takes Time and Space:
To move forward is also to remember that grief is a process, and it’s perfectly fine to take your time before healing. In recent years, mental health tendencies have stood that one needs to give oneself permission to mourn; instead of rushing to ‘move on’ and to ‘get over it too fast’, take your time. This shift has been driven by the rise of podcasts and YouTube channels dedicated to emotional healing. Experts and content creators within the mental health realm say that healing from a breakup is not linear and that the timeline differs widely from person to person.
Therapeutic approaches and counseling:
Therapy is always a great tool to have in breaking up with a partner’s toolkit, but recently we’ve seen a rise in alternative therapeutic practices that specifically help us heal from a relationship. Studies have shown that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help people reframe negative thoughts and beliefs about themselves after a breakup. Others have sought less traditional methods, like somatic therapy, which emphasizes the development of the physical body’s response to emotional suffering, and art therapy, which provides a tool for expression.
How Technology Can Help Us Move On
As digital technology’s involvement in people’s lives grows, so too does its impact on how people deal with breakups.
Disconnecting Digitally:
Perhaps the most common advice for someone getting over a breakup is to sever ties with the ex and these days, that means cutting the digital ties too. Breaking up is hard nowadays because social media never lets you forget the former relationship. For many, unfollowing, blocking, or muting an ex on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok is a natural part of moving on.
Dating Apps and Rebound Relationships:
The rise of popular dating apps such as Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge means that people are often adjusting to dating and relationships in a new online space post-breakup. So, while some people might download dating apps just to “rebound” or distract themselves, there’s also a growing trend of people using these platforms with greater intention. Some people will use the dating space to get a clearer idea of what they want in a future relationship, and others may take a more contemplative, slow process toward dating after they have healed themselves.