According to Barbara De Angelis, author of The 100 Most Asked Questions About Love, Sex, and Relationship, there are four stages of the healing process that you have to go through.
Phase 1: Feeling torn
Time: 2 Weeks – 4 Month
At this stage, you may be crying all day, feeling lost, helpless, lonely, loss of appetite, and even feels pain in chest that seems never subsides. This stage is the most difficult time of breakup. You feel the pain will never end. Well, the good news is you are wrong, you will go through it well, even faster. Just do these following things:
- Just cry … don’t bury your sadness, because the longer you internalize it, the longer the pain will end and stay in your heart.
- Make a hectic schedule of activities. Get busy yourself and spend time with friends and family.
- Exercise and eat regularly, keep your body health. When your body fit, in psychologically you will be more stable.
- Avoid seeing or talking to your ex-boyfriend. No matter how much you want to call and hear his voice, don’t do it! The more you meet him, the longer the healing process will last.
Phase 2: Adjustment
Time: 2-6 Months
At this stage, you will be able to talk and think about your ex without feeling hurt and anger. You can think clearly. You no longer feel as a victim and not cry too often or feeling sad anymore. Even if you still cry, the frequency has begun to decrease. You will only be sad when suddenly hearing a memory song between you and him.
You begin to rediscover an independent personality. You can have fun again and find the joy as a single. You could even begin to pay attention to another man who seems interesting. You also can judge clearly what was wrong in your relationship before. Maybe in the end, you feel lucky to escape from the love that blinds your eyes.
Phase 3: Healing
Time: 6 Months – 1 Year
Life has begun to normal again. You’ve been through the transition period. In this phase, you may have opened up and engaged in a new relationship. Even if you haven’t made a new relationship, there’s already a desire to start a new relationship. The problem with the former also has been completed well.
In this stage, the pain has faded. You can take lessons from the last experience. You feel better, even more optimistic about the future. Occasional the memory about the former may be coming. However, it no longer makes you sad.
Phase 4: Recovery
Time: 1 -2 Years
At this stage, you have 100% cleared of a broken heart virus. You have been steadily looking to the better future. You now have a new social environment, new friends, and new love. Yes, you’re ready to love and be loved again. People will no longer ask about your last relationship. The old love story could become a valuable lesson to build a new relationship.
.:: It's been 4 years we've been together... i wish i can be strong enough to MOVE ON ! ::.