Here’s how to survive a breakup: Start with honesty

If you think you’re flogging a dead relationship, getting over the breakup is much tougher than you ever imagined. Here’s how to survive a breakup. You might know it’s the right decision for both of you, but still, breaking up isn’t easy. Often people, who have made peace with their decision, do not know the best way to break off and wish that some kind of blueprint was available in how to approach such a difficult situation.

To handle the difficult decision, relationship therapist Gurpreet Singh says, “Breaking up is really hard. There are no hard and fast rules about when a relationship is over. It’s a feeling that builds over time that things just aren’t right, and you’re not happy with each other. Bad times are outweighing the good. And it doesn’t feel like it used to.”

The beginning of a relationship can be intoxicating and it’s easy to get swept away in a bubble of happiness. But with time, life changes and the madness wears off. “As things deteriorate, both partners experience a range of emotions like upset, anger, sadness, shock, let down and perhaps even a bit of relief as the reality of the inevitable breakup sets in,” says Singh.

However, the most important factor, while breaking up with someone is honesty. It is important to be honest with your partner and yourself by explaining all the reasons you have for ending the relationship. It’s important not to leave any stones unturned, even if you feel it is nicer to hide certain parts of the truth.

“Talk to your partner, faceto-face, give your reasons and even try to understand the other person’s thoughts,” Singh says.

How to act after a break-up can also be difficult to navigate. Some may never want to see each other again, while others will rush to be friends, which can also be harder than both partners may originally think.

OFTEN PEOPLE WHO HAVE MADE PEACE WITH THE DECISION DO NOT KNOW THE BEST WAY TO BREAK OFF AND WISH THAT SOME KIND OF BLUEPRINT WAS AVAILABLE

PHOTO: ISTOCK