Moving on from a relationship is easier said than done – more often than not they leave behind painful, emotional scars. While it will take time, the scars will eventually heal. These five signs will tell you when that time has come.
You have accepted the finality of the breakup
A common phrase that gets thrown around during break-ups is, “If it’s meant to be, it will be.” It can provide momentary comfort – it’s nice to cling to the hope that it might work out with an ex if the timing is right in the future. But you’re never going to be open to meeting someone new if you have that hope in the back of your mind. As hard as it might be, try to let go of the idealistic dream of eventual reconciliation. Until you do, you won’t be ready to try again with anyone else.
You’re not bitter
They say you need to let love out in order to let love in. While it may sound like it came from a fortune cookie, the message of radiating happiness is a good one when it comes to moving on from your ex. If you hold onto bitter thoughts or resent his happiness, you only hold yourself back from moving on. The happiness you put out into the world will attract that same joy, so you’ll only be ready to love again when the anger in your heart fades.
You understand why the relationship ended
Every relationship teaches you something, both about yourself and what you want from love. In order to move on and grow from your past, it is crucial to understand what went wrong and what role you played throughout the process. Taking the time to reflect on what happened can allow you to figure out what you liked from the relationship, what it lacked and how your actions affected the outcome. Once you’ve learned from your mistakes and have a handle on what you want out of love, you’ll know how to make your next one even better.
You don’t hold new men to old standards
When it comes to a new partner, many women set their standards on the basis of happy memories of the past. But no one may live up to your expectations if you model them off of your previous relationship. Rather than looking at how the new relationship isn’t measuring up, focus instead on the positive differences you see. When it comes to getting back into the dating pool, different is a good thing.
You’re not obsessed
While it may be nice to reflect back on your ended relationship, you may not be ready to love again if you find yourself constantly thinking about it – and only it. Similarly, if you become too invested in moving on, you might be fixating on filling the void your ex left behind, rather than searching for a meaningful next partner. The day will come when you realize you haven’t thought about him in weeks – and then you’ll be ready for the next chapter of your love life.
