coping with a breakup during COVID-19

With all that is going on in our world, it is normal if you are feeling fear, worry, sadness and uncertainty. There are so many unknowns, and managing this for any human being can be tough during a time of such uncertainty. While this is all going on, our lives are also still moving forward. If you have recently experienced a breakup, you may be experiencing all of the emotions related to that, on top of all of the emotions related to COVID-19 and the state of our world. Below are some ways to still address your feelings around your breakup, while working towards more healing and peace around your lost relationship. 

1. Journaling as a way to process
​
While you may have more time to think and be in private, this can be a great opportunity to utilize writing. Journaling by nature is a way to reflect and work through certain thoughts and feelings that may be coming up. There may be a lot that is present for you around your breakup, and you may feel that with social isolation, you have limited access to your usual coping skills (such as the gym, seeing friends, etc.). Taking the time to write down your thoughts can be a helpful way to understand what is coming up for you, acknowledging your feelings by writing them down, and thinking about what you need in order to take care of yourself and feel better. You may even have more privacy to access this coping skill when needed!
​
2. Connect with trusted friends and family over FaceTime

You may not be able to see friends and family in the way you are used to right now, but connection is still of upmost importance when going through a breakup. Even though it may not feel the same, planning time to connect over video or phone with trusted loved ones is a must. Take time to look at your calendar and see where you can fit in certain call times and make a date! This can also be an opportunity to connect with friends who may live far away from you, whom you normally don’t get to speak with as much. Instead of seeing this is a time of disconnection, can it instead be looked at as a time to reconnect with friends who you haven’t been able to catch up with for a bit?

3. Movement as part of healing 

Spending more time in social isolation due to COVID can make it easy to stay stationery. Although you may be limited to the ways in which you are used to moving and working out, movement is crucial for getting out of your head and into your body. If it is cold and you can’t go outside, can you set a timer for 20 minutes and stretch your muscles? Can you download a mediation online or on your phone and do some breath-work? Can you FaceTime a friend and do a workout together? This can be a fun time to think outside the box and get creative around movement and how to stay physically healthy. You may even find some practices that you want to integrate moving forward as a part of your daily schedule. 

4. Taking time to engage with hobbies and interests

Oftentimes during a relationship, it is easy to focus on the other person and not ourselves! Now that you are not in that relationship, and have more time around the house, this can be your chance to get intentional on what you can engage with (or re-engage with!). It is important that while experiencing hard feelings, we are able to stay present with activities that we enjoy and feel connected to. This may be cooking, drawing, playing an instrument, finishing a puzzle, or even doing that spring cleaning you have been wanting to get around to. There are many resources online that offer step by step videos to help you get started if you want to try a new hobby! The opportunities are endless.