Breaking up isn’t easy; particularly when the “situationship” affected is a friends-with-benefits (FWB) scenario. So, to further that, we’ll dive into the strategies and insights that can help you to get over the emotional fallout of a breakup from a FWB, which can help you get back out there and find your next relationship or fuck buddy.
Understanding Your Emotions
The first step in getting emotionally stable from any breakup is to accept and understand your emotions. When it comes to a FWB breakup, it’s normal to feel a range of intense emotions, including sadness, anger, disappointment, and even a sense of rejection. You are getting rejected by a person that you consider a friend, after all. It’s all in the title that you’re most likely going to feel some sort of way about the breakup. Take the time to process that, because by allowing yourself to grieve the end of the relationship, you can recover more quickly and fully. Suppressing your feelings will only make everything worse in the end.
Reflecting on the Relationship
It’s imperative to reflect on the nature of your FWB relationship to gain the perspective you’ll need. FWB dynamics usually lack the intensity of emotional intimacy and commitment in a traditional romantic partnership, but that isn’t to say that there is no emotion involved! Understanding this key difference will help you come to terms with the breakup and realize that it isn’t a reflection of your worth or desirability. This truth can help erase the blame or self-doubt that can come up during such a challenging time. Take that time to go over every aspect of the FWB situationship and see if you truly are feeling the loss or if it’s just the rejection aspect that is throwing you for a loop.
Cutting Off Contact
To move on from a FWB breakup, it’s often necessary to cut off contact with your former FWB partner. While maintaining contact may be tempting, it only prolongs your healing process and gets in the way of your ability to move forward. Everyone wants to seem very evolved by staying friends with their former FWB, but that isn’t always in the cards.
You can always reconnect once you’re feeling better, but until then unfollow them on social media and avoid places where you might bump into them. And if they are truly your friend, they won’t begrudge you the time you take. Removing these reminders of the past will help you focus on your own emotional needs and heal without being constantly reminded of the relationship that’s ended.
Prioritizing Self-Care
Investing the time and energy in self-care and recovery is a fundamental aspect of being human. You’ll always need to consider your own emotional health in every stage of your life. So, why not accept that? Participating in activities that bring you happiness can help divert your attention away from the breakup. It doesn’t matter whether it’s exercising, pursuing hobbies, or spending time with loved ones.
Whatever it is that you need to find some happiness during this time is what you should devote the most time to. By ensuring that you’re taking care of yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally you can break cycles of depression and get yourself back to a place where you’re feeling good about yourself. Practice healthy eating habits, get enough sleep, and seek support from friends or a therapist if needed to be sure you’re doing everything you can to make yourself feel better. It’s intense and can be uncomfortable but you’ll thank yourself in the long run!
Setting New Boundaries
A FWB setup blurs the traditional lines in a relationship, which can make it challenging to get through a breakup. So, moving forward, you might think about setting clear boundaries for future relationships. This can help you retain a sense of control and make sure that you enter relationships that line up with your needs and wants. Taking the time to clear up any miscalculations or misunderstandings about the FWB situationship before it ever becomes a problem is one of the most powerful tactics for surviving a breakup without hard feelings. That clarification of your boundaries is an important way to protect your heart and emotional well-being.
Exploring New Opportunities
So, the Friends With Benefits didn’t last. Given that as true, what do you do now? Move on. You must explore new opportunities, both romantically and personally. You should let yourself meet new people and start-up activities that inspire growth and adventure.
Doing that, opening yourself up to the possibility of finding a deeper, more meaningful connection, can give you the emotional fulfillment that you’re craving. Also, and probably most importantly, take this opportunity to focus on yourself. Doing so will make you able to start new hobbies, focus on your personal growth, and chase your dreams! Most everyone can agree that someone who’s out in the world actively trying to better themselves is a more attractive person in general.
Practicing Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a great tool for healing after a FWB breakup. Let yourself go over the relationship in your mind, identify those areas or situations where you could have handled yourself better, and then find the strength to forgive your former FWB partner as well as yourself. This is one of the most difficult parts of any breakup because holding onto anger, resentment, or guilt can only get in the way of making yourself happy again. Remember that mistakes are a part of being human and that forgiveness is a path to freeing yourself from negative emotions, finding inner peace, and moving forward.
Moving on after a FWB breakup may be challenging initially, but armed with understanding your emotions, cutting off contact, prioritizing self-care, setting healthy boundaries, exploring new opportunities, and practicing forgiveness, you can find healing and growth. Remember that you are deserving of happiness and a fulfilling relationship. Allow yourself the time to heal, and hope that brighter days are ahead. With resolve and self-empathy, you’ll emerge stronger, and more ready to embrace the future with open arms.
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