Don’t Set a Timeline for Getting Over Your Breakup

In therapy today, my therapist shared something that really hit home about breakups and self-compassion.

She said setting timelines and expectations, like thinking I’ll be over the breakup in a year or that the hardest part is the first three months, actually works against being kind to myself. If I don’t meet those timelines, it just adds more distress.

Instead, she encouraged me to drop the expectations entirely and just allow myself to experience the grief and sadness in authentic way, for however long it takes. By doing this, I'm supposedly being more compassionate with myself, because I'm accepting whatever emotions come up rather than judging myself for not "getting over it" on a certain timeline.

Just thought I'd share in case anyone else is struggling with the weight of expectations after a breakup, as it’s such a shift in mindset.