- To move on from one-sided love, accept that it’s normal to feel upset or insecure, and allow yourself to grieve for as long as you need to.
- Distract yourself with fun activities to take your mind off of things—sign up for a workout class, go for a walk outside, or have a picnic with your friends!
- Practice self-care and challenge negative thoughts about yourself by replacing them with positive ones. Remind yourself of your good qualities and all of your potential.
Let yourself be upset.
Rejection hurts, and you might feel sad or lonely for a while. The first step in healing from one-sided love is acknowledging your emotions. Whether you’re dealing with anger, resentment, shame, or heartbreak, allow yourself to grieve the loss of your relationship for as long as you need to; embracing your emotions is the fastest way to get over someone. Remember that internalizing your emotions can make you feel worse, so try to find healthy outlets for your feelings. You might document your experiences in a journal, talk to a friend or family member, or express your emotions in creative ways like painting or writing a song. Try to identify your emotions so you can move forward. For instance, if you feel awkward or exposed after being rejected, you might be more embarrassed about the situation than anything else—and then you can figure out how to boost your confidence.
Acknowledge and accept what happened.
Keeping yourself in the dark can prevent you from moving forward. Instead of pretending to yourself that the relationship was mutual, acknowledge that your love was one-sided. It might be painful at first, but accepting the situation for what it is can help you get over the other person. While pretending to yourself about the relationship might feel better now, you’ll only hurt yourself in the future. Remember, unrequited love is a universal experience, and it’s totally normal to be rejected by someone.
Recognize that they’re not the one for you.
Even if you still love them, remember that the relationship isn’t fulfilling. It’s okay to hold onto those feelings for a little while, but try to convince yourself that they aren’t your soulmate. People who experience unrequited love usually put the other partner on a pedestal, so it might help to point out qualities that you don’t love about them; it may take some time, but you can move on from someone that you loved. If you catch yourself yearning for the person again, remember how you felt when you realized your love was one-sided: were you insecure, depressed, or ashamed? Reflecting on painful memories can help you make a clean break and stop fantasizing about them.
Cut contact with the other person.
Going no contact, at least for a little while, can help you heal. While it’s totally possible to stay friends with the object of your one-sided love, trying to keep up the relationship right away could be more painful. Set healthy boundaries to give yourself time and space, and don’t be afraid to be as specific as possible. For instance, you might ask them to stop texting you for the next 2 weeks, or tell them that you need a significant break until you’re ready to resume the friendship. Remember, it’s up to you to decide how long you stay away; some people might only need a few weeks, while other people might need a few years. Prioritize your well-being, and let your emotions guide your decision.
Practice self-care.
One-sided love can bring you down, but self-care boosts your mood. To get over an unrequited relationship, treat yourself with kindness and do something nice for yourself. Self-care looks different for everyone, and it can be anything that improves your physical or mental health—remember, it doesn’t have to include expensive luxuries or overindulgence. Recover from negative feelings by painting your nails, relaxing in a bubble bath, doing a face mask, going for a walk, or listening to your favorite album. If you really want to take care of your body, try doing mindful meditation. Sit in a quiet room and take some deep breaths to settle your mind, then practice letting go of any negative thoughts you have about yourself.
Dive into distractions.
Keeping yourself busy can help you move forward more quickly. While it’s perfectly normal to be upset after a one-sided relationship, dwelling on the situation can make you feel worse. Instead, make time to do the things that you love, such as drawing, singing, or cooking. Filling your time with fun activities can help you take your mind off of the situation and overcome any negative emotions. Exercising is a great way to distract yourself, and the flow of endorphins can help boost your mood. Whether it’s dancing, pilates, or HIIT, sign up for a fun workout class to make you feel (and look) your best. Try to get out of the house as much as possible, even if it’s just going out for a 20-minute walk around your neighborhood. Spending time outside can help clear your mind and make you feel better. You could also read in the park, play an instrument, or volunteer at your local shelter.
Reach out to friends and family members.
Leaning on your support network can help ease the pain of one-sided love. To overcome feelings of heartbreak, surround yourself with people who remind you of how loved you are. A strong support network can distract you from negative thoughts, giving you a boost of confidence as you process your emotions (and eventually seek reciprocated love). Plan a picnic with your friends, call your parents for a nice chat, or visit your siblings in their city. If you want to tell them what you’ve been going through, you can; otherwise, just enjoy their company and use it as a distraction. While you don’t have to talk about your situation with others, it might help you move forward. Many people have experienced unrequited love, and they could offer you valuable insights or advice on how to cope.
Look forward to the future.
Moving on is easier when you make plans for the future. One-sided love can make you feel down, but scheduling a fun activity can bring you hope and happiness. Organize a vacation with your best friends, buy tickets to a festival you’ve always wanted to attend, or create a countdown calendar for your birthday. By making plans to look forward to, you shift your focus from your unrequited relationship to an experience that brings you joy. If you can’t afford to travel or attend a big event, plan a staycation at your house! You can enjoy a relaxing weekend alone watching movies, trying out a new recipe, or painting your nails.
Set goals for your next relationship.
Set dating standards so you can avoid one-sided love in the future. Make a written list of the ideal characteristics and qualities you want in a relationship, like love, trust, and honesty. Really try to hold every relationship up to those standards from now on, and don’t settle for anything less. If you have a history of one-sided relationships in your life, step back and look at why you choose that type of relationship, and what keeps you unwilling or unable to break that pattern.
Put yourself back out there.
Meeting new people can help you move forward in your love life. It might be scary or strange at first to seek out a new relationship, but try not to let your experience with one-sided love hold you back. Join a few dating apps, try out some social clubs, or let your friends set you up with someone new. Even if you’re not ready to commit to a full-on relationship, dating casually can help you heal and boost your confidence. If you’re struggling to enter the dating scene, start small! Spark a conversation with the cute barista at your local coffee shop or chat with someone standing beside you in the grocery line. Socializing with strangers can help you improve your confidence and flirting skills.
Challenge your inner critic.
Silence negative thoughts to help you rebuild your self confidence. While it’s normal to think badly about your situation or how you handled the one-sided love, talking down to yourself can make it harder to move forward. Instead, try to reframe a negative thought into something positive or remind yourself that your thoughts aren’t reality. For example, you might think, “No one loves me the way I love them.” But you can challenge that negative thought by saying, “That’s not true, I’ve had many fulfilling relationships in the past. This just wasn’t one of them.” Or, you might think, “I’ll always be alone.” You can challenge this by asking yourself, “How do I know that’s true? I can’t see the future. I might not be in a relationship now, but I have friends and family members that I love. Plus, I might meet someone new in the future.”
Talk to a mental health professional.
If you’re struggling to move on, reach out to a professional for help. One-sided love can cause serious self-doubt, which may be too much to handle on your own. Talking to a therapist can teach you more about one-sided love, including why it affects you so deeply and what you can specifically do to move forward. If you feel like you can’t move on or you’re having constant negative thoughts, find a therapist in your local area, or look for one online through sites like BetterHelp or GoodTherapy.
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