How to forget about betrayal: 13 practical tips
Betrayal by a loved one is one of the most painful experiences in life. However, even after such a trauma, it is possible to find the strength to move forward.
RBC-Ukraine has gathered 13 practical tips that will help release the pain of betrayal, restore emotional balance, and start a new chapter in life.
How to cope with betrayal
Don't suppress your emotions
Tears, anger, disappointment, swearing, and even outbursts are normal reactions to betrayal. Don't try to hold them back.
Talk about your feelings
Share your emotions with people you trust: friends, family members, or a therapist.
Understand the reasons for the pain
Try to understand why the betrayal affected you so deeply. This will help you process your feelings and strengthen your self-esteem.
Work on yourself
Betrayal can be a catalyst for personal growth. Focus on self-development, discover new hobbies, and explore new interests.
Limit communication
Try to minimize contact with the person who betrayed you as much as possible: no texting, unfollowing them on social media, etc. Also, get rid of items that remind you of them. This will help you recover faster.
Physical activity and healthy eating
Pay attention to your diet, engage in physical exercise, and take walks outdoors. Physical activity and a healthy diet will help reduce stress and improve your mood. Thoughts about the betraying partner will take a backseat.
Rest
Make sure to allocate time for relaxation and unwinding. This could include reading books, practicing yoga, or simply taking a walk in the park. If possible, take a short vacation from work - not just staying at home but going to another city for a day or two of sightseeing.
Don’t blame yourself!
You are not to blame: betrayal is the act of another person. Don’t take responsibility for what happened!
Work on your self-esteem
Betrayal can shake your belief in yourself. Remind yourself often of your accomplishments in various areas and your positive qualities.
Be patient
Healing takes time. Don’t expect to forget about the betrayal in one day. It’s a natural process that requires time and patience, especially if the betrayal came from someone you were in a long-term relationship with.
Don’t be afraid to seek help
If you can’t handle it on your own, don’t hesitate to reach out to a psychologist. A professional can help you process your emotions and find a way out of the difficult situation.
Don’t be afraid of new relationships
In time, you’ll be ready for new relationships. The key is not to rush. Define what kind of relationship you find acceptable and what you don’t. Don’t be afraid to set boundaries (you can read more about how to do this in our article on setting personal boundaries). And, of course, analyze your previous relationship to understand what led to the betrayal. This will help you avoid similar situations in the future.
Live a full life
Betrayal shouldn’t be the end of the world. Keep living, set goals, and achieve them!
Important! Every person experiences a breakup in their way. The most important thing is not to stay alone with your problems, but to seek support from close people or professionals.
The advice in the article was sourced from the online resources Verywell Mind and Psychology Today.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.