As a relationship coach with over 15 years of experience counseling heartbroken clients, I know firsthand how excruciatingly painful it can be to let go of someone you love deeply. Whether it’s due to a traumatic breakup, unrequited love, or losing your soulmate, having to forget the person who means the world to you often seems downright impossible.
I myself have walked this agonizing path when my high school sweetheart and I separated after nearly a decade together. Forgetting her seemed unfathomable, and the grief swallowed me whole. I couldn’t eat, sleep, stop crying or get out of bed for days on end. The mere thought of a life without her by my side was too much to bear.
But with time, self-work and the support of loved ones, I did heal. And you can too. As brutal as it is, forgetting someone you adore is very much possible. This comprehensive guide shares the most effective tips I’ve gathered over 15 years of coaching hundreds of clients on how to let go and truly move on from a beloved person.
Accept That It’s Over
The first step is always the hardest: fully accepting that the relationship has ended for good. As long as you cling even loosely to some thread of hope that you’ll rekindle the romance, you cannot begin to heal.
I know how tempting it is to grasp at straws, to imagine that your ex will see the light and come back. Many of my clients get stuck in this phase for months or even years after the breakup, unable to acknowledge that it’s truly over. They end up stunted in their growth, pressing pause on their life as they wait for their ex.
But the cold, hard truth is: once it’s done, it’s done. The sooner you can accept this, the sooner your healing journey can begin. This means relinquishing any fantasies of a reconciliation and committing fully to moving forward. Trust me, it’s the only way through the grief.