Letting go of someone you love is a challenging but essential process for personal healing and growth. Key steps include putting yourself first by attending to your emotional and physical needs, allowing yourself to grieve fully, and considering cutting contact to avoid reopening wounds. It's important to acknowledge and accept your feelings rather than suppressing them and to seek support through talking with trusted friends, family, or a therapist. Practice empathy and gratitude by appreciating what the relationship taught you and shifting your focus toward your own future happiness. Finally, understand that letting go takes time and be patient with yourself as you heal and move forward.

Practical tips to let go

• Put yourself first and set boundaries to give yourself space to heal.
• Let yourself grieve and accept the emotional rollercoaster.
• Cut contact with the person if possible, including on social media, to avoid reminders.
• Find a safe, happy place through mindfulness and positive affirmations.
• Don’t wait for apologies or a change from the other person; healing is your responsibility.
• Talk about your feelings openly with supportive people.
• Practice gratitude for the lessons and experiences gained from the relationship.
• Take the necessary time to heal before moving on to new relationships.

Emotional and mental strategies

• Recognize when it's time to let go when the relationship causes more pain than joy.
• Identify and challenge limiting beliefs about loneliness or future love.
• Master your emotions by acknowledging anger and working through it healthily.
• Adopt empathy for yourself and the other person to foster compassion and reduce resentment.

This gradual, compassionate process can help turn the pain of letting go into an opportunity for growth and new beginnings.