Let's Talk Breakups

Amber Brooks

By: Amber Brooks

Editor: Lillian Castro

Posted:

They say nothing breaks like a heart (à la Miley Cyrus). Thankfully, our hearts are also more resilient than they get credit for and can be put back together time and time again. This is something our dating experts know well.

Here, you can get support and advice for surviving even the toughest breakups. Our experts offer comforting remedies to help our readers move on after a failed relationship and leave the past in the past.

Our articles hit every stage of the breakup process, from navigating complicated feelings to releasing guilt or resentment. Breakups don’t occur in a vacuum. They can be messy and extremely emotional, spilling everywhere.

Our expert advice takes this into account and offers thoughtful insights into processing grief, managing lingering emotions, and rebuilding your life after a relationship’s end so you can take back control.

We help you pick up the pieces by covering topics like emotional healing, coping strategies, and closure to assist you along your journey. With our experts' help, you can break from unhealthy patterns, recover from toxic relationships, and regain your balance.

188 Results

What Our Experts Say:

1.
30 Breakups and Relationship Length Statistics
Sheena Holt

Sheena Holt

No one wants to go through the loss of a breakup. Breakups hurt. Unfortunately, they’re a nearly unavoidable part of dating life. Just how common are breakups? How long can people expect their relationships to last? Let’s look at the numbers and identify relationship trends that could impact significant others of today and tomorrow. 1. Only 1 in 3 Men See Their Breakups as "Civil" Not everyone sees their...

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2.
Why He Disappears: 5 Reasons Why He Ghosted You
Brian Rzepczynski

Brian Rzepczynski

Nothing is more frustrating and painful than when you’re moving along smoothly in your new relationship and everything seems to be going perfectly well, and then BAM! He’s gone. No word, no warning — just vanishes. Why does this happen?!  The term “ghosting” is used to describe the phenomenon where someone abruptly ends a relationship without notice or explanation and just disappears off the face of the Earth,...

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3.
7 Post-Divorce Dating Mistakes That Women Make
Oona Metz

Oona Metz

Dating after divorce can be like opening a can of worms and going fishing for a good time. Only to hook a catfish. I get that it's a little scary at first. Opening yourself up again after you’ve gone through a painful divorce takes real guts. Many women feel like they go backward in time when they date after divorce, reverting to the age they were when they got married.  If you’re in your 50s but got...

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4.
How to End Things Kindly Instead of Ghosting: Texts That Provide Closure
Amie Leadingham

Amie Leadingham

How many times have you found yourself ghosting on a romantic interest? No judgment. I get it, breaking things off feels really uncomfortable. No one wants to be the bad guy. It can be so hard to put rejection into words. Who likes to be the bearer of that bad news? It's so much easier to disappear and move on without a conversation about it. Ghosting has become the default behavior to avoid conflict in the...

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5.
7 Tips For Handling Lesbian Breakups
Dr. Frankie Bashan

Dr. Frankie Bashan

No matter how well-regulated and wise you are and no matter how much therapy you've had, the end of a relationship is one of the hardest emotional experiences for anyone to process.  Lesbian breakups can be uniquely excruciating. I've seen high-powered CEOs struggle with it. I’ve sat with emotionally experienced pros with 10+ years of therapy under their belt as they broke down in tears in my office at the...

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6.
5 Reasons Women Break Up With Men
Lauren Sanders

Lauren Sanders

Women are in tune with their thoughts and emotions. Once they’ve made the decision to break with a man, it’s typically very well thought out.  Even if the breakup seems sudden or unexpected on the surface, there are always reasons behind the decision to move on. In my experience, it usually has to do with being unhappy and wanting better for themselves or for their children. Here are the most common...

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7.
The Website That Gives Newly Single Mothers The Tools to Thrive
Emma Patterson

Emma Patterson

The Short Version: Newly-single mothers often need community support just as much as they need advice about divorce, finances, and parenting. Australian website Beanstalk Mums is as much an educational resource as it is a refuge for single mothers seeking empathy and emotional support.  When I think “divorce,” my mind goes right to the Banana Split Club in elementary school, which was a clever name for a...

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8.
“Clap For Your Ex” – A Divorce Coach’s Motto For Overcoming Heartbreak With Power
Emma Patterson

Emma Patterson

The Short Version: Sara Davison has been a divorce coach for over 15 years. As someone who endured the pain of divorce firsthand, Sara knows how important it is to reclaim your power in the wake of heartbreak. She helps newly divorced people form their breakup support team and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Even more unique is her role as coach for other divorce coaches. Her one-of-a-kind training program at the...

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9.
10 Best Apps for Breakups in 2024
Emma Patterson

Emma Patterson

You know what’s funny about breakups? Despite being a universal experience, they almost always leave us feeling completely isolated.  There was a time when breakups were defined by tearstained pillows and tubs of Rocky Road ice cream. But we like to think that we’ve evolved since our teenage years (at least a little). And thankfully, technology has evolved right along with us. In the throes of the breakup...

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10.
Find Yourself Again After Divorce
Chloë Hylkema

Chloë Hylkema

The Short Version: Healing from divorce is a journey, and Divorced Girl Smiling is here to support women along each step. We talked to the platform’s founder, Jackie Pilossoph, about how people can find and use the trusted professional resources on her site to reflect, heal, and step into empowerment after divorce. We’ve all heard the statistic that half of all marriages end in divorce. The times I’ve heard...

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11.
Exploring Breakups and the Anatomy of a Romantic Relationship’s End
Emma Estrada

Emma Estrada

Breakups are never easy. Every breakup I’ve been through has taken me on an emotional rollercoaster. It’s like going through the five stages of grief, except the person is still alive and probably on Instagram. A breakup means the end of a romantic relationship, but I can’t help but wonder: How do you know when to break up with someone, and how do you do it well while keeping your heart intact?  Read on to...

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12.
How Fresh Starts Registry Helps People Lean on Their Community After Divorce 
Jamie Ballard

Jamie Ballard

The Short Version: Community support is so important for people going through life transitions. You have wedding registries for newlyweds, baby registries for parents-to-be, and now there’s Fresh Starts Registry for the newly divorced or uncoupled. Fresh Starts Registry has turned a novel idea into a full-fledged support system for individuals going through difficult life transitions. If you or someone you know is...

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13.
Dear Sybersue’s Susan McCord Helps People Move On With Confidence After Breakups
Chloë Hylkema

Chloë Hylkema

The Short Version: Susan McCord is the voice and expertise behind Dear Sybersue, the online hub for men and women going through breakups. Dear Sybersue is a Certified Coach, published author, and relationship advice show host. Susan talked to us about the issues she frequently observes when people end a relationship and what they can do to make the process a little easier. By taking accountability and learning from...

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14.
Mend CEO Kat Torres Shares Tips for New Singles Going Through a Breakup
Sheena Holt

Sheena Holt

The Short Version: Heartbreak is painful, and it can have detrimental effects on your mental health. But with the support of healing app Mend, new singles can recover in a healthy way, aided by daily support and guidance. Mend CEO Kat Torres shared her advice on how singles can recover from a breakup. Sometimes a relationship needs to end. All things have their seasons, and it is often best for both partners to...

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15.
Should I Get Back With My Ex? 6 Questions to Ask Yourself First
Hunt Ethridge

Hunt Ethridge

I think all of us, at one point, are guilty of wondering if we should get back with an ex. It may have been a short fling or maybe it was your first high school sweetheart. Or you may even have been married to each other before! According to Psychology Today, 6% of married couples divorce and remarry each other. Around 10% to 15% reconcile but don’t get married again. With Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck getting...

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16.
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Shares Advice for Individuals Considering Divorce
Ashayla Blakely

Ashayla Blakely

The Short Version: The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) is a not-for-profit association populated by Fellows who focus on the practice of family law. AAML Fellows are highly qualified lawyers who aspire to the values of excellence, professionalism, and scholarship in the practice of family law, including divorce. Through counsel and genuine support, Fellows of the AAML continue to impact the lives of...

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17.
Upcoming Podcast “How to Break Up by Text” Combines Comedy and Catharsis
Sheena Holt

Sheena Holt

The Short Version: All breakups are tough, but breakups over text messages can be some of the worst. Fortunately, comedian Allison Goldberg has enough good humor to turn those bad vibes around. She created "How to Break Up by Text" to help listeners heal from heartbreak through comedy. The podcast incorporates readings and commentary on real text message breakups in a hilarious show for dumpers and dumpees...

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18.
Lifestyle Coach Laura Yates Helps Singles Recover From Romantic Heartbreaks
Ashayla Blakely

Ashayla Blakely

The Short Version:  Breaking up is hard to do, especially when you weren’t the one who initiated it. Whether you’re replaying your favorite Adele song over and over or stuffing your face with cookie dough ice cream, finding a healthy way to recover from a breakup is important. Lifestyle coach Laura Yates assists singles through their recovery journey from romantic heartbreaks. In the midst of heartache and confusion,...

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19.
6 Steps Getting Over a Guy You Never Dated[updated_month_year before=" (" after=")"]
Rachel Dack

Rachel Dack

Whether you fall for a guy who is already taken, or maybe he's a friend, a co-worker, or an acquaintance, getting over a guy you never dated is sometimes as difficult as getting over an ex. Ready to get out of the friend zone for good? Find a new boyfriend at Match. Below are 6 strategies to help you get over a guy you never dated. Each strategy builds the foundation for the next, so use them as stepping...

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20.
Breakup Coach Lee Wilson Teaches Singles How to Win Back Their Ex
Suzanne Wentley

Suzanne Wentley

The Short Version: When a couple breaks up, it’s common for at least one person to want to return to the relationship. Breakup Coach Lee Wilson can help those people navigate the aftermath and work to rekindle the bond. He teaches them to focus on mending breakups and understand their ex and what went wrong in a past relationship. Lee uses his in-depth training and education to heal wounds for men and women hurt in...

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21.
How to Get Over a Breakup (8 Tips from a Licensed Counselor)
Rachel Dack

Rachel Dack

Ah, breakups! Each one is unique, and they commonly cause a person to feel a lot of different things at once. It's normal to feel sadness, loneliness, or regret, but it's also OK to feel angry, confused, exhausted, or maybe a little relieved. The circumstances for the actual breakup can be complicated, and some breakups can be a relief after weeks or months of relationship struggles. A breakup can affect your mood...

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22.
WP Diamonds Helps Newly Single Clients Sell Their Rings After a Relationship Ends
Amber Brooks

Amber Brooks

The Short Version: Not every engaged or married couple lasts forever, and one of the most lingering reminders of those failed unions are engagement rings. Many singles who have just come out of long-term relationships don’t want to hang on to those memories. WP Diamonds is a luxury jewelry buyer that makes the experience of selling those items seamless and rewarding. Another couple can use the ring, which is a boon...

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23.
Nancy Ruth Deen Teaches Clients How to Find Themselves After Ending a Relationship
Amber Brooks

Amber Brooks

The Short Version: Breakups can feel devastating, especially when people already feel isolated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Breakup coach Nancy Ruth Deen helps new singles see their breakups as opportunities to reconnect with themselves and what they want. Through one-on-one coaching, classes, and social media posts, Nancy focuses on the intersection between mindfulness, meditation, and post-breakup mental health. She...

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24.
How to Survive a Lesbian Breakup[updated_month_year before=" (" after=")"]
Pamela Gort

Pamela Gort

My girlfriend of eight months dropped the breakup bomb on me on the phone a week before Christmas. I was devastated, numb, and disappointed. So many thoughts swirled through my head: "What about the holidays? Our future? Our plans? I don’t want to be alone. What’s wrong with me? This is so wrong to break up like this." Why do we call it a breakup when it feels more like a breakdown? I want to share the path I...

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25.
How Do I Know When My Lesbian Relationship is Over?
Pamela Gort

Pamela Gort

Most of us have been there: You're in a struggling relationship, and you start weighing the options to leave or stay and keep working on it. The reality is all relationships have their ups and downs. They ebb and flow. The downs do not mean it’s over. That being said, relationships do not survive without care. Couples in strong relationships assess themselves on a regular basis. They respectfully discuss what’s...

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26.
How Do I Know When My Gay Relationship is Over, And What Can I Do About It?
Mason Glenn

Mason Glenn

Relationships should have a certain level of ease. Of course, any time two people are together for a long period of time, there will always be problems and disagreements along the way. I have found that the first nine months to one year of many relationships are a period of compromise. You may start to recognize that your partner has habits and traits that are an integral part of his life. You now have to turn...

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27.
5 Tips for Breaking Up During COVID-19
Rachel Dack

Rachel Dack

Being quarantined and apart from your support system during COVID-19 may magnify the already challenging nature of breaking up. Typical post-breakup activities and distractions, such as grabbing a drink with a friend or going to a workout class, may not be feasible or safe due to the coronavirus outbreak, and you may feel generally more isolated, anxious, or down due to the current circumstances. The changes in...

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28.
Is It OK to Date Right After a Breakup?
Hunt Ethridge

Hunt Ethridge

As Taylor Swift once intoned, “So it's gonna be forever, or it's gonna go down in flames.” Relationships really only have two options, so we’re all going to go through a breakup of some sort before we find our lobster. And that is totally normal and fine! What is the right length of time to wait before getting out there again? Is it better to wait a while or just jump right back into the fray? You’ll get...

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29.
How to Break Up With Someone (Senior Dating Advice)
April Braswell

April Braswell

Before you find the one you're meant to be with for the rest of your life (if that's what you're looking for), you're probably going to be in relationships that don't last. One day you just realize that the two of you aren’t meant for each other, and you need to break up. While Paul Simon gave us "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover," none of them are classy, and they don't communicate relationship maturity. When you’ve...

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30.
How to Get Over a Breakup: 5 Tips for Gay Men
Brian Rzepczynski

Brian Rzepczynski

One of the most torturous aspects of dating is when you think you've found Mr. Right, and then the relationship ends. Sometimes this happens abruptly, and other times it turns sour in a gradual and painful fashion. Either way, breakups hurt and can send your life into a whirlwind. Your identity is now in flux, and you must come to terms with it so you can move forward with your life with a new purpose. There's...

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Amber Brooks

By: Amber Brooks

Editor-in-Chief

Amber Brooks is the Editor-in-Chief at DatingAdvice.com. When she was growing up, her family teased her for being "boy crazy," but she preferred to think of herself as a budding dating and relationship expert. As an English major at the University of Florida, Amber honed her communication skills to write clearly, knowledgeably, and passionately about a variety of subjects. Now with over 1,800 lifestyle articles to her name, Amber brings her tireless wit and relatable experiences to DatingAdvice.com. She has been quoted by the Washington Times, Cosmopolitan, The New York Post, and AskMen, among others.

See Amber's full bio »

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