• Accepting that the relationship is not working out and moving on can be difficult, but it’s important to prioritize one’s own happiness. Look at it this way: if you’re in a sinking ship with no lifeboats left, would you rather cling onto the wreckage or swim towards safety? Prioritizing your own happiness means recognizing when something isn’t working out and taking steps to move forward.
• Trying to change a commitment phobic man is unlikely to work and may only lead to frustration and disappointment. As much as we all love playing therapist for our partners, sometimes people need their own space (and professional help) to figure things out. If someone doesn’t want commitment, there’s little chance of changing their mind by force-feeding them romance novels or chaining them up until they agree.
• It’s okay to set boundaries and communicate what one needs in a relationship, but ultimately it’s up to the individual whether they want to commit or not. Communication is key – unless you’re trying Morse code underwater – but setting boundaries shouldn’t mean treating someone like an animal in captivity. Letting go of control over others’ decisions can be liberating once you realize that everyone has different priorities in life.
• Seeking support from friends, family, or a therapist can help with the process of letting go and healing after a breakup. Friends are great listeners who won’t judge you (unless they have popcorn), family will always have your back (except during Thanksgiving dinner), while therapists provide expert advice without any bias (unless they secretly hate cats).
• Focusing on personal growth and self-improvement can be empowering during this time. Who says breakups should just involve ice cream binges followed by Netflix marathons? Channeling negative energy into positive activities such as learning new skills or traveling solo helps build confidence for future relationships.
• It’s important to recognize that the fear of commitment is not a personal attack on oneself, but rather an issue within the individual. It’s not you, it’s them – and that doesn’t mean they’re bad people (unless they don’t like pizza). Commitment phobia is a real psychological condition that stems from various factors such as fear of abandonment or past trauma.
• Letting go may involve grieving the loss of what could have been, but it’s important to remember that there are other opportunities for love and happiness in life. Just because one door closes doesn’t mean your house gets repossessed by Cupid himself. There are plenty more fish in the sea (and if you’re vegetarian, seaweed too).
• Holding onto hope or waiting for someone to change can prolong emotional pain and prevent one from moving forward. Hope is great when it comes to winning lottery tickets or finding out puppies exist, but relying on others’ actions instead of taking control over our own lives only leads to disappointment.
• Practicing self-care activities such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies can help alleviate stress during this time. Self-care isn’t just about bubble baths and scented candles (although those do help). Taking care of yourself physically and mentally helps build resilience towards future challenges.
• Keeping busy with work or social activities can also provide distraction and support. As much as we all want to live like hermits sometimes (or most times), being around positive influences who lift us up instead of bringing us down does wonders for mental health. Plus having something else besides Netflix binges makes for better conversation starters at parties (if we ever get invited again).