One of the hardest things people have to face at one point or another is heartbreak, but sometimes what's even harder is allowing people back in afterwards. We always forget that although strong, our ribs are not meant to be some permanent cage that holds our heart hostage forever. Eventually, you owe it to yourself to learn how to be happy again with someone new. You just have to remember a few things when you realize you're ready to love, and be loved in return, again.
1. Take things slow.
Never push yourself faster than you are prepared to go. Everything takes time, especially healing. Piecing yourself back together doesn’t always happen overnight, in one week, or even in a single month. When you are ready to open yourself to someone new again, you will know. Don’t let the fear of being alone or the pressure to settle down push you into another heartbreak.
2. Be brave.
Don’t fear them or your feelings. Not every person coming into your life is going to tear you down, no matter how much you believe they are. I promise you that the world has beautiful people to offer if you give yourself the chance to let them in. Life wouldn’t be worth living if we refused ourselves the right to be happy. Life wouldn’t be worth living if we refused ourselves the right to enjoy what wonderful things it can offer.
3. Don't give them everything you have.
Save pieces of yourself so that if they also happen to break your heart, they don’t haunt you. Repairing yourself is always hard, so don’t make it any harder than it has to be. You’ll thank yourself when you can still listen to your favorite song and watch the sunset without their ghost in the background.
4. You can always put yourself back together again
The world is built off of highs and lows, so you’re going to have to learn to pick yourself up no matter how many times you are thrown down. No matter what is shot in your direction, you have to remember that you’ve survived before, and you will survive again. Life can be cruel, but without the sweeter moments we would all rot away.
5. Your needs always come before them.
If they degrade you in any way, leave. If they hurt you, leave. If they have bad habits, leave. If they pressure you into any decision, leave. You are the only person you have at the end of the day, so take care of yourself first. There are 8 billion people in this world, and not all of them will make you wish you were somebody else. So if you aren’t happy in even the smallest of ways, detach yourself and move on. The few times they make you feel like heaven aren’t worth weeks of hell.
6. It's going to be okay.
Time will remind you what it is like to be free and open to the world again. Every time the sun sets it still manages to rise again, and winter has never lasted forever. I promise you that when you become so shattered your pieces don’t all fit back together, someone else will come along and glue it together for you. Even if your ship is wrecked, one day you will be able to look up and see that the shore is beautiful.
