How to Cope After a Disappointment or Heartbreak

Have you ever been so disappointed or crushed by something or someone that you thought you couldn't go on any longer? Perhaps it was a poor grade, job loss, breakup, or rejection. In any case, your mind might get tangled in a web of negative emotions. Read on to learn about how to cope after disappointment or heartbreak.

Ways to Cope with Disappointments

Cry It Out

Regardless of your gender, age, or what people say, crying is an acceptable reaction to hard situations. So many people have it in their heads that crying makes them weak; it doesn't. It's a sign that something affects you deeply. Acknowledging that it is okay to cry is the first step to healing.

Accept Help from Loved Ones

While crying is acceptable and healthy for you, it is important to talk to your loved ones about coping after a disappointment. They are the people who know your potential and what you have to offer the world. They are the people who will show you how to smile and laugh again. Happiness and laughter are the building blocks for mental health wellness.

Remember Hard Times Will Not Last Forever

Disappointments and heartbreaks feel like permanent scars in the beginning. However, you will eventually find they are just temporary setbacks. There is a reason for the cliche, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." No, that doesn't make hard situations any easier for you, nor does it make them suck any less. But you can get through them by acknowledging and embracing little moments of peace and happiness.

Write About Your Anger

When you go through hard times, you have a right to feel angry. However, what you do with that anger has consequences. If writing is something you enjoy doing, writing out your thoughts and feelings in a private journal can help you process where your anger is coming from and how to deal with it appropriately. Go ahead and write down a million swear words. Then rip up the paper as a way of releasing your anger without causing any harm to anyone else.

Do Something You Enjoy

Sometimes the aftermath of a negative event makes you wonder if you deserve misery. But please remember this is not true. You deserve peace and happiness in your life. You deserve to enjoy the things that give your life a purpose and meaning. Even when your mind tells you otherwise, try to do one thing you enjoy. If you can't do it by yourself, ask a friend to help you.

Seek a Professional for Help

While these coping techniques have helped me with disappointments and heartbreak, I am not a mental health professional. If you are uncomfortable with any of these tips or if you would like help with them, please seek the advice of a mental health professional.