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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

How do you cope with heartbreak after ending a first love?

8 replies

LuLu345678 · 04/05/2026 17:15

I broke up with my partner today. This is my first time being in love. I am heartbroken. They cheated with an ex so I know I am doing the right thing by leaving but I feel so sad and lost. I can’t imagine ever being interested in anyone else again.

I also feel very guilty as I believe my ex was quite self destructive, wanting nothing more than a stable long term relationship but sabotaging it.

I am totally devastated. Can anyone offer any advice of how to get over heartbreak please?

OP posts:
CloudBaring · 04/05/2026 17:58

How old are you.

Isitme2026 · 04/05/2026 18:13

Hang in there and believe those of us who are going to say you WILL feel better eventually. It's hard to imagine now but believe us.

Give yourself some time to actively wallow (watch weepy films, cry to music, confide in good friends, keep a journal) AND do nice things, get out and experience things and see people (and animals if possible!) Even if you go home and cry afterwards.

Don't expect your recovery to be linear. You might feel better, and then crap again, but that won't mean you're not headed in he right direction.

Also, I've found stopping all contact to be crucial. It just drags out the pain if you keep talking, in my experience.

Wishing you well. You've got this.

MrThorpeHazell · 07/05/2026 11:00

Time. It goes away eventually. Make sure you go "no contact" that speeds up the healing process.
Listen to "Fool if you think it's over" by Chris Rea. Written for his sister in the same circumstances.

Iocanepowder · 07/05/2026 11:02

Block them on any social media and their phone numbers etc. it removes temptation to try and see how they are doing or message them. It always feels you may never get over them, but you will.

My ‘first love’ ended his own life. It is now nearly 14 years later and I kick myself over how much time I wasted on him.

SilkSilk · 07/05/2026 11:03

Don’t panic. Don’t contact your ex. Don’t try to rationalise what they did. It’s not your problem any more. Focus on yourself, and doing enjoyable, self-nurturing things, and letting yourself feel the sadness/anger/whatever. It won’t kill you, and it will pass.

Sodthesystem · 07/05/2026 11:45

I think your idea that he wanted a longterm relationship but kept sabotaging it needs to be looked at. You know who do that? For one, narcissists. They are never 'actually' happy worh what they have so they always look for something else. For the bigger better. For the extra add on.

Now you haven't given us enough info to say that's his deal of course. But, just worth noting.

Either way it sounds like he's maybe been telling you he wants one thing (commitment) and his actions have shown something else. Because people who REALLY want committed relationships (with you) do not keep sabbotaging them. They just don't.

And I think it might be worth being honest woth yourself there. Because otherwise you are pitying him like he's some little lost child who just messed up. He's not. He's clearly consistently been a douchebag.

And I think recognising that should probably be your first step. Even if uts painful to come to terms with the fact that he will never choose anyone but himself.

Secondly, give yourself a pat on the back for removing yourself from this whole situation. Just because he is disordered af, doesn't mean he gets to drag you along for the ride.
Good on you for getting out.

Thirdly...cliche but, good tv, ice cream, chocolate, bubble baths and a new haircut or even wardrobe. Maybe a holiday. And time. Lots and lots of time. First love can take a while to get over. Block him on everything. Step away from social media for a while if needed too. And don't think about dating again for at least 6 months. Potentially longer as it seems you might have some unhealthy stuff to work through first (the competing notion that people who love us and want us will still repeatedly hurt us and push us away).

GumballsAndGobstoppers · 07/05/2026 11:47

Isitme2026 · 04/05/2026 18:13

Hang in there and believe those of us who are going to say you WILL feel better eventually. It's hard to imagine now but believe us.

Give yourself some time to actively wallow (watch weepy films, cry to music, confide in good friends, keep a journal) AND do nice things, get out and experience things and see people (and animals if possible!) Even if you go home and cry afterwards.

Don't expect your recovery to be linear. You might feel better, and then crap again, but that won't mean you're not headed in he right direction.

Also, I've found stopping all contact to be crucial. It just drags out the pain if you keep talking, in my experience.

Wishing you well. You've got this.

Edited

This is great advice.

PerryMenopaws · 07/05/2026 12:35

Your first love quite often wounds disproportionately because it's your first. That's very natural.

I tell me son that you can expect to break up with everyone you go out with, except one. So if you're young then approach dating with an open mind.

Your 20s are for figuring out what you like, and for making mistakes.

Let yourself wallow and cry it out. Don't try and diagnose men as self sabotaging. The truth is almost everyone won't be the right one for you.

I met my husband at 38. It was totally worth every frog I kissed.

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