When most people think about the stages of grief, they associate them with the loss of a loved one. While grief can certainly involve the death of someone, it can also be attributed to other types of loss as well, including the loss of a job or even the ending of a relationship. Ending a relationship can be devastating, to say the least. Understanding the stages of grief when ending a relationship as you are going through them may help you to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Stage 1: Denial
Denial is the first stage in the grieving process that occurs when a relationship ends. This is a phase that every person must go through unless the parting of ways was their idea. This can last anywhere from a few hours to a few months, or longer. The denial stage often begins before the relationship even ends, when all of the signs are pointing to the end of the relationship and you fail to recognize or acknowledge them.
Stage 2: Depression
Depression is one of the stages of grief that almost every person goes through when the relationship is over. The depression may last for a long period of time, or it may come in spurts. When something catches your eye that reminds you of the time that you and your ex shared together, it may trigger a period of depression. Take heart in the fact that it is normal to feel sadness when a relationship ends, no matter how bad it may have been.
Combat depression by going out and doing the things you used to do before you got involved with your ex, or try to something new. If you stay busy you have less time to dwell on your loss.
Stage 3: Anger
Anger may be one of the most prevalent phases in the grieving process that takes place when a relationship ends. It is perfectly natural to be angry at your ex for what he did, for what he didn't do and for everything in between.
It isn't difficult to recognize this phase when it rolls around. When you start feeling hatred toward your ex instead of lamenting over days gone by, you can rest assured that you have reached this phase. You may even find yourself hoping that she gets her heart broken, or you may find yourself considering revenge. This doesn't make you a bad person; this stage is perfectly normal.
Stage 4: Acceptance
Every cycle of grief ends with acceptance. When you are done being sad, angry, and going through the roller coaster of emotions that is so often associated with a tough breakup, you land at the point of acceptance. This is when you are able to think about your ex without crying or wishing bad things on him. You may even think of good times with him and smile to yourself.
Once you have reached the point of acceptance, you should be able to move on and venture back out into the dating world again.
