How To Heal From A Toxic Partner

By Carmelia Ray

Breaking up with a toxic partner can be an emotionally devastating experience. You might feel discarded and alone after putting so much effort into your relationship. However, your feelings don't define you. With the right strategies for self-care, you can overcome the pain of a destructive partnership and come out stronger than before. If you're ready to begin your journey toward healing after a toxic partner, here are a few tips to help you with your healing journey.

Cut Off All Contact

Severing all ties with a toxic partner can be challenging, but it is crucial to securing your mental and emotional well-being. Cutting ties includes all forms of communication. including social media. phone calls. texts. and emails. Take the time to reflect on what happened between you and your former partner and invest in your self-care as you move through the healing process.

"Once a relationship has ended, let it go. it is important to allow yourself and your former partner the time and effort to recover, regroup, and move on. Set boundaries and keep them. Backsliding into contact with a former partner, more often than not, results in prolonged hurt and harm to both parties."

~Dr. Monica Vermani, C. Psych. - MVPsychology.com

Establish Clear Boundaries

Recovering after being with a toxic partner is incredibly difficult. Taking time to establish relationship boundaries is an important step to take while healing and before entering any new relationship. Set clear expectations for how you want to be treated; it is pivotal to rebuilding your sense of independence and self-respect.

Boundaries also provide clarity around benaviors that are acceptable and unacceptable, empowering your ability to protect your emotional health moving forward.

"One of a woman's needs is feeling safe. When a woman feels wounded from the past, she fears being at risk of repeating her pattern of attracting toxic partners. For starters, she should practice self-compassion. I then emphasize the importance of setting clear boundaries. We craft a bulletproof dating plan, which includes a thorough screening process she can use to test men for toxic behavior. She will undoubtedly know that the man she chooses to enter a relationship with is a good partner."

~ Natcha Noel, Matchmaker and Life Coach, LavishDates.com

Practice Self-Care

When you leave a toxic partner, healthy habits that fuel your emotional and physical well-being can be a crucial component o healing. This includes eating nutritious toods, getting enough rest exercising regularly, meditating, and doing anything that helps you feel connected to yourself and your environment. Shift your focus and new freedom to yourself without guilt about investing in self-care and self-compassion. Remember that doing things to make you happy can help boost your mood and keep you trom wallowing in sadness or anger.

Seek Professional Help If Needed

After leaving a toxic partner, it is essential to prioritize your mental and emotional well-being. Initially, you may feel liberated and relieved, but the lingering effects of such a traumatic experience can manifest in various ways, impacting daily life and future relationships. If your emotions are becoming too overwhelming to manage on your own, don't hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional.

A compassionate, knowledgeable therapist or counselor will provide a safe space to explore and process your emotions, enabling you to develop healthy coping mechanisms and forge a path toward renewed self-confidence and self-worth. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness; instead, it is an empowering act of self-advocacy to ensure you emerge more substantial and self-assured than ever before.

Journal to Acknowledge Your Feelings and Deal with Your Emotions

"Many therapists recommend patients journal their thoughts and emotions as part of their healing process. Any time you're upset, sit in a quiet place, and start to write anything and everything that comes to your mind. It's a way to clear your mind and might take three to four pages- your journal is to release negative thoughts from your head to paper until they're gone. By the end of your writing, you will feel a sense of freedom to continue your day.

Journaling is a great way to reflect on your healing journey, see how far you've come and acknowledge yourself for your hard work."

~ Kimberley Smith, Author, "My Life By Design - The Ultimate Transformational Journal and Workbook" KimberflyDesign.com

Ultimately, it is important to process the pain of a toxic partner and take steps to heal. Allowing yourself time and space to grieve will provide an opportunity to come to terms with the pain and suffering inflicted. Additionally, support yourself during this time with activities that replenish your energy. Finding joy in small moments can help cultivate resilience on this difficult path to wellness. Use these tips to help you heal from a toxic partner to help you move forward with confidence and compassion.