Going through a

friendship breakup

can be emotionally taxing, especially if it happened unexpectedly or on a bad note. The shock and the sadness associated with the end of a close relationship can be overwhelming, and difficult to overcome.
The first step to getting over a friendship breakup is to accept and acknowledge the emotions associated with it.

Avoid feeling guilty about your role in it and accept that sometimes things may end on a sour note even with the closest of our people.

Here are 5 tips to move on from a friendship breakup.

1. It’s okay to grieve

After investing your time, efforts, and emotions in a friendship, it’s natural to feel empty when your friend isn’t part of your life and you aren’t talking to each other. Accepting that you have ended a friendship can take some time, and healing may take at least a year. You must not feel ashamed in

grieving

your friendship and feeling the pain associated with this breakup.

2. Be open to more friendships

When a friendship comes to an end, people may experience feelings like self-doubt,

loneliness

, and a profound sense of loss, questioning their worth and the reasons behind the breakup. But you must realise that friendships sometimes come to an end without anyone’s fault as people grow and evolve, and at times do not relate to each other’s life stage or emotions anymore. That shouldn’t stop you from hanging out with other friends and form deep bonds with them.

3. Avoid rumination

An end of a friendship is associated with never-ending thoughts and ruminations about what may have gone wrong. People may struggle with feelings of sadness, betrayal, and confusion and replay the events that may have led to end of the friendship in their minds again and again. It is important to stop overthinking and inculcate a healthy regime for your physical and

mental health

.

4. Engage in physical activity

One of the healthy ways to re-start your life after a friendship breakup is to introduce activities like walking, skipping, cycling, and other forms of exercise that can put your mind in a better state. Exercising can help you think more clearly and promote positive thoughts.

5. Give yourself time to heal

You can’t get over a friendship breakup in a few days’ time, especially when you had shared a close relationship with them. It takes at least a year to heal yourself and till then you must focus on

self-care

, engaging in your hobbies, and being kind to yourself.