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Navigating the Challenge: Letting Go vs Forgiveness After Heartbreak

Updated: Jun 5, 2023


Heartbreak is a challenging experience that can leave us feeling shattered, betrayed, and overwhelmed with all types of emotions. Whether it's the end of a divorce, romantic relationship, or even a situation-ship the aftermath of heartbreak can be very painful.


However, in order to heal and move forward, there are two crucial elements that I had to come to a conclusion on in order to do that: letting go and forgiving. It's important to note that the difficulty of forgiving or letting go can vary based on individual experiences, the nature of the heartbreak, and personal coping mechanisms. You may find letting go easier but struggle with forgiveness, while others may struggle more with letting go but find forgiveness to be a necessary step towards healing.

Last month I asked a question to my healing community about which one was harder to do after a heartbreak. Of course most said letting go but to be honest you cant have one without the other. In this blog post we'll explore the importance of both letting go and forgiving after heartbreak, and how these actions can lead to your healing journey, personal growth and emotional well-being.

Letting go was a process that involved me releasing attachment to not only my ex husband but also my toxic past where I had to accept the reality of my past situations. It meant detaching myself from the person but also the expectations I had especially being deeply invested in the relationship, and what I thought was my comfort zone. It was hard to unleash those emotional ties at first but in 2017 it was time to walk that journey by first acknowledging that I couldn't change what happened with my ex(es) but I am choosing now to break the cycle & patterns to redirect my focus towards finding me again, knowing my worth and preparing for my new beginning.

Understanding Letting Go:

  • Letting go is a process that involves releasing attachment to the past and accepting the reality of the situation. It's about acknowledging that we can't change what has happened and choosing to redirect our focus towards the future. Letting go allows us to free ourselves from the grip of pain and negative emotions, creating space for healing and new beginnings.

  • Accepting the pain: Acknowledging and accepting the pain is the first step towards letting go. It's important to allow ourselves to grieve and process the emotions associated with heartbreak.

  • Releasing attachments: Letting go involves detaching ourselves from the person or the expectations we had. This means reframing our perspective, embracing change, and understanding that holding on only prolongs our suffering.

  • Embracing self-care: Letting go also means prioritizing self-care. Engaging in activities that bring us joy, practicing self-compassion, and surrounding ourselves with a supportive network can aid in the healing process.

Forgiveness freed me from the burden of holding onto the anger, resentment, fear of the unknown. It allowed me to reclaim my power, rebuild trust within myself first, and create healthier relationships and continue to.

The Power of Forgiveness:

  • While letting go helps you detach from your ex, the toxic past, forgiveness empowers you to release resentment and find peace within yourself. Forgiveness is not about condoning the hurtful actions or forgetting what happened. It is a personal choice to release the negative emotions and break free from the cycle of anger and bitterness.

  • Understanding forgiveness: Forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves and not others. It is a process that involves acknowledging your pain, empathizing with the other person's perspective, and choosing to let go of grudges in order to move on.

  • Healing and growth: Forgiveness opens the door to personal growth and transformation. It enables you to learn valuable lessons from the experience, develop empathy, and cultivate a deeper sense of compassion for ourselves and others.

Both forgiving your ex and letting go of the difficulty may vary for each individual but it allows you to free yourself from the pain and negative emotions, creating the space for your healing and new beginnings. They are vital parts of you moving forward and are a powerful duo in your healing process, letting go of the resentment, after heartbreak.


It's hasn't been an easy path, but it has been the best decision I've made, which has led to my inner peace, emotional well-being, my glow up and growth as I continue to have a brighter future. So below I want to share a few insights to help you navigate these obstacles and find your path to recovery.


Navigating the Path:


While both forgiving and letting go present their own difficulties, it is important to recognize that the journey is unique for each person. Here are some strategies to help you navigate the challenges:

  • Self-compassion: Show yourself compassion throughout the process. Understand that healing takes time and that setbacks are a natural part of the journey. Treat yourself with kindness and patience.

  • Seek support: Surround yourself with a supportive network of friends, family, or professionals who can provide guidance, empathy, and a listening ear. Sharing your emotions and experiences can help lighten the burden.

  • Self-reflection and growth: Engage in self-reflection to better understand your own emotions, desires, and boundaries. Use the experience as an opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery.

  • Embrace healing practices: Incorporate healing practices such as therapy, journaling, meditation, or creative outlets into your routine. These practices can provide solace, aid in processing emotions, and promote overall well-being.

By embracing these, you will accelerate your healing, release yourselves from the pain of your ex and open yourselves up to new opportunities to find you again, recreate a life you love with a personal transformation and find your own path to recovery. Ultimately, both processes require self-reflection, self-compassion, and patience. It's essential to honor your own healing journey and seek support from loved ones or professionals if needed.

Remember, the journey may be challenging, but with action, time and perseverance, healing and growth are possible.


So what do you say? Are you ready to take the first step toward creating the life you want? Are you struggling alone your journey and need support? Don't keep the future you waiting any longer - if you're ready for some one-on-one support with your healing journey let's make a change together! Click the link below and book your session for this month!



I’m Coach B, a Certified Life & Relationship Coach. If you need additional support healing from past heartbreak, building self-love and creating a life you enjoy, preparing you to embrace & attract love again in a healthy way., you can subscribe to my newsletter for free goodies, tips and more or schedule a 30 minute private consultation with me.


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