How to Fall in Love Again After a Breakup

Learn How to Fall in Love Again After a Breakup

Reader Question

Please help! While I was working in my old job I met a man who was married but told me they was splitting up. So we started an affair and his wife found out and left him. For some mad reason I stayed with him even though he still loved her. We have been seeing each other for about five months now. He told his wife about me and she has now decided to get back with him but take things slow. I really think I love him and it is hurting so much that I feel used. I am also worried that I am never going to meet anyone else because I never go out anywhere. I really want to meet someone special. I think this may have been one of the reasons that I put up with everything. How do I met someone new and move on if I never go anywhere to meet anyone? How do I get over him?

~~Donna

Expert Reply

Dear Donna,

Although falling in love with a man who was separated from his wife and who later decided to work on his marriage is painful, it did teach you something about yourself. It showed you that you are loveable and are capable of falling in love. This temporary relationship filled the emptiness within you and ignited the motivation and desire to have the experience again. I am not suggesting that this knowledge will take away the pain of him leaving you. It can however, help you to see that something good came out of the experience you had with this man. There is no reason to think love won’t happen again.

Likewise, I don’t think he used you. It looks to me like you filled the emptiness within him too. Most likely his loneliness was a result of being unfulfilled in his marriage. He turned to you because you too shared that feeling of wanting to be loved. However, he has a history with his wife and memories of better times they shared. When jealousy arose within her, it stirred the desire for each of them to work on their marriage. This too will not take away the hurt of having loved and lost, but perhaps over time it will lessen the pain.

You are right about one thing. Staying in the house will not allow you to meet new people or find that special someone. So, as uncomfortable as it might feel to get out and get involved, you couldn’t pick a better time of year to do so. The holiday season is a unique time of year because people have a positive and ‘good cheer’ type of attitude. For singles, this time of year can be a great opportunity to be in just the right place at just the right time.

If you’re not the ‘life of the party girl’ type this doesn’t mean you can’t be the party type. Getting involved is easier then you might think. Volunteering is a good way to be at the festivities without feeling the awkwardness of showing up as a guest. As a volunteer your job is to make others feel comfortable and at ease. Being a gracious host is a way to attract others to you. There are many places to volunteer. One place is with the faith or spiritual based. Whether you’re religious or nondenominational, this time of year draws people together in a spiritual way. We all want to feel connected; community or as I like to say ‘common unity’ brings people in search of meaning or purpose. If you don’t already belong, look for a church or nondenominational congregation offering services, parties or other activities that resonate with you. Call them and ask if they can use a volunteer to help.

Another great way to meet other singles is at charity events. Many organizations offer fundraising events especially New Years Eve parties. Call your favorite charity and see what events they may be hosting between the last weeks in December through February.

With the New Year right around the corner, groups, classes and courses will all be starting up. This is a great time to be thinking about your own interests, hobbies and personal development. By getting involved you also are getting out of the house, expanding yourself and becoming more of an interesting person. If fear has been stopping you from taking risks to meet men, just remember, Courage is the mastery of fear- not the absence of it (Mark Twain).

~~Lori