Letting go of someone you love doesn't mean killing your feelings for them, or turning them into hate. The relationship probably brought a lot of positive things into your life, otherwise you wouldn't love them in the first place. So allow yourself to honor these things and have permission to cherish them.
Letting go doesn't mean love is lost. Letting go doesn't mean you're unworthy or that you'll never love again. Letting go is about you and for you. Letting go is telling yourself the truth and accepting what has already happened.
There's truth to this. In fact, letting go can cause some relationships to be stronger than they ever were. Sometimes in relationships, we fight too hard. We may expect things from our partners that they can't deliver.
Someone once said this quote, “If you love someone, let them go. If they return, they were always yours. If they don't, they never were.” Today, there are several variations of this line and no one really knows for sure who came up with the line first.
Someone saying I love you and then leaving might not mean they don't love you. It might mean they love themselves more to make decisions they believe are in their best interest. And while this hurts, they are actually saving you pain by taking themselves out of the picture and not prolonging what they feel is wrong.
Their presence puts a lot of pressure on you. You do not feel at ease around them and feel that you always have to explain yourself. You put a lot of effort to make the time you spend together enjoyable, even worse, you do not look forward to seeing them anymore.
Letting go doesn't mean the end of a relationship or the abandonment of something you care about — rather, it can be an act of love. By releasing control and allowing someone else freedom in their life, you can create a healthier relationship based on respect and understanding.
Sometimes people love each other, but their future paths just aren't compatible. The most common way this scenario unfolds is when one person needs to move away and the other person doesn't feel it's best to come with them.
You've outgrown the relationship
Perhaps your goals in life have changed, maybe they're not keen on taking the relationship to the next level or you simply feel like the relationship has run its course. Whatever the reason may be, if you feel like you can't progress, it's time to let go.
In this case, moving on can be a process. However, it is possible to end things with someone you love. Studies show that those who choose to move on from a relationship that no longer serves them often find satisfaction and resolution.
When you're deeply in love with someone, it can be difficult to imagine yourself not feeling that way anymore. You may even begin to feel hopeless that your feelings will never go away. While it can be hard to stop loving someone, it is possible with time and effort. The love you feel now can change and evolve.
Yes, a man can walk away from a woman whom he loves. There is more to every relationship than just love. If a man feels insecure, undervalued, disrespected, or unhappy with the relationship, then he might choose to walk out even when he loves his partner.
Sometimes people love each other, but their future paths just aren't compatible. The most common way this scenario unfolds is when one person needs to move away and the other person doesn't feel it's best to come with them.
The process of moving on
According to Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, a Swiss-American psychiatrist that pioneered near-death studies, there are five stages of letting go: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
The Reason Why It's Hard to Let Go
Relationships are one of the things that make life meaningful. Love doesn't go away overnight, even when the relationship ends. It's natural for it to take some time to be able to fully let go of anyone or anything that was once special to you.
The hardest part of letting go is the "uncertainty"--when you are afraid that the moment you let go of someone you will hate yourself when you find out how close you were to winning their affection. Every time you give yourself hope you steal away a part of your time, happiness and future.
You feel like a complete individual
Love happens between two whole people, which is why Carroll refers to it as "wholehearted love." Both people are free to be their whole selves. Couples experience "true individuation and self-discovery" when they're truly in love, explains Carroll.
You'll know that you love someone because you genuinely enjoy spending time with them and caring for them, which is different from liking someone simply because they make you feel better about yourself, says Miller.
The most destructive relationship behaviours are those the Gottmann Institute has deemed the 'Four Horsemen' – criticism, defensiveness, contempt (eye-rolling, disgust, dismissal or ridiculing), stonewalling, and the silent treatment. Of these, contempt has been shown to be the greatest predictor of divorce.
Overly controlling behavior is a common red flag in relationships. People that try to control your movements, decisions, or beliefs are more concerned about what they want than what is best for you. If a guy or girl tries to control what you wear or where you go, this could be a red flag.
There's No Emotional Connection
One of the key signs your relationship is ending is that you are no longer vulnerable and open with your partner. A cornerstone of happy, healthy relationships is that both partners feel comfortable being truly open to sharing thoughts and opinions with one another.
Sharing Core Values. Intelligence, sense of humor, compassion, kindness, and loyalty are few universally appealing qualities. Men feel deeply attracted to women who have the traits they appreciate and cherish.