Falling in love is fun and exciting. Your oxytocin levels are high, and you can’t stop smiling when you think about your new love – nor can you stop thinking about your new love in general!
However, you might question your feelings for this new person because you just recently ended a relationship with someone else and now you’re falling in love again.
You might ask yourself: can someone fall in love again right after a breakup?
Since everyone is different and every relationship is different, it is possible to fall in love again right after a breakup.
This is especially true if you had already fallen out of love with the person you recently broke up with before the relationship was even over.
You may have been ready for new love after being in a stagnant relationship for a while. Also, although it is rare, it is possible to be in love with two people at once.
Falling in love soon after a breakup is obviously possible, although it’s not always ideal.
Some people function best when they are always in a relationship, so when one fails, they’re quickly searching for a replacement.
For other people, a break is needed between relationships for several reasons.
Most people need a breather after a breakup in order to sort out their feelings, grieve the loss of the relationship, and prepare themselves for a new relationship.
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Does falling in love soon after a breakup mean I’m on the rebound?
If you just broke up with someone a week ago, for instance, then regardless of the circumstances, you are definitely dating on the rebound.
You haven’t had enough time to process your feelings regarding the end of the relationship, regardless of whether you may or may not have loved your ex.
It’s always a good idea to take some time alone after a breakup in order to come to terms with what has happened so you can move on.
However, if it’s been a month or more since the breakup, then you may or may not be dating on the rebound.
It all depends on how long you were in your previous relationship as well as your feelings for the previous person at the time of the breakup.
If you were deeply in love with your ex, then most people need an adequate amount of time to process those feelings and get over a lost love.
There’s no way to instantly stop loving someone, although many people may wish it were possible.
Can falling in love soon after a breakup be a problem?
Falling in love with someone soon after a breakup could have its problems.
First of all, you could still be harboring unresolved feelings from your previous relationship, which could negatively affect your new one.
For instance, you could experience repressed anger and anxiety after the breakup, which could be unconsciously carried over into your new relationship.
This could cause you to become angry at your new love when he or she has done nothing to ignite those emotions.
If you allow that anger, anxiety, and other repressed emotions to take control, then you could possibly lose your new love.
Not many people allow themselves to be used as emotional punching bags.
On the other hand, falling in love immediately after a breakup can be healing and refreshing, depending on the specifics of the situation.
Again, some people feel more whole if they’re always in a relationship, and as long as you’re not constantly comparing your current love to your ex, things can work out without causing problems.
Some people are better equipped to effectively manage their emotions from one relationship before quickly moving on to a new relationship, but not everyone is able to jump in and out of relationships without a reprieve.
It takes a truly rare and special person to fall in love so quickly after a breakup, but it’s not impossible.
Is there a recommended length of time to wait to seek love after a breakup?
Again, each person and situation are unique, so there is really no recommended length of time to wait to start dating again after a breakup.
Everyone processes their emotions at different rates, and what people feel can vary immensely when it comes to the end of a serious relationship.
Psychologists recommend a minimum of three months in-between relationships in order to determine what went wrong in the previous relationship and allow yourself time to heal.
This is only a recommendation, and most people will simply date again when they feel ready, which could be in one week, one month, or even one year. This will vary from person to person.
Seeking a new relationship after an especially difficult breakup
If you have just experienced an especially traumatic breakup, you should definitely give yourself time to heal before dating again.
If there was a great deal of arguing and fighting at the end, this could certainly take its toll on you emotionally.
Emotions don’t just transform themselves overnight; it takes time and patience to rejuvenate yourself.
If you’re feeling especially anxious to start dating again, you may want to come up with some ways to keep yourself occupied while you give yourself the space that you need.
Even though you may believe you’re ready to start dating again, you may have nothing to give another person emotionally until you’ve given yourself time to self-reflect.
Sure, it’s possible to go through the motions of being in a relationship with someone new immediately after a breakup, but it isn’t fair to the new person because you may be emotionally unavailable.
You can feel attraction to another person as well as excitement about dating someone new but still not be emotionally ready for anything serious.
If you want to find a “friends-with-benefits” type of relationship where you have no-strings-attached sex with a friend, this could be beneficial in two ways.
First of all, it enables you to process your feelings regarding your recent breakup while allowing you to enjoy the sex that you likely crave.
Friends with benefits type relationships aren’t always without complications, though, so you may want to tread carefully if you are considering entering into one.
People are emotional beings, and not everyone can share sex with someone else without developing feelings or even falling in love.
If you believe that you are an especially emotional person, you might want to hold off on finding a sex-only relationship.
If you’re already an emotional wreck from the breakup, a friends-with-benefits relationship may only complicate things further.
If it’s sex that you want, then why not try self-pleasure? You can watch a couple of adult videos and buy some interesting sex toys that will provide you with the sexual relief that you need.
You might even discover some new things about yourself during your solo sexploration.
Ways to keep yourself occupied after a breakup
If you have decided to take the time after the relationship to properly heal before dating again, you’ve made a very wise decision.
However, you might find that you’re very lonely and you miss your ex.
There is a remedy for loneliness: distraction. You’ll just have to be creative when it comes to keeping yourself distracted so you won’t dwell on the loneliness and sadness.
Here is a list of possible ways to keep yourself busy while you heal so you won’t be forced to rush into a new relationship before you’re emotionally ready:
- Find a new project – This project could involve anything that you enjoy doing, such as writing a memoir, building a fence for your backyard, making a latch hook rug, gardening, and much more. If you’re not sure which project might be best for you, the internet can provide some great ideas.
- Spend quality time with family and friends – Since you now have extra time, why not spend some quality time with your dear-old grandmother or your cousin that you grew up with? You could have some fun nights out with friends singing karaoke or doing whatever you enjoy doing.
- Consider keeping a journal – Journaling can be a great way to express your feelings without the need to discuss how you feel with anyone else. There are many other benefits to journaling, such as stress relief, improved self-esteem, and improved outlook on life, and much more.
Taking time off dating is also a good idea after the loss of a relationship, even if the breakup wasn’t traumatic.
Sometimes, spending time apart can make two people realize that they’re meant to be together and that they’re willing to do whatever is necessary to make things work.
You don’t want to become involved with someone else prematurely because this could prevent a possible reconciliation with your ex, who may actually be your soul mate. You never know.
Falling in love immediately following a breakup is definitely possible, although it’s not always practical or even a good idea.
If you’ve recently experienced a breakup and you’re looking to love again, you may need to take time to thoroughly assess your thoughts and emotions and determine whether you’re emotionally prepared for a new love.
You don’t want to take the chance of entering a new relationship for the wrong reasons, which can increase the chances of the relationship failing.
When you feel emotionally prepared, you can and will find someone new to love as long as you handle the situation strategically.
