Breakups can be incredibly challenging. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed and as though your world is crumbling around you. The pain and sadness can feel endless. It’s important to give yourself time to grieve and process the loss, whether it was a mutual decision or a painful surprise. Eventually, though, you may start wondering when it’s the right time to move forward and ways to heal. So, how does travel and heartbreak go hand in hand? and do they? In my own words, here is how travel helped me heal from heartbreak.
The Road to Healing: Moving Forward After a Breakup
Early 2023, my relationship ended very dramatically. I was a bit lost, confused and angry. I had a difficult time coping with the abrupt split and how to deal with my feelings and how to get back on my feet. I made a new friend, and she shared the same passion for photography that I did. It was wonderful to be around someone who understood the lack of motivation I was experiencing around photography since I repatriated back to my home country.
I noticed a lack of talented and creative individuals in my current location in my field of hobbies, especially in the photography community. I felt many lacked the drive and motivation to thrive and push the boundaries of their work and creativity. It was always the same; everyone was a “model”, and no one understood (or wanted to understand) my project ideas. My friend shared the same sentiment and together we planned a trip to Los Angeles to explore new projects. Unfortunately, our friendship took a turn during the planning process, leaving me devastated a second time. Despite the setback, I had already booked my flight and confirmed my hotel reservation, so it seemed I would be traveling to Los Angeles alone.
Embracing Emotional Healing
After experiencing that heartbreak, it left me feeling alone, vulnerable, and unstable with my feelings. I discovered the importance of acknowledging and embracing my emotions. It was a profound realization that enabled me to embark on a transformative journey towards healing and self love.
At first, I found solace in my solitude, believing that shutting out my feelings was the path to healing and already started planning ways to move back to Europe, where I felt more at home. Essentially, I was planning on running away. However, I soon came to understand that true emotional catharsis required a willingness to confront and process every emotion that surfaced within me. It was then that I realized how my previous attempts to suppress my emotions had only delayed my progress.
Allowing myself to feel the full spectrum of emotions became a crucial step on my path to recovery. Rather than shying away from pain, I learned to embrace it as an essential part of the healing process. This newfound understanding nurtured my self-growth and awareness within me and paved the way towards the start of emotional liberation.
As I delved deeper into my emotions, I discovered the power of self-reflection and introspection. I began to explore the reasons behind my heartbreak, examining the patterns and dynamics that had contributed to its occurrence and how I individually contributed to the downfall. Through this process, I gained valuable insights about myself and my relationships with people, enabling me to make more conscious choices in the future.
Furthermore, I sought support from friends, family, and a professional counselor who provided guidance and understanding during this challenging period. Engaging in open conversations and sharing my inner turmoil helped me gain perspective and find peace in the genuine empathy of others.
In the end, I learned that the journey of emotional healing is not linear; it is a complex process that requires patience, self-compassion, and a willingness to face our deepest vulnerabilities. By allowing yourself to experience and process your emotions, you can create a solid foundation for personal growth and the possibility of moving forward with renewed strength and resilience.
However, on the other hand, travel has recently seen as a romanticized option to run away from facing your emotions after a breakup. It’s important to understand yourself and whether you truly want to move on and heal or mask the emotional pain as many of us do.
By removing myself from the environment that allowed me to be in denial and to allow myself to feel bad was the beginning of understanding. Sometimes a change of scenery helps open your eyes to new perspectives, opportunities, realizations and allows you to set realistic goals for yourself if the plan was to heal through travel.
