Watching your ex-spouse enter into a new relationship after your divorce can be difficult. It’s not uncommon to experience feelings of sadness and hurt at this new development, even if you feel you’ve taken the proper steps to heal after the end of your marriage. It’s possible to cope with an ex’s new relationship in a healthy and rational way according to LifeHack.org.
Try not to compare yourself to the new person. It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that he or she is superior to you or has something you lack. The truth is the relationships end for all sorts of reasons. Maybe you and your former spouse were no longer compatible or you wanted different things out of life. In either case, the person your ex is with now might share their outlook in a way you could not. That doesn’t make you’re inferior, it just means that you’re different and are better served by a partner that meets your needs.
If you’re still single, you may feel hurt about the fact that your ex seemingly moved on first. This type of thinking is not constructive for healing after your divorce. Maybe you’re choosing to take time for you, which is very important. Moving into a new relationship too quickly is actually damaging in the long run and could lead you to make poor choices regarding future partners.
When you find yourself fixating on your ex’s romantic status, remember that it may take some before you’re OK about it. Try to keep a level head but don’t force yourself to feel better before you’re ready. In the meantime, look for hobbies or activities that will get your mind off your ex. Even spending more time with loved ones can be great for improving your mood.