Relationships

Tips for Overcoming Springtime Breakups

As new flowers bloom in spring, young relationships fade and end.

Posted April 4, 2026

Although springtime is synonymous with new beginnings, this is not always the case with romantic relationships among young people today. During their parents’ generation, relationships were expected to culminate in marriage. Today, relationship togetherness is often a matter of comfort during a period of time. Many young adult relationships will fade and come to an end. This can be devastating to one’s self-esteem.

Numerous anecdotal reports point out that April is the month of breakups. Theories behind this timing range from rambunctiousness to a desire for a fresh start.

Psychological implications of breakups

According to Freeman et al. (2023), “Today, Western-educated young men and women spend much of their third decade of life (i.e., 20–29 years of age) in committed non-marital unions. While formal marriage has been delayed or declined, the majority of young adults still seek companionship, with roughly 75 percent of marriages in the US now preceded by cohabitation.”

Yet even in non-marital unions, when these romantic relationships fail, research suggests that the breakups can be traumatic for young people.

However, evidence reported by Aviles et al. (2020) in the European Journal of Personality indicates that “[b]eing single during late adolescence and emerging adulthood does not seem to pose a risk for youth’s self-esteem development.” While the month of a breakup can be devastating, research suggests that within three months, people can revert to pre-breakup levels.

Rumination has a negative impact

There is an exception, however, to the three-month recovery timeline—rumination. It seems that rumination can be detrimental on several levels, ranging from physical health to psychological implications.

In a study focusing on the roles of rumination and coping strategies in shaping adjustment to breakup-related stress (Mancone et al., 2025), “Rumination emerged as a significant predictor of negative outcomes in academic performance and physical health.” Rumination can disrupt one’s ability to get things done and can even be damaging to psychological health.

How to remain positive after a breakup

1. Avoid rumination: Negativity leads to depression.
2. Start your days with gratitude: By expressing gratitude–even for love lost–you remind yourself of the good times you shared.
3. Resist angry talk: Despite the temptation to talk disparagingly about your former love, speaking kindly will encourage you to maintain a positive focus.
4. Practice image replacement: If you find yourself feeling alone and falling into a dark hole, find a photo of yourself during a happy time. Focus on the inner you, the person you know to be lovable and deserving of new love.
5. Try using a gratitude journal: Research from Gary Lewandowski, Ph.D., has found that writing about positive aspects of a breakup increases feelings such as comfort, confidence, empowerment, energy, happiness, optimism, relief, satisfaction, thankfulness, and wisdom.
6. Guard against repeating the past: When seeking a new love, be mindful of traits that precipitated your breakup.
7. Consider rebound love: A new person may not be “the one” for you, but perhaps “the one for now” can lift your spirits, and together the two of you can bring each other some happiness.

The value of a rebound: Keep in mind that the warmth of someone sensitive and caring by nature is like sunshine—a little goes a long way.

_{Copyright 2026 Rita Watson, MPH}

Read the original article on Psychology Today →