Trigger warning: This article mentions emotional and physical abuse, and some people might find it disturbing.
Chocolate, check. Sad songs, check. Tearjerker film, check. Box of tissues, check.
Falling in love with someone is not easy. There may come a time when you have to let go of the memories and the person you once thought you’d spend the rest of your life with.
No one can truly predict breakups. People change. They grow out of love. One day, you stop seeing the future in each other’s eyes, and the only path forward is to walk away. Sometimes, it’s the constant fights, the bickering, and unresolved arguments that become too overwhelming, resulting in people searching for silence and peace of mind. Other times, the reasons are too numerous to name but still lead to goodbye.
Whatever it is, one thing is certain: heartbreak is devastating. It may not hurt physically, but the emotional agony, sorrow, and torment from losing someone you once felt like home is unmatched. Because in heartbreak, you don’t just lose a person. You lose a version of yourself, the shared laughs, and the dreams you built together.
Nevertheless, even the deepest heartbreak can be survived with patience, intention, and commitment. Here are two women whose hearts were shattered and the ways they chose to cope with the pain.
“Surprisingly, my biggest heartbreak happened in my current relationship. Why? Because he’s the one I see my future with–my greatest love.” Deborah shared with Republicasia.
There was a time when she and her partner ended their relationship after seven years together. Constant arguments and misunderstandings had taken their toll. They could no longer understand each other, until they eventually lost contact for a long while. Deborah truly believed it was over. She thought he had moved on, perhaps even found someone new.
It became the greatest heartbreak of her life, deeply affecting her in ways she never imagined. She prayed every day, asking God to either take the pain away or, if he truly wasn’t meant for her, to set her heart free. She was afraid to fall in love again and even more fearful that if he ever came back, the same cycle of pain would happen again.
“How did I deal with my heartbreak? First, I never forgot to pray. Talking to God gave me strength and comfort. Second, I didn’t let the pain stop me from living my life. Yes, it hurt, but I still had to go to work, still had responsibilities. I refused to believe my world would stop just because one person left. And lastly, I made sure to keep myself busy. I went out with friends, did video calls, played games, cleaned the house — anything to stay distracted. When your mind is occupied, you don’t have time to dwell on heartbreak.”
Finally, Deborah left a message for Gen Z’s, who are going through the same phase: Always whisper your pain to God. He will never judge you, and you’ll feel so much lighter afterward. Just because you’re hurting doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. Don’t forget your dreams. People come and go. When someone leaves, trust that someone better will come—the one who’s truly meant for you.
“In my case, I ended up back with the same person who gave me my biggest heartbreak. Maybe that’s destiny — only God knows. So while waiting for that right person or healing from pain, learn to love yourself a little more each day. Love deeply, but always leave a piece of your heart for yourself.”
Another woman featured in this story is different from the one mentioned. While Deborah made sure to exercise self-love, Lanie, on the other hand, gave her one hundred percent, emptying herself in the process.
“I’m Lanie, 30 years old. In 2023, I went through the most devastating heartbreak of my life—the end of an eight-year relationship with my live-in partner.”
Throughout those eight years, she was repeatedly cheated on. She lost count of how many times he cheated on her with someone else. And yet, she kept forgiving him and kept going back even though he was unfaithful, and even physically violent. It was the biggest reason that caused the end of their relationship–the combination of physical abuse and emotional betrayal.
There were times she would confront the other women he cheated with, pulling their hair. She says she no longer recognized the person she had become. And there are times when he beats her for hours. She was left covered in bruises.
“He became my greatest heartbreak—not just because of the pain, but because I gave him too many chances, too much of myself. I kept thinking things would get better if I just held on, if I kept trying. Not until when the last betrayal came. Something in me finally snapped. I realized I had nothing left to give. I was drained.”
Longing for affection, she started entertaining other people. After eight years of being used to having someone by her side, she sought comfort elsewhere. Deep down, she thought her “prime” years were over, so she started entertaining as an option.
She began drinking almost every day. She stopped showing up for work. She lost her drive, her job suffered, her mindset darkened, and she was left with trauma.
“Even after eight years, I don’t regret loving him. It wasn’t all pain—there were moments of genuine happiness. I did feel loved by him, in his way. But I’ve come to realize that you should never have to beg a man to change. A real man will give you assurance and consistency without being asked. Because the moment you start questioning your worth, the very fact that you had to ask is already the answer.”
“To Gen Z this is what I’ve learned: When you love, you will get hurt. But love anyway. Give your best. Because even if it ends badly, you’ll walk away with no regrets. You will only be truly happy when you learn to forgive—not just the person who hurt you but also yourself.”
The two women in this story show different ways to deal with heartbreak, but the most important thing is not to lose yourself in the process. Falling in love is a beautiful experience, but don’t let it drown you deeply. Love others, but never forget to love yourself too.
