If you’ve ever been in a toxic relationship, you will know the pain of being in that relationship and the pain of coming out of it. Toxic relationships can be very confusing, demanding, and draining. When you come out of a toxic relationship you need to give yourself time to heal, and to rebuild your strength.

Allow yourself time to grieve the end of the relationship. It’s normal to feel a range of emotions, including sadness, anger, and betrayal. These emotions can come in waves. You might feel “normal” one day and “crazy” another – and that’s normal. Time can heal – but it’s not a super-fast process.

Practice self-care. Take care of your physical and emotional well-being by eating well, exercising, getting enough sleep, and doing activities you enjoy. Seek support from friends and family, or consider talking to a therapist or counselor. They can help you process your feelings and provide ongoing guidance.

Learn from the experience of being in a toxic relationship. Reflect on what you learned about yourself and the dynamics of the relationship, and use that knowledge to make better choices in the future. This is really important. All of us can learn new things from each other and from our experiences.

Forgive yourself and the other person. Reflect on the reasons why you want to forgive. Consider how forgiveness will benefit you emotionally, and how it will help you move forward in a positive way. Holding onto anger and resentment will only prolong the healing process. Forgiveness is not forgetting, it’s letting go of resentment, anger and grudges. It’s also not about condoning the other person’s behavior, it’s about freeing yourself from the negative emotions that the relationship has caused. Forgiveness is for yourself, not the other person. Forgiveness is a process and it may take time.

Practice self-compassion. Be kind and understanding with yourself, and remind yourself that you are not alone in your feelings. And consider talking to a therapist or counselor. They can provide guidance and support as you work through the process of forgiveness.

Be kind to yourself and be patient with the healing process. Healing takes time, and it’s important to be gentle and patient with yourself. All of us deserve to heal and be happy.