Unspoken Depths: Hidden Battles and Subterfuges After a Breakup

Unspoken Depths: Hidden Battles and Subterfuges After a Breakup

Following a painful breakup, the aftermath can be a minefield of emotional and physical challenges. While we navigate these personal and professional upheavals, there often lie hidden struggles that remain untold to those closest to us. This article explores some of the deeper emotional and physical battles faced post-breakup, revealing the layers of secrecy surrounding them.

Hidden Struggles in Everyday Life

For many, a breakup marks the beginning of an intense period of emotional distress, affecting not just romantic partners but also personal and professional lives. These challenges can be overwhelming, leading to a range of hidden struggles that may never be fully acknowledged or shared with others. Here, we delve into two such hidden battles faced by someone who experienced a long-term relationship come to an end.

Context 1: Dietary Changes and Subterfuges

One significant area of struggle for many post-breakup is the drastic shift in eating habits. Following a 20-month relationship, where the emotional investment felt reciprocated, my life took an unexpected turn. My partner ended our relationship, and the sense of loss and despair plunged me into a tumultuous emotional state. My parents, concerned about my health, noticed that I was consuming significantly less food than before. This change in dietary habits led to tense interactions during family meals.

For instance, I used to consume 4 to 5 rotis and a handful of rice daily, but now I struggle to eat more than a quarter of that amount. This reduction in intake worried my parents, and they often questioned me about my health. To avoid daily arguments, I developed a strategy. Every evening, I would sit in a park near our old relationship spot and secretly consume my eggs, returning home looking almost full. At dinnertime, I would inform my parents that I had eaten eggs outside, thereby explaining my reduced intake and avoiding further conflict.

Context 2: Emotional Tears and Cover-ups

Another profound struggle after a breakup is the emotional turmoil it brings. Emotional tears and thoughts often manifest in physical symptoms, especially at night when solitude can be overwhelming. For three years, I solely drank boiled, normal water to avoid the cold sensation, which could trigger thoughts of my ex-partner. These thoughts would often wake me up and bring tears to my eyes, impacting my morning appearance. My parents, who could see these changes, would question me about my cold.

To address this, I adapted by drinking cold water, which could explain my morning cold. Now, whenever my parent asks about my runny nose or cold, I deflect by saying it was due to the cold water and remind them not to drink cold water anymore. This method has allowed me to maintain a semblance of normalcy within my family.

Silencing the Shadows: Closing the Circuit of Subterfuge

Despite these strategies, the underlying emotional and physical battles persist. While external signs may be managed, the inner turmoil remains a constant reminder of the past. Overworking or unexpected situations can disrupt these strategies, leading to resumed arguments and heightened emotions.

Itrsquo;s crucial to acknowledge that these hidden struggles reflect the profound impact of a breakup. Emotional healing is not linear and requires time and space to process and move forward. Sharing these struggles with trusted friends, therapists, or support groups can help in finding healthier methods to cope and heal from the scars of a breakup.

Hopefully, these struggles will eventually subside, allowing life to return to a more balanced and fulfilling state.