How to Move On After a Situationship (Yes, It’s Possible)

Hello beautiful human!

Some of the deepest emotional pain can come from a situationship ending.

An undefined, intense connection.
So much closeness… without clarity.
So much hope… without commitment.

And when it ends, the grief can feel confusing, overwhelming, and even embarrassing because “it wasn’t even a real relationship,” right?

But here’s the truth:
Situationship heartbreak is real. And it can cut just as deeply, sometimes even more deeply, than the end of a long-term relationship or marriage.

Why?

Because situationships are built on potential, not reality.

They are short-lived but emotionally intense. They activate our attachment system, our inner child, our unmet needs, and our deepest desires to be chosen, seen, and prioritised. When they end, we’re not just grieving the person. We’re grieving the future we imagined, the version of ourselves we felt with them, and the hope that this time it might finally work.

This kind of loss can crack open old wounds of abandonment, rejection, feeling “not enough”, chasing love instead of being met in it.

And because there was no clear label, no clean ending, no closure, the nervous system stays stuck in confusion and longing.

So how do you actually move on?

Not by “being strong.”
Not by forcing yourself to detach.
And definitely not by shaming yourself for still caring.

Healing after a situationship requires gentle honesty.

It starts with allowing yourself to grieve without minimising the connection.
It means acknowledging that the pain isn’t dramatic, it’s information.

Then comes the deeper work:

• Separating fantasy from fact

• Releasing the hope that they will change

• Reclaiming the parts of you that were waiting, over-giving, or abandoning yourself

• Learning to feel safe with clarity instead of chemistry

Moving on doesn’t mean forgetting them.
It means no longer needing them to validate your worth.

And here’s the part I want you to really hear:

If a situationship devastated you, it doesn’t mean you’re weak or “too much.”
It means you are capable of deep connection and you deserve someone who meets you there consistently, not intermittently.

You don’t heal this kind of heartbreak by rushing forward.
You heal it by coming back to yourself.

And yes, it is possible to move on, to feel grounded again, and to choose relationships that feel calm, mutual, and secure.

If this resonated, you’re not alone. And you’re not broken.
You’re just being invited into a deeper level of self-trust and self-love.

If you want more dating, relationship and self-love advice, then don’t forget to follow me at @withlove.monica

With Love,
Monica @ True Connection
💌

Ps. Follow @withlove.monica for more relationship tips and advice.