You are undergoing a breakup, and it feels like too much to handle. Nevertheless, keep in mind that this sensation will eventually fade. You’re likely curious how long it will take to heal. Conventional wisdom indicates that it takes about half the duration of the relationship to recover, but is that accurate? We’ve investigated the research to uncover the facts.
**It may take three months to feel improved**
A 2023 research project from the University of Washington monitored individuals after their breakups for two years. It discovered that depressive symptoms increased briefly but returned to baseline after three months.
**Self-worth might take a year to bounce back**
Breakups can affect self-worth, leading us to doubt our value. It’s important to confront these perceptions, as they are not truths. A 2017 study from the University of Bern revealed that self-esteem generally bounces back within a year.
**Four years until they become just a memory**
Carrie Bradshaw once posed the question, “If you love someone and break up, where does the love go?” A 2025 study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that it takes approximately 4.18 years for emotional attachments to diminish.
**A therapist’s view on breakup timelines**
Naomi Magnus, a psychotherapist, asserts that there’s no universal timeline for recovery. It varies according to aspects like the depth of the relationship, coping mechanisms, and available support. Many individuals report steady improvement over several months, but complete emotional processing could take six months or longer.
**Were you the one who ended it or the one who was left?**
Jonathan Eddie, a therapist, points out that recovery may hinge on whether you were the one to initiate the breakup. Other influencing factors include personal resilience, previous psychological trauma, the nature of the breakup, and the shared past.
**Can heartbreak last more than a year?**
Eddie likens the sorrow of a breakup to that of grief from loss, with no fixed healing duration. He suggests that a recovery period of up to a year is reasonable. If it drags on past that or disrupts your life, seeking therapy could be advantageous.
For further guidance on moving forward, take a look at Mashable’s guide to overcoming a breakup.