Heartbreak can be incredibly painful, and it is common for individuals to want to move on as quickly as possible. However, sometimes the methods used to move on can actually keep a person stuck in a cycle of rebound relationships. Angelika Koch, a relationship and break-up expert and life coach, explains that a rebound relationship occurs when someone enters into a new relationship shortly after a breakup, without taking the time to heal emotionally. In these relationships, incompatibilities and standards are often overlooked or set aside.
Various factors can drive individuals into rebound relationships. Some individuals may feel rejected by their previous relationship and seek validation by entering into a new relationship quickly. Others may struggle with codependency and have a deep fear of being alone. People who fear being alone may only spend a few weeks to months before entering another relationship. Ultimately, rebound relationships can serve as a distraction from the pain of heartbreak, as individuals hope to find love in a different place and numb out their emotional pain.
There are signs that indicate whether you are in a rebound relationship. If you find yourself thinking about your ex while in a new relationship or feel stuck on them, it may be a sign that you are not ready to move forward. Making concessions in a new relationship and ignoring incompatibilities are also signs of a rebound relationship. Breaking the cycle of rebound relationships involves taking the time to be single, getting to know yourself, and understanding what you desire in a relationship and in life. Changing your approach to dating and being secure in what you are looking for is important in breaking the cycle of rebound relationships.
While rebound relationships are not always doomed to fail, they often do not last long-term and typically end between nine months and two years. It is important to take the time to heal from past relationships, build an understanding of what you want for yourself in the present and future, and create a life that your future self will thank you for. This process may be challenging, especially for individuals who are not used to being single or who struggle with being alone, but working through these feelings and taking the time to heal and understand yourself is crucial in breaking the cycle of rebound relationships.
