February often brings complicated feelings, largely because of one day in particular: Valentine’s Day. Between heart-shaped displays, dinner reservations made weeks in advance, and social media feeds full of romantic highlights, love can start to feel less like something we experience and more like something we’re expected to measure up to. Social media plays a powerful role in this pressure.

Loneliness after a breakup can feel disorienting, even when the decision makes sense. This article offers gentle, grounded ways to begin healing—without rushing your feelings or pretending they don’t matter. If you’ve been wondering how to deal with loneliness after a breakup, there are steps you can take that honor both your pain and your resilience.