Dealing with family is not always the idyllic afternoon we wish it could be, regardless of how close you are to them. The chances of an awkward or aggressive encounter are much more likely for people reconnecting with people they haven’t seen in a few decades. From long silences to abrupt rejections, finding your footing after a lousy reunion is never easy.
There is life after a bad meet-up; however, it may take some time before the sun starts to shine again.
You are far from alone if you are currently reeling from a rocky reset on an old relationship. Trying to reach out to people is difficult and often leads to disappointment and feelings of worthlessness. This article will look at a few resources to help you move past unsuccessful reunions with long-lost family members.
How To Move Past A Bad Family Reunion
Reconnecting with a person after years apart can be off-putting and emotionally tiring. Both parties have changed as the years progress; they don’t look, act, or sound like how you remember, and they may be taken aback at you showing up at their door. Unfortunately, recovering from a rough reunion is far more painful and long-lasting.
If you are still trying to find other family members or are curious about what they have been up to, free people search sites can be sincerely helpful.
Talk to Someone
If you are reading this, you likely went through a harrowing ordeal. When these things arise, it is easy to want to bottle things up and keep to yourself for a week or five. Instead, try to talk to someone who has been a reliable shoulder. If you are in a new area or have struggled to meet people due to life’s many obligations, look into a therapist.
Take Time For Yourself
While it may feel like a good time to hide away, ensure you spend your free time wisely. Before you obsess over the lousy reunion, try to take time to do the things that make you happy, whole, and at peace. If you enjoy fishing but haven’t gotten the chance lately, spend some time at the lake. If you are going through an ordeal, it helps to suffer in the comfort of your favorite pastime.
Try Mindfulness Techniques
Whenever we feel that we have messed up or missed an opportunity, we incessantly obsess over every minute detail. An otherwise beautiful day can be clouded with rampaging emotions and negative thought loops if you don’t know how to work past them. The best way to not live in a moment that has long passed is to focus on your present reality.
Mindfulness can be practiced while working, at rest, or even before bed. There are several ways to practice mindfulness, and no one-size-fits-all solution exists for anyone. While some people swear by fifteen minutes of uninterrupted meditation, others settle for a list of things they are grateful for.
The key to mindfulness and staying present is persistence. If you meditate one day and it doesn’t work, it can feel like you are wasting your time. Be consistent, and set aside five to fifteen minutes to practice mindfulness and avoid recurring thought patterns. While it won’t fix the heartache overnight, it will help you to focus on other parts of your life that need attention.
A Brief Summary on Moving Past Bad Reunions
The next week or two may be hard, and feelings may bubble up now and again, but all uncomfortable moments pass with time. Try to spend time around people you like, doing things you enjoy. Give yourself time to relax and recover, and look into mindfulness techniques to help you deal with any stressful thoughts clouding your day.
If you still feel you cannot move on from the experience, seek professional help and schedule an appointment with a well-reviewed therapist. If you don’t like the experience, try another. Therapy is a lot like eating out; you won’t love every therapist you meet, but eventually, you will find someone you mesh well with that will keep you coming back.
