Breakups—they come in all shapes and sizes. Some are quiet and mutual, while others leave us feeling like the world as we knew it has collapsed. Whether it felt like a quick rip of the Band-Aid or a slow unraveling, each breakup carries its own kind of pain. But what if we could shift our perspective and see breakups for what they really are—opportunities for profound growth?

In Break Up. On Purpose, I explore the different types of breakups we experience throughout life, and what each one can teach us. Because, while breakups are painful, they also hold immense potential. Understanding which type of breakup you’ve gone through can help you make sense of your emotions and guide you toward healing with purpose.

Let’s dive into the eight types of breakups—and what they have to offer you.

We all have that one: the relationship you thought would last forever, the one that seemed perfect—until it wasn’t. This is the breakup that becomes the measuring stick for all others, the relationship that leaves a deep emotional imprint on your heart. Every relationship that follows somehow gets compared to this one.

What this breakup teaches you: This type of breakup forces you to confront your attachment styles and emotional triggers. It teaches you to stop romanticizing the past and, instead, to begin the real work of healing. Letting go of “the one that got away” means learning to release the comparisons and to accept each new relationship for what it is, without constantly holding it up to the past.

One moment, everything feels fine. You’re planning your future, thinking about where the relationship is headed, and........

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