When “Move On” Hurts More Than It Helps: Understanding Breakup Pain and the Cost of Rushing Healing

Just move on.”
“Time heals everything.”
“You’ll be fine—there are plenty of other people out there.”

If you’ve gone through a breakup, especially as a gay man, you’ve likely heard these phrases more times than you can count. They’re often well-intentioned, but they can deepen breakup pain rather than relieve it. Instead of offering comfort, they can make you feel rushed, misunderstood, or even weak for still hurting.

In this article, we’ll explore why rushing healing can be harmful, how toxic positivity shows up after a breakup, and why slower, more authentic emotional processing is not only healthier—but necessary.