When it comes to dating, most of us have a heartbreak or two we’d rather leave in the past. But it can be hard to forget when your relationship (or lack thereof) is all your family seems to ask you about during the holidays — when your SO is coming, why they aren’t there, if something happened between you two… you know the drill. Enduring the heartbreak from a major breakup can be devastating — especially around the holidays. But knowing that others have survived a holiday or holiday-adjacent breakup can make it feel just a bit more comforting.
While nothing can replace a good ol’ venting session with your friends and family (or even better, a registered therapist), listening to other people’s breakup stories (especially messy) is a vital tool in the post-breakup handbook. Whether you’re looking for something painfully relatable or to manifest signs of hope, these stories might be the only thing that’ll get you through that excruciating family dinner with at least a little bit of wit and humor.
So, in the spirit of the holidays coming up, I’ve rounded up 10 breakup horror stories, both around the holidays and not, from those who’ve survived some pretty unpleasant and uncomfortable breakups (because you’re not alone, bestie). Here’s what they had to say.
All names have been changed for privacy. Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
Steph, 21: “I think everyone knew cause I couldn’t stop crying.”
“Me and my SO broke up while on vacation with my whole family. I had no plans of doing it on the trip, but it was time. We were doing long distance, so this was the first time seeing each other in a while. After we broke up, we pretended everything was fine for a few days, but I think everyone knew cause I couldn’t stop crying.”
Alexa, 21: “He asked if my mom would refer him to a psychologist.”
“Once I got broken up with in the middle of exam season, and then two weeks later he asked if my mom would refer him to a psychologist.”
Quinn, 21: “I was just secretly crashing out for four days.”
“We broke up the first day into a four-day trip for both of our best friends’ birthdays, who didn’t really want us dating in the first place because we were all really close friends before. He was staying in my room, and we didn’t want to tell anyone because we were there for our friend’s birthday, so I was just secretly crashing out for four days.”
Sage, 28: “Two weeks later, she got a boyfriend while she was still living with me.”
“My girlfriend of six-and-a-half years and I broke up last year. She didn’t want to financially burden me, even though I told her multiple times that I could afford to live on my own. She stayed nonetheless. However, two weeks later, she got a boyfriend while she was still living with me. Three months later, I went on vacation, and she coincidentally announced on social media that she was engaged. And yes, we were still living together at that point.”
Rowan, 21: “He also cried way too much.”
“I broke up with him twice, and he said he’d never find someone who treats me as well (I found much better). He also cried way too much. He knew I was thinking of breaking up with him, and he was so down bad he stayed and said ‘I know she can wake up any day and leave, so I’m taking it day-by-day.’”
Logan, 21: “He suggested we play Catan, and then I said I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to come anymore.”
“I invited him to a cottage, and the day of, he suggested we play Catan, and then I said I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to come anymore. And that was that.”
Taylor, 30: “My cousin was running out the back door naked with his clothes and bag in hand.”
“My girlfriend went ‘missing.’ No one could reach her, so I had the lovely idea to just knock on her door to see who would answer… and, shocker… she answered the door, as my cousin was running out the back door naked with his clothes and bag in hand. She lied, and right on those doorsteps, I broke up with her.”
Evelyn, 22: “When I broke up with my boyfriend, he got his mom to text me an apology.”
“When I broke up with my boyfriend, he got his mom to text me an apology… then proceeded to shave his head and (unsuccessfully) attempt to join the army.”
Sarah, 22: “A month later, he brought a new girl to my birthday at my house.”
“Me and my situationship stopped talking. A month later, he brought a new girl to my birthday at my house (we were in the same friend group, that’s why he was coming to my house). Three years later… on my birthday… I saw via Facebook that my ex-situationship and the same girl had their baby shower.”
Emily, 21: “Mostly still upset that he threw out my best pair of Levi’s.”
“I was deciding if I wanted to move across the country for a job, and I kept asking for advice, and he kept saying he didn’t care. We kind of agreed we’d stay together and work on some things, but it didn’t feel right, so I kept asking how he felt about long distance until he finally said he didn’t want to do it. It’s been a year (including a situationship with him again, which I would not recommend), and I’m glad it happened. Mostly still upset that he threw out my best pair of Levi’s afterwards, but at least we didn’t have kids, I guess?”
Everyone’s got a bad breakup story that haunts them. Now I don’t want to be a bad influence, but you might as well make the most of yours by sharing it with your friends and family to not only give them a holiday laugh and maybe even some relief of their own, but to give yourself some well-deserved space from the situation. Happy Holidays!