"When you're going through a breakup, it's sometimes comforting to hear a cliché or two - however cheesy they may be. It feels nice when a well-meaning friend reminds you there are "other fish in the sea" and when your mom says, "Well, when one door closes, another one opens." It's why the TikTok-viral " train station theory" is so helpful, too. It suggests that life is a lot like a train as it wanders through winding tracks, occasionally stopping at stations."
"According to Lisa Chen, LMFT, a licensed psychotherapist and founder of Lisa Chen & Associates Therapy, the train station theory reminds you that connections are always changing. Some people are in your life forever, while others are there for a short moment before they hop off at the next "stop.""
"The theory applies to relationships of all kinds, but it can be especially useful after a breakup. It doesn't necessarily make a breakup easier, but it does provide a mindset shift, especially if you decided to part ways on a good note and aren't sure you made the right choice. Train Station Theory & Breakups Sometimes breakups happen for big, obvious reasons, like when someone cheats, moves far away, or falls out of love. When that's the case, it's understandable why the relationship came to an end, and you can remind yourself of that as you heal."
The train station theory frames life as a train with people boarding and exiting at different stops, illustrating that relationships naturally change over time. Some connections last a lifetime while others are brief, and accepting transience can ease post-breakup uncertainty, especially when a separation lacked dramatic cause. The metaphor helps reframe endings as part of life’s flow, supporting a mindset shift rather than erasing pain. Recognizing reasons for breakups — obvious or gradual — and allowing yourself to heal, reflect, and prioritize future compatibility can aid recovery and personal growth.
Read at Bustle
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