Do men heal from heartbreaks?
By Valerian Khakayi, June 5, 2026Do men really heal from heartbreak, or do they simply learn to live with it and move on?
Motivational speaker and pastor Robert Burale has sparked conversation after sharing his perspective on how men deal with emotional breakups.
Speaking during a candid discussion with media personality Chris the Bass, he said that men do not necessarily heal from heartbreak in the way people often expect.
According to him, men do not heal, but they adapt.
“Men do not heal [from heartbreak]; they adapt. Men adapt; they do not heal. We just learn, adapt and move,” Robert Burale said.
His view taps into a growing conversation about how men process emotional pain differently from women, especially in romantic relationships.
While heartbreak is universal, the way it is expressed and managed often varies based on upbringing, social expectations, and emotional conditioning.
How men handle heartbreaks
In many societies, men are often taught from a young age to appear strong, composed, and less expressive when it comes to emotions. As a result, instead of openly processing heartbreak, many tend to internalise their feelings and continue with life outwardly as if everything is fine.
This is where the idea of “adaptation” comes in. Rather than fully dealing with emotional pain, some men shift focus, throwing themselves into work, new relationships, social life, or personal goals as a way of coping.
Others may turn to silence and isolation, avoiding conversations about what they are going through. On the surface, they appear to have moved on, but internally, the emotional impact may still be present in different forms.
Burale’s statement has resonated with many people who believe that men often respond to heartbreak by adapting rather than openly confronting their emotions.
Instead of dwelling on the pain, many focus on rebuilding their lives, pursuing personal goals, or finding new routines that help them move forward.
While some men eventually heal from heartbreak, others view the experience as something they learn from and adapt to over time. His remarks have also sparked a wider conversation about men’s emotional well-being and the need for spaces where they can openly discuss their experiences and challenges.
Ultimately, heartbreak is not a simple process of forgetting or replacing a person. For some men, it becomes a process of adjustment, learning to live with the experience, finding new direction, and slowly rebuilding emotional stability in their own way.
Whether men heal or adapt may depend on the individual, but one thing remains clear: heartbreak leaves a mark, even when it is not openly visible.