‘How will my love life be in 2025?’: After breakup with Arjun Kapoor, Malaika Arora turns to numerology for answers; why people seek reassurance

Sharing why she chose to engage with numerology at this stage in her life, Malaika said, “I am a very practical person so whenever I have gone to any of these things, like tarot, I have always gone with someone but me coming here today, I felt like this was a sign.” Arviend further assured her, “This will be a great year for your love life.” 

This conversation comes just months after Malaika parted ways with actor Arjun Kapoor in 2024, following a nearly six-year relationship. Her openness about turning to alternative tools for clarity points to a larger conversation — how people seek meaning and emotional reassurance post-breakup.

Psychologist Raashi Gurnani tells indianexpress.com, “As a psychologist, I often observe that even the most rational individuals turn to spiritual or mystical practices like numerology during emotionally turbulent times—especially after a breakup.” 

 

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A post shared by Malaika Arora (@malaikaaroraofficial) 

But why does this happen?

Gurnani explains that this behaviour can be attributed to what we call existential coping mechanisms. When people experience loss or uncertainty, they instinctively seek meaning and comfort beyond what logic can offer. “For someone like Malaika Arora, who describes herself as practical, attending a numerology event might have symbolized a subconscious desire for reassurance and guidance. In psychological terms, this is known as meaning-making—the process of trying to understand life events in a way that restores emotional balance and helps move forward,” explains the expert. 

What psychological role does such reassurance play in healing or rebuilding after the end of a long-term relationship?

Gurnani states, “After a long-term relationship ends, one often grapples with a diminished sense of self-worth and future uncertainty. Positive predictions, even when not fully believed, can act as cognitive reframing tools—they help shift focus from pain to possibility.”

Reassurance in such moments is powerful because it taps into the human need for emotional security. It can reduce anticipatory anxiety about future relationships and even reignite the belief that love is still possible and worth pursuing.

Is there any emotional benefit in hearing positive predictions about love?

Hearing affirmations—even from sources we might not wholly subscribe to—can create a placebo effect in the emotional sphere. Gurnani observes, “The brain tends to internalise positivity, especially when we’re vulnerable. A hopeful forecast can enhance one’s self-efficacy in love, leading to healthier decision-making, openness, and resilience in future connections.”

For many, she explains, these affirmations serve as emotional anchors that gently pull them from the chaos of heartbreak toward a space of optimism and readiness. Ultimately, whether or not one believes in the practice, the emotional benefit of feeling seen, understood, and hopeful should not be underestimated.