Breakups can be challenging, leaving you feeling heavy-hearted and overwhelmed with sadness. You might feel lost or unsure about what to do next. This is a common experience for many people who have gone through a breakup.
In this post, you’ll find helpful ways to get over a breakup. Many strategies can make things easier for you, from talking about your feelings to picking up new hobbies.
Ready to start feeling better? Let’s go!
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Acknowledge and Accept Your Feelings
You might feel sad, angry, or lonely. Allow yourself to feel these emotions without judgment.
1. Talk About your Emotions with Trusted People or a Therapist
Share your feelings with trusted friends or family members. They can offer comfort and support. Talking helps you process emotions like sadness, anger, and confusion.
Therapy is also helpful. Therapists like Erin Pash, LMFT, and Pamela Garber, LMHC, are trained to help you heal. A study in 2021 found breakups have emotional costs that therapy can ease.
Therapy provides insights for better future relationships.
2. Write About Your Feelings in a Journal
Write about your feelings in a journal. This helps you process emotions and reflect on your relationship experiences. Spend 15 to 30 minutes daily doing this. It helps clear your mind and makes you feel better.
Positive journaling is good for emotional health. Write down what makes you sad, happy, or angry. Be honest with yourself. Let the words flow without judgment.
Incorporate physical activity, such as running, into your routine as well. When paired with journaling, it can boost mood.
Disconnect from Your Ex
Stop all contact with your ex. Avoid places where you might run into them.
3. Stop texting and all forms of direct communication
Cutting off contact with your ex is crucial. Constant texting keeps old feelings alive. It prevents you from healing. A study in 2012 showed that being Facebook friends with an ex causes more pain.
Delete their number and old messages. Avoid checking their social media profiles. Blocking helps, too. Less contact means less hurt over time, which aids mental health recovery.
4. Remove or Hide Physical and Digital Reminders
Put away gifts, photos, and other items that remind you of your ex. A 2011 study showed that keeping these reminders can hurt your heart.
Unfollow or block your ex on social media. This helps you heal faster. Don’t check their profiles or posts to avoid pain.
5. Unfollow or Block on Social Media
Unfollow or block your ex on social media for at least 90 days. This will help stop hurtful reminders and allow healing. Seeing their updates can trigger sadness and anxiety.
Blocking them keeps you from checking their profiles. It prevents accidental contact, too. Focus on your well-being during this period. Social media breaks help people cope and move forward after breaking up.
Engage in Personal Growth and Self-Care
Spend time on activities you love. Focus on caring for your mind and body.
6. Start a New Hobby or Activity
Try something new. Join a dance class or start sampling every flavor of Hot Cheetos. These fun activities can help you move on from your broken heart.
If possible, get a pet. A furry friend can bring joy and keep you busy. It’s a great way to build self-worth and create new memories.
7. Prioritize Physical Health with Exercise Like Running
Go for a run to clear your mind. It helps you feel better and less stressed. Running releases endorphins, which are chemicals that make you happy.
You can start by running for a few minutes each day. As you get stronger, increase the time or distance. Running boosts mental health and keeps your body fit.
8. Plan a Solo Adventure
Take a solo trip. Traveling helps you heal and grow. Pick a place that excites you. Visit new places and see different sights.
Try activities that scare you or push your limits. You might go hiking, visit museums, or explore nature. You can learn new things about yourself away from home.
Engage in positive psychology by enjoying simple pleasures like sunsets or local foods. Focus on your happiness and enjoy each moment without stress.
Seek Support
Talk to close friends or family members about how you feel. They can help and listen when you need it most.
Read more on how to get over a breakup!
9. Talk to Trusted Friends or Family
Share your feelings with friends or family. They can help lift your mood and stop you from feeling alone.
Trusted people offer support when you’re hurting. Talking about what happened can help heal a broken heart and reduce mental distress.
10. Join Support Groups or Online Forums
Join support groups or online forums for shared experiences and advice. You will find comfort in talking to others who have gone through a breakup. In 2021, a study showed the emotional and cognitive costs of breakups are high.
Support groups can help you deal with these feelings.
Online forums also let you connect at any time. These places offer tips on coping strategies and building emotional resilience. Being part of such communities helps you feel less alone during this challenging time.
Create New Memories
Plan new experiences that excite you and make you happy. Start fresh and focus on creating joyful moments.
11. Make Plans For the Future
Set new goals for yourself. Try activities that make you happy, like traveling or starting a hobby. Spend time with friends and family to create good memories.
Explore new dating opportunities when you feel ready. This can help you move on from the breakup. Stay positive and open to what the future holds.
12. Engage in Activities that Make You Happy
Choose new activities that bring joy. For fun, try sampling every flavor of Hot Cheetos. Join a dance class to stay active and meet new people.
Hobbies help distract from sadness. Paint, play music, or learn to cook new dishes. These activities boost your mood and build confidence after a relationship breakup.
Reflect on the Relationship
Think about why the breakup happened.
13. Understand the Reasons Behind the Breakup
Understand the reasons behind the breakup. Take time to think about why things ended. Therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can help you figure out these reasons.
Write in a journal to explore your thoughts and feelings. Jot down any red flags or issues that stood out, like those seen three months into my past relationship. Knowing these reasons helps you avoid similar problems in future relationships.
It also promotes healthier growth and self-awareness.
14. Make a List of Your ex’s Faults to Gain Perspective
Make a list of your ex’s faults. This can help you gain perspective and acceptance. For example, did they not listen, or were they dishonest? Write these down to remind yourself why the breakup happened.
Seeing their flaws on paper helps your mind process the emotional pain. You may realize the relationship was not as good as you thought. This step aids in moving forward and improving self-identity after heartbreak.
Be Patient with the Healing Process
Moving on takes time and effort.
15. Accept that Moving on Takes Time
Accept that moving on takes time. Healing after a breakup is not quick. It usually takes about six months to start feeling better. You might think you are fine one day but then feel sad the next.
This is normal.
Avoid quick fixes like jumping into a new romantic relationship or substance abuse treatments without consulting mental health professionals first.
16. Avoid Quick-fix Distractions that May Cause More Harm
Quick-fix distractions like hooking up or booty calls may seem tempting, but they can hurt your emotions more. Erica Sloan and Lizzie Duszynski-Goodman say that gradual healing is better.
Engaging in these actions may lead to stress cardiomyopathy or broken heart syndrome.
Instead of quick fixes, focus on healthier coping mechanisms. Try mind-body exercises like meditation or resistance training. These activities provide health benefits and help you heal without causing more harm.
Choose methods that support long-term well-being over short-term relief.
Move Forward
Set boundaries for future relationships and be open to new opportunities.
Accept that the Breakup May Lead to Better Opportunities
A breakup can open doors to new, better chances. The author met their current husband just two weeks after a breakup on Bumble. This example shows that great things can come from the end of a relationship.
Focus on growth and try something new. A breakup offers time for self-care and exploring hobbies. You might find more happiness and motivation in unexpected places.
Set Boundaries for Future Relationships
Set clear boundaries. Avoid texting or calling your ex-partner for at least 90 days. This helps create space to heal. Block them on social media if needed.
In future relationships, make sure to discuss boundaries early on. Talk about what makes you comfortable and safe. Be firm but kind when setting these limits.
Final Thoughts
Getting over a breakup is hard, but you can heal. You need to accept and share your feelings with someone you confide in. Cut off contact with your ex and start taking care of yourself.
Try new hobbies, talk to friends or family, and make new memories. Understand that healing takes time, but growth comes from pain.
Take small steps every day to feel better.
