Get Over It Day falls on March 9th! This little-known holiday was created in 2005 by an Atlanta man as he struggled to move on from an ex-girlfriend. As a part of his healing process, he wrote a catchy poem about how human it is to be an emotional mess sometimes. If the thought of writing a poem to cope with a broken heart makes you cringe, then perhaps you’ve never been through a breakup yourself.
If you have been through a breakup, then you know what it’s like to desperately search for relief from your aching heart. Unfortunately, sometimes we have to exercise patience and allow time to heal our wounds. In the meantime, there are some things we can do to ease the blow of a breakup!
Name Your Feelings
How have you been feeling since the breakup? Take a deep breath and look inward. Are you angry? Regretful? Sad? Once you’re able to verbalize your feelings, you can start to manage them. Grab a journal and start writing. Jot down any words that describe how you’re feeling right now: anxious, hungry, tired, empty, lonely, or confused.
Once you’ve filled the page, go back over your word choices and circle the most powerful feelings of the bunch. Now that you know the names of the faceless monsters swirling around inside of you, they’re a lot less scary!
Ask For Help
Lean on your friends, your family, and anyone else who will support you as you heal. You’ve already named your feelings, so you know exactly how to describe what you’re experiencing.
Talking to trusted loved ones makes you feel better, strengthens your relationships with people who are not your ex, and encourages others to include you in plans that could serve as healthy distractions.
Here are a few ways to start a conversation:
“Mom, I need your help. Since my breakup, I’ve been feeling really lonely.”
“Hey, do you know how I can find professional help? I’ve been feeling down since the breakup.”
“Can I vent to you? I’m so angry about the way my relationship ended.”
Ditch the Pictures
Get rid of pictures, letters, and any other sentimental reminders of your ex. As painful as it may be, it’s absolutely necessary. When you keep visual reminders of yourself and your ex as a unit, it becomes more difficult to love yourself as an individual.
Frame a few pictures of your best friend, your niece, or even your cat! Remind yourself that you are surrounded by love.
Treat Yourself
Sometimes we depend on romantic partners to boost our confidence, but it should ideally come from within. Treat yourself to a sexy new top, concert tickets, or a spa day. Do something that makes you feel good about the way you look and feel.
Remember, you are not just temporarily easing your pain by buying things that make you feel good. You are demonstrating that you are self-reliant. The ability to soothe yourself (whether with things that are costly or free) may one day make you a healthier, more independent partner in a relationship.
Get Intimate With Yourself
Is it love you’re longing for, or maybe just pleasure? Get yourself a GOOD vibrator or stroker. You may be surprised to learn new things about your intimate preferences when it’s just you and a powerful toy.
Make Plans
After a breakup, your world can feel very small. You may not have the ability to get up and go immediately, but you should plan a getaway. Whether it’s a weekend trip or a month-long excursion abroad, it may benefit you to look beyond the things that remind you of your ex.
Planning a trip gives you something to look forward to when looking forward is everything. When you travel solo, you get to meet new people, admire new architecture, and taste new foods – none of which are wrapped up in memories of your ex.
Healing after a breakup takes time. Remember that you are not alone in your journey toward healing, nor are you the first person to endure a broken heart. You can and will move on from this challenge, and you’ll grow even stronger as a result!
