Heartbroken? Discover seven surprisingly effective, yet unusual, tricks to help you get over a breakup faster. Learn how to get over a break up and move on with your life.

When two people decide to end a relationship, it’s rarely a clean break. Emotions run high, leaving one or both partners feeling lost and heartbroken.

You each carry the weight of shared memories, hopes, and dreams. The sudden absence creates a void that’s hard to fill.

You also each grapple with the uncertainty of the future, questioning your self-worth and wondering how to move forward. The pain can feel overwhelming.

Sometimes this works itself out over time, but the healing process can be long and arduous. It often feels like you’re stuck in a cycle of grief and despair.

But, you don’t have to suffer silently. There are ways to accelerate the healing process and reclaim your life after a breakup.

You can learn from the experiences of others and discover surprisingly effective strategies to overcome heartbreak and move on.

Here are seven unconventional, yet surprisingly effective, tricks to help you navigate this difficult time and emerge stronger than ever.

1. Embrace the “Ugly Cry” Marathon

A lot of people are taught to suppress their emotions, especially when it comes to heartbreak. They believe that showing vulnerability is a sign of weakness.

They think when they bottle up their feelings, they’ll somehow magically disappear. This only leads to further emotional distress.

Similarly, many think that when they cry, it means they are not strong enough to handle the situation. They try to avoid crying at all costs.

What this does is prolong the healing process. Suppressing emotions prevents you from properly processing the pain and moving on.

The key: The most important thing is to allow yourself to feel the full spectrum of emotions. Don’t judge your feelings; just let them flow.

This way, we are not avoiding the pain, but rather facing it head-on. This is a crucial step in the healing process.

It also helps us to understand the depth of our emotions and what needs to be addressed. This self-awareness is key to moving forward.

You don’t need for this to be a perfectly controlled environment. Just find a safe space where you can let it all out. This intentional emotional release can be surprisingly therapeutic.

2. Become a “Gratitude Ninja”

Have you ever felt so heartbroken that the world seemed to lose its color? Like all the joy had been sucked out, leaving behind only a gray, aching void? That’s the pit of despair a breakup can send you tumbling into. But what if I told you there’s a secret weapon to fight back – a powerful antidote to that emotional wasteland? It’s called gratitude.

If two people are constantly focusing on what’s wrong, what’s missing, or what they don’t have, the relationship is doomed to fail. The same principle applies to your post-breakup recovery. Dwelling on the negative only keeps you stuck. Gratitude, however, flips the script. It shifts your focus from what you’ve lost to what you still possess.

Just like a ninja silently and swiftly moves through challenges, a “Gratitude Ninja” quietly cultivates appreciation. This isn’t about ignoring the pain; it’s about adding another layer, a layer of positive focus that gradually counteracts the negativity. Start small. Notice the warmth of the sun on your skin, the taste of your coffee, the comfort of your bed.

The key: Have a gratitude journal. Write down three things you’re grateful for each day. It could be anything – a supportive friend, a delicious meal, a sunny day, even just a good night’s sleep. The act of writing it down solidifies the feeling, making it more real and impactful.

Sometimes in the midst of heartbreak, it feels impossible to find anything to be grateful for. The pain feels all-consuming. But even in the darkest moments, there are glimmers of light. Maybe it’s the strength you’re discovering within yourself, or the support of loved ones. Focus on those.

But we don’t just passively receive gratitude; we actively cultivate it. It’s a muscle that needs to be exercised. The more you practice, the stronger it becomes, and the more easily you can access that positive energy when you need it most.

Broaching these seemingly small acts of appreciation might feel trivial at first, especially when you’re grappling with a significant loss. But the cumulative effect of consistent gratitude practice is profound. It’s a powerful tool that can help you heal, rebuild, and emerge stronger than ever before.

Also read: 51 Best Finding Love Quotes To Get You Believing In Love Again

3. The Power of Playful Self-Compassion

I am the first person to tell you that breakups are tough. They leave you feeling vulnerable, lost, and questioning everything.

I am also the first person to tell you that you deserve kindness, especially from yourself. Self-compassion is not selfish; it’s essential for healing.

We are influenced by societal pressures to be strong and independent, often suppressing our emotions. This can hinder the healing process.

And then, we get frustrated when we don’t “bounce back” quickly. We judge ourselves harshly for feeling sad or vulnerable.

Well, maybe you’re overlooking a powerful tool: playful self-compassion. It’s about treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding you’d offer a dear friend.

The key: Make a conscious effort to engage in activities that bring you joy, even if they seem silly or childish. Think coloring books, silly videos, or playing with a pet.

It may not come in the form of grand gestures; small acts of self-care can make a big difference. Think of it as giving yourself permission to be happy.

But — what’s important is that you’re actively choosing joy and kindness towards yourself. This playful approach can significantly lighten the emotional load of a breakup.

4. Declutter Your Digital Life

I believe that our digital lives are often reflections of our emotional states. What we choose to keep and what we choose to delete speaks volumes.

Here’s the thing — if you’re still scrolling through photos of your ex, or constantly checking their social media, you’re hindering your healing process.

If an image or a notification brings a wave of sadness or anger, it’s time to let it go. These digital reminders are not helping you move on.

That cannot be overstated. Constant exposure to reminders of your ex keeps the wound open and prevents you from moving forward.

The key: Really work to declutter your digital life. Delete photos, unfollow them on social media, and remove any other digital traces of your relationship.

If your ex actually wants to remain in contact, you can address that separately. But, for now, focus on creating space for yourself.

But, if not, then this is a crucial step in creating emotional distance and allowing yourself to heal. It’s a powerful act of self-care.

This will create distance, both physically and emotionally. It’s a symbolic act of letting go and moving forward.

It’s very important to remember that this is about you and your healing journey. It’s not about punishing your ex or playing games.

Only when you have created this digital space can you truly begin to focus on rebuilding your life and moving forward.

Related: 5 Steps to Break the Cycle of Giving Endless Second Chances

5. Master the Art of “Mindful Movement”

There is a plethora of ways to process a breakup, and many involve wallowing in sadness or anger. But there’s a more constructive approach.

Maybe one (or both) of you were physically inactive during the relationship. Or maybe your routines changed drastically, leading to a lack of physical activity.

Maybe your exercise routine was a shared activity, and now that’s gone, leaving a void. Maybe your usual outlets for physical activity are unavailable or unappealing.

Maybe your usual method of stress relief was linked to your ex, and now that outlet is gone. This can leave you feeling lost and without a healthy way to cope.

Whatever the reason, incorporating mindful movement into your routine can be incredibly beneficial during this difficult time. It’s a way to reconnect with yourself.

The key: There’s no simple solution to healing a broken heart. But mindful movement offers a powerful tool for emotional regulation and stress reduction.

Remember that movement doesn’t have to be intense. A gentle yoga session, a mindful walk in nature, or even just stretching can make a difference.

Sometimes, you’ll need to push past the initial resistance. It’s okay to start small and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your activities.

If you focus on the present moment and your body’s sensations, you can use movement to process your emotions and find a sense of calm.

6. The Unexpected Power of Creative Expression

This means that you don’t have to passively endure the pain of a breakup. You can actively engage with your emotions and transform them into something positive.

It means channeling that raw emotion—the sadness, the anger, the confusion—into a creative outlet. This could be anything from painting to writing poetry to playing music.

Imagine, now, that you’re transforming your pain into a piece of art, a song, a poem, or a story. You’re taking something negative and making it beautiful.

Neither is “better” or “worse” than the other; they are simply different ways of processing the experience. The important thing is to find an outlet that works for you.

The key: Here’s the hard truth — you cannot simply ignore or suppress your feelings. You need to process them, and creative expression is a powerful tool for doing so.

There are times in life when words fail us, and that’s when other forms of expression can be particularly helpful. Let your emotions flow freely through your chosen medium.

If you find yourself struggling to cope with your emotions, consider exploring creative expression as a way to heal and move forward. It might surprise you how therapeutic it can be.

You may also like: Will I Ever Find Love? 7 Productive Things to Do While Waiting for Your Soulmate

7. Become a “Future Self” Designer

We live in a world of constant change, and breakups are a significant change. But instead of being a victim of circumstance, you can actively shape your future.

We can choose to focus on the pain of the past, or we can design the life we want to live. This is where the power of envisioning your future self comes in.

Relationships simply do not define who you are. Your identity is far richer and more complex than any single relationship.

They don’t spark to life and then suddenly vanish without leaving a trace. Breakups leave scars, but they don’t have to define your future.

I’ve said before that healing takes time. But you can accelerate the process by actively designing the person you want to become.

You need to start visualizing your future self—the confident, independent, and happy person you are capable of being. This is your blueprint for recovery.

If you walk out of this breakup a stronger, more resilient person, you’ve already won. The breakup is a stepping stone, not a tombstone.

The key: Think of your future self as a work in progress. It’s a constant evolution, and you are the architect.

If you want to be healthier, visualize yourself exercising regularly. If you want a new career, picture yourself succeeding in that role.

The same goes for personal growth—envision yourself overcoming challenges and building fulfilling relationships. This visualization is key to your healing.