Engage in your favorite hobby Draw or paint something Bake treats for your friends Join a few friends for a pick up game of baseball, basketball, or football Go for a hike Browse your favorite shops Host a game night with your friends See a funny movie

If you don’t feel up to going out yet, invite friends or family members to enjoy a meal, movie, or game night at your home. You might watch your favorite comedies and order a pizza or play your favorite board games.

For example, you could fill up your free time by enrolling in an art class, volunteering to care for dogs at the local shelter, and helping your grandmother do her weekly grocery shopping. You’ll get to meet new people, make a difference, and assist a loved one while also having a little fun.

For example, you might see a movie your ex would never watch or go on an outdoor adventure your homebody ex thought would be boring. It’s okay to also invite friends to go with you, but commit to going alone if no one is available to go with you.

If you can spare the money, make yourself a treat care package or buy yourself something nice. If you’re short on money, try budget ways of pampering yourself, like making a homemade facial mask, taking a hot bath, baking yourself a batch of cookies, going for a walk in the park, or borrowing a movie or game from a friend.

“I am worthy of love. ” “I get validation from myself, not someone else. ” “I will live my best life. ” “I am the only one who can make me happy, so I will. ” “I am a strong, beautiful person. ”

Accepting your emotions like this will help you get through them more quickly. You’ll also experience less emotional pain. For example, you might say to yourself, “I still feel love for Alex. We dated for a year, so I know this is normal. ” Similarly, you might tell yourself, “I’m feeling really sad and betrayed right now. I have a right to feel this way. ”

Choose a few trusted individuals you can talk to so you’ll have several options when you need to talk. That way, you’ll still have someone to turn to if one friend is busy. If you don’t feel like you have someone you can trust, try talking to a counselor or therapist. They can help you work through your feelings in a healthy way. [12] X Expert Source Cherlyn ChongRelationship Coach Expert Interview. 21 June 2019.

This is a great way to deal with your feelings if you don’t feel comfortable sharing with others. If your ex really hurt you, write a letter to them telling them how it made you feel. Then, burn or rip up the letter instead of sending it. This can help you release those feelings in a healthy way. [14] X Research source

For instance, you might make a list like this one: “1) Doesn’t text me back right away; 2) Talks badly about my sister; 3) Forgot my birthday last year; 4) Eats all of my snacks but never replaces them; 5) Hates cats. ”

If crying in front of others bothers you, go to a place where you can be alone. This might be your bedroom, a bathroom, or a safe place outside. If you share a room, ask the other person if they will give you a few minutes alone.

Not only will this help you get over your breakup more quickly, it’ll also help you form a healthier relationship with your next partner.

Create a bedtime routine to help you go to sleep earlier. Turn down your thermostat, turn off your screens, and spend an hour relaxing before bed. Base your meals around lean proteins and vegetables, and snack on fruit, nuts or low-fat dairy. Additionally, drink plenty of water. Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. Go for a walk, run, dance, do aerobics, or take a gym class.

You might feel tempted to leave them on your social media accounts so you can show them how well your life is going. Although that might seem satisfying, it’s actually counterproductive because it keeps your thoughts on them. Just let them go. If you have mutual friends with your ex, consider temporarily unfollowing them if you know they’ll be posting about your ex.

This will keep your mind off your ex so you can focus on the future. You don’t have to get rid of everything they gave you or every memory you made together. Use your best judgement when deciding what to keep. If it doesn’t remind you of them, you might choose to keep it. Similarly, you might put away photos of you with them until a later time when the breakup no longer bothers you.

For example, let’s say your goal is to take a trip to Paris, France. Your to-do list might include “buy a Paris travel guide,” “get a passport,” “read about popular tourist sites in Paris,” “research hotels,” “price my trip,” “choose a target date,” “save money for my trip,” “book my trip,” and “go to Paris. ”