Suffice to say, breakups are painful. The sense of loss is tremendous, and it very often feels like your world has been turned inside out, upside down. Those of us who have had the unfortunate experience of going through a breakup know that the isn’t “just emotional.” It’s deeply real and affects your body, your thoughts, and your everyday life. But the good news? The pain of heartbreak won’t last forever, and with time, your heart can heal, and you’ll emerge from the experience stronger.
Here are 6 gentle tips to guide you as you navigate your way through heartbreak with self-compassion, patience, and hope.
1. Let Yourself Feel – Without Judgement
One of the kindest things you can do for yourself is allow your feelings to come and go naturally. You’ve just lost an important relationship, and it makes sense to feel sad, lost, angry, or even numb.
Often, we try to avoid these emotions, especially when we’ve internalised messages like “Look on the bright side!” or “It’ll be okay”, which suggest that some feelings are more acceptable than others. But when we give ourselves permission to feel, rather than push emotions away, we begin to understand why they’re there. Sitting with our emotions helps us stay present with ourselves and tune into what we truly need during this time.
2. Embrace the Empty Spaces
In the early days after a breakup, you might notice a big empty space where routines, memories, or plans once belonged. Losing that sense of consistency and comfort is deeply painful, but there can be value in gently sitting with it. In many ways, this “void” becomes a space to grieve what has ended, while also beginning to reconnect with what you truly need right now.
When we rush to fill these empty spaces, we may unintentionally avoid the pain that needs our attention. Filling the gaps with constant distractions or new commitments can feel soothing in the short term. Staying busy can seem like a way to avoid spirals of overthinking or longing. But over time, pushing our thoughts and feelings away often means they resurface later, sometimes more intensely. Allowing yourself moments of stillness gives your heart the chance to process the loss, rather than waiting for it to accumulate and boil over.
3. Be Your Own Support System and Let Others Support You Too
Being your own support system can be daunting, especially when we’re taught to lean on others and stay connected. It can feel strange, even uncomfortable, to spend time in your own company when loneliness already feels so close. What this really means, though, is learning to turn inward with care. It's about gently asking yourself the harder questions and trying to see your situation with a little more clarity, while still being kind to yourself. Questions like, “Is this really true?” or “Is there another way to understand what happened?” can help loosen painful narratives that keep us stuck. This kind of inner work isn’t easy, but over time it builds a sense of strength and resilience that stays with you.
At the same time, connection matters. Reaching out to people who care about you can make a significant difference. Breakups can feel incredibly isolating, and you don’t have to go through this alone. Support can come from friends, family, or a therapist. A good listener offers comfort, helps you gain perspective, and reminds you that you are valued, understood, and not alone in what you’re going through.
4. Practice Self-Care Without Apology
Don’t neglect or feel guilty about taking care of yourself. Some ways you can nourish yourself include:
Sleep well and eat foods that help your body feel grounded.
Move your body – even gentle walks or stretching can ease tension.
Do things you enjoy, even if it doesn’t feel joyful at first.
Treat yourself like you would treat a close friend, with patience, warmth, and no judgement.
5. Create Distance from Constant Reminders
The more time we spend with someone, the stronger our emotional attachment tends to become. Shared memories form, emotional bonds deepen, and we begin to associate that person with places, routines, foods, and everyday moments. After a breakup, encountering these reminders can intensify the pain, longing, and emotional overwhelm that often comes with loss.
Creating some distance from constant reminders–such as photos, old messages, gifts, or even their social media accounts–can be an important part of healing. This isn’t about erasing the relationship or denying what it meant to you, but about giving yourself a chance to calm down and recover. By reducing repeated emotional triggers, you create space to grieve more gently and set boundaries that protect your heart as it heals.
6. Journal Your Thoughts
Your thoughts and emotions may feel tangled and overwhelming after a breakup. Journalling can be a helpful way to create some clarity and space. Writing doesn’t have to be poetic or polished; it just needs to be honest. There’s no right or wrong way to do it, nor do you need to have the “right” words or insights. You can simply start where you are.
Getting your thoughts out of your head and onto paper can help you notice patterns, release some of the grief you’re carrying, and begin to make sense of what’s happening in your heart. Putting words to your feelings can also reduce their intensity over time, enabling you to make more conscious choices about how to respond.
If you’re not sure where to begin, these prompts may help:
What do I miss about the relationship?
What do I need to let go of?
What emotions am I avoiding, and why?
Healing means honouring your pain, listening to your needs, and gradually rediscovering moments of joy and connection in your life. Right now, it may feel impossible to imagine things getting better. That makes sense, heartbreak takes time.
We hope that you remember that patience, self-compassion, and having support around you can make a real difference. And if you find that self-care alone isn’t enough, that’s okay too. You don’t have to carry this on your own. Reaching out for help can feel like the hardest step, but it can also be the first step towards understanding and support. Take it one day at a time.