Tips to Heal a Broken Heart: A Testimony

You never forget the feeling of a broken heart. It’s a gut-wrenching experience that leaves you feeling immobile and disoriented. I’m assuming you can relate since you’re reading this. 

It’s been 2.5 years since I lost my Grandma, and today she would’ve been 95 years old!

I had never experienced heartbreak like when she passed away. The thought of never seeing her again or being able to interact with her left me devastated. I didn’t know what to do, where to turn, or how to process my thoughts. "Disoriented" is the perfect word to describe that sense of being lost after going through any kind of heartbreak. Eventually as time went on and I developed a set of coping mechanisms and skills, I slowly started to feel better. I started to feel okay with the thought of her no longer being around, and found joy in thinking about her. 

If you’re struggling with a broken heart, whether from losing a loved one or any other form of loss, here are some tips that helped me heal: 

Grieving is a natural process, and it’s important to give yourself permission to feel all your emotions. It’s okay to cry, to be angry, or to feel numb. Everyone feels that way. Don’t rush yourself through these feelings - acknowledge them and let them flow freely. Grief doesn’t follow a timeline, so be gentle with yourself, but also challenge yourself sometimes to get up and get moving after you’ve allowed yourself to grieve. 

It can be incredibly healing to share your feelings with someone you trust. Whether it’s a friend, a family member, or a therapist, talking about your pain and your feelings can help you feel less alone. Sometimes it helps to share with others who have felt the same. 

We all have a journal lying around the house, but if you don’t, it’s time to pick one up (I recommend The Breakthrough Journal). Journaling can be an incredible way to pour out thoughts and emotions, helping you heal in the process. We often keep our emotions inside to avoid seeming vulnerable or weak, but this only causes them to build up and eventually overflow in more intense ways. Journaling can help prevent that, especially during times of heartbreak when emotions are at their peak. It also serves as a tangible reminder of your growth, allowing you to see how far you’ve come over time. 

Heartbreak can take a toll on your physical health as well as your mental well-being. 

Make sure to eat well, get enough sleep, and stay hydrated. Simple self-care routines, like taking warm baths or going on walks outside, can provide some relief from the emotional pain.

Over time, I found comfort in remembering the good times I shared with my grandma. 

Looking through old photos, writing down memories, or even living each day out as if she were still here helped me feel connected to her. Celebrate their life rather than focusing solely on their absence. 

Healing is not a linear process and it takes time. Some days will be harder than others, 

and that’s okay. Allow yourself the time you need to heal, without putting pressure on yourself to “move on” or “get over it.” Remember, healing doesn’t mean forgetting - it means finding a way to live with the loss.

Losing someone you love is one of the hardest experiences to go through, but with time, support, and self-compassion, you can find a way to heal. It’s a journey, but one worth talking to find peace and remember the love that remains. I’m so grateful to have had 23 years with my grandma and to be left with such incredible memories and stories to tell for years to come. 

Remember, you’re not alone in this. And one day, when you think of them, it won’t hurt as much. You’ll be able to smile, remembering the joy they brought into your life.