When you’re doing through a breakup or divorce, it may be the only thing you can think about.

The thought of living without them, even if it was your choice, can be daunting.

And, when you feel emotional, it can be hard to do anything.

Getting out of bed can feel like running a marathon, let alone working or doing household chores.

When your thoughts and emotions seemingly hijack your life, one way to feel better is to distract yourself.

We should mention first that it’s important to recognize and deal with your emotions.

If you use distraction as a way to avoid working through your feelings, you’ll likely just prolong your hurt.

However, keeping busy can give you a break from intrusive thoughts. And, getting into an action can get you out of your head. Although free time and relaxation is necessary, too much can mean time to think about your ex.

If you’re not sure of good distractions after a breakup, we have some suggestions for you in this post!

104 Best Breakup Distractions

Here’s a list of things you can try to distract yourself during a breakup.

Watch a movie
Do a workout on YouTube
Go to the gym
Play a game
Research about a cause that’s important to you
Call a friend
Clean
Take a hike
Research about your dream job/dream title
Do a workout outside
Download a game app
Try a yoga session on YouTube
Volunteer at (or provide services to) a local charity
Buy a craft kit and get creative
Explore a new part of your city/town
Binge a show on Netflix
Look up pictures of your celebrity crush and allow yourself to swoon over them for a few minutes
Clean areas of your home you’ve neglected
Go to the library (or shop online) and pursue a new section/category
Consider adopting a pet (if you have the time and ability to, of course! Remember pets are a forever commitment!)
Get really good at making cocktails
Buy an anonymous gift for someone
Take a free or paid online course
YouTube a dance and learn it from memory
Visit friends more often
Organize a picnic or BBQ
Go on a road trip
Put on music and dance around
Read a book
Write a thank-you letter to someone
Clear space on your phone (we could all do that!)
Research a good charity to donate to
Go to the nearest lake/ocean and go kayaking/canoeing
Go through a donation rampage through your home and drop it off to a local organization
Clean out your closet
Do a DNA test and discover your unknown relatives
Color in an adult coloring book
Ask others about their breakup and how they got through it
Hang some photos (but none of your ex)
Try out a new hairstyle
Go to a restaurant and eat alone
Pick up an instrument
Do some random acts of kindness
Dive into astrology or numerology
Start watching a new sport
Join and follow a new subreddit
Get into soapmaking, candle making or woodworking
Organize the files on your computer
Go into the forest or a local nature area and pick some flowers (if you don’t like flowers, give them to someone!)
Do a Facebook friend cleaning
Grant yourself some well-deserved naps
Learn photography
Go down a weird YouTube rabbit hole
Become an advocate for something
Become a youth mentor at a local organization
Make a list of reasons you’re glad it’s over
Plan a trip (even if you can’t take it for a while)
Collect some supplies and do a painting tutorial on YouTube
Have a garage sale (and invite your ex over to buy back his stuff—just kidding!!)
Third-wheel with a couple that constantly argues and feel grateful it’s not you anymore
Take up making coffees (lattes, cappuccinos, expressos) as a new hobby
Take a trip to visit a family member or long distance friend
Start a blog
Take yourself on a date
Ask a friend if you can petsit their pet
Go through fashion photos on Pinterest and consider a new style
Make a list of things you’re grateful for
Create a new Pinterest board and go down a pin rabbit hole
Learn a new language
Learn more about a new subject (psychology, biology, self-improvement, spirituality, etc.)
Go swimming
Start journaling
Practice aromatherapy—purchase some essential oils and a diffuser and see if it helps you feel better!
Put on a face mask
Take a trip by yourself
Learn to read angel or tarot cards
Discover your own body (you know what I’m saying!)
Plant a flower to start a windowsill garden
Buy a magazine and read it cover-to-cover
Look for a side job
Plan a dating profile—from the picture you’ll use to your bio (but don’t post it yet if you’re not ready!)
Go to a museum
Go outside and aim to give 10 people genuine compliments
Seek out and follow inspirational accounts on social media
Try out a breakup app
Come up with a budget or savings plan (even if it’s just saving $5 per week)
Start a business
Cook yourself a delicious dinner
Clean your car
Test out a whole bunch of different hobbies and see what sticks
Go on a trip alone
Download Bumble BFF and make some new friends
Take a bus, subway or train to no planned destination and discover it (just make sure you have Google Maps to get back home!)
If you’re not ready to date yet, set up a fake dating profile (Plentyoffish.com is a good one for this). Peruse the bachelors/bachelorettes in your area to gain some hope.
Redecorate your home or a room
Try a new dessert recipe
Research and make a list of podcasts to listen to
Research and make a list of audiobooks to listen to (Libby is a free audiobook app available if you have a library card)
Listen to those podcasts and audiobooks while you’re doing other things to stop hurtful thoughts from popping in
Try making something in a category that you’ve never tried before (ice cream, pastries, bread)
Try making a new dish from a culture outside your own
Try a new takeout dish from a culture outside your own
Start watching a new TV show that you look forward to every week
Make a vision board outlining your better future ahead