I consumed 20+ books and podcasts to get over my ex. Here are the 4 that actually helped.

Hey everyone,

I’ve been lurking here for a while. A few months ago, I was in the absolute thick of it—couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, checking their social media every 15 minutes. It felt like a physical withdrawal.

I’m finally on the other side of it now (mostly), and I wanted to share the specific "toolkit" of resources that actually helped me stop spiraling. I read a ton of fluff, but these are the ones that actually made a difference.

➡️The "Theory" Book: Attached by Amir Levine If you haven't read this yet, do it. It helped me understand why I was so anxious and why I was attracted to someone who couldn't meet my needs. It stops you from thinking "I'm crazy" and makes you realize it's just attachment styles at work.

➡️The Podcast: Date Yourself Instead I listened to this while walking or driving. It’s great for when you feel lonely and just need a voice in your ear telling you that you’re going to be okay. It’s very empowering and helped me shift focus back to myself.

➡️The Mindfulness Tool: Insight Timer (Free App) I couldn't sleep at all for the first two weeks. This app has free "sleep stories" and meditations for grief/heartbreak. It was the only way I could calm my anxiety enough to get a few hours of rest.

➡️The Tactical Guide: Broken heart survival guide (My Personal Project) While Attached was great for the "why," I really struggled with the "how." I needed a literal step-by-step manual on what to do when I had the urge to text them at 11 PM. I actually couldn't find exactly what I needed, so I documented my own recovery steps—journaling exercises, no-contact trackers, and mindset shifts—and turned it into a survival guide. It’s basically the book I wish I had on Day 1. (I put the link to this in my bio if you want to check it out, it's really focused on surviving the acute pain).

Honorable Mention: Journaling. Seriously. Get it out of your head and onto paper.

Hope this list helps someone who is hurting today. Hang in there.