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National Get Over It Day

Sometimes life throws a curveball, but with determination, perseverance, and support, anyone can overcome pain and resentment.

Love People & Relationships42

Marketing angleinferred

Position your brand as a healing partner for post-breakup recovery—from music streaming and wellness products to self-care and journaling tools—during the March window between Valentine's Day and April Fool's Day.

Relevance 42medium intent

'Get Over It' playlist campaigns on Spotify/Apple Music featuring breakup anthems and empowerment tracks
Self-care and journaling product bundles tied to emotional processing and renewal
Influencer testimonials on moving forward after heartbreak with your brand's support
Wellness/therapy app partnerships promoting mental health and healing narratives

History

This day was created out of the need that most people have to let go of hurt and pain, especially as it relates to a breakup of a romantic relationship.

Jeff Goldblatt is the one who created this holiday, and it was inspired by a time when he was struggling to get over the hurt from an ex-girlfriend. He knew that he just needed to get over her, but it was super difficult.

With the motivation to help himself, and others he knew who were facing similar struggles, the day began and then took off.

Strategically spaced between a holiday devoted to love (St. Valentine’s Day), and one all about fun and joking around (April Fool’s Day), this is the perfect time to try to find inner healing and move forward with all of the promising things that the future has to offer.Now, for more than a decade, people have been celebrating National Get Over It Day in a variety of ways that help them to overcome what has been holding them back.

How to celebrate

Process Through the Struggles

One method many people have found helpful in trying to “get over it” is to write down all the things that are irritating, annoying or keeping them awake into the wee hours of the morning. When the list is finished, take some time to contemplate and examine each item on the list and ask if there might be creative ways to change it. Then, try to implement these changes into life by creating new habits and looking for new things to focus on. If these things absolutely cannot be changed, it’s time to let them go! Some people find it helpful to make a pledge to themselves to not spend any more energy and time on it. To help even more with the idea of letting items on the list go, the paper can be ripped up and thrown away (or even burned!) to represent the intent to move forward.

Create a ‘Get Over It’ Playlist

Romantic breakups can be especially difficult as they often come with a number of different songs, albums or musicians that are dreadful reminders of “the ex”. Starting anew means creating a new list of songs that act as reminders of this new season of purpose in life. Throw songs like these onto a Spotify playlist (or an old-fashioned mixtape for the more mature generations!): Gonna Get Over You (2011) by Sara BareillesGet Over It (2002) by OK Go Tonight I’m Getting Over You (2013) by Carly Rae JepsenGet Over It (2009) by Care Bears on FireOver You (2007) by DaughtryOver It (2007) by Katharine McPheeI’ll Get Over You (King of Wishful Thinking) (1990) by Go West

Re-establish Other Relationships

Another meaningful way that some people might choose to celebrate the day is to reach out to the people they may have withdrawn from during a relationship. Letting them into the inner world again may be cathartic. Some people may even find that they don’t have time to focus on negative things because they are making new, happier memories. It’s not always easy to embrace change, but those who really want to let things go will do so with purpose and effort!

Enjoy a “Me” Day

Perhaps the things some people have been holding onto have caused them to be extremely stressed out. A great idea is to use this day to do a bit of pampering and self-care. Head to the spa for a massage! Let the worries just melt away. Or, a different idea along the same thread, heading back to the gym can get the body (and mind) back on the right track as well. It is proven that when people work out, their body releases chemicals that lift the mood! How great is that? And for those who are not exactly gym people, even just a nice brisk walk would have a similar effect.

Have a Clear Out

Getting over it sometimes means getting rid of it! If it’s hard to get over a relationship because memories abound, go ahead and chuck that stuff that acts as a reminder. Grab a cardboard box and start sorting with abandon. (It might require the help of a friend to really extract all of the associated items.) A local charity will certainly be happy to receive that antique cookie jar bought together at the flea market or the blanket the ex crocheted for a birthday gift. It might hurt a bit while it’s happening, but in the end it will be better and provide new freedoms. The point of the day is that there are choices that each individual can make. So, however this applies to each person’s individual life, they can choose to just Get Over It and start moving forward!

FAQ

Is “just getting over it” the same as emotionally healing from something?

No. Telling someone to “just get over it” often implies suppressing or ignoring feelings, which can prolong distress. Emotional healing usually involves acknowledging what happened, feeling the emotions safely, making sense of the experience, and then gradually shifting attention back to meaningful parts of life. Psychology research on coping and post‑traumatic growth shows that processing and integrating experiences is more effective than simply trying to push them away.

Why do some people struggle to let go of past hurts more than others?

People vary in how quickly they “move on” because of personality traits, past experiences, current stress, and even brain chemistry. Those who tend to ruminate, have high anxiety, limited social support, or a history of trauma may find it harder to release grudges or regrets. Studies on rumination show that repeatedly replaying events in one’s mind is linked with longer and more intense emotional distress.

Is forgiving someone necessary to move on from what they did?

Forgiveness can be helpful but it is not the only path to moving on. Research on forgiveness suggests that choosing to forgive often reduces anger and stress, yet people can also find peace by setting boundaries, accepting that they may never receive an apology, and focusing on their own future. In some situations, such as ongoing abuse, safety and distance are more important than forgiveness.

Can holding on to resentment or stress affect physical health?

Yes. Chronic anger, resentment, and stress can raise levels of stress hormones and inflammation, which are linked with problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep disturbances, and weakened immunity. Large health studies have found that persistent hostility and chronic stress are associated with higher risks of cardiovascular disease and other health issues.

What evidence‑based techniques help people stop dwelling on the past?

Therapists frequently recommend approaches from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and self‑compassion. CBT helps people identify unhelpful thought patterns, such as “I’ll never be happy again,” and replace them with more realistic ones. Mindfulness practices train attention to return to the present instead of replaying old events, and self‑compassion reduces harsh self‑criticism about past mistakes. Clinical guidelines show that these methods can reduce anxiety and depression related to rumination.

Is there a healthy difference between processing emotions and “wallowing”?

Processing emotions typically has a sense of direction: someone reflects on what happened, talks it through, and gradually feels more clarity or relief. Wallowing tends to involve going over the same details without gaining new insight, often with self‑blame or hopelessness. Research on emotion regulation suggests that constructive reflection and problem‑solving are linked with better outcomes than repetitive, passive brooding.

When is it better to seek professional help instead of trying to move on alone?

Professional help is recommended if memories or feelings from the past are interfering with daily life, such as ongoing sleep problems, intense mood swings, difficulty working or studying, or strained relationships. It is also important to seek help if someone feels numb, hopeless, or has thoughts of self‑harm. Mental health organizations advise contacting a licensed therapist, counselor, or doctor when distress is persistent, overwhelming, or feels unmanageable alone.