Universal PicturesAnyone who’s been through a bad breakup has experienced the symptoms: talking about it incessantly to friends, obsessively checking an ex’s social media posts, or trying to run into them accidentally on purpose.
But Mend, an app that aims to be a « personal trainer for heartbreak, » wants to help you avoid those mistakes and move forward with your life.
Ellen Huerta created the app after going through a breakup herself, according to The New York Times. Huerta is more than the founder, though — she is also Elle, the soothing voice within the app that guides you through your breakup.
Mend isn’t just a breakup coach; it’s an entire community for the brokenhearted. Here’s how it works.
Next, you’re taken to your first training page, which also includes your first message from Elle, who reassures you that the two of you are « going to get through this breakup together. » After your first training session, you’ll be asked to complete a journal entry, which is different each time.
While incredibly kind and soothing, Elle asks you right off the bat to face some hard truths about your behavior since your breakup, asking whether you’ve been rereading old text-message conversations or checking up on your ex on social media.
Even if the answer is yes, however, she says not to worry. « This is totally normal, » Elle says. « You are not crazy, and this feeling will pass. »
What’s most interesting is the reasoning Mend gives for why you might be obsessed with your ex or feeling devastated that things are over. Elle explains that being in a relationship gives off « happy hormones » — endorphins and oxytocin — that are sent back and forth with your partner. Once you break up, you start going through withdrawal from those hormones and want to do everything you can to get back together. But Elle assures you she’ll « help you let go and move forward. »