Overview

• Thousands of people in dozens of countries gathered on July 29 for in-person plaza meetups, online therapy discussions and writing workshops in observance of the day.
• The grassroots initiative began in Mexico in 2012 before spreading into an international movement fueled by social media engagement.
• Organizers emphasize validating emotional pain, encouraging open expression and fostering personal growth through shared storytelling and peer support.
• Experts note that heartbreak can produce withdrawal-like symptoms—such as anxiety, insomnia and appetite changes—and may trigger a temporary cardiac event known as broken heart syndrome.
• This year’s event saw a surge of memes on social platforms that blend humor with catharsis to destigmatize the pain of romantic loss.