Breakups are not fun. (obviously)
Even if you only dated the guy for a couple of months, splitting up with your man can hurt. Whether you broke up because of a big fight, bad timing, or someone cheating, there is bound to be an inevitable sadness period. And so, I offer the same advice I did in my last piece: embrace your feelings, don’t fight them.
Here are some ways you can effectively deal with your breakup and eventually move on:
Step 1: Talk to Friends and Family
Everyone has that one person who, no matter what, will always welcome you with open arms. Whether that person is your mom or pet golden retriever, you should allow yourself to talk it out and express your feelings. Sure, they don’t really understand what you are going through, but recognizing your emotions are there and fully letting them out is a vital first step in recovery. So grab a pint of Ben and Jerry’s, talk it out, and keep yourself surrounded with friends and family.
Step 2: Cry
If you aren’t sad at all, skip this step. But if you have been denying your emotions, it is imperative that you open the floodgates. Denying your emotions, as previously stated, will only prolong the process of recovering and feeling better. Breaking up is a sad ordeal; you have every right to be sad and cry.
Step 3: Valuable Girl Time
When I say “valuable girl time” I don’t mean going out with your party pals and getting absolutely smashed. Booze is NOT the solution to your breakup problems. Call your group of friends and go out and get pizza one night or watch a funny movie together. Sure it’s PG and not exactly “living-it-up,” but hanging out with your besties, in a non-party setting, can be super relaxing and allow you to reconnect with friends who you used to ignore for your ex.
Step 4: Delete His Contact Info
Even if you want to be friends in the future, for at least a few months, you MUST delete his contact information or vow not to talk to him. Both of you need some air and time to figure out what you truly want. Contacting him either to continue fighting, tell him how much he hurt you, or sing “Since U Been Gone,” is not going to help you get over the breakup. Once you’ve had girl time and cried it out, it’s time to try and put it behind you and stop thinking about him.
Step 5: Do Your Thing
If you love to write, write more. If you’re a painter, who didn’t have time to paint because you used to spend all your time with your ex, paint! Reconnect with an old passion or favorite hobby. Doing that one thing you enjoy and/or are good at will make you feel great about yourself. This is a key step in becoming independent again and reconnected with yourself.
Image Credit: Flickr
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