In September my ex and I ended our 2 ½ year relationship. He lives in Boston, I live in Chapel Hill and the distance just got to be too much. Like any person should, I burned pictures, began a new and very serious relationship with Ben & Jerry’s and bawled my eyes out to our old playlists. Then, one day, I realized maybe being single isn’t so bad, in fact it could be pretty cool.
No one ever said breakups were easy, but they don’t have to be the end of the world. To help you get over that guy, here’s a list of silver linings I found once I got out of my bed and turned off TLC:
1. New hair, don’t care:
Cut it all off, grow it out, dye it black or dye it blonde- your look is all yours and no boyfriend preferences can stop you. Same goes for clothes and makeup, so have fun with it! A breakup is a great chance to revamp your look and start over.
2. Your bed is all yours:
No more fighting over who gets what pillow and freezing your butt off because your guy is a blanket hog.
3. You can eat whatever you want:
Two meanings here — One, you don’t have to worry about a food baby ruining snuggling, so go to town. Two, you pick the food- his old preferences don’t matter so welcome back, sushi night.
4. Your iTunes and TV are judgment-free:
My ex thought his opinions were the be all end all when it came to TV and music (needless to my car playlists and DVR took a beating). Now, I watch and listen to what I want when I want. I missed you, Kardashians and One Direction.
5. Harry Styles, call me:
Your celebrity crush is now slightly more attainable. Slightly. So Harry, or any member of One Direction, I’m around just FYI.
6. You can focus on you:
Sometimes your relationship and partner become your focus. This can be great, but it’s also important to make sure you’re happy, doing well in school, close with your friends and family, etc. Now it’s time to think about you and no one else.
7. Taylor Swift takes on a whole new meaning:
No explanation needed here, I know you get it. Have fun blasting her latest song in the car. I know I did.
8. Two words: Retail. Therapy.:
Nothing makes buying a whole new wardrobe easier to justify to mom and dad than a rough breakup.
9. Great gym motivator:
They say success is the best revenge. Nothing will get you in shape and looking great faster than wanting to prove to him he’s missing out.
10. Going out is stress-free:
Forgot your phone or it died? No big deal. Hanging out with a group of guy friends? What of it? When you’re single, your night is about you and having fun, not worrying about keeping someone else happy.
11. You’re gonna save money. A lot of it.:
Birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, dates, etc. are all out of the picture along with him. You’ll miss those days sure, but I doubt you’ll miss spending money on his gifts, which were always better than what he got you anyway. Not that I’m bitter…
So girls, stop stalking his social media profiles and debating texting him because even though you deleted it you did memorize his number. One morning you’re going to wake up and not know that number. One day you will smile again, reflect on the good that you two had but be even happier with where you are today. Breakups aren’t fun, but you can find the happiness in moving on and starting over, even if you have to burn a few pictures along the way.