Letting Go

In the realm of relationships, break-ups happen. They happen to the best to us; sometimes they get the best of us. The honeymoon stage makes it seem like things won't ever change, but it's a sad fact of dating that things don't always work out. In the end, it's a matter of time before normalcy returns; life goes on.

Feel what you feel

There's no good in suppressing your emotions. Cry if you want and need to. Don't force yourself to act happy if you're not. Be angry if you are, scream if you want. Breakups can invoke a wide range of feelings, from deep sadness to extreme bitterness, depending on how bad the split was, the circumstances, and the timing. But whatever you're feeling, accept it. It might make you feel bad at the same time but you'll feel a lot better releasing your emotions than bottling them inside. Perhaps suppressing your emotions seems to be the fast and easy way out, but it's the denial that makes you vulnerable to break down later.

Write your feelings down/store away memories/prepare for a new start

Write in a journal; be completely honest (no filtering), store away memories and avoid memory triggers. I feel that the best way to vent is writing it away; it makes things seem more clear. There are all kinds of things that remind you of your ex - a song, a thing, a place; whatever they are, store them in a box for the time being. Out of sight, out of mind; out with the old, in with the new. A breakup signifies a new beginning; prepare for the new and better things to come.

Space "________"

Break up means to separate, so even if you and your ex are on friendly terms still take means to break away completely from each other. Resist the urge to contact the other; don't text/call/facebook/chill right after the split. This divide isn't necessarily permanent but it should be in place until the feelings and motives are strictly platonic and genuine. Lingering feelings of either party makes it easy to relive the past and hard to let go.

Turn to friends and family

Surround yourself with supportive people who love you; spending time with them will comfort you and make you happier. It'll also help take your mind off the ex for the time being.

Stay active

Exercise improves your mood and alleviates depression, ultimately making you healthier mentally and physically. Plus you'll feel good and confident.

Find happiness in other aspects of your life

Whether that means spending time with your friends and family, taking a class you've always wanted to take, reading a book, joining a new club, or traveling, the possibilities are endless and up to you. These are things you can always enjoy on your own. Being single gives you the freedom to do what you want, when you want. It's important to learn how to be happy single before dating again. If you can't be yourself and happy alone, then how can you be happy with someone else?

Acceptance/Letting Go

This means not denying the reasons, the emotions, the decision. Thinking only about the good times can overshadow the reasons why you broke up, making the bad parts seem not that bad and maybe compromisable. Sometimes breakups don't have a specific cause: sometimes people grow apart or are incompatible, sometimes it's bad timing. Acceptance means realizing that you did break up for some reason, whether good or bad; that the time is gone, there is no turning back, only moving forward. In the end, no relationship is ever a complete failure if you learn a valuable life lesson or something about yourself. Realize that every relationship is different and special in a lot of ways. You can congratulate yourself for being brave enough to take a risk in love, and encourage your heart that there's always the capacity for greater love. Time doesn't stop, so instead of focusing on the past, live in the present, and dream about the future.

Relationships are like glass. Sometimes it's better left broken than hurting yourself putting the pieces back together...

Love can sometimes be magic. But magic can sometimes... just be an illusion.