Maybe you knew it was coming. Maybe you didn't.
You’ve
been dumped.
So, other than moping around
in your pajamas, spending quality time with Ben & Jerry,
what can you do? Well, clear away that mountain of soggy tissues, and I’ll
tell you how to get through the worst of it, the first 30 days.
Three things:
Take care of yourself.
Give yourself time to mourn.
Move forward.
The first 48 hours.
The first 48 hours are
the toughest. Give yourself at least one full weekend to cry your eyes out,
eat junk food and lie around on your couch in a broken-heart
coma watching sappy movies or a kung-fu marathon. Try to throw a few comedies
into the mix if you can, laughter is good for you. If you want to be alone
now, be alone. If you want to be with friends, by all means, invite them to
console you. Whatever you do, don’t call your ex. Don’t e-mail
your ex. Don’t see your ex. Turn your answering machine on and screen
your calls. I’m not saying you should never talk to your ex again, but
give yourself at least a month or so to build up your ego again. If you think
you might be tempted, by all means, invite a friend over to run defense and
keep you away from the phone. Next, force yourself to think of the relationship
as over. I know that’s tough right now, but it truly is necessary. Grieve
for what it was, and consider it dead and gone.
The first week.
After your first 48 hours,
it is important to get off the couch and take a shower. Not just for hygiene
reasons, (but trust me, by this time you’ll
really need it) but because it’s now time to start taking action. Take
down all photos that include your ex. If you need to have a ceremonial snapshot
torching, by all means, go ahead. Put all reminders of your ex (letters, gifts,
photos, etc.) in a box and stuff it way in the back of your closet, or better
yet, your garage - someplace you won’t see it on a regular basis. If
you feel yourself starting to idealize your ex, and feel the desire to call
him or her, sit down immediately and make a list of all the things about your
ex that really annoyed you - the more humorous, the better. Think hard; I know
there’s something...
• The way he gave
the exact same 22-minute response to every single person who asked how his
job was going for three solid years.
• The psycho-squirrel
noises she made when she laughed.
• The cheap, ugly,
green, plastic phone he gave you for Christmas.
• The way she tried
to hold in her sneezes, producing that imploding, snorty noise instead....
Whatever you do,
don’t call your ex. Start returning to your normal
life. Take an extra 20 minutes with your appearance this week. Sure, you may
not feel like getting dressed at all, but trust me, if you look good, you’ll
feel even better. Wear something that makes you feel stunning or confident.
Nothing smoothes the ragged edges of a recent break-up like a few well-timed
compliments. If your weekend on the couch still shows in your face, put some
tea bags on your eyelids.
Make plans with
friends for every Friday and Saturday night for the next month, and stick
to them. Get out and go dancing. It may be
the last thing you feel
like doing, but you’ll find it’s a fantastic release. The music
and physical activity will make you feel tons better. Speaking of which, exercise
four times this week. Yeah, I know you won’t feel like it, but do it
anyway. You need those happy endorphins that exercise brings. Do a little bonding
with your pals. Go to a basketball game, or even bowling. Just get out of the
house. One last thing for this week, schedule a massage. You need it!
The second week.
Whatever you do, don’t call your ex. Make a detailed list of all your
good qualities. Remember, you’re a unique, wonderful, person, and someone
(probably several someone’s) will fall madly in love with you, and you
with them. Keep your plans with friends every weekend, and by all means, do
something physical, or humorous, like going to a comedy club. Work out (three
times this week, and for the rest of the break-up survival period), go rock
climbing, or dance like the Backstreet Boys in your living room (nobody will
see you.) Get your heart rate going. Aside from making your body look good,
you’ll boost your mood as well. This week is all about pampering yourself.
Get a pedicure, or sit in the sauna. You’ve been through a lot, and you
deserve it. Spend some of your newfound time (and probably extra cash, too)
on something just for you. Guys, you may be feeling the need for some type
of electronic device you’ve been putting off. Now is the time. Girls,
all I can say is, SHOE SHOPPING! Treat yourself to a little something nice
this week, and every week for the rest of the month.
The last two weeks.
Whatever you do,
don’t call your ex. You’re halfway through the
black period, and the worst is over. This is when you’ll start easing
back into your pre-girl/pre-guy routine. Be a little selfish with your time,
and do exactly what you want to do. You should be focusing on taking care of
yourself right now. Now is also the time to start making long-range plans.
Make two plans: One plan for a vacation (even if it’s three years away,)
and one plan for your life. You have a clean slate, what do you want to do?
Go back to school? Become a rock star? Learn how to make fishing traps? No
one is holding you back now. Write down your goals, and the steps you’ll
need to take to reach them.
Holy Moly! Before
you know it, the entire month has gone by. You’re
through the thick of it now, and on the road to recovery. Sure, you’ll
hit some bumps along the way, but you’ll live through this. You’ve
made it this far, and you’ll be a stronger, wiser person because of it.
Someday, you’ll meet someone who will love and appreciate you for the
amazing person you are. And this break-up, which is so awful now, will just
be one forgotten U- turn on your path to true love.
