How to Survive a Breakup

Instructions Step 1: Choose private or public Decide how many people in your social network you want to hear about your change in relationship status. It may be easier to get over a breakup by eliciting sympathy with a public announcement or by simply laying low. Once you’ve decided, adjust your privacy settings, and switch …

Instructions Step 1: Be fair, and share music Be fair. Agree to make duplicate copies of CDs to avoid debates. Divide furniture, utensils, and dishes equitably or by deciding who needs each item more when they move. Step 2: Make identical lists Make two identical lists of property to be split. Don’t include pets, children, …

Instructions Step 1: Start immediately Start your life anew immediately after a breakup with a girlfriend, whether the reason for the breakup was that you were being cheated on, growing apart, or she moved out of the country. The reason doesn’t matter and begging to save the relationship won’t work. Step 2: Seek friends Seek …

Instructions Step 1: Wallow Let yourself wallow for a while. Listen to sad songs and cry if you feel like it. Feeling the pain will help you let it go faster. Step 2: Remember why you broke up Remember what caused your breakup and reflect on your relationship. As time passes, you may only think …

Instructions Step 1: Discuss the issue Discuss with your ex if things were left up in the air about what went wrong. Pay attention to using good communication. If the conversation goes poorly, old wounds won’t heal, and you should move on. Step 2: Examine loneliness Examine whether the impulse to reconsider comes from your …

Instructions Step 1: Review the breakup Review the reasons you broke up to assess if you should truly attempt to reunite with your ex. If they were abusive, don’t even think about it. If cheating was involved, make sure you’re truly over it. Remind yourself of their faults and don’t look back too fondly. TIP: …

Instructions Step 1: Recognize and accept change Recognize that the situation has changed and accept it. TIP: Write a letter to the other person in the relationship. Say everything you want to, whether you mean it or not, and then tear up the letter and throw it away or burn it. Step 2: Consider how …

Instructions Step 1: Find a distraction Explore activities that distract you from thinking about your ex. Ask for new responsibilities at work, take up a hobby, read the classics — anything that pulls your attention away from staring at the phone. TIP: You can choose an activity your ex would hate to make the time …

Instructions Step 1: Be honest End things as soon as you realize it’s over for you. Don’t let your partner go on thinking everything is fine just because you don’t have to face them any time soon. Step 2: Consider the relationship’s length Consider the length of the relationship. If it’s been less than a …

Instructions Step 1: Look for contempt Be on your guard if your lover suddenly seems annoyed by everything you say and do — especially if there’s nothing unusual going on in their life that would explain their irritability. Step 2: Ask them to make plans Try to make long-term plans with them. If they won’t …

Instructions Step 1: Don’t hide Don’t hide or try to slip away unnoticed. It’s not worth how silly you’ll look if you’re caught. Step 2: Make the first move Be the first one to say hello. It will make you look strong and confident if you were dumped, and blameless if you behaved badly. Either …

Instructions Step 1: Let out your emotions Let out your emotions. Cry, scream, yell, and cry again. Step 2: Take time to heal Take time to heal after a breakup. Accept that it is over and focus on your needs. TIP: Pamper yourself with some time off from work. Get a massage or a new …

Instructions Step 1: Admit you were wrong Admit what you did was wrong, even of you don’t think you were. Acknowledge that you hurt her, and then apologize. Step 2: Get help Do not repeat the actions that caused her to break up with you. If you need professional help, get it. Step 3: Let …

Instructions Step 1: Stop all contact Stop all contact with your ex. Do not write, call, e-mail, or text your ex, and avoid spending time where your ex does. Step 2: Accept the breakup Accept that the relationship is over and start looking for someone new. TIP: Nothing gets you over the last one like …

Instructions Step 1: Practice Practice what you are going to say to your partner to end the relationship. Be direct and honest. Step 2: Break up in person Break up with someone in person, or over the phone if meeting in person isn’t possible. Do not use e-mail, a text message, social networking sites, or …

Instructions Step 1: Maintain professionalism Maintain a professional demeanor around your former partner. Be polite and courteous, but restrict conversation to business as much as possible. Step 2: Communicate In the event your ex brings up a personal matter, take them aside, away from the eyes and ears of co-workers, and explain that it’s in …

Instructions Step 1: Assess your relationship honestly. Is your unhappiness due to external stress, or issues with your partner? If it’s the latter, consider a temporary split. TIP: Don’t make a rash decision; suggesting a break to your partner may cause hurt feelings, confusion, and anger. Step 2: When you’ve decided, discuss it with your …

Instructions Step 1: Listen to soft, healing music, such as classical or new age. The healing effect is powerful. Step 2: Take long, reflective hikes or walks. You’ll find them soothing and they’ll help you think things through. Step 3: Write your feelings down every day in a personal journal. Step 4: Talk about your …

Instructions Step 1: Give it time Give it time. Right after the breakup, agree not to see each other for a while. No matter how amicable your split was, breakups are always painful. Allow time for wounds to heal before approaching the subject of friendship. Step 2: Make a clean break Resist the temptation to …

Instructions Step 1: Leave an abuser If you are being physically abused, break it off immediately: It is definitely time to get out. Step 2: Don’t tolerate emotional abuse, either Don’t tolerate emotional abuse, either. If your partner spends much of their time belittling you, it is not a healthy relationship. Step 3: Evaluate your …

Instructions : Stalking is a serious offense that is punishable by jail time. Step 1: Contact their friends or family If you’ve still got connections to your flame’s friends or family, drop a respectful letter or make a polite phone call. You never know — they may just be willing to help you out. Step …