Breakups suck. Even if you were the one who cut ties, it doesn’t make it easier to get over it. So instead of moping around and feeling sorry for yourself, start working on getting over the heartbreak. Spoiler alert: Binge-watching rom-coms won’t help. Shocking, I know.
Here are our best tips on how to get over a breakup:
Get Rid of Everything that Reminds You of Them
Reasonably speaking, of course. Did they buy you a puppy? Keep it and it’ll love you more than your ex ever did. Leave you their old sweatshirt? Donate it. All other miscellaneous things? Invite your friends over and throw a “Burn Your Ex’s Shit” party outside. Trust us—they’re some of the best parties we’ve ever been to.
Stop Trying to Make Them Jealous
Sure, posting your selfies on Instagram is definitely encouraged. However, don’t do it to spite your ex. Do it because YOU want to. If you do keep doing things to make them jealous, you’ll practically be revolving your entire life around them before you even realize it. And you’re broken up…remember?
Delete Them Off Social Media
No, it’s not petty. It just saves you from reliving the heartache, especially when they start posting pictures with someone else. Plus, you probably won’t find yourself checking up on them so much. If deleting them isn’t quite your style, muting them is another viable option. Save yourself the stomach drop and just do it now. And once you do delete or mute them, there’s no looking back.
Stop Asking People About Them
Instead of asking your mutual friends how your ex is doing, focus on yourself. Remember when you told yourself you’d join the gym? Always spent more time with your significant other than your friends? Want a new pet? All of the above? Perfect. What your ex is doing doesn’t affect anything that you are, so stop trying to find out.
Watch Legally Blonde
Seriously, tho. Legally Blonde is the epitome of a movie about independence. You don’t need no (wo)man, but if you end up with one along the way of becoming your own damn self, that works, too.
Don’t Try to Be Friends Right Away
If you were the one who was broken up with, being friends seems like a great idea, but it’s probably because you feel like you’ll get to keep them close in hopes of eventually getting back together. Yikes. The same goes vice-versa. This will always, always end tragically, trust us. If your relationship was ever destined for friendship, it won’t happen right away.
Don’t Just Replace Them
We already know what you’re thinking, and no, the way to get over someone is not by getting under someone else. If you do start dating too soon, your standards will be extremely low since you’re looking for validation from literally anyone. Including one of your exes. And for the love of God, please do not go back to another ex. Just enjoy your time alone.
Go Out More
Don’t say “no” to social invitations. We know it sounds like a lot now, but do you have any idea how much better you’ll feel when you’re out with your friends instead of sitting at home by yourself? It’ll keep your mind off of your heartache, and you’ll probably be doing a lot of new and exciting things. It’s a win-win.
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
When it comes down to it, it’s absolutely normal to not feel like yourself for a little while. Cry a lot. Eat some ice cream. Alone time is still key, just don’t spend all of your time alone. And if it comes down to it, seek professional help if you really don’t feel like you can get through it on your own. There’s nothing wrong with needing some help to feel like yourself again. Everyone handles heartbreak differently, and it’s perfectly okay to not be okay.
It may seem like you’ll never be able to get over your ex, but we promise it’ll get easier. If you follow our tips on how to get over a breakup, pretty soon you’ll be wondering why the hell you even dated them for so long in the first place. There’s a reason why this one didn’t work out, and there’s already someone better waiting for you. But, we promise, they’ll never find you if you’re just sitting home on the couch. We’ve already tried that.
