Suddenly found yourself flying solo again? A breakup is rarely easy but there are a few steps that can help you back on the proverbial horse.
One of the many scars left by the global Covid-19 pandemic is the relationships that fell apart under the pressure of lockdowns, financial insecurity, border closures and myriad other external forces. Divorce rates have soared around the world due to the close proximity and stressful situations couples suddenly find themselves in, and the prediction is the trend hasn’t even peaked yet.
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Unless you’re just a guy who randomly reads up on how to handle breakups, the fact that you’re on this page means you’re probably going through a pretty tough time right now, and for that we’re sorry. A breakup is always hard, and like a Wednesday afternoon corporate webinar on synergy, getting through it is a difficult task.
The good thing is, you’re not alone. We’re here to give you a reassuring fist bump with our best tips on how to come out the other side of a breakup feeling great and loving life!
Block Your Ex
This is something that you just have to do, even if you’re trying to be friends. The fact is, you guys shared a huge chunk of your lives together. No matter what happened in the end, those fuzzy feelings won’t go away overnight.
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Blocking your ex will help you get over her (or him) by simply cutting the cord, and going cold turkey. A bonus is that blocking her can save you from sending her DMs once you’re a couple of tequila shots too deep (and there are apps that help you avoid inebriated mistakes like that)
Take It Easy on the Sauce
Speaking of too many shots, take it easy on the sauce. Much like reading the news or Big Mac meals, consuming tons of alcohol isn’t good for you. While it may seem natural to turn to hooch on especially crummy nights, it’s only a temporary reprieve.
Alcohol is a depressant, and drinking too much of it to cope is a net negative. Don’t get us wrong, we of all people love a well-timed drink, but it’s important to try to make sure it’s for good times and better company.
Catch up on Things
One thing you’re likely to notice after a breakup is that you suddenly have a lot of time. With that extra time, why not do something you’ve always wanted? Hit the gym, read a book, get into crypto – the possibilities are endless.
Staying busy with activities will keep you out of a rut. It’ll help you see the bright side; to see being single as an opportunity to have new experiences and get on top of life.
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Connect With Your Mates
Serious breakups are hard for everyone, even for the coolest of the cool among us. Fortunately, there’s no need to go through it alone. Talking about your feelings with a trusted mate can help far more than the drunkest of nights or biggest of ice cream tubs (the ladies were right on this one though, ice cream does help).
Opening up to others will help you see that you’re not alone, that people still care about you, and that you’re a great bud to hang with. You may even pick up a few moving on pointers based on their experiences.
Put Yourself Out There
When you’re ready, one of the best ways to move on is to put yourself out there. Going on dates with new people, while sometimes nerve-wracking, is a thrilling experience that you didn’t even know you missed.
Have a good time and accept that whatever happens, happens. Who knows, you may even find a rebound you particularly enjoy being around. There’s nothing wrong with that, as long as you aren’t leading anyone on and you’re both in agreement!
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Don’t Bin Your Values
That being said, you need to make sure that you don’t go overboard and act too far out of character. Putting yourself out there, trying new things, and dating around is all well and good, just make sure that the person you’re putting out is actually yourself.
At the end of the day, as cheesy as it is, you need to stay true to who you are. If you consistently act out of character and ignore your values, not only will you concern your friends, you may wake up one day and wonder what happened to your old self.
Accept That It Can Suck
Going through a breakup is hard stuff, and somedays you just have to accept that you feel bad. We don’t mean that you should allow yourself to mope around the apartment for weeks on end, but you don’t need to pressure yourself into feeling better right away.
If you need to cry, then cry. If you need to spend the day home alone, then do it. However, it’s important to process your feelings. Why do you feel that way? Do you have a right to feel that way? Understanding your emotions is crucial to moving on.
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Realize How Awesome It Is
Perhaps the best way to handle a breakup is to take a step back and realize just how great of an opportunity it is. No matter how easygoing your ex may have been, the level of freedom you have when you’re single is incomparable.
You want to play Fifa until 3 am? Why not! Rewatch The Lord of the Rings trilogy? No one’s forcing K-dramas on you anymore. The world’s your oyster and nobody’s looking over your shoulder, so go out there and do whatever the hell you want!
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