How to Get Past a Break Up

Dating can be a lot of fun. You get butterflies in your stomach when you think about him or her. You look forward to the text messages and phone calls. You spend a lot of time together, laughing and talking about whatever comes to mind.
But then, when it ends, it can be pretty upsetting. And even if you are not too upset about the end of the relationship, it can take time to move on and get over that person. So here are some tips for moving past a failed relationship.

1. Take some time for yourself. Being in a relationship is about being part of a two-some. So when it ends, you are by yourself. This can be sort of lonely. Or you can turn it into a good thing. Go for a long walk or drive to your favorite spot across town. Blare your favorite music, read your favorite book, or do anything that brings you pleasure by yourself. Being alone isn’t a bad thing. It gives you time to explore your own interests and develop yourself as an individual.
2. Do not feel pressured to conform to society’s standards. A lot of teen movies make it seem like you need to find someone new as soon as you end a relationship. And if you want to, there’s nothing wrong with this. Going out with friends and flirting with that cutie in the corner does wonders to boost your self-esteem. But if you don’t want to move on just yet, don’t feel pressured to do so. Nobody knows when you are ready to move on except you.
3. Don’t dwell on what went wrong. A hard lesson everyone needs to learn is that what happened in the past is in the past. You can’t live your life looking back and analyzing what went wrong. It will only make you sad and impair your ability to move on with your life.
4. Spend time with family and friends. Your friends and family will always be there for you. Make it a point to spend more time with them now. Go see a movie with your best friend or go shopping with mom. Go out to eat with dad or start a book discussion group with several friends. This will keep you from feeling lonely and will help build your other relationships.
5. Try something new. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to throw pots, this is the perfect time to learn. You aren’t tied down to spending lots of time with your significant other and have time to do whatever you want. Trying something new will also give you the opportunity to meet new people and build new relationships. You can sign up for a fun elective class at your local community college.
Moving on can be hard. If you are not ready to cut your ex out of your life, check out our tips for staying friends with an ex.