My fabulous female friends, if you’re anything like me, even just the thought of love makes you a weak, sappy, and irrational version of your normal self. It is one of those wonderful tragedies in life – something that can make you so happy one moment and then completely crushed the next.
Plain and simple, breakups suck. But, there is a light at the end of this seemingly dark tunnel, and with a little humor and some smart advice, we here at HerCampus wanted to bring you the top dos and don’ts of a college breakup:
1. DO turn off that catchy, but seriously depressing, Taylor Swift playlist. Yes, the girl somehow captures your emotions so well you start thinking that she may just be writing songs based on your life, but let’s face it, she isn’t. Tay has had her share of heartbreaks, but no matter how many times you belt out the lyrics to “White Horse,” your “prince” is most likely never coming back.
2. DON’T pretend that you are okay before you truly are. Good friends see right passed that forced smile. Plus, breakups are your get-out-of-jail-free-card to be an emotional, pajama-wearing, junk food eating, wreck, so take full advantage of that and let yourself be sad.
3. However, DON’T do the whole ice cream thing. The best revenge is looking good, so take all this new-found free time and hit the gym. When you look good, you feel good, and when you accidentally run in to him knowing you look great, you’ll feel even better.
4. DO appreciate what you both have shared. It wasn’t all bad, or else you would not have stayed in a relationship with this person. Reminisce on the places you went, the laughs you shared, and the experiences you had together. The happy times most often outweigh the bad times, so focus your energy on being grateful for those memories.
5. DON’T obsess. If it makes it easier, you may just have to disconnect yourself from him in the social media world. When you’re this vulnerable, every tweet, status, and Instagram is going to seem like it somehow was directed at you, but guess what? It probably wasn’t. The less you see him, whether it is in person or in a picture, the easier it will be.
6. DO be hopeful. Don’t be cynical. Never say never. No one knows what the future may hold. You may realize that you’re meant for each other, you may realize that you’re not, and you may, and will, find love again.