As a recently single human, I have learned a plethora of things. Breakups are definitely not all bad – in fact, I am having a great time enjoying some freedom and learning more about myself and the world. Here are some of those things I learned:

1. Doing things alone is actually not terrible.
2. Being the mature one tends to work out in your favor; react appropriately to running into each other, difficult conversations, and whatever else may come your way.
3. Southern accents are seriously underrated, and seriously attractive. (Shout out to my new Louisiana friends!)
4. No one else should ever dictate who you spend your time with.
5. It’s okay to drink. A lot sometimes.
6. Animals bring hella comfort when necessary, find friends with cute dogs.
7. Let’s at least try to remain friendly with each other’s friends. My friends like you, your friends like me. No sides.
8. Now is the time to do all those crazy things you always wanted to do!
9. And time to explore those “what-if” boys you always wondered about.
10. Don’t give in to doing things you don’t want to do simply for the sake of another person.
11. People who make you question yourself are not worth your time.
12. Do not say yes to dates with awkward boys just for the hell of it. Not even free food is worth that amount of awkward.
13. Saying hi is nice and polite.
14. I sing (badly) when I’m happy. I used to belt out whatever song popped into my head as I walked around work, studied, or rode in the car. I noticed that had stopped for quite a few months – well it’s back now. Sorry, roomies.
15. Spontaneous retail therapy is completely acceptable.
16. So are spontaneous concerts and road trips with friends.
17. Throw yourself into your work. First as a distraction, then to exceed. The library got to know me pretty well during the first few weeks, and the near 4.0 pays off nicely.
18. Friend dates are a lot more fun, especially when it comes to formal events.
19. It’s not worth it to spend your time upset. Get over it. Be happy. Hope that they do so as well.
20. Pretending to understand another person’s favorite shows and movies is exhausting. Don’t do it.
21. Find friends who will let you sit on their couch crying and eating all their food after a rough day.
22. Also find friends who will take you out for spontaneous cheer-up ice cream.
23. BE HAPPY FOR THE OTHER PERSON! They got into their program? Cool! You see them walking around with a huge grin on their face? Good for them! There is no reason to wish unhappiness on another human.
24. It’s okay to still admit that your ex has some good qualities. No matter what happened, they are most likely not 100% evil.
25. Manicures and beer usually fix the problem.
26. So does wine. Wine and desserts.
27. Change is not bad. New people are not bad.

No way in hell am I an expert on everything. I honestly don’t know **** about relationships, which is probably why mine didn’t work. Since then I’ve gotten way too attached to some guys, ignored some pretty great ones (including Ralph Engelstad’s grandson, still a little angry about that one), and made far too many comparisons. But hey, that stuff happens, and overall I have HAD FUN. Maybe too much. Now that’s something I can be an expert on.