Everyone experiences breakups differently, but the Kubler-Ross model, commonly known as the "five stages of grief," is a tried and true model that most people who have experienced any kind of sadness can identify with. It proposes five emotional stages that people experience in situations of grief: Denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Personally, in post-breakup situations, the best way I have learned to cope with these varying stages in through the magic of a Taylor Swift song. Swift has a song for every emotion you have ever felt, but these five songs are the perfect ones to listen to in each stage of your broken-hearted grief.
1. Denial: "You Belong With Me"
When you are unable or unwilling to admit that the relationship is really over, this song will help convince you that you and your ex are meant to be and will be together again soon. Whether or not this is a healthy way of coping with the situation (it is not), sometimes you just need to convince yourself that the universe has your back and that this was just some cosmic mistake in your perfect love story. "What you're looking for has been here the whole time."
2. Anger: "I Knew You Were Trouble"
When reality sets in, belting this song will help release some of that anger you will inevitably feel towards your ex and yourself. This song is a perfect mix of the anger you feel towards your ex for ending things and the anger you feel towards yourself for not seeing it coming. "Flew me to places I'd never been/'Til you put me down."
3. Bargaining: "Change"
Once the anger has been released, you may feel like you are willing to do anything to get the other person back, including changing your behaviors or the terms of the relationship. This song can be your way of privately pleading to the other person that you can make things work, without actually having to do that to their face. “And I’ll do anything to see it through/Because these things will change.”
4. Depression: "Forever and Always (Piano Version)"
Unfortunately, the sadness is bound to hit you like a ton of bricks. This song, which is an acoustic version of the original song that is only available on the "Fearless Platinum Edition," is the perfect song to curl up in a ball and cry to. It is the perfect mixture of anger, confusion, sadness, nostalgia and everything you are feeling wrapped up in a perfect little song. "And then you feel so low you can't feel nothing at all."
5. Acceptance: "The Story of Us"
Eventually, you will accept that the relationship is over, and understand that you are going to be OK. It can be a long road to reach this point, but when you do, you can look back on the relationship and learn and grow from it. This song covers the breakup process from start to finish, with a perfect ending of acceptance that the relationship is truly finished. "And the story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now, the end."
