You may be seeing this headline and asking yourself how in the world getting your heart broken can be a good thing. Well, at first it isn't because it's a fresh wound that cuts deep and you focus on the bad. Having had years to reflect and get over heartbreak, I have realized that more good things came out of it than bad. There is no choice but to thank the people who hurt you, because in the end it will make you the best version of yourself and here's why:

1. It makes you stronger

You have endured great pain going through this hardship and it will inevitably change you forever. You come out feeling worthless, but you come to realize that this was the best thing to ever happen to you. Nothing hurts you as bad anymore, and thinking about how strong you had to be in order to get over the boy who you thought was the 'love of your life' is empowering.

2. Your standards rise tremendously

You better believe the next boy who you let into your heart will be above and beyond the boy who hurt you. You know everything you do and don't want in your next relationship, and you will make sure your heart doesn't get broken twice.

3. You will become the best advice giver

Your friends or loved ones will go through their own heartbreak at some point, and that is when you can happily hold their hand and tell them that it gets better. You will be the best advice giver through their time of pain, and they can turn to you knowing that you made it out alive. Being able to be there for them and help them through it is a reward in itself.

4. You learn who your true friends are

Who was there for you and who checked in on you through this difficult time? You learn that your true friends were there to not sugar coat anything, tell you that you are better off, and that they didn't like him anyway. True friends will confiscate your phone so you don't text him, and yell at you when you say that you miss him. They are there to be strong for you in your moment of weakness, and remind you every day that you don't need a boy when you have them.

5. You realize your self-worth

You realize that you deserve so much more than what that boy put you through. No one should be able to dull your sparkle and determine what you're worth. It is now that you truly understand that you are a strong, independent woman who don't need no man!!

6. You find peace within yourself

You find your true self when given the opportunity to spend some time enjoying your own company instead of relying on someone else for your happiness. Spending time with yourself is a vital part of life because you figure out that you are beautiful from the inside out.

7. You have the ability to take full control of your life

Take that trip you always wanted to take, talk to that person they didn't like, go see that movie he hated, go out with your friends on the town with no cares in the world. If he was controlling or held you back from doing things that you wanted to do, go do them. This is your time to make decisions for yourself. There is no one holding you back, you are a free bird.

8. You become a happier person

It may not seem like it now, but you will end up being happier than ever before. There will be a day when you wake up and cannot believe that you were ever with him. When that day comes, you will start to realize these eight things. There will always be a slight ache in your heart from this experience, but it is to remind you that you are better for it. The sun will shine a little brighter every day and you will soon realize that you don't need anyone else in order to be happy.