Here, I’ll give you step-by-step instructions so you can have a successful emotional breakdown. And, take it from me, I have them so often I should be considered an expert by now.

1. Keep it together, or at least try.

You’re going to try to hold it together until you’re no longer in public. You probably look like you’re on the verge of tears. Just avoid talking to anyone you know because the first thing they’ll ask is “Is something wrong?” and that will most likely make you cry in public.

2. Try to handle it yourself.

In other words, you tell yourself you can fix it without mom's help. Take a nap or watch Netflix. If this isn’t helping just skip down to the third step. Sometimes my favorite Netflix shows just don’t help me escape my reality.

3. Cry it out.

Let it out, girl. Cry your heart out. When you do, I highly suggest crying in the shower because first, you’ll smell good and second you’ll come out looking more refreshed than ever. I don't know what it is, but you’ll look like you just got ten years of sleep. Maybe it’s the steam?

4. Repeat step two.

Now that you, for the most part, have cleared your mind, sit down and start some of your homework. You’ll get some done, thinking that your crisis has passed, but then you’ll get that terrible feeling in the pit of your stomach again.

5. Think about your dog.

Thinking about your dog in any crisis always eases anxiety, even if it’s just some of it. I usually think “why can’t I just be my dog?”, I mean they have no responsibility, nothing to stress about, and everyone still loves them. Like how great does that sound? I know I’m not the only one to think this, but probably the first to say it out loud.

6. Call mom.

Let’s be real, you need to call your mom no matter how much convincing you tried to do. You need to tell her that you’re having your midlife crisis a little early, or that your life is over. And, you need her to laugh at you and to tell you how dramatic you’re being and then she’ll give you ideas as to how you can fix your problem.

7. Celebrate!

Now that your mom has reassured you everything is going to be fine, you’ll feel over the moon that your life isn’t actually over! Now you can relax and actually enjoy watching Netflix.

8. Laugh it off.

Laugh about how overdramatic you were being. Admit it, you were acting a bit ridiculous over losing your “lucky” pen that “helped” you ace your exams. You’ll think “Did I really just cry for an hour over a pen?!”.

9. Prepare yourself for the next round.

You didn’t think this was just going to happen every once in a while, right? It’ll happen again in like three days. Good luck!