Ah, sweet summertime. Tis' the season for pool days, baseball games, road trips, and countless memories. Unfortunately for you, summer is also break-up season. There are scientific reasons increase break ups increase during the summer, but we're going to focus on the aftermath: how to get through it.
Once the break up has occurred you are only allotted a certain amount of time by friends and family to cry and bury your face in a carton of Ben and Jerry's (the loyal men in your life) before you are expected to act like a normal human. Once the sand in the hour glass has run out you are expected to put on a smile, waltz out into the sunshine, and forget the pit in your stomach that accompanies a split from your significant other.
So for all of those readers out there currently going through a summertime break-up, I have composed a day-by-day list that will hopefully help you get over your ex and return to being a functioning member of society in approximately 10 days but first: throw out the Ben and Jerry's.
Day 1: Write yourself a letter. Write yourself a letter describing all of your goals and ambitions. Write about how you feel about the break up and give your future self advice in moments of weakness. This letter will serve as a form of strength when your ex tries to creep back into your life or when you are simply having a bad day. While the ink's drying on the letter to yourself, write a letter to your ex. If it was a bad break up, vent about everything they did that bothers you and tell them all of your negative feelings toward them. Do not give them the letter, but instead place both letters in a safe place to refer to when times are tough.
Day 2: Sign up for a month of yoga or whatever you've been wanting to try. There is nothing better than releasing all of your negative energy toward your ex that a great gym session and the endorphins will leave you feeling 10 times better. In fact, go ahead and sign up for a month of classes you've never tried before like yoga or pure barre. You'll soon realize the endless possibility of activities you can fit into your day when the hours are not devoted to your previously significant other. The increase in activities will help keep your mind off of the recent break up, and by the end of the month you'll be feeling so great about yourself that +you won't even think twice about what's his face.
Day 3: Rearrange/redecorate your room. Chances are, your room has been constantly reminding you of your ex. Sooner or later you are going to have to stop leaving tear stains on your best friends pillow and sleep in your own room. While time does heal all wounds, it has been proven that changing up your space can eliminate the recollection of memories. Switching up your room not only distracts your mind by giving you task after task but the result will be a memory free space. Chances are, due to sympathy, the money flow from your parents is higher than normal during this time. Why not go buy some new room decor with your recent bank account increase?
Day 4: Pop some tags. When you're done shopping for new decorations for your room, recruit a friend for a shopping day because retail therapy is real. New clothes can make anyone feel better about themselves and can boost confidence in the blink of an eye. Make sure to put your favorite new outfit to good use with a girls night out for dinner and drinks. Just make sure you don't drink too much or you'll end up venting and crying more than Britt on the Bachelorette.
Day 5: Have a girls day followed by a girls night in. Go get your nails done or simply lay out by the pool with your friends but make sure you discuss everything besides your ex. The first few days were for venting, but the time has come to focus only on yourself and your future. Have your friends over for dinner and spend time mastering a Pinterest recipe you've been wanting to try but was "too girly" for your ex. Dinner followed by wine night and a movie marathon is the perfect cure.
Day 6: Go on an adventure. Get outdoors and do something adventurous. Go hiking or biking or take a trip to the beach with your friends. If you're feeling extra adventurous, the perfect time has come to go sky diving, bungee jumping, scuba diving, or something you've been too scared to try. The lingering pit in your stomach will be replaced by fear and exhilaration and you are guaranteed to have one of the most memorable days of your life.
Day 7: Realize that you have made it through week one and give yourself some credit. The time has come to make a few lists. Make a list of all the characteristics you have to offer. Also make a list of how your life has improved post-break-up—list all of the new things you now get to do, the friendships you get to grow, and the endless future opportunities. Finally, make a list of goals for the new you, which include doing things for your own happiness and the happiness of your support system.
Day 8: Do something the old you would have done. Chances are when you started dating your ex, you gave up a hobby or two. Maybe you used to spend a whole day reading a book outside or binge watching girly shows on Netflix or painting in your room for hours. Whatever it is, bring it back. Spend the day enveloped in your lost hobby while realizing that your new found free time is credited to your recent break up. Gone are the days of playing video games and watching action movies. Nowadays, it is all about you, my friend.
Day 9: Become a master of the grill and your car. Mastering these tasks previously reserved for your ex will make you feel accomplished and independent. Recruit one of your guy friends to spend the day teaching you the ins and outs of these jobs. The best part about guy friends is that they hate talking about relationships so it is almost guaranteed they will not ask about your recent break-up.
Day 10: Give yourself one last cry session. Put on The Notebook, or Teardrops on My Guitar and have one last cry session. The only catch is that you have to promise yourself that this is going to be the last time you will ever allow yourself to be upset over your break-up. From this point on, you won't look back, you won't feel sorry for yourself, and you will have "no ragrets". Post-cry session, you will step out into the world as someone who now gets to focus her full attention on herself. Isn't that just awesome?
