Well, now you’re single. You’ve been so used to being in a relationship for such a long time, and now it’s time for you to take care of yourself. You’ve spent so much time taking care of your ex, that you forgot to take care of yourself first. It may seem weird to you, to put yourself above others now, and it may seem weird to be single again, but whether it’s for the best or not, it’s the perfect opportunity to find yourself. Now you can finally have fun with your friends without feeling guilty for ditching your ex. When you hangout with friends, now you can gossip with them about who's cute and who's not. When you were in a relationship, everyone labeled you as “that girl who was always with their boyfriend”, now you can broaden your horizons and find other things to keep you entertained.

It’s summer 2016 now and you’ve got a good 4 months before school starts again, you have plenty of time to find some new hobbies, go on some dates, hangout with your friends, make bad decisions, and then learn from them! It’s time to focus on you and your happiness, rather than someone else’s. Although you still may be in pain from the breakup, channel that energy into something good for you. Even though this breakup may seem like the end of the world to you now, you’re just one heartbreak closer to happily ever after. That someone special is out there for you, and now you have time to let that someone special find you. Don’t rush into a new relationship, give yourself some time to process your feelings and emotions before hopping back into what could be a very bad decision on your part. Give yourself the proper amount of time to heal.

Don’t be afraid to have fun now. Hang out with some potential suiters, flirt and have a good time, but don’t throw yourself at someone to fill the void from your breakup, and for the girl who’s more reserved, don’t be afraid of talking to new people, it could keep your mind off of things. Do something you were afraid to do when you were dating your ex, wear an outfit they didn’t like, go to a party, have a drink, style your hair different, experiment with makeup, now that you’re single, the possibilities are endless! Venture out and explore all of the opportunities around you, you’re sure to find something that you would be interested in.

But, most importantly, stay strong. A heartbreak is tough for anyone, especially if it was a serious committed relationship, but don’t let yourself fall into a “woe is me” mindset. Of course it’s healthy to cry and be sad for a little while, but after a while you need to toughen up, plaster a smile on your face, and go out and conquer the day. Show them that you can be happy without them, that your whole world and happiness doesn’t rely on them anymore, like it once did. Make them regret breaking up with you. Surround yourself with great friends, family, and forget about love. When you stop looking for love, it’ll come to you!

Stay strong, and enjoy the single life!