So, obviously there isn't an easy way to get through a break-up. Five months later, and it's still a little difficult to open up about my own break-up.

Numerous people came to me shortly after my own relationship ended and asked me, "How the heck do you deal with this? It's so hard" or similar questions. And I always answered their question in a similar way. There's not one right way to get over someone or to move on. Yes, there are definitely wrong ways, but not one specific way to stop you from hurting faster. Personally, I spent so much time looking for this specific way or strategy to get over my ex-boyfriend. It felt like it was never ending and it was definitely hard. For me, though, the main factor was time.

The other factors were little things that made me stronger that I'd like to share.

1. DON'T LISTEN TO SAD MUSIC

This one is huge and I'm sure you've heard it a million times, but music basically determines my mood. If I listen to sad music and I'm having the greatest day, I will probably become a little sad shortly after. Sad music is beautiful sometimes, but after a breakup it's just not healthy.

2. Take Advantage of This Time to Work on Yourself

This is huge. If you can't be happy by yourself, how can you make someone else happy? Take this time to figure out what you like and dislike by yourself without another person influencing these decisions or opinions. My sister and I made lists of all of the things we want to accomplish and we've both checked off SO many things from this list since then! Start trying new things like weekend road trips to new places or start doing things alone every once in a while like going to the Coffee Bar and reading a good book for a couple hours a week. Start working out on a regular basis. Watch fitness YouTube videos to teach you new exercises (I personally like Whitney Simmons). If you can't flee the country to become an Au Pair in Italy (like I did) then do little things that are new. Take a foreign language course. Start crafting or blogging! Even cooking fun recipes off of Pinterest is fun some nights! Make new friends that aren't connected to your ex in addition to your friend group you already have.

3. Follow Positive People on Social Media

This was one of my most helpful strategies! Instead of following people that constantly bash boys or relationships, follow people that make you feel good about becoming independent and starting fresh! And obviously don't follow your ex on social media, I don't care how "cool" you two are with each other. It will end bad. I love following Alexis Ren's tweets because a lot of them are so positive and moving and she previously went through an incredibly hard break-up for her. My favorite is here:

I love how powerful this is. I also love Madeleine Rose's tweets (@cheriemadelein), Charlotte D'alessio's are very funny (@char_dalessio), and Meredith Mickelson's are very uplifting as well (@meredithmgm).

Aside from Twitter, I'm absolutely OBSESSED with the @vespernyc Instagram. It is one of the most uplifting and powerful accounts I have seen. The captions basically say all of the words I couldn't put together but felt the same way about.

4. Rebounds are NOT the way to go!!

Finding another guy is great and all, but finding another guy right away is most likely a rebound. You're going to constantly compare him to your ex, and it will just make the break-up so much worse. Aside from this, you're going to hurt other people if you use them to get over your last relationship. Personally, I just wanted to feel like someone loved me again, so I would want attention from another guy. It doesn't help at all. Something will always be missing with that other person because you aren't happy on your own. As for your ex, his new relationships are his business, not yours anymore. It does no good staying mad at him for moving on, and if he moves on incredibly quickly, chances are it's a rebound and won't last. But if not, then who cares? If you care about him, you should care about his well-being and happiness in the end.

5. Stop Holding onto the old memories

Yes, it's great to have things for when you get past this and want to preserve the good memories. But keeping old pictures on your phone, around your room, or things that remind you of them is going to make it so much worse, and you will want to see or talk to him/her. Put it in a box or just throw it all away. It's just not worth the heartbreak for your ex's old hoodie or something they gave you four years ago.

6. DO NOT CONTINUE TO HOOK UP WITH YOUR EX AFTER THE BREAKUP

Okay ladies, you'd think this one is obvious but seriously. Yes, I get that you're both lonely, but dragging out a dead relationship is only making things worse. It will make you feel less valuable when the person who used to care so much for you starts treating you like the girl he only calls at night when he's lonely. Trust me, you don't ever want to be that girl. I don't care how valuable you think you are, you are SO much more valuable than being treated this way so always respect yourself!

I could go on forever telling you all of the things I've done to feel happy again on my own but in the end, everyone heals differently and at different times/paces. Most importantly, be patient and stop waiting around to be okay. Being happy IS a choice. Do things that make you happy and focus on yourself.