Get Over that Break-up by Living Your Life

Breaking up straight up hurts. When it happens, regardless if it was mutual or came out of left field, it can be devastating. You cry your heart out, question whether the break-up was even the right decision (if you were the dumper), or your mind races with ways to get your ex-back ( if you were the dumpee). The bottom line is that the relationship is no more. You're left thinking 'Now what?' and question how you can possibly move on when your feeble heart is still weak from being shattered. There's only one way - it has to be nursed it back to health. Like any injury, the only way to heal yourself is to take care of your wounded heart and give it some time.

One reason why many people, including myself, have such a hard time moving on is that they are mentally consumed by the break-up. You start reminiscing about the good times, then you start plotting on how to get your ex back, or even feel your ex is the most evil person alive that you must get revenge on while at the same time vowing to move on and be the bigger person. And before you know it, you haven't accomplished anything all weekend but sit on the couch and think about your ex. What you need to do is keep yourself, and your mind, busy or it will wander into the ex-obsession zone.

Catch up with Friends

There's a pretty good chance that when you were in your relationship, you spent a whole lot less time with your friends. Everything you use to do revolved around the words 'us' and 'we' and now that it's just 'you', it's time to get back in-touch with those neglected friends. Give them a call or even meet up with them for coffee or dinner. The weekends are all yours now so you can even have a 'date night' (platonic of course) with your old buddies that you haven't seen in a while. There's a pretty good chance they've missed the single version of you.

Catch up on Books, TV shows and Movies

I have a list of books that I've always wanted to read, movies I've always wanted to see, and TV shows I needed to catch up on. After my break-up I spent lot of time reading and was finally able start catching up on an author I've always wanted to check out. Along with books, TV shows and films are great ways to distract yourself. For me I lived off of the Redbox, where movies were only a dollar a night, so I was finally able to catch up on movies that I missed when they were in the theaters.

Expand Your Hobbies

Use your free time to learn something new. I truly believe everyone has a hobby or new skill that they would like to pick up. Take that cooking class you've always thought of taking or if there's a skill you already have but you wish to be better at, why not practice now and expand on it. You could even search for social groups online, such as Meetup.com, where you can meet others that share your interests and passions.

Just Get Out There

Attend events that interest you. For me concerts were always an escape. With one of my single girlfriends, we would go to shows and for a few hours that night it was a get away from everyday life. Instead of staying in and listening to mopey love songs, decide to be around creative energy by listening to a band you like...in person.

Travel and Explore

Sometimes a small get away is needed. A change of scenery is always good for the heart and soul. Explore surrounding cities in your area that you haven't really visited and find an interesting and unique activity to partake in. Why not be spontaneous and visit that friend or cousin you know who lives out-of-state? And if you're low on cash, grab a friend or two and make a road trip getaway just for the weekend. You'll feel refreshed.

So these are some of my suggestions on ways to keep yourself active and not get stuck in the post break-up misery. You don't need to keep pondering and wondering and going through all one million and one 'what ifs' about you and your ex. There is no quick fix for a broken heart. It took time to develop those feelings and it will take time for them to fade. But it's all a choice. You can chose to spend your time in misery and wallow in the pain or you can chose to continue to embrace what life has to offer and be present in every moment. I chose to continue to create my life. I jumped in it (broken heart and all) and so should you.