5 Things Not to Do After a Break Up

When heartbreak strikes, we can be our own worst enemies. Here's a list of five things not to do after a break up.

1. Don’t Call.
Unless you want to apologize, reconcile, or lose every last shred of personal pride you have left, do not pick up that phone. When you break up with someone, make it as clean a break as possible. Calling will only make the wound fester and distract you from the new life that you have to build now without your ex. Use your energy for more productive things. Take the phone off the hook if need be. Remove your ex’s phone number from your call-back options on your cell. Until you’re completely over it, the phone is not your friend.

2. Don’t Cut or Burn Your Photos.
Though it might be tempting to take a scissors and stab your ex through the head, don’t do it. First, it’s kinda nuts. Second, if you ever do get back together it’ll be hard to explain. And third, the pictures tell a story of your past and should be honored as such. If destruction seems like too much of a temptation, box up the memories and give them to a friend for safekeeping until you’ve cooled off.

3. Don’t Mope.
Easier said than done—we all know how crushing break ups can be. And we also know that everyone needs a period of mourning. But set a time limit for yourself. Give yourself a few days to cry, brood, and curse wicked fate for your broken heart. Decide that you’re only going to eat so many pints of Ben & Jerry’s. Then get busy. Doing what? Anything. Stay occupied and try to be pleasant to be around even if you want to burst into tears every time “your song” comes on the radio.

Don't brood for too long. Get back out there!

Credit: Ariadna

Copyright: morguefile