Post Breakup Struggle Tip #1: Talk Enough to the Right People

If you're a human, you know what I mean when I say it's hard to keep it to yourself when you're experiencing emotional turmoil. That's what hard times do to you. After my first relationship, I realized that it was important to talk about how I felt. After my second, I decided only to talk enough, and only to the right people.

I went in search of guidance, reason, and just enough wise reassurance to know what to make of the confusing situation I was left in. I talked to the people I knew I could get those things from. I evaluated each person I spoke to based on the result I might get by talking to them--and I also felt I could trust their insight. When you only talk enough and only to the right people, you're stopping the bleeding and closing the wound, as opposed to getting angrier, more emotional, and--if you talk too much--annoying. Don't magnify an already disturbing experience. Let your conversations result in real calm, clarity, acceptance, and reassurance.

Keep in mind that you are looking for value, not an opportunity to bash your ex or make yourself crazy.

Suggested confidant:

• a priest you trust
• a parent
• close, sane friends
• people you trust who've been there done that
• people in you ex's family, if they're sane
• your ex's friends, if they're reasonable
• God

10 Tips for the Post-Breakup Struggle: Preface

Too much sunlight!!! But...I still like this picture.

I cannot say that I am the best at avoiding relationships that quickly go south. Each time I have agreed to date someone, it was always done with sincerity and with an end-goal in mind. Most of us are like that. We're careful, methodical. We hope and pray. A lot.

But it happens: We experience a breakup at some point and realize the crap has hit the fan.

While I may not be able to talk about what it's like to get it right when choosing to date someone, I feel reluctantly qualified in the post-breakup department.

So, read my next 10 posts, if you know the struggle (I'd like to meet someone over the age of 17 who doesn't). The following tips can be followed in order or simultaneously. They really work, I've got to say; it's proven every time one of my friends say to me, "You really do seem so much happier!" 

Here's a list of what you have to look forward to.

10 Tips for the Post-Breakup Struggle:

1. Talk enough to the right people.
2. Do not over examine the details.
3. Transform your emotional energy.
4. You are not a victim!
5. Take what was good and leave the rest.
6. Disown emotionally perturbed thoughts and own your reality.
7. Recite repetitive prayers spontaneously.
8. Jesus is too present in your life for you not to be okay.
9. Jesus, I trust in You!
10. It's a process.