| Letting go of a relationship is hard no matter if you | | | | learn how to scuba dive? You are already going |
| are breaking up or being broken up with. While it may | | | | through a transition, use this period as an excuse to |
| seem unbearable at first, there are steps you can | | | | pick up new skills or hobbies. Invite a friend along so |
| take to ease the pain and move on. | | | | you have someone to share your new adventure |
| 1. Make a Clean Break | | | | with. Best of all, this new hobby is something that |
| As tempting as it may be to hold on to your ex by | | | | you will not associate with your ex. |
| remaining friends, it will only delay the healing process. | | | | 7. Treat yourself |
| On the off-chance that you are able to move on to | | | | Have you had your eye on something special from |
| a new romance while remaining friends with your ex, | | | | your favourite store that you just haven't been able |
| your new love may not be too comfortable with | | | | to justify buying? They call it retail therapy for a |
| your ex hanging around. | | | | reason. Now is the perfect time to treat yourself to |
| 2. Allow yourself to grieve | | | | that cute pair of shoes or a new dress. |
| Break ups are one of the major losses a person | | | | 8. Get a pet |
| faces throughout life. Cry, scream, spend a Sunday | | | | A fury (or scaly) friend can help ease the feelings of |
| watching sappy movies with a tub of your favourite | | | | loneliness. By rescuing an abandoned pet from your |
| ice cream-letting go of a relationship can be made | | | | local shelter, you can find a pet that needs the extra |
| easier if you allow yourself to express your grief. | | | | love and attention you have to give. Make certain |
| 3. Start a Journal | | | | you find out all you can about the pet you choose to |
| Writing out your thoughts and feelings allows you to | | | | adopt to ensure they will fit in with your life once the |
| acknowledge and work through them faster. | | | | grieving period is over. |
| Admitting that the relationship wasn't perfect is a | | | | 9. Develop a crush |
| great starting point for moving on. Make lists of all | | | | Harmless flirting is a great ego boost and can help |
| the good and the bad elements of the relationship to | | | | you get passed your feelings of rejection. If there's |
| help you learn what you want (or don't want) from | | | | no one in your daily life that you feel is worthy of |
| future romantic partners. | | | | your charm, daydreaming about your favourite actor |
| 4. Start an exercise routine | | | | can be a great substitute (and you are guaranteed |
| Exercising releases mood-elevating endorphins into | | | | that he'll say all the right things). |
| your bloodstream. If you join a group fitness | | | | 10. Start dating again |
| program-such as a yoga class or boot camp-you can | | | | The final, and most obvious step in letting go of a |
| combine this feel good practice with meeting new | | | | relationship is to be open to the opportunity for a |
| people. | | | | new relationship. Keep in mind the things you learned |
| 5. Spend time with family & friends | | | | from your recent relationship. However, be sure not |
| Family and friends can provide you with what you | | | | to compare your new love to your ex; accept them |
| need, whether it be a shoulder to cry on or an | | | | for who they are and they'll do the same for you. |
| escape from the moping. Letting go of a relationship | | | | Only you can know when you are ready to start |
| will hurt less if you surround yourself with people who | | | | dating again, but don't let yourself pine over your ex |
| care about you. | | | | for too long. Grieve and then move on to loving and |
| 6. Take up a new hobby | | | | being loved by another. |
| Have you always wanted to take an art class or | | | | |