It may be a cliché, but breaking up really is hard to do. The emptiness after losing someone close to you and the fear of starting over can leave you feeling paralyzed, even if you initiated the breakup. In order to recover, you may need to give yourself adequate time to move through all the stages of breakup grief. Luckily, your favorite artists know exactly how you feel. They’ve been where you’ve been, and they will help you get through it. If not, at least your friends Ben and Jerry will always be there for you.
First stage: Realizing it’s over
That moment when you know that the relationship needs to end. What had once made it so beautiful is gone, and it’s time to let go.
Second stage: Missing your old SO
Maybe you were unceremoniously dumped. Maybe you realized they weren’t the person you thought they were. Maybe it was a mutual decision. In any case, you’re probably going to feel lonely for a while.
Third stage: Angry at your ex
This is where you feel like you got the short end of the stick. You invested so much time and energy into the relationship, and this is how you get treated?!
Fourth stage: Fierce independence
You don’t need anyone or anything. You are perfect just the way you are, and dating someone will just hold you back. You finally have the free time to do whatever you want, without worrying about anyone else. You start to realize that it’s good that the relationship ended.
Fifth stage: Moving on
You’ve recovered from your heartbreak, and you’ve realized that it was all for the best. Whether they broke your heart or you broke theirs, you are ready to move on with your life. There’s no point in dwelling on the past. You learned what you needed to from the relationship. You know you’re better off now, and you can only hope that they are as well.
