Once upon a time there was a fair-haired girl who fell in love with an (emotionally) available guy with perfect hair and they lived happily ever after. Nope, that wasn’t me, but it sounds nice, right? No no, I, like many others, in times recent have happened upon the road more often traveled…girl falls in something resembling love with the guy with perfect hair at the wrong time and under heavy circumstances. I blame my blind optimism…don’t you?
Now, ladies and gentlemen, we’ve all been there at one time or another. He broke your heart, she left you for some other dope. He couldn’t see himself marrying her, she couldn’t trust him. So what do you do when it’s done? How do you get happy despite the crickets between the two of you? Well, take 24-48 hours, cry if you’d like, get the favorite food of your choice and indulge. Let yourself go. Then, get up and focus. Now I am by no means an expert, but I am a quick study and always appreciate a good list. So here are some “DO’s” and “DON’Ts” of the humble beginnings of moving past that relationship.
DON’T listen to sad/sentimental music. For me, this includes, but is not limited to, the following: The Avett Brothers, Trampled by Turtles, Adele (in my opinion, no one should be listening to Adele unless actively taking Zoloft), or the first half of the White Stripes’ Under Great White Northern Lights. Also, by no means should you listen to Mumford & Sons, unless you want a good cry, then by all means, skip the mascara and put “white blank page” on repeat.
DO keep busy, preferably with activities of a positive nature that do not lead to drunk texting. Keep busy, whether that means cleaning, cooking, baking, being nice, spending loads of money on stuff you don’t need, writing a letter, writing a blog or becoming your very own Taylor Swift.
DO sleep. If you can’t, take something. Melatonin is a favorite in my circle. Bloodshot eyes are not flattering and only cause friends and co-workers to stare at you awkwardly and then ask questions like “Rough night?” or “Feeling okay there, Champ?” If you do find yourself in that position, don’t roll your eyes and yell profanities at them like you may want to…just smile and drink your coffee.
DO treat yo’self. Go shopping. See a movie. Get your nails did. Finally cash in on that massage you got last birthday. Watch the game with your pants off. Call in sick and just do nothing.
And now, I leave you with some wise words from Mimi, my grandmother who thought she knew everything…and she probably did.
Katie Powell Bell 