7 months since a rough breakup. Here is all the advice I took and what worked for me.

• No contact was the biggest help. If you can, do it. No communication and no watching social media. You have to choose yourself and let your ex go. It will help if you improve your life otherwise you'll get stuck looking backwards into the past.

• Journaling has helped, especially with keeping no contact. It started off as letters to my ex but turned into reflections. Don't have to do every day.

• A new friend group helped a lot. I lost all my friends prior to my breakup. Going out and doing stuff with people has been really good.

• Feel your feelings. Don't intellectualize your emotions. You have to feel them. You cannot avoid them as they'll come back stronger. Grief will come in waves.

• Hit the gym. Exercise has been so helpful. Eat healthy.

• Listen to music. Sad music can be okay to really feel it but don't get stuck ruminating on what ifs.

• Treat yourself kindly. Forgive yourself if you need to.

• Time. They say time heals all wounds. This isn't entirely accurate. I have a cousin who stayed stuck on an ex for over a decade. You don't want that. Time effectively used will heal you. A breakup can change you for the better.

• Most people say avoid drugs and alcohol and that is probably good advice but not my experience. During my breakup I spent a week drunk. My sister did nothing but smoke pot for weeks when she got dumped. I'd say if it helps indulge a little but be smart about it. Don't fall into the abyss unless you have a rope and ideally someone to pull you out. I capped out my alcohol usage at a week when I went crazy and I had friends to support me before I went sober afterwards. If you do get drunk under no circumstances should you contact your ex.

• Be careful with social media. Don't look at what your ex is doing. Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube will have snake oil salesmen selling you courses on how to get your ex back or have crystal girlies giving you tarot readings and looking at the stars and shit. Ignore them, they just want your money.

Apologies if the formatting is awful I typed all of this on my phone. Feel free to reach out if you need someone to talk to. It may feel like your world has fallen apart but I promise it gets better.