How to to stay single for a year
How I did it: With friends and family and lots of hobbies. Exercise. Gave up alcohol which helped with the emotional ridiculousness of not wanting to be single (and let me have some dignity in a difficult situation / breaking up). With time you stop thinking about "them" and more about whatever you are doing.
Lessons & tips: Keep yourself busy at the beginning. Sometimes its easier not to think about being alone till you have let some time go past. Cry if you need to. Try not to dwell on it - the time will come when you can think about being alone without breaking down or feeling the need to call an ex. Spend time with friends and family and try to pay attention to everything that is going on around you. it is easy to get distracted by your pain and your thoughts but you need to try to look outwards as much as you can. Tell yourself every day that it will get better, because it will. and you are always allowed to cry if you feel like you need to. When you realise that you are actually happy where you are, you will realise it was all worth it. The feeling is wonderful and I can only wish other people realise it without having to go through any hardship. I wish I knew how powerful I was alone when I was 18.
Resources: Friends and family, there are no quick fixes for a broken heart - and there is no quick way to get to know yourself. Just like a relationship with anyone else - a relationship with "you" takes time, patience, energy, and commitment. I really hope you take the time to get to know yourself, like i have, and I hope it makes you feel as good as I feel now.
