Getting dumped sucks. Whether you were just texting, and he mysteriously stopped answering; or you had been dating for three years and he, “didn’t see it working out in the long run”, getting over him can be a challenge. We fall into a routine of self pity and sweatpants, and it’s hard to get back out. These five steps, when followed diligently, will get you off the couch and into a lifestyle that will make him wish he never walked away. Having recently been dumped, I can assure you my research is accurate.

Step 1: Give yourself time to mourn

A big part of your life is now missing; it’s okay to be sad about it. You’re allowing yourself to grieve, but it’s important to give yourself an end date. For relationships that lasted longer, the mourning time will be longer.

Step 2: Purge

Delete all the pictures and messages. De-friend him on Snapchat, Twitter, and Instagram. This may seem drastic, but it will take twice as long to get over him if you’re watching him fondle club girls on his Snapstory. It would also be good to throw away all the things he gave you or were obtained under the intent to return. You’re moving on. You don’t need those things in your life any more.

Step 3: Motivate yourself

Don’t fall into the pit of self loathing! Encourage yourself and plan your new life! Think of new hobbies you can pick up that will get you out of the house, or plan to rekindle flames with a hobby you may have let go. It’s all about getting excited to start a new chapter in your life.

Go get drinks with old friends.

Go dancing with old friends and meet new friends!

Start going to the gym. If you already go to the gym, try something different from what you already do (yoga, lifting, zumba etc..).

Step 4: Drastically change your hair, & treat yourself to a shopping spree

Out with the old in with the new! The best way to get over a guy is to get your hair done. You no longer see yourself as a sad shell of a human lost without it’s other half. Now you see a confident lady with a new haircut and outfit to boot! Confidence is key. You need to feel like you can walk straight past the man who crushed your soul, giving him the good hair flipping he deserves. In some cases, another form of flipping is condoned. Own it.

Step 5: Moving on

Getting over someone is kind of like running a race with a cramp. It hurts really bad, and you just want to sit down while people feed you chocolate. This would indeed be ideal, but you have to keep going. So you breathe, tell yourself you can do it, and before you know it you’ve finished the race. Now you have accomplished this great feet, and that cramp seems like it was years ago.

When you get dumped it hurts really bad. Never forget that the sun will rise again and this pain will end. When it ends, you will be able to start brand new adventures. With new adventures come new people in your life. Soon enough this failed relationship will be referred to as a dodged bullet.