You dream about your future when you are a teen, and start thinking about what you want your life to look like.  You think about your career, and being able to travel.  You might consider relationships, and even having kids someday.  You hoped that you will be able to meet and complete all your goals, and then it happens.  You meet someone, and think this might be it.  You start to build a life and it just happens.  Everything falls apart, and your heart gets broken.  It may not feel like it at the time, but you will survive.  The trick is to mend a broken heart.

                Mending a broken heart is not an easy thing.  Ending a relationship is hard for the person who walks away, but even harder for the person left behind.   Usually, the person that leaves has been thinking about leaving for a while.  They have had time to think about their actions, and have reviewed their reasons for leaving.  For the person left behind, it may seem like the event came out of the blue, with no thought or preparation.  They are left to wonder why, and maybe never getting the answers.  Some chase the person leaving, asking for a second chance, or at least a reason.  I will say that being the person leaving or the person left behind, it’s not an easy thing to manage when relationships end.

                Whichever side you were on, moving on is hard at best.  You might be feeling lost and alone.  You might wonder if you will ever find love.  People might be trying to help by introducing you to new people.  You might be sitting alone in your room, too sad to go out, or you might already be looking for another person for a relationship.  Make sure you learn from every relationship.  If you are coming out of a relationship, take some time to think about the person you were in that relationship.  What do you want to repeat, like genuinely caring for the other person and being present in the relationship?  What don’t you want to repeat, like being jealous and possessive?  Why didn’t the relationship work?  I think we learn something from each relationship, and take what we learn into the next relationship, for better or worse.  Sometimes you take baggage that sabotages your next relationship, and beyond.  Don’t take baggage with you.  Make sure that you unpack it, and put it away.

                Take some time to review what you have to offer a relationship.  Remember your strengths, and remember it’s okay to be single.  Enjoy being single for a while.  Review your career and refocus your energy in places that you might not when you are in a relationship.  Find a new hobby or interest that makes you smile and gives you joy.  Get some good rest, and spend time with friends and family.  Reconnect with people you haven’t seen in a while and renew your spirit.  It will help you in the future, and help with mending.

                Getting your heart broken is devastating.  Take time to mourn the loss of your relationship, figure out what you learned and think about what you want in the future.  The more you understand, the better your next relationship might be.  Don’t settle for Mr. or Ms. Next if you are looking for a long term relationship.  You might miss your happily ever after.  Give yourself time to heal your heart before you start again.  It’s all part of being happy for life.