Things you'll need

You can do it without the following items, but they are highly recommended for the most rewarding (yes, really!) experience possible:

• A few shoulders to cry on. It really does help to talk about it, preferably to more than just one person (if only to give your best friend some relief).
• A Teddy Bear (for hugs and to talk to at 4am when everyone else is asleep.) That is, unless, your ex is named Ted. Dogs and cats will do, too, although pets may not always give you quite that loving sympathetic gaze and undivided attention that teddy bears are so good at. (But avoid the stuffed animals/gifts your ex gave you)
• Hot showers (As much as you may not even want to get out of bed, much less get in the shower - *sniffle* "who cares if I wash my hair now, anyway?" - you will feel better after a shower, or a nice long soak in the tub. Hot water relaxes tense muscles, soothes anxiety and refreshes puffy eyes and swollen, tear-stained faces.
• Paper and pens (a journal is perfect, paints and glue and other illustration tools, even better!)
• Funny movies and absorbing novels can be a great temporary respite and laughter can really lighten your mood.
• Healthy snacks! If you're one of the millions who try to fill that hollow sad feeling through your mouth (which doesn't work because food isn't what you're missing), fill the fridge with celery sticks and other light snacks that you won't regret later if you're nibbling nervously. (On the other hand, don't forget to eat! Heartbreak can often rob you of your appetite, but be sure not to to punish yourself and remember to think about your health, as you are the most important person now. Being ill from malnutrition won't help you be strong enough to move on. If you've lost your appetite, make sure you have the fridge stocked with relatively healthy food that you like, and make sure you eat enough to keep your energy up.)
• Your sense of humor and your knowledge that "this too shall pass".
• Lots of tissues.
• Self-love. Even if you aren't feeling so hot about yourself right now, look in the mirror and remind yourself of all the good things about you, and the fact that breaking up does not mean there is something wrong with you. Find things you like about yourself. If you're having trouble telling yourself good things, go out and commit a covert act of kindness towards a friend or stranger and savor the feeling of having such a sweet secret. And remember that lots of great people have failed relationships; the fact that your relationship failed says nothing about you as a person. it doesn't mean there is something wrong with you, it means there was something not working in the relationship.
• Friends and family can be a great support system - you may find that the people you're closest to will do anything and everything to help you heal and be happy again. However, sometimes this isn't the case. If you have unsupportive people in your life, you need to seek support elsewhere. Make meeting supportive new people who share your interests part of your new challenge! But whether it's friends or family, the point is to get out of your house and out of your own head and go spend time with other people. Even if that feels like the last thing you want to do, it's important that you don't just barricade yourself at home and go through this by yourself. Once you establish that pattern, it gets harder and harder to break out of it. Make room for your friends and let them help you through this.
• The realization that great guys/girls DO exist, this is not the last person you will ever love, and that one day you'll find the one for you that you'll go the distance with. If you found it once, you can find it again. Promise.
• Something to get your mind off of that certain guy or girl. Maybe just hanging out with good friends or going shopping for something that you really want. You might be surprised by how much better you feel once you take your mind out of its intense focus and just relax and do something fun.