How to Laugh Your Way Through a Breakup

Breaking up is hard to do. We know all that. We even know all the songs about all that. It stinks. Sometimes, however, we can help it along with some friends and some shared laughter. After all, there's always something out there to laugh about. Sounds crazy, but try it--what do you have to lose?

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A few good friends, or at least one good friend
• Movies and a television
• Comfort food
• Games

1. Go ahead and admit that you feel crummy, but also realize that you can plan to escape from all that. First things first: call your best friends together--as many or as few as you choose.
2. Prepare some goodies for your pals. Try nachos or French bread with lots of fruit and dip. Dark chocolate fondue with cherries and oranges...the possibilities are endless, but pick something that's really a treat.
3. Get comfy. Wear your oldest pair of jeans, a soft fuzzy sweater and your really ugly house slippers. Tell pals to come in relax clothes. Make comfort food--is yours spaghetti, banana pudding, mom's pot roast or hot cocoa with marshmallows? Surround yourself with all the things that make you feel warm and safe and loved.
4. Have fun. Get silly. Watch a movie tonight with pals that makes you laugh. Try those goofy TV shows with home videos. How can you not laugh at animals and kids looking ridiculous? And it's so much more fun with friends.
5. Plan a pizza PJ party with Dominoes and Canasta and Margaritas. Or get a new video at the library on Hip Hop dancing and give it a whirl. Try a get together at the local skating rink or amusement park. Do something different--maybe some things you outgrew but loved as a kid. Play Twister or Parcheesi. Get a hula hoop. Take some giggly girls to see a goofy movie. Remember what giggling really felt like.
6. Plan several of your tomorrow nights tonight when you're feeling better than you thought possible. Could you take that class you've put off? Go see that museum exhibit or ballet that you couldn't go to before? Enjoy your new freedom with things you had no time for before.
7. Call all those people you've been meaning to get together with. Plan to have dinner one night - cook at home for them if you're not flushed this week. Go out for coffee with that coworker you've always wanted to get to know better. Babysit for the new mom at work or offer to pet sit your buddies' lively chocolate lab. Pick things that you'd consider fun.
8. Do some volunteer work where you'll have fun. How about helping with a little kids T-ball team or planning a Barbie Birthday for kids who are developmentally disabled? Call around and see what would give others a good time and lift your spirits, too. Choose somewhere you're going to hear some laughter!
9. Remember that healing takes time but how you spend that time is up to you. Filling it with helping others to laugh will bring you laughter and meaning and a great deal of love...and isn't missing all that just what you were crying about? Come on and give it a try. You don't have to feel like it. Just do it and the feelings will come.
10. Remind yourself again and again that you ARE going to get past this and life will be good again. Life will be better than it ever was before one day. Tell yourself as often as you need to that you can hang on for this one day. Soon you'll actually feel better and this will be behind you for real.

Tips & Warnings

• Surround yourself with people who love you and lift you up.
• Wear cheerful clothing--fix your hair--put your makeup and good clothes on.
• Eat and sleep right. Get some fresh air and exercise.
• Don't make huge decisions after a big upheaval in your life. Wait till things settle down and you can think more clearly.
• Don't stay by yourself much at the beginning. You will only go downhill with your own company right now.